The Spelman Spotlight VOLUME XVI NO.9 Student activism finally comes to Spelman Founder’s Day 2002 Jaela Neal was asked to address specific as­ did go on to relate this idea to a Features Editor pects of popular culture. Tania much larger and even scarier pic­ dents and staff by giving Gethers, Spelman senior and rep­ ture. She contended that these im­ a brief speech about the A panel discussion and resentative of the organization Sas­ ages of black women, namely history of our institution forum titled “Ludicrous and safras was asked to comment on gold-diggers with negative atti­ and her accomplishments Ridickulus: Images of Women in the power of popular culture. She tudes who are viewed as sexual ob­ since leaving our gates. Popular Culture” was held on chose to talk about film and the im­ jects for men, are being relayed The brevity of the convo­ Wednesday April 3 in Cosby Au­ ages of black people, which have through television to the rest of the cation surprised many ditorium. This forum, sponsored been presented to America through world. This does not bode well for faculty members who by the groups SHAPE, PEPPERS such films as The Best Man and all African-Americans because we said that they expected and RAW (Raising Awareness in Baby Boy. Gethers contended that are not an analogous group. In the convocation to be Women), was created in order to while the black community sup­ other words, all black people do very long because of Dr. stimulate dialogue amongst ports and generally enjoys these not look, think, speak or act alike Tiffany C. Austin Manley’s retirement. Spelman students about the images movies, they have also served to and so there is no need for only Contributing Writer However, many of black women that are being por­ perpetuate certain stereotypes one image of black people within freshman did not appre­ trayed in hip-hop, television as about the black community. For this world. This years’ ciate her attempt at brev­ well as within other aspects of instance the image of the strong All of the panelists that founders day marked the ity. popular culture. black career woman played by ac­ participated in the forum reiterated 121s* anniversary of our “She was simply Dr. Tarshia Stanley, mod­ tress Nia Long in The Best Man, a lot of the same ideas. They all institution and in a long reiterating the history [of erator of the event and member of represents the black woman who espoused a belief in the power of standing Spelman tradi­ Spelman], but it would the English Department, began the is without, nor in need of, a man the individual to change things. tion, Sisters Chapel was have been better if she event with a screening of a video because she has a career. Activism, which has seen better filled with Freshmen in would have told more of of her own creation that pieced to­ Another panel member days at Spelman College, is one of white dresses, seniors and her personal story” said gether various well-known deroga­ was Spelman junior April the ways that black women can faculty in full academic our anonymous freshman. tory images of black women, Brussard, who represented the Pro­ begin to combat and hopefully regalia, and hoards of Fortunately, everyone on which can be found in everyday gramming Board, which is a new eradicate these offensive and de­ alumnae displaying their campus does not share in life. Well- known images such as organization composed of students bilitating images. Other forms of undaunted spirit through­ this lack of appreciation a number of popular but visually that will plan all of Spelman’s so­ combatance as suggested by the out the campus. for our founders. offensive rap videos, concerts and cial activities. Ms. Brussard spoke panel include education, dialogue, However, unlike “I thought the even movies were flashed onto the about music and what role it plays awareness and even love. Love the spirited alumnae, speaker was very good, a screen while the spoken word in the conveyance of negative im­ can be used as a combatant if used many current Spelman whole lot better than last poem “Thickness” by Jill Scott ages of black women. She com­ to build up self-esteem and respect. women seem to have lost year” said sophomore Joi played. This video, which mented in part that music has be­ Love for oneself and for others can their respect and appre­ Kilpatrick, “This year I shocked, outraged and even em­ gun to primarily use sex and catchy only lead to the building of better ciation for our founders. really felt the spirit of sis­ barrassed many a member of the hooks with no actual lyrical con­ relationships, which in turn can Describing the event as terhood that is sometimes audience, was the perfect opening tent change the ways the black people “Just another convoca­ not realized on our cam­ to an extremely thoughtful and to sell records. This is of course view themselves and each other. tion, nothing special” one pus.” compelling panel discussion. nothing new to anyone who listens This forum is only the be­ freshman who wishes to “I think that many The panel, which was to any popular radio station or ginning of a series of forums, remain anonymous con­ freshman didn’t like complied of Spelman students, watches MTV and BET. But she Continued on page 2 tinued by saying that she founders day because you went because she had to, don’t really begin to ap­ and did not see the big preciate the school and it’s English determines graduating honors deal. history until you have The April 11th con­ been here for awhile. vocation that usually Stuff like that doesn’t Students Complain ments about their experiences in dent. serves as an uplifting rite happen overnight, it takes About This Year’s the department. “I would say add more of passage for all fresh­ awhile for the these things Senior English Exit “The exam results offer time because it might alleviate men and seniors, marking to develop,” said sopho­ a picture of our students as some pressure from those who their respective entry into more Aminah Perkins. Exam thinkers, writers, and persons have a bit of anxiety when it and exit from Spelman Despite the unde­ able to apply their literary train­ comes to test taking,” said an was described as “boring” veloped spirit of many By Natashia McGough ing in an on the spot writing anonymous student. by another anonymous members of our commu­ situation,” said Opal Moore, Dr. Moore emphasized freshman. She continued nity, the undaunted spirit Graduating senior En­ chair of the English department. that the test will be administered by saying it was “Cold of the alumnae was an ac­ glish majors at Spelman College Many students ex­ in the fall rather than in the and raining outside and I tive force throughout cam­ complain about the lack of time pressed their anger over the lack spring semester, which should didn’t really enjoy it, but pus during this period of needed to take this year’s Senior of time the department gave to assuage some of the pressures the convocation was nice respect and recognition. English Exit Exam. The serious take the test and also gave other off of students. and short.” We can only hope that af­ test determines whether or not solutions for the test that could “The purpose is to give And short it was. ter graduation members of these seniors will graduate with alleviate some of the discomfort the department an opportunity This year’s speaker Dr. our current community honors. for rising senior English majors. to respond in some manner to Shirley F. Marks, class of will adopt their spirit as The test is designed by “We need more time, students who perform poorly on 1969, surprised the stu- well. members of the English Depart­ preferably to have it as take the exam. The department is ment faculty. The faculty mem­ home or webct with a deadline. concerned about preparing our bers choose a set of readings, Trying to squeeze it in 3 hours students as writers. Therefore, which are released to the stu­ is not well-planned,” said we feel that an unacceptable dents before the examination Brittny Meekins, senior English performance on the written es­ date. The readings are selected major. say examination can tell us something about the needs of based on common readings as­ “I would/ allot more signed as part of the curriculum. time for the exam, like at least students in the area of writing The exam is intended to three hours and I would have it and critical thinking,” said Dr. offer a skills measurement that held on an earlier day in the Moore. reflects the English week,” said Courtney Young, a The earlier test results Department’s curriculum. Its senior English major. from the past exit exam have setting also gives the depart­ “I would add evaluat­ been employed to design the ment an opportunity to survey ing other papers that we have current exam. The changes to exiting students about post written outside of class to gauge next year’s exam will ultimately graduation plans and to solicit the effectiveness of the depart­ depend on the comments and re­ the students’ opinions and com­ ment,” said an anonymous stu­ sults of this year’s exam. ■hihhhhhhbhbhhhhi The Spelman Spotlight The Spelman Spotlight Cynthia Daniels Editor-in-Chief Leigh Davenport Executive Production Editor Are you interested in Tomika DePriest Advisor Natashaia McGough Campus & Local News Editor working on the Karen D.