University of Dayton eCommons The lB ack Perspective Student Produced Media 4-1-1996 The lB ack Perspective April 1996 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 April 1996" (1996). The Black Perspective. 24. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/blk_perspective/24 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]. TJfE 4UKH KASKCTIVL TMIVM Of DOTH MflHuiracmuDfraKff VOL 17 H0.7WI0QC DO YOU WANT DIVERSITY? by Ebony L. Odoms Do you as an African American student if you see more black faces on campus in the coming years? Evidently not! On March 21st, Diverse Student Populations in collaboration with the Admissions office held a meeting to address the needs for recruiting more minority students. The meeting was facilitated by the DSP staff; Tim Spraggins, Kathleen Henderson, and Diana Castillo, along with three administrators from the admissions office; Chris Munoz, Myron Achbach, Seniors Lisa Blackwell, Delisha Stewart, and Kemi O'gunjimi celebrate their sisterhood on the Women's Retreat. and Rob Durkle. The meeting was primarily held to hear minority students input on the ideas IN CELEBRATION OF MY BLACK SISTERS they had to increase the recruitment of by Danielle Stinson minorities on campus. Ironically only eight African American students and two On Sunday, March 24 in celebration of precious moments," as those are the ones Latin American students were in atten­ Women's "Herstory" Month, 19 young she remembers most since the loss of her dance for this meeting, not even one women of UD attended a women's retreat son, Chris. eighth of the minority student population at the Bergamo Christian Education Next, it was time to "exhale". We on campus. Center. "In Celebration Of My Black pampered ourselves with hand massages, The students who were present had Sisters" focused on "the relationships of and manicures. After a healthy dinner, we good ideas. Rashad Young, a native black women... at our campus, sister-to- celebrated the grace of our bodies in Daytonian and sophomore, business sister, and with self." The retreat's motion by learning easy, stress-relieving major, told the admissions that the purpose was to celebrate as well as exercises which help to put the body and prospective students should be "shown empower black women as individuals mind at ease, taught by Miss Stephanie more things that would interest them." Mr. and collectively. Morgan. As a finale, we sistas honored Young went on to add that "if they want As the ladies sat around the room in a our spirituality with a period of prayer and more African American students enrolled circle ready to begin our first exercise, the praise. Each woman created a collage then they need to get more African retreat began with an activity that helped describing herself and sharing it with the American students to help them." us to be in contact with our emotions. group. By the end of the day, not a soul Tiffany Wyatt, a sophomore, commu­ Afterwards, all eyes were open wide and was left unhealed as the sound of Whitney nications major, reiterated Rashad's point all minds in one direction. Houston and CeCe Winans' "Count On and added, "seeing black student's on This was due in part to one of the Me" filled our ears and our hearts! campus and interacting with them is what strongest, most inspirational female As a young sista struggling in a '90's get's the prospective students interested figures many of us had ever met. This this is truly a memorable and worthwhile in this University. and if they want a dynamic woman was Ms. Alice Daniels. experience. It will never be forgotten. more diversified population then this is She began her session with a song entitled An extra special thank you goes out to what they need to do." "Designer's Original." This song told three very important, beautiful "mother- Despite the mesally populated how each of us is different and has sisters" on campus: Kathleen Henderson, meeting, the points that these students something special to offer the world, Rev. Judi Wortham, and Verda George. raised were put to use. The prospective which is unique to our personality and a These women are here for us anytime, students that have visited the campus gift from God. This was particularly but are sometimes taken for granted. I since that meeting were met with a host fitting as the topic of discussion was want to take the time now just to let them of African American faces. "How To Live Each Day As If It Were know how much we really appreciate Hopefully in the future, more African Your Last On Earth." Although many of them. Their presence at the retreat meant American students will help in the us were reluctant to speak at first, each more than words can say. With them, recruitment of minority students before woman eventually expressed what she Ms. Daniels, and Miss Morgan, we the well runs dry. could leave to the world if her life was to younger sistas were able to truly cel­ As the office of Diverse Student Popula­ suddenly come to an end. Ms. Daniels ebrate ourselves and the company of tions reminds us "It takes a Village". encouraged all of us to create "little, each other. HAITI: A RETURN TO MY ROOTS by Donita Harger This past Spring Break I had the preparation sessions we thought we had exceptionally thin arms and legs privilege to attend UD's first Spring were finally prepared for our journey. that resembled the pencils we write Break Out to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. For But no one could have prepared us for with. As I walked into the room, the nine days, along with 10 other UD what we were about to experience. No children would gather up all the students, I was immersed in the poorest one could have explained to us how strength they could to raise their tiny country in the western hemisphere. we would feel when we returned arms out to be held. The room was The purpose of our trip was to work home. No one could describe the filled with a constant moaning of pain. directly with the poor while learning feeling I would feel being an African- Each morning I would play peek-a- about the political, economic, and American in Haiti. boo, or make funny faces, but nothing cultural aspects of a third world While in Haiti, my life was recon­ could make them forget the pain in country. structed. I had a rude awakening as I their fragile bodies. Being at the After 10 students were selected in began to accept and embrace my hospital made the statistic's I have January, the learning process began. African roots. Haiti is the first all black heard before real. 27 percent of Our Sunday evenings were devoted to republic. African slaves were annexed Haitian children die before age five. the discovery of information about to Haiti by the Spanish and French. One Haitian child dies every five Haiti. During these sessions, we would Once they were there the slaves began minutes. The infant mortality rate is hear from speakers throughout the to revolt against the authority. The 123 per 1,000 births. Dayton area that have recently traveled slaves rebelled and conquered the It is almost impossible to describe to Haiti. Each speaker touched upon a French and established their own what I experienced in Haiti. The different aspect of Haiti - political, constitution. Haiti welcomed any slave Haitian people have been truly touched economic, and cultural etc. After many that wanted to be free, regardless of by the Spirit. In the midst of severe where they were being held captive. poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and unem­ Each face I looked into I felt the power ployment are the most loving, kind, and energy of the slave revolt. I also patient, and forgiving people I have WJK4J PWPTGIVT felt the pain and suffering of each child ever met. The Haitians are very proud I held. Due to outside influence and of who they are. They are proud of The Black Perspective is a University of supposed "assistance" from the United were the came from and what their Dayton student-run and operated publica­ States and other countries Haiti has tion. This paper aims to be the eyes, ears, ancestors did for them. They know that and voiceof the UD African-American com­ become the poorest country in the the situation their in now is only munity. The general editors urge the student western hemisphere. Over 90% of the temporary. Their kingdom awaits them body to use this paper to publicize their population earns less than $150 per in heaven. I witnessed so much hope upcom i ng events and to express thei r thought year. Over 70% of the Haitians are and courage in Haiti. A child had not on issues/events (national, state, local etc.) that affect the African-American commu­ unemployed. Those Haitians fortu­ eaten in a week but proclaimed that he nity. This paper reflects the intelligence and nate enough to work usually earned was still strong and ready for the all the determination that exist within the about $3.00 per day. This is a country battles that awaited him.