Celebration Activities by Teresa Elaine Leary On January 18, 1988 students marched from Spel- man’s back gate to downtown and from there to the Martin Luther King Center For Non­ violent Social Change where Dr. King’s crypt is located. A brief program was held there followed by the traditional Ecumenical Service held at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. This was the third anniversary of the national holiday to commemorate this great leader who fought passionately for our freedom from oppression—non- to celebrate the day set aside to offer their support to the Oprah Winfrey at the More­ very impressed by her violently in the fifties and for this past great leader. The marchers and the parade house King Chapel. She evident connection to the sixties. Dr. King, whose inspirational march, which participants. There were also spoke quite eloquently about Black community and Africa. birthday is on January 15, was well planned, ran rather representatives from each of her role in the King dream At the completion of Ms. would have been fifty-nine smoothly in spite of the the local television stations. and what it meant to her and Winfrey’s dynamic message years old. weather conditions which Luckily, as if this were an what it should mean to us. there was a panel discussion On the cloudy day with a caused many students to omen the sun came out Her speech was impressive on “Racism on College light drizzle, students from carry rain gear while midday and the march ended and filled with drama as she Campuses.” The panel neighboring schools, in marching. The drizzle also in a glow. portrayed other strong Black discussion was moderated by various clubs and organi­ did not hamper the many Another highlight of the women to help convey her WSB’s news anchor Don zations came together as one bystanders that were present week, was the appearance of message. The students were Farmer. Ignorance Breeds Racism because of sheer embarass- solution. Granted, it is not an twice as well as the next guy, by Vanessa M. Robinson way back to the Civil War when, during the slave trade, ment. Embarassment on the easy one, but it is better than or run twice as fast. This the slave owner would breed part of CBS and the Dodgers believing that the problem limited sphere of thought has Recently CBS Sports fired his big woman so that he because Snyder and will disappear because those been reinforced by the people the famed sports commen­ would have a big Black kid.” Campanis had performed the who say things that offend us these youngsters choose as tator Jimmy “THE GREEK” On that same note, Los “ultimate evil.” They had have disappeared from the their role models. They see so Snyder for his remarks that Angeles Dodgers executive A1 publicly aired what is being public eye. We cannot solve a many Blacks excelling and many people felt to be derog­ Campanis was fired for said, and will continue to be problem by expecting it to “making it big” in sports that atory towards Blacks. Snyder saying that Blacks lack “the said, behind the executive’s disappear. they want to parallel their made these remarks on necessities” to become sports closed doors. The firing of lives with these people. January 15 when asked by executives. these men was a way to meet We can say goodbye to another reporter what his public outcry, or in other Snyder and Campanis Snyder and Campanis but reaction was to the progress words, to get “blacks off their were quick to comment and only with the recognition by Blacks throughout the Of course I was deeply backs. ” But what has this slow to thing. Snyder fails to that others like them are still sporting industry. Snyder angered by both of these so- solved? The comments will realize that one of the major out there. We must try, commented that Blacks are called professional’s continue, just not for public reasons that Blacks may emphasis on “try”, to educate better athletes than whites comments, but I was also view. prevail in professional sports those like Snyder and because they were “bred to be struck by a sense of regret. I is because sports are one of Campanis before we can that way” and also that the regret the fact that they were the few “doors” that seem to begin to stop these racial superiority that Blacks fired. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that lack of knowl­ be open to them for success. comments. Only then may we supposedly possess is also they do deserve some form of edge and ignorance are at the Young Blacks often believe be able to stop this outra­ due to their “big size” and discipline, but was firing the base of these comments. that there may be no other geous behavior of explaining “thigh size.” This, Snyder answer? The reason that Educating these men about way out of the ghetto unless every facet of life on the basis went on to say, “goes all the these men were fired was their ignorance is the best they can dribble a basketball of a person’s race. Page 2 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT February, 1988 SGA On The Move Phase II: A New Insight Letter by Tara Addison establish effective leadership As an institution, Spelman as “that which facilitates, by Darralynn Denise Hutson ment Association and when has undergone several signif­ executes and guides the To My Spelman sisters, that nucleus is not func­ icant changes in it’s admin­ student body as well as In working with the tioning properly, it effects the istration. The most encourages action, on the student government associa ­ entire body. significant changes have part of the entire student tion as an immediate part of The fall semester of the been directed toward body, uplifts spirit and exem­ the cabinet, I have realized 1987/1988 academic school uplifting female leadership plifies that which is sister­ the work that goes into year was a time when the roles. Most recently, the hood.” To achieve this, Dawne successfully ensuring the nucleus of the cell of SSGA Spelman community has has planned a completely gratification of the student was disfunctional and as a become reaquainted with the new schedule of activities, body. It takes long hours of result of the cell of SSGA did values of women leaders. A programs, etc. for this consistent work and not successfully please the leader is one who must be semester. The major consistent prayer. The office student body. A formal able to sternly command, emphasis will be placed on of Co-Social Chairperson is apology would not resolve the when a situation so dictates, thus learning more about health, spiritual and cultural the nucleus of the cell of disfunctional problem of this as well as guide and help give herself. Upon arriving in motivation and academic Spelman Student Govern- (cont on pg. 7) direction to those without her Zimbabwe, the first sight excellence. This particular insight. The fundamental that Dawne witnessed was combination is geared specif­ values of a true leader are that of a woman walking ically towards helping to characteristic of Dawne down a dirt path with her mold a well-rounded student Amber Mitchell who has child strapped to her chest, through her interaction with New Beginnings accepted the challenge of carrying bundles on her back the Student Government. presiding over the SSGA as and balancing a mattress on It is obvious that Dawne is by Darralynn Denise Hutson engage in a new beginning. our president. her head. To Dawne this was eager to serve and also work By doing what needs to be Don’t be afraid to change or Preparation is also an symbolic of the Black woman. tirelessly for the student done right now, we make the accept change. The past is a essential tool of development. The woman who is physically body. She has assured me most of each present guide to your future. By graduating from the Phil- as well as mentally strong. that Spring ’88 will be an moment, Remember and act upon your adelphia High School for These very qualities of exciting and rewarding As long as we are alive, we mistakes to correct them. Girls and then matriculating mental and physical strength semester for all. However, are always free to begin Most of all, open your hearts into Spelman College, Dawne are the backbone of the deter­ this can only be accom­ again. to accept mistakes and has meticulously shaped one mination that Dawne Amber plished if we all bond Instead of following an old accept changes. God always of her tools; academics. Also Mitchell has vowed to dedi­ together with Dawne in the worn-out habit, make a gives you a second chance. realizing that there are many cate herself toward in leading spirit of excellence. If this is fresh start this moment on Don’t be afraid to take it. Use factors that are essential to the student body with a new done, we can be assured that the rest of your life. 1987 as a foundation for 1988 the molding of a strong indi­ type of creatively and with the brilliant new insight Each day is a new start. and let your light so shine vidual and leader, Dawne insight. that we have been given in Each moment is a beginning. before men, so that they may journeyed to Zimbabwe, When asked of her plans the form of our new presi­ see your good works. No one Africa on “Crossroads to for the spring semester as dent, Spring ’88 will prove to My Spelman sisters, I give is without fault.