University of Dayton eCommons The lB ack Perspective Student Produced Media 10-1-1981 The lB ack Perspective October 1981 University of Dayton. Black Action Through Unity Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/blk_perspective Recommended Citation University of Dayton. Black Action Through Unity, "The lB ack Perspective October 1981" (1981). The Black Perspective. 4. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/blk_perspective/4 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Produced Media at eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The lB ack Perspective by an authorized administrator of eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. THE BIACK inFORminc you AN AFRO-AMERICAN CENTER PUBLICATION. UNIVERSITY OF OAYTON. Volume 4, Issue 2 October, 1981 A First For the A RENEWAL Supreme Court by Fred Pringle THAT WE NEED On Friday, September 25, 1981 Sandra by Al Arnold Day O’Connor joined what was formerly known as "America’s most exclusive During the sixties, blacks foughtfor and of stringent remedies aimed at areas men’s club”, when she was confirmed by a were granted many of their “inalienable” where voting discrimination has been Senate vote of 99-0 in favor of her rights. One right was strengthened by the most flagrant.” becoming an Associate Justice of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, we The consideration to not renew the Act Supreme Court. O’Conner, 51, replaces are no longer in the sixties and it is a presupposes a violation of the very Justice Potter Stewart who announced possibility that minorities will no longer doctrine on which the foundation of this his resignation earlier this summer. In the be protected as voters by the provisions of country was built for both white and 191 years that the Supreme Court has the Voting Rights Act. minority Americans. According to been in existence there have been 101 Section 1 of the fifteenth amendment of Blacks have made substantial advances in male Supreme Court judges. the Constitution of the United States, “the O’Connor comes to this position with politics since the enactment of the 1965 right of citizens to vote shall not be denied Civil Rights Act. Today, there are more an impressive list of credentials. She or abridged by the United States or any blacks holding political offices and voting graduated Magna Cum Laude from state on account of race, color, or Stanford University and its Law School in than in any other period in American previous condition of servitude.” history. However, all these changes will five years. Along with being a classmate If the Voting Rights Act is not renewed, seem futile if Congress doesn’t extend the of Justice William Rehnquist, she served southern states will be able to re-arrange Voting Rights Act. Blacks will not be as Assistant Attorney General of Arizona, their voting districts, in turn decreasing and as a member of the state Senate of disenfranchised, but it is virtually assured the black voting strength and that they will no longer have fair and equal Arizona, where she became the first representation. representation in local voting districts woman to be named majority leader of a The most devastating effect would be and counties in the south. U.S. State Legislature. O’Connor left that black political representation would politics to practice law where she won a Provisions of the Act include a formula dwindle. A predominately black district is position as a trial judge in Arizona. In 1979 devised for the explicit purpose of combined with a predominately white she was appointed to the Arizona Court of suspending voting qualifications by the district. The white district is substantially Appeals. states pending review by the federal larger than the black district, therefore the Members of the New Right Wing government. Specifically, Section two entire district becomes majority white. As presented token opposition to prohibits the use of voting rules to hinder a result, instead of having one black O’Connor's nomination based on her voting on racial grounds and Section three representative and one white beliefs concerning abortion and the Equal strengthens existing procedures for representative, there are now two white Rights Amendment. She is believed to be attacking voting discrimination through representatives. a moderate and is expected to provide a litigation. The list of specified This is just one of the many ways in swing vote between the liberals and the considerations is seemingly endless which racial and voter discrimination can conservatives on the Supreme Court. under this most crucial Act. It specifically occur if the Voting Rights Act is not The Supreme Court has remained attacks and provides a channel to extended. Furthermore, states such as basically the same as it was in 1790 when alleviate restraints placed on minorities at Alabama, South Carolina and Mississippi George Washington appointed six white, the polls. The emphasis on the Voting will no longer be required to present male protestants to the first Supreme Rights Act of 1965 is evident in that the county and district voting changes to Court. But over the years the highest Supreme Court of the United States Congress. In essence, if the Voting Rights court in the judiciary has expanded. eloquently states in its decision on So. Act is not renewed, blacks througout the Today, the Supreme Court consists of Carolina vs. Katzenbach case 383 US 301, south and in some northern states may be six white male protestants, one black that “the Voting Rights Act of 1965 subjected to the same discriminatory male, one Catholic and finally a woman. reflects Congress’ firm intention to rid the practices and voter racism that existed O’Connor assumes the highest country of racial discrimination in voting. sixteen years ago. government position ever held by a The heart of the Act is a complex scheme woman. THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE OCTOBER 1981 Page 2 EDITORIAL B.A.T.U. (Black Action Dinner Dance Through Unity) by Stephanie Joy Harris B.A.T.U- is U.D.’s Black Student The third annual Black Faculty, Staff Government comprised of all actively and Student Dinner/Dance will be held in involved students. This organization is the Daytonian Hotel Ballroom on here to help perpetuate U.D.’s black Saturday, October 31st, from 7:00 p.m. to student body and to create a mood of self­ 2:00 a.m. There will be a cash bar and involvement among the students. dinner will be served at 8:30 p.m. B.A.T.U. is not here to separate the blacks The Dinner/Dance, sponsored by the from the whites, but merely to provide Center for Afro-American Affairs, will black .cultural events that the white Miss BATU, 1981-82 — SHARON CAESAR student government (SA) do not provide cost $7.00 for UD students, $15.00 for at this time. The elected officers B.A.T.U. faculty, staff and alumni and $10.00 for are here to represent your particular inter­ other guests. There will be no ticket sales Ms. BATU Pageant ests and needs, but without your help and after Tuesday, October 27, 1981. The attire for this occasion will be semi- October 1, 1981 support B.A.T.U. will not exist. by Elaine Byndon Remember, “B.A.T.U. IS YOU”. formal. All black students and faculty/staff members are encouraged to Once again, it was time to select this B.A.T.U. Chairman attend the dinner. year’s Ms. BATU to represent UD’s black Harold A. Pope According to Faith Johnson, Co­ student organization, Black Action Through ordinator for the Center for Afro- Unity, in UD’s 1981-82 homecoming Pageant Improvement American Affairs, “the dinner/dance is queen campaign. by Elaine Byndon just one of the methods used by the Center On Thursday, September 17th, seven This year’s Ms. BATU pageant was an to promote unity among the black brave and excited contestants who improvement compared to the past Ms. students and faculty at the University of wanted to represent BATU, appeared on BATU pageants. There were improve­ Dayton." stage in Boll Theatre. Each contestant ments in the areas of contestant talent The agenda for this year’s affair appeared to be confident and well- performances and audience participa­ includes: A guest speaker Dr. Lionel prepared to persuade the audience that tion. BATU’s ministers of Cultural Affairs Newsome, president of Central State she would be the best representative. and committee members should be very University, along with performances by The seven contestants vying for the proud of their production. The pageant the Black Concert Choir and Shades of honor of Ms. BATU were Sophomores flowed smoothly and got to the point. Black dance group. Pam Gregory and Sharon Austin; Junior The only flaw I witnessed was in the The dinner this year, as well as in the Stephanie Harris; and Seniors Torry questioning of the contestants. There are past, affords students the chance to “mix Armfield, Jessica Parker, Michaele only so many reasons why you would and mingle” with faculty members and to Tompkins and Sharon Caesar. want to be Ms. BATU. exchange information concerning the Each contestant was rated on a scale of Since most of the people came to be university and its programs. Also, it offers one to five, the highest being five. They seen and to be nosy, everyone who was students and faculty a chance to unwind were judged on their desire to be Ms. there for the talent portion would agree and have a good time together in a BATU, their personality, talent, that their curiosity was satisfied and that relaxing atmosphere.