Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
"'" I
cent. '1 cent, That figure was reached in for the prestige and lesser-known but I wasn't Jewish, then it was
1975 b
Tho ·1 I
I CO NTI NUED FROM PAGE 1
1975 but has steadily declined.
Though the success of NU's
universities for the dazzling finan the gays, but I wasn 't gay, then
cial packages they offer.
footba
spawni CIa unease an~~ti_gay graffiti had appeared
football team is widely seen as
spawning a 20 percent increase in
the blacks, but I wasn 't
But some of NU's African-Amer black .. .''' she said , her voice
ican students say there is another trailing off. " I hope people on
·t
II
overall , I three weeks earlier, and Sanders overall applications to the univer factor. campus are starting to realize it's
1 S campus:
sity, th said the words "Kill All the Jews" sity, the figures for African-Amer "I run into a ·Iot of ignorance," about all of us ."
ican were scrawled op a .dorm as well. ican students have not been said NU student Carolyn Strong, Optimistic NU officials and stu
booste So far, no culprit, either on or off boosted. 19. "A lot of people here have had dents describe university Prest
Only I campus, has been caught, univer Only 4.2 percent of the freshmen very little, if any, contact with dent Henry S. Bienen, who took
who c , sity officials said. . who chose to attend NU this year minorities. A girl asked me if I over as president in January 1995,
'are Af . "This was shocking to white are African-American-a total of could teach her to speak jive." as "a true believer" in the idea of
82-·co I students because it was so overt, 82- ·compared with 6 percent a Within days of the appearance creating a more diverse faculty
year a 1but it was no surprise to black year ago. Last year, 6.5 percent of of the racist graffiti, the black stu and student body.
the en orthwestern University offic.ials h~ve students,"Sanderssaid."Northwest the entire undergraduate student dent alliance sponsored a multira
body, getting a powerful and disturbing ern is a white supremacist institu body, or 487 students, were cial forum, where for several He appointed the task force of
Africa age from without and within this fall: tion, and that has a ripple effect. African-American. hours students grilled administra faculty , students and administra
Asso ieful, bigoted epithets painted on a boul- , If racism is thriving, who wants Associate Provost Eugene Lowe, tors and demanded that the uni tors charged with finding out why
chair in the center of campus came at a time to come here?" chairman of the university's new versity abide by the 10 percent students are saying no to NU. He
task fOI 1m minority enrollment figures were : In the late 1960s, NU officials task force, suggests that NU loses promise of the 1960s. personally participates in the
black meting. I_vowed to get and keep African- black students in two ways. Stu- "People at NU aren 't used to recruiting of minority faculty, and
t it may be the best thing to happen to ; mobilizing," said Mike Sweiven, he has launched an all-campus
since a certain coach came to townt 23, a graduate student in history. public relations blitz through
decided to 'stay awhile). "But a lot of things are converg speeches, open meetings and state
e unease on campus surrounding race ing at one time." ments printed in the Daily North
ions has sparked a top-down and sur A handful of students showed western newspaper. I
ingly frank self-examination on NU's up to a' word-of-mouth meeting on . "The true values of Northwest
rts to attract m inor itjes and on the race relations recently. ern are not the values that some
I climate at the university. "Maybe instead of all these 'this body scrawls on a rock of hate
officials and students are talking is-what-racism-is' forums, we and cowardice.. . . That doesn't
ly non-stop about tolerance these should try attending each other's characterize Northwestern,"
-from an anti-bigotry march and rally cultural events," suggested Hadar Bienen said at a university-spon
.sored by the university administration Dafny, 20. sored rally this month.
;FJontaneous discussions occurring "I'm Jewish, and would love to
ng students who might not have met "I think the real point is that
go to one of your shows," she said
wise. we want to speak out . .. and tell
to Amanu Nwaomah, 19, an
this has coincided with the first meet the community that Northwestern
African-American sophomore.
of a new administration task force to has no tolerance for intolerance
"You should come to our wel or bigotry in any way," he said.
re why African-American enrollment coming ritual," Nwaomah said.
eshmen this fall dropped 30 percent "Why don't we all give each other Sanders, who heads the black
why Hispanic enrollment hovers stub an open invitation to our separate student alliance, said he is still
ly around 3 percent. events?" hopeful.
ny students see compelling reasons for Then Maryarn Ahranjani, 20, "I think this university can
ewed commitment to diversity. explained about the Islam Aware change," he said. "The people in
rlier this month, "The Rock"-a huge ness events going on all over cam charge just have to want it to."
:1er in the middle of campus that for P.lJ~: The graffiti attacking minor ,
es has been used asa monument for jfygroups reminded her of a Free-lance reporter Brian Cox
ns-was painted with "Die Negroes" .. " I poemr she said. coruribuukt tQ.: this article.
the word "Black" circled with a slash ' . ', . . . ._' \ -,-~ .".. - -r-r-:
gh it, said Jimmie Sanders, 21, an NU
r and coordinator of For Members
• the African:A.te~rican student . ~r t
, .. ~ SEE xu, PAG~8
The Daily Northwestern PACE 17
The Rock was a gift of the class of 1902 , better traditions than painting The Rock,"
HISlORY from page 1 according to university archives. The class Zsolnay said.
brought it back from Devils Lake, Wis., a The Rock was first located directly between
African-Americans appeared. favorite site of geological trips. It was originally Harris and University halls. In August 1989 , it
Despite the recent use of The Rock for hat e an orname ntal fountain that appeared to have was moved 20 feet to the easr to its present place
speech, the administration anticipates no steps wa fer naturally flowing out of it. Plumbing was during a renovation of the plaza between the
to prevent students lrcm thei r traditi on 01paint installed later, and it was converted into a drink halls. Th is was done partly because paint from
ing it with various messages, said Peggy Barr, ing fountain. The Rock that spilled onto the sidewalk was
vice pr esident lor student affairs. It is not known exactly when the tradition 01 being tracked into classroo ms and was causing
"To tak e away a symbol of the university does painting The Rock started. A freshman class in maintenance problems, Zsolnay said
no t make sense Just for two ... slurs," Barr said. the 1920s covered it with whitewash one night. "For a number of years, that area was an eye
To stop further such incidents , Barr encour The next day they were made to scrape it off sore," said Zsolnay.
aged students who might w itness a-ny future with the sophomore class standing guard. During the move, The Rock was cracked
hateful slurs on The Rock to report them to University Architect Gabor Zsolnay said the up the left side. It was cemented back togeth
Universi ty Police. practice of painting campus monuments exists er and hefted to its new resting plac e. The cur
"The community must become more vigi on other campuses and mad its way to NU rent wall and gravel surro unding The Rock
lant," Barr said . "They mu st say, 'That's not sometime in the 1920s. The tradition became a were placed th ere [0 try to prevent students
acceptable here ,' and when that happens, the "major nui sance" in the] 960s and 70s, he said. [rom walking in paint and tracking it inro
sense less acts of hatred and bigotry will stop." ':There are some of us who think there are buildings.
F o r Members Only? Not. Anymore! For Members Only,
Northwestern's black student alliance believed it had the
right to exclude the press from covering its events. Those
waiting to enter Fisk Hall auditorium where Sister Souljah
would speak last Friday night were frisked by members 0
FMO to make sure they were not bringing in recording
devices or notebooks.
Our writer covered the speech by taking notes on flyers that
FMO passed out. Good thing they didn't take her pen.
Jim Wilkinson, the reporter from the Daily Northwestern
was escorted out .by University Police after FMO called in a
complaint'
It didn't seem to matter to FMO that funding for these
speakers was not privately raised but rather provided by the
university, ostensibly from tuition money. Therefore logic
would dictate that since students paid for the speakers, all
students, including members of the student media, have the
right to attend.
Logic did eventually prevail and 10 min utes after UP took
Mr. Wilkinson out of the aud itorium, they escorted him right
back in . But in a sense, it was already too late .
FMO succeeding in barring a Daily report from Frances
Cress Welsing's talk last Thursday and attempted to exclude
the media from Leonard Jeffries' speech last spring . Note that
both events were student funded .
Daily Northwestern Editor in Chief Dennis Brack said it
best: "Enough is enough. Open access to events sponsored by
student groups isn't a matter for further debate. Groups
should either abide by this rule or lose their funding. It's that
simple."
The Northwestern Chronicle wholeheartedly agrees.
~
for a couple of months.
idnt challenge the "truths" and bruised by political correctness.
• . 'J N u J-/SJ 1 ke, but criticized his "manner," The beauty of the First Amendment is its ,
n t '
al: Jtel>, tn"'1gglT t
£
in with Farrakhans scheme to ness: Congress shall make no law abridgino thi
Q"V>prh £'\r t ho n nlH ro( .t, ... ....... ~ _ I_ ~ ~ _
over MU hammad
. .
ih) and JesseJackson.
ent j irnmie Sanders said he
NU commu nity to feel wel
out of the federal, Slate or locallawmakingjlll
lion, NU remains unique in i15 strong stance 0,
speech. PlUVldmg an open exchange of ideas
II!mDJ Conference
It a Difference and]effries
th ~ putFMO
ake on defensive
~ STRIKING AMATCH: FMO has ignited
controversy w ith its Af rican Holocaust
Conference and invitation of speaker
Dr. LeonardJeffries.
ANDREA PASSAlACQUA
The Daily Nonhwestem
Fo r Members Only, North western s African
American stud ent alliance, W111 sponsor its first
annual African Holocaust Conference this week
end with plans to "settle the score,"
"People have said that we don 't have the right
to use the word 'holocaust: " said Education JU
nior jimmie Sanders, FMOs incoming coordina
tor. "Ira ns-Atlantic slave trade - thats the Holo
caust we're talking about. Our Holocaust has to
be recognized,"
T he co n fe re nce's key no te spea ker, Dr.
Leonard jeflries, a professor of African studies at
the City College of New Yo rk, wi ll talk about the
Trans-Atlantic slave trade and North American
slave ry in his lectu re entitled "The ROope o f
Africa."
"(leffries) is a black schola r who present s
truth wid, histo rical docum entat ion," Sanders
said,
Though the usc of Alncan Holocaust as 0. I1I le
for the conference has generated debate, African
Ho locau st conferenc es have co mme nced a t
sc hoo ls across the nati on for seve ral yea rs,
Sanders said,
resur gence or the Beatles has an "We j ust need to settle the score," Sanders
impac t on tod ays college stu
'The music of the Beatles de nt s. Who.t ( Kendall) is
said "lt was meant to be provocative We set it
up [ike a boxing match."
continues to have teach ing here at North As one of the top scholars on this topic, jd
western IS unique."
relevance for "Today" chose to feature
[nes has traveled to Africa more than 50 times
and has spoken most recently at such schools as
today's society." the class in 0. segmert. which Ho ward Un iversity Har vard Uni versu y and
will probably air in tvo weeks. Duke Universitv
Eric Wisllll;t', producer beca use sto ries o n .du c.u ron "So m:lny time" on campus, we learn about
arc in constant dema nd and be ever;'one elses history, and we don't learn about
cause the cl.iss offers viewers J thin gs that have happened to African-Amencan
non-r radu ion al loo k iu o (ollege
kids lire .md music. " ' cm l
' ~ \ ch tng
people." said Step hanie Se:.ly. outgoing coordina
lilc , s.u d the show 's prod ucer PAUL'S BARE tor of FMO "This is supposed to be a le:t rntng
"Todnv"corresponden t
III A I' IIa, Er.c Wish nie. FEET: The Beat
l ts a lso interesting for h"b y
environment lrs.important for us to know where
les' famed Abbey we come from In order lor us to know where
',)o mo s !O see how the recent Sl'e BEAfifS ull eC:;e 9 Road album was we're gOing.
released in 1969.
5<: <: FMO on pugr 10
BLACKTIVITIES:
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September
October
19- FMO Game and Card Night, time and place tba
November
December
November
irthwestern Friday,. November 10, 1995
We can't have a
beneficial to the struggle . . . if
they were not part of the
stru ggle, then she didn' t see a
point in the association. I am
American students by defining
movement without not of that opinion, however ; I
their responsibilities as to knowing what we're believe that is very pertinent and
develop their minds to think and fighting for. crucial to our struggle because I
analyze independently, to know some white people who . .
e s t a bl i s h a communit y to . would st and up for justice if
depend on later in the business Sister Souljah in her they saw examples of injustice
world, and generally to " get a going on ."
plan an accomplish it. "
speech to NU students. Bates' concern illustrates the
Reaction s of the audience fact that even though Souljah
were extremely positive, with members seeking delivered a message based in common sense, the
guidance and advice in the roughl y hour-long beliefs underlying Souljah 's instruction were
question and answer period. CAS freshman Rosalyn somewhat radical. Capitalism was presented as a way
Bates comments , "I thought it was very good the to prevent groups (such as African-Americans ) from
way she gave us applicable advice, things that we can working for the collective good rather than th e
apply to organize ou rselves and better combat some individual go od , and the current ed ucation system, as
of the racial issues a n d discrimination s on thi s already mentioned, was portrayed as a to ol designed
campus." to preserve white domination of blacks.
Big 8 Conference on Bla ck
Student Governm.ent
Conference Materials
-"\
BLACK OARD
VOLUME: # 28 ISSUE # I
1
I
t"JEW STUDENT WE:E:K I 996
---. / ....-.,.....,."""1'
tione rs of shock j o u rna lism thrive' on
- - -
- -- _.-
Grou ps shou ld either abid e by this rul e
-
having th e "bad gu ys" th rust thei r or lose th eir fun di ng . It's tha t sim ple.
hands in fron t of cameras and th row Th ose who wis h to spend our act ivi
( ," .
~'f1AJ(j /!/h/1~
The Daily Northwestern PAGE 17
gift of t The Rock was a gift of the class of 1902, better traditi on s than painting The Rock ,"
rsuy ar HISTORY flOm page 1 acco rd ing LO un iversity archives. The class Zsolnay said.
.m Devil brought it back from Devils Lake, Wis., a The Rock was first located directly between
tical trip' African-Americans ap peared. favorite site of geological trips. It was originally Harris and University halls. In August 198 9, it
~in that' Despite the recent use of The Rock for hate an ornam ental fountain that ap peared LO have was moved 20 feel to the east to its present place
ng out 0 speech, the ad ministration anticipates J10 steps water naturally Oowing out of it. Plumbing was during a renovation of the plaza between the
vas con to prevent students from their tradition of paint installed later, and it was convened into a drin k halls. This was done pan ly because paint from
ing it with various messages, said Peggy Barr, ing fountain. The Rock that spilled onto the sidewalk was
vice presid ent for stude nt affairs. It is not known exactly when the tradition of being tracked into classrooms and was causing
"To take away a symbol of the university does painting The Rock started . A freshman class in maint enance problems, Zsolnay said.
not make sense Just for two ... slurs," Barr said . the 1920s covered it with whitewash one night. "For a number of years, that area was an eye
vere ma To SLOp further such incidents , Barr encour The next day they were made to scrape it off so re," said Zsolnay.
class sta aged stud ents who might witness any futu re with the soph omo re class standin g guard . Durin g the move, The Rock was cracked
.c t Gabo hateful slurs on The Rock to report them to University Architect Gabor Zsolnay said the up the left side. It was cemented back togeth
campus University Police. practice of painting campus monuments exists er and hefted to its new restin g place. The cur
and ma "The com munity must become more vigi on oth er campuses and made its way to NU rent wall and gravel surround ing The Rock
Os. The lant ," Barr said "They must say, 'That's not sometime in the 1920 s. The tradition became a were placed there to try to prevent stude nts
he 1960 acceptable here: and when that happens, the "major nuisance" in the 1960s and '70s, he said. from walking in paint and trackin g it into
of us w senseless acts of hatred and bigotry will stop." "There are some of us who think there are buildings
'" n Ii n h===~
Page 6
• EDIIORIIL
MBACH ....
send out from time to time letters requesting a representative from the FMO
organization to meet with university administrators. Most recently, I've
sent out such a request for the Northwestern Community Council. I
understand at times FMO's refusal to attend such meetings, but there are
times when I feel your presence is warranted. The NCC gives you a chance to
voice your opinions on the race issues here at Northwestern, to have a say
in policies that affect not only your stay here but that of African
Americans that attend Northwestern in the future. That said, I would
suggest that you attend one meeting as an observer, if you do not feel your
presence is welcomed don't show up for any of the other meetings, but if you
feel you can contribute please make an effort to attend as many of the
meetings as possible.
Being with the university for fourteen years, I am familiar with the history
of FMO's not meeting with the administration, but there is an old saying
"Know Thy Enemy" and i f you view the administration as your enemy there is
no better way to find out about them than to see at least some of the cards
they have on the table. I believe that the NCC needs the views of the FMO
Executive Board as only the Board can given them. At this point, I believe
they (the administration and NeC) are only guessing at your objectives and
their guessing can only do you harm .
Feel free to email me whenever you need. Just remember as an errployee of
Northwestern although my loyalty is not split, I do have to be selective in
what we discuss.
Vadal Redmond . )
Office of Student Affairs
633 Clark, 2-219 Crown
Evanston, Illinois 60208-1107
(847) 491-5360
(847) 491-8406 (fax)
vadal Redroond r)
From nsa701@lulu.acns.nwu.edu Wed Feb 5 17:44:53 1997
----- - - --- Forwarded message ---- ------ Date : Wed, 05 Feb 1997 23 :42 :36
t o the listserv.
As someone involved in the protest, I would like to point out there are 2
issues here. The first is the speaker himself, the second the group that
invited him, in this case FMO. I am less concerned about the first, much
more about the second. I should add that this is a similar issue to that of
a few years ago when 2 res colleges invited Butz to speak; it is more
when we do not hold students accountable and responsible for the speakers
they bring to campus. Free speech is thrown around as an excuse for just
about anything. I remember the students from PARC who invited Butz, there
viable community of responsible young adults. We are simply not doing our
Are departments and centers on campus willing to look carefully and decide
with whom they should sponsor programs? Are we going to tell students that
unity? These are questions we must all ask first of ourselves, and to
others. I emphasize they are questions, not conclusions! But it is time for
Director, Hillel
>
»>Dr . Khallid Muhammad will be speaking on campus this Thursday evening at
» >the invitation of FMO. His topic for the evening will be "Exploding the
» >White Mind in Black Students," and the program is one event among many
» >being sponsored on campus during February in observance of Black History
» >Month.
»>
»>Dr . Muhammad has a reputation for passionate and fiery rhetoric, and there
» >a r e some who believe strongly that his speech goes beyond that to hateful
» >and ant-Semitic. A number of individuals and campus groups who share this
» >belief are concerned about Dr. Muhammed's presence on campus and the
»>message they feel he will convey. These persons are planning to protest
»>outside the program.
»>
»>I'm unaware of anyone who is planning prorgramming on campus designed at
»>educating around the tensions this event will surface. This may be
»>something the NCC will want to consider fostering or sponsoring. I suggest
» >that any member of the group with thoughts along those lines or other ideas
» >should feel free to share them using this listserv (see address above) .
»>Please keep in mind we have identified the importance of a rapid response
» >in effectively addressing s uch situations .
»>
»>Also, each of us should be prepared to work with and through our own
»>constituencies to help make sure the discussion on campus is focused on the
»>facts and feelings instead of on the rumor and reactive behavior.
»>
From t-daly@nwu.edu Mon Feb 10 17:16:45 1997
Date : Fri, 7 Feb 1997 17:04:47 -0600
From: "Timothy M. Daly" <t-daly@nwu.edu>
To: j-sanders4@nwu.edu
Subject: speech
Mr. Sanders :
I am just another of the students that went to see Khallid Muhammed
speak at Harris on thursday night . I am sure you have head from enough
people about the issues raised by his lecture, so I will try not to start
any arguments. I am mostly curious as to what your perspective is on his
teachings. I am a white, middle class, midwestern kid. I am probably
exactly the kind of person that Dr. Muhammed would cite as the enemy white
man. But as I sat there through the speach I was enthralled and saddened
greatly. I had never a speaker who so directly announced his views knowing
they would be received with some hostility. Obviouslu I give him credit
for that. But I was saddened because I saw only anger and no hope. What
were Dr. Muhammed's real solutions? He does not want any contact with
white folks. But I don't think this planet is large enough for two such
large groups not to depend on one another. I eat and wear items every day
made by both white and black hands. I use services provided by people of
all types . How, after all these centuries, can we possibly extract the
races from one another and be expected to co-exist separately? The bottom
line of my question is this, Jimmie: Northwestern University was founded i n
1851 by some white Methodists and it was an Old Boys Network type of school
until after world war II. It has been built up by an endowment of old rich
white people and it run by entire commities of them now. The professors
are usually white and they teach a history that is undoubtedly viewed from
a white perspective. Just as Dr. Muhammed said in the lecture, the books
in our libraries are white books . You are graded by white professors,
which means they have control over your future. In an environment
dominated and controlled by the white establishment, what benefit is there
for a black student who follows Dr. Muhammed in this university? We are
unable to overcome out nature which disposes us to acts of obscene cruelty
so who would want to go to "our" school (pardon the suggestion that this
school "belongs" to someone). I ask this with the best intentions- I don't
want you to leave, I want to see some kind of harmony . But surely no
African Americans will gain a true sense of themselves in an elitist white
institution that teaches only lies, right? I knew there were race
relations problems and tensions. I have often wondered why I felt
alienated by most African Americans that I encounter on campus. I am
naive . But I never thought that any of my fellow students would think that
I am a devil and evil because of my ancestory. I am no more responsible
for their deeds than I am for another man's today. What I am asking is
that you send some sort of reply to my question. I have taken for granted
that you agree with Dr. Muhammed teachings because you are the president of
the group that sponsored him . Let me know if I am wrong. But what I heard
was a man attacking other races, tearing people down, and raising only his
own people up. If all people thought that way, would there be any end to
war? It sounds stupid, but doesn't "An eye for an eye" make the whole
world blind? I am not in your postition and I don't pretend to tell you
how you ought to act towards someone like me. But we are all part of a
common American environment even though we were raised in a different
tradition. We have certainly shared experiences and we go to the same
school. Why would we want to dispise one another? I am sorry I rambled so
long. I know you are busy and you might not have time to reply, but I
would appreciate it. Thanks.
Timothy M. Daly
r .. .
Gentlemen,
Dr. Mohammed's speech was not meant for me. I mow that - he wasn't
talking to me, he is not concerned with me at all. But I learned from it . I
understand how a number of black students on this campus feel, and the
bitterness with which they feel it. I can't blame them. Even those members
of the audience - of whatever color - who did not agree with the militancy
of Dr . Mohammed's message can understand how black students on this campus
feel about this place .
I wanted you to mow, honestly, that I thought a lot of what Dr.
Mohammed said was extreme - I mow you expected that . But the tone of his
message, the deeper understanding I recieved, is that there is much work to
do. There is much work to do to liberate blacks on this campus and in this
nation. I mow that I am not a great part of this work . But my mind has
been challenged, at least.
After the speech a friend and I prayed that God heal this campus
and this country of all its division - because there is no way I can. But
if there is anything I can do, please let me mow.
Yours,
Rob McGuire
PAGE 10 Sports
FEBRUARY 5, 1997
Ethiopi c." bring th e musi c gro u p KRS- l to camp us, When brin g t
SPEAKER f rom page 1 But o ppo ne nts o f Muhammad 's speech said s tu KRS- l canc eled, FMO as ked t o transfer th e funds KRS- l ,
d en t activities fees sh ould not fund someo ne w ho to us e for ano ther event, which is not an uncom to us e I
is th at FMO continues to bring big ot ed s pea kers to th ey d escribe as a "h ate sp eak er." m on pra ct ice . ASGs Vice President o f Fin an cial m on p
ca m pus, and we'r e n ot go ing to roll ove r and p lay "We don't want student m oney 1O go toward Affairs Rod eri c Williams approved th e transfer. Affairs
d ead any m o re," said Weissk opf, a Medill se nior. big otry," Prywes said, "I doubt an yone with a Eif erman said he w ill brin g th e issue to Eif e
Sanders' st at ement criticized Hillel: "Hillel's hos sound mind would in vite a militiaman or Wednesda y ni ght's ASG meeting. He sai d th ere was Wedn e:
tilit y tow ards FMO se eme d to he trigger ed by Black Klansman , and Khallid Muhammad is no better. " unanimous support for this id ea at Sunday's meet unani rr
peopl es effo r ts at. ind epe nde n ce of thought and Hillel Foundation Rabbi Mich ael Balinsky said ing . ing .
ac tio n, Hill el co nt inue s to exp ress th eir trad emark an other co ncern expressed by th ose at th e pla n ning "My goal is to pu t th e decision in th e h ands o f "My
intoler ance for legitimate difference o f opin ion. " mee ting was that FM O got funding "th ro ugh th e th e Sen ate , w h ich wa s elected," Eiferrnan sa id . "We th e Sen
Sand ers, an Educati on senior, also said in the bac k do or " to bring Muhammad to cam pus , are n ot trying to sil ence anyo ne, The s peech will ar e n ot
st atement that "th ere is not any th ing ant i-Sem itic "T h is ha s abso lu tely nothing to do with race o r m ost likel y tak e place regardless o f what ha pp en s. mo s t Iii
abo u t FM O o r its s peak ers. " Semites are peopl e of freedom of sp eech," Education so pho more Dann y We just want to inform th e com m u n ity and let We jus
co lo r " Th e st at ement not ed th at the word Eiler man sa id, "It has every thing to d o w ith ASG th em know w hat Mu ham m ad is all ab out " th em k l
"Sem ite" refers to part of the "Afro -Asiatic language sup po rt ing th e speech. "
family that includes Hebrews, Aram aic , Arab ic, and Last s pring, FMO was allotted $4,07::1.50 to - THE DAIlY'S JOB. OOOM CONTRIBUTID ro THIS STORY.
' LEI TERS ' . MBACH·nt
, err mess
conveyed without decrying other groups.
.~"II!''''''''''.~!I!IfM''''''~,~i:lIJVIi:l1
the views held there into views held by a
When Akil uses words like "faggot" inter NU's African-American students is not f;
C~~ t'hrn.l1fT'hn1lt h;~ c::~h ,t nrn.uiOC' 'hie: h~up f~ith th-:at th,::a. hicrh m~il\ritu nf
FMO speaker
decries whites
By Daniel Rubin
Doily Stoff Writer
For Members Only, Northwestern's black student al
liance, wrapped up its first annual African Mind Liberation
Conference last night on a note of quiet reflection, in con
trast to an emotional1y charged opening Sunday night
The conference started on Sunday with Muhammed
Akil of Lost Link Enterprises in Chicago speaking on the
topic "Decoding White Supremacy: Reading Destructive
Images ."
Akil stated that the purpose of his speech was to throw
off the "mind control" employed by Europeans to keep
African culture down. At the beginning of his speech, Akil
told the audience of about 25 people in Harris Hall's audi
torium that he was going to be "tough." By Rick Song/Daily Scaff Photographer
"Mind control is the name of the game," he said. 'Tough' speech: Muhammed Akil delivers a charged
"Power is the ability to define other people's reality. It's
time to bust up psychological slavery." message about American racism Sunday in Harris Hall.
In his speech, Akil covered a wide variety of subjects, "Allwhite people have a little Hitler in them," he said.
ranging from the color of Jesus' skin to the proliferation of He also said European culture promotes bestiality and
guns in American society. homosexuality.
Describing the different representations of Jesus, Akil Udana Torian, a CASjunior, said the speech was good
said the African-American culture should reject the por for recognizing the hurdles that face African-American
trayal of Jesus as a white man. He presented textual evi culture. _
dence in Proverbs and showed slides of a dark-skinned Je "It allows us to think analytically about history. We will
sus in various cultures as he spoke. advance in society only if we know the variables that are
At one point, Akil referred to one representation as the facing us," she said.
"faggot Jesus." Nicholas Armstrong, a McCormick sophomore and
Akil's presentation, which , , legislative treasurer for FMO, agreed with that assess
spanned most from the an - All white ment
cient world to modern society, people "You really can't judge the present conditions without
included talks about the geno understanding the historical context," he said. _
cide of African slaves aboard have a little Concluding the conference last night, novelist Iawanza
slave ships and at the hand of Kunjufu, whose lecture was entitled "Survival of the black
American mobs . Hitler in them. " race in the 21st century: A Social/Political/Historical
He repeatedly referred to Muhammed Akil Analysis of the Future of the African Race in the 21st cen
gay people as "faggots" tury," spoke to about 35 people in Harris Hall.
throughout the speech. He Lost Link Enterprises In his lecture, Kunjufu spoke about what can be done
called the pope "anti-Christ" to save the African-American community. "We,as brothers
and the "arch-devil." He cal1ed and sisters, must put aside our differences and work to
Abraham Lincoln a "wolf in sheep's clothing," citing a let gether," he said.
ter by Lincoln saying that the white race was "superior" to Kunjufu said the white community has established a
others. - "machine" to keep African-Americans down.
Akil interspersed pictures of black people being He told the crowd that in order to defeat the "ma
lynched while white mobs looked on approvingly with im chine," African-Americans must first admit the "machine"
ages of the Rodney King beating, which he called "an un exists, study it, take what they can from it and then give
finished lynching." back to their community.
"faggot Jesus."
Akil's presentation, which .;.;
_ _ _ _ _----, =_
.. : ;: ;Ji- - - - - - -
Nicholas Armstrong, a McCormick sophomore and
legislative treasurer for FMO, agreed with that assess-
spanned most from the an- ~ ~ All white ment
From akil@nwu.edu Thu Jan 30 10:36:22 1997
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 06:59:40 -0600
From: Muhanuned Akil <akil@nwu.edu>
To: sandersj@merle.acns.nwu.edu
Subject: Kudos!
Yo Jimmy,
At first i did not think the Dr. Muhanunad thing was a good idea for NU.
But I reconsidered my thought weeks back.
Good shit!
Rise Up.
At War.
Akil
Muhanuned Aki1
Northwestern University
akil@nwu.edu
Jews: "I willgive you rom
grave." So no matter what]"
the last placeI'll feel ~
is in Harris 107 with a man who
my life miserable.
I could havejust as good a ~
trical engineering class with Anhur
At the Black Holocaust Nlat'ionIlOllllI
ence lastyear, a weekend-long Iea\ll!
that coincidedwith the Minjoo Man
Muhammad said inhis keynOle IllkhaI,
havelost over 600 million at the hands
white man in the last 6,000 years. That
timesworse than theso-called Ho
so-called Jew, the impostor Jew."
Vkll thisso-calledjew (whatever
means) just hates themy-ancestors
ostracized-than-your-ancestors game. it
help matters forany group,and it
doesn'tgeneratesympathy[rom anyone
Jews aren't the onlytargets [orM
who has also ranted, "Who inthe heU'
Popeof Rome? Hes an impostor, he's an
hes a false icon that mustbetomdown
Myreservations aboutMuhammad
nothing to do with the factthat he's bla
feel the same way ifa campus group hac
vited Marge Schott, David Duke,orany
who can' extend the most basic respect
human beings.
College campuses are targetsforthis
controversy. because championsofopen
demic f, rums often can' see thedilferen
tween supponing free speechand invitn
speech.
Sanderssays FMO!;eventsareopen I
eryone And they should be, because rae
lated issues affect everyone, notJustbla
ifwe're really going to work together as,
versuy we can'tembrace people like Mui
mad, whosedivisive tactics arean allrom
anyone who believes in the concept ofo
a • •J u ...... YVI IV lA.u c, VL.,:t III u .~ \.. U I I\..c.. P l V I \..
nuy
UN I V E R SIT Y
March 8, 1999
The discussions over the past several months about having a Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday at Northwestern reflect what we see as a growing recognition by the University
community of the significance of this influential figure in American history. We are pleased
to see this awareness and welcome the thoughtful discussion that has resulted.
Formal statements have come from the Associated Student Government, the General
Faculty Committee, the Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council and from the
University's Calendar Committee, the body charged with considering matters relating to the
academic calendar and making recommendations to us. The ASG proposal calls for a
University holiday as a symbol of the University 's commitment to the memory of Dr .
King. The Calendar Committee recommends additional programming in honor of Dr.
King, but not canceling any classes or creating a University holiday. The General Faculty
Committee supports this position. All recommendations reflect a common theme that
underlies them: "the noble life of [Dr. King's] devotion to love, justice, and truth" and "his
historic accomplishments and contributions to American society and human rights" deserve
"expanded, coordinated observances" so as to enhance "the community's awareness of the
central points of his life and thought." (Quotations taken from formal statements from
ASG, GFC, NUSAC and the Calendar Committee.).
The recommendations of both the Calendar Committee and the representatives of various
undergraduate student groups clearly are the result of much careful thought and
consideration, and we appreciate their work. After reviewing those recommendations, we
concur that Northwestern should offer additional programs on the third Monday of January
related to the themes of Dr. King's life and work. We also agree that some method of
marking that day as different from our regular academic schedule is important.
f Therefore, effective in January 2000 all classes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be
canceled and replaced with alternative programming focused on the meaning of this day.
On both the Evanston and Chicago campuses, we hope to see a centerpiece event for all
members of the campus community that would take place at some point during those hours.
All offices on both campuses would either close for ninety minutes to enable staff to attend
that event or operate with minimal staffing for that period of time. Recognizing the
demands made by the quarter system , special arrangements may need to be made for labs
and other academic activities that occur only during those hours on that Monday. We will
ask the deans to work closely with the faculty to determine those exceptions.
Graduate and professional schools, several of which already make adjustments on King
Day to accommodate special programming and academic requirements, would continue to
63 3 CLARK STREET EVAt'JSTON. ILLINOIS 60208-1100 847-49 1-74 56 FAX 847-467-31 04 E-MAIL hshienen @nwu .edu
do so. Other programming activities preceding and following the formal University
observance are encouraged on both campuses.
As is presently the case, staff may ask supervisors for the day off as a personal floating
holiday .
* We will appoint a University-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Coordinating Committee
with representation from students, faculty and staff from both campuses to begin planning 1'P
0
this celebration. Such a committee has been recommended by the Northwestern ~~I
Community Council. The coordinating committee will be appointed in the spring quarter, '
1999. We alS? will provide additional financial support, in addition to the funds set aside V e;) ( . I
by the Associated Student Government, for King Day activities for programming efforts on • (y
both caD¥JllSeS. f.Y' /-?-/-?-k,~
'" ~r ....
d .
7/ " ,c "70 V
J _:,...
':,?"TT
/
We understand that activities on the Chicago Campus currently benefit from the ongoing
leadership of the D .R.E.A.M. Committee; we encourage its co~tinued i~volvemen~. We are
also grateful for the leadership of Alpha Phi Alpha, t~e Candleh~ht S~rv:ce Co~ttee and
others who have provided long and faithful leadership to the University s celebration . The
new committee will serve to provide additional support to current activities on the Evanston
campus, design and implement new programming, and ensure coordination with the
Chicago activities.
The success of the decision to hold alternative programming in lieu of most regular classes
on King Day between 11 a.m . and 2 p.m. is dependent on participation. Therefore, we will
assess the outcomes each year. If support for this approach wanes, then the University will
explore different methods of honoring Martin Luther King , Jr. and return to holding
Finally , we ask that the Associated Student Government, each year, provide an evaluation
of the activities focusing both on the quality and the level of participation by students, staff,
and faculty. Such anevaluation 111:oces will hel~ all of us Iocu our atteution each yea( Q(\
iJ!lportant dialog~e. While various perspectives, understandably, still are held by this
diverse cornmuruty, the thoughtful and reasoned discussions and viewpoints reflect well on
those who have worked to reach an outcome worthy of Dr. King and of Northwestern.
~(1~
Henry s. Bienen Lawrence B. Dumas
President Provost
~~
- S0W-A v\ t~ ~ ~II j4 ~ U~~
hA'fl ~f b1' b~
~
I I V'I 's'I
6 .) ,) G i~ &=O { h: 0 I lIOn
We congratulate and thank the many individuals and groups who have been involved in this
important dialocne Whilp v ~rir\ll<: npr<:npl't;"",,, n ... rlor.... nnrlnhl • • ~ . : 11 ~_ ~ L ~l..l L __ .L · _
1./ .
1\ u' Wl~51 -
- VVliJ' -tv j?Nt~ ,~ A q A ~{.ur (~ ~
t~ r -ti« ~ ~~ t~~B101'
- 'F<;' <; ~ 'T~ u- -to 'f;w s; .
November S, 1996
I was greatly saddened that once agr.in The H.ock bas become a vehicle for shocking and
malevolent expressions of intolerar.ce toward others.
We do not know whether, in fact, those who defaced Ti.e Rock last night are members of
this community, But the sentiments displayed at The Rock have no place at
Northwestern . They constitute ugly, destructive behavior , Those who seek to impose
their point of view through random and cowardly acts of hatred or threats of violence do
equal violence to the princ iples of civility and mutual respect that govern a university
community. Such cowardly acts have no place at Northwestern .
Sin~ ~
Henry S. Bienen
President
r,:j:l ( '1.,\/(1\ STilEET E\'A NS'I'C)1\1. II.LINOIS li02oll-IIOO S.J7 ..,I!J I ..; ·I',ti FAX X47·.J/ii· :IIOI E ..,\ I.-\ I I. h,hil',It ·Jl @JlWII .I·<!1I
We do not know whether, in fact, those who defaced Ti.e Rock last night are members of
...1_: ~ __ •__ .• _:. __ n._,," . . 1 4.~~ '- . . -l: ~_I __ .~ ~J _L 'T"'1__ n __
~ , . 1 • 1_ _ ~ _,
HOMECOMING 1999
AND SARATOTH
The Daily.Northwestern
A 17-year-old man was listed in good condition Sun
day night after being shot in the shoulder by an Evanston
Police officer early Sunday morning just one block from
Northwestern's campus, police said.
The shooting occurred abcut 3 a.m. in the parking lot
of White Hen Pantry, 817 Emerson St., said Cmdr. Dennis
Nilsson of the Evanston Police Department.. It was close
e nough to NU that students at Willard Residential Col
lege said they heard the shot from their rooms.
White Hen employees said the shooting may have
been related to an attempted robbery, but police would
not confirm that assumption.
The shooting victim and another man were in custody
after being arrested in connection with the incident that
led to the officer's gunshots, Nilsson said. No charges had
been filed Sunday night, but Nilsson said he expected p0
lice to file charges today.
EPD is investigating the incident with the help of the
Evanston police
crack down on
SAM COMENrrHEDAILY NORTHWESfERN
The Wildcatssnapped an It-game BigTenlosing streakat Ryan Field Saturday thanks to 162 rushingyards by Damien
Anderson (above) and some last-second heroicsfrom QB Zak J.(w;tok. Coverage in sports. . drug violations IENrrHED ,
shingylJ
Joeffrey Trimmingham
President, NUBAA
7325-1 North Paulina Street
Chicago, Illinois 60626
(312) 761-0426
Dean Evans:
As the president of the Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA), I have the
distinct pleasure of serving a community of closely knit individuals who share the common
experience of being Black and coming of age while studying at Northwestern.
Recently , though, several alumni have approached me regarding the University's intentions with
respect to hiring an individual to continue the work of the late Dr. Ulysses "Duke" Jenkins, whose
recent passing many of us still mourn.
In order to effectively answer their questions, I would like to know when the University intends to
undertake its search for his replacement and the role that black alumni , students and faculty will
carry-out in that process.
In light of many recent incidents on campus and the startling decrease in Northwestern's Black
Student population, we feel it is imperative that his position be filled quickly. However, all diligence
must be paid to finding an appropriately-skilled person to carryon his work in support of those
Black students who choose to attend Northwestern and to whom Northwestern owes a commitment
of meaningful support. Thus it is imperative that Black alumni, students and faculty play leading
roles in that selection , ensuring that the selected candidate is capable of fulfilling the needs of the
Black student body.
Please inform me, in writing, by Monday, September 23rd, of the University's intentions in this
matter. I look forward to your response and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Joeffrey Trimmingham
President, NUBAA
Charles Payne
Jimmy Sanders
------. r -- - -- · o . " - - - J ~- - - ~ . . . . . . . _ - -. -
In order to effectively answer their questions, I would like to know when the University intends to
, I '. , r, . , ", , 1 1 1 1 . , , r- 1 ."
From b-robins@nwu .edu Mon Feb 10 17:18:37 1997
Date: Fri, 07 Feb 1997 17:34:55 -0600
From: Brent Robins <b-robins@nwu .edu>
To: j-sanders4@nwu.edu
Subject: Khallid Muhammed
I would like to apologize for using the phrase black hitler. I think that
that was too strong of language to express my point, and I don't know if it
is an accurate comparison.
Brent Robins
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL . USA
b-robins@nwu.edu
Da:y ,u({ - /I {b(~b
For the second time in less than three weeks, a hateful message was plastered on
The Rock. Students and NU officials are at a loss to explain the incident.
BY BEN ElKIN
The Daily Northwestern
Less than three weeks after "Die Fag" was
painted on The Rock, Northwestern students
passed by the campus monument early yesterday
morning to be met with another slap in the face:
"Die Negroes" and the word "black," circled and
slashed, were crudely painted in black over a mes
sage encouraging voting.
• ~ ....... '""-t V J, ~ """" '- t-' l U I\,_ 1. 1 \".< U 1...1 1L U • " v-cl UlIlUi
Jimmie Sanders,
You probably don't know who I am, but I send this letter out to you
in as matter of great urgency. I am a sophmore (African american male) in
tech bio-medical engineering. The ethnic community groups are delivering a
direct attack on the black students on this campus as a result of the
speaker that will be here on thursday.
They are confronting and questioning the actions and the manners in
which this man will be addressing the student body. FMO is being targetted
as a hate group on campus. I must know what is to be expected to gain from
this man? Why are we as black students being made to suffer as a result of
his actions? We are in a very uncomfortable position. We need to know which
way to fold on this issue. A community divided cannot stand. We as a black
community are divided and are fighting amongst ourselves.
I urge you to please send an answer so that I can help to clear this
violent air of unnecessary hostility .
Thanks so much,
Elhajamin Young (Haj)
Elhajamin Young
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. USA
HajiY@nwu.edu
I
-
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
AFRICAN -AMERICAN
STU DENT AFFAIRS
1914 SHERIDA N ROAD
(84 7 ) 491 - 36 10
Dear Joeffrey:
Thank you for your recent letter . Dr. Ulysses Jenkins was a cultural and historical
anchor for African-American Student Affairs; beyond that, he reached out in an intensely
personal way to generations of Black students at Northwestern. Our staff shares the
sense ofloss you and so many others have expressed.
As you may be aware, African-American Student Affairs, along with other offices within
the Division of Student Affairs, has just completed the process of program review. One
of the recommendations made by reviewers was that coverage be provided and support
be given to students during the evening hours. We are moving forward with that
recommendation and have been authorized to hire a graduate student part-time to help
with programming, outreach, and coverage during evening hours. We will actively work
to assess the needs of the African-American student community throughout the fall
quarter and will use that information to make future plans for permanent staffing in
Afiican-American Student Affairs. And, as is the policy in all searches for full-time
positions within our division, any search committee formed to fill a full-time slot would
include student and faculty representation.
Sincerely,
KCvL .s.:d-&~
Karla Spurlock-Evans
Director
the Division of Student Affairs, has just completed the process of program review. One
of the recommendations made by reviewers was that coverage be provided and support
1 ~ _. ..J ..L _ .-I __ ~ i L ~ L ~ _ "T _ _ __ • _ _ t'_ ..J _~ . 1 .1 _ _ .1
N u
Northwestern University
8 Black
A
Al umni Association
A
Joeffrey Trimmingham
President, NUBAA
7325-1 North Paulina Street
Chicago, Illinoi s 60626
(312 ) 761-0426
De an Evans:
As the president of the Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA), I have the
distinct pleasure of serving a community of closely knit individuals who share the common
experience of being Black and coming of age while studying at Northwestern.
Recently , though , several alumni have approached me regarding the University's intentions with
respect to hiring an individual to continue the work of the late Dr. Ulysses "Duke" Jenkins, whose
recent passing many of us still mourn.
In order to effectively answer their questions, I would like to know when the University intends to
undertake its search for his replacement and the role that black alumni , students and faculty will
carry-out in that process.
In light of many recent incidents on campus and the startling decrease in Northwestern's Black
Student population, we feel it is imperative that his position be filled quickly. However, all diligence
must be paid to finding an appropriately-skilled person to carry on his work in support of those
Black students who choose to attend Northwestern and to whom Northwestern owes a commitment
of meaningful support. Thus it is imperative that Black alumni, students and faculty pla y leading
roles in that selection, ensuring that the selected candidate is capable of fulfilling the needs of the
Black student bod y.
Please inform me, in writing, by Monday , September 23rd, of the University 's intentions in this
matter. I look forward to your response and thank you for your time .
Sincerely,
Joeffrey Trimmingham
President, NUBAA
Margaret Barr
Charles Payne
Jimmy Sanders
"a reflection of who you are ." In addition, she As one of few audience members willing to speak additio
encouraged black women to not let themselves be with the press after Souljah's initial decrying of the hemsel
treated as sex objects but stand up and be the "strong media, and herself an African-American, Bates did oe the ,.
women we were created as." Later Souljah stated , not agree with everything Souljah said . She ouljah
that there cannot be "black power with black continues, "1 also think, contrary to her [Souljah 's] r with
immorality." opinion, that association with other cultures is
Education was touted by Souljah as the key to a important to our struggle; for instance, she was • the ke
successful future. Although opposed to the fact that black
stating that the cur rent system and white alli ances were
of education is designed to
"maintain the current
arrangement of white power,"
sh e empowered African
"
We can't have a
beneficial
they were
struggle,
point in
to the struggle . .. if
not part of the
then
the
she didn't see a
assoc iation . I am
WE
Americ an students by defining
movement without not of that opinion, however ; I
m01l
their responsibilities as to knowing what we're believe that is very pertinent and knov
develop their minds to think and fighting for. crucial to our struggle because I J
analyze independently, to know some white people who . .
establish a community to . would stand up for justice if
depend on later in the business Sister Souljah in her they saw examples of injustice Siste
world, and generally to " get a
plan an accomplish it." speech to NU students. going on ."
Bates' concern illustrates the
)eeC
Reac tions of the audience fact that even though Souljah
were extremely positive , with members seek ing delivered a message based in common sense, the bers s(
guidance and advice in the' roughly hour-long beliefs underlying Souljah's instruction were Iy hou
question and answer period. CAS freshman Rosalyn somewhat radical. Capitalism was presented as a way hman F
Bates comments, "I thought it was very good the to prevent groups (such as African -Americans) from rery go
way she gave us applicable advice, things that we can working for the collective good rather than the gs that
apply to organize ourselves and better combat some individual good, and the current education system, as comba
of the racial issues and discriminations on this already mentioned, was portrayed as a tool design ed :io ns 0
campus." to preserve white domination of blacks.
<, ~-
----_._----._-_.
INSIDE
CYBBlSCAPE Page 5
.............
{ .
a.ulCCNBIlON Page 8
~ : .
PGUCEBllJJ1Bt Page 10
, The D.lil) ;\mt!1\;l· ... tLTI1-----1I
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THE NATION
__.
iVANSTONFORUM -- I '! Frank Flores Cuellar, 50, had
faced up to 20 years in prison: in the
.death of Krystal Zuniga, who was de
~ROWNG, liveredshortly aftera june 15 car acci
dent ,
UNC: ROWNC. ROWNC:
• • . .... l , • • • J ~ .. " . . .... • ".J j , • • '. "'" I
cent. '1 cent, That figure was reached in for the prestige and lesser-known but I wasn't Jewish, then it was
1975 b
Tho ·1 I
I CO NTI NUED FROM PAGE 1
1975 but has steadily declined.
Though the success of NU's
universities for the dazzling finan the gays, but I wasn 't gay, then
cial packages they offer.
footba
spawni CIa unease an~~ti_gay graffiti had appeared
football team is widely seen as
spawning a 20 percent increase in
the blacks, but I wasn 't
But some of NU's African-Amer black .. .''' she said , her voice
ican students say there is another trailing off. " I hope people on
·t
II
overall , I three weeks earlier, and Sanders overall applications to the univer factor. campus are starting to realize it's
1 S campus:
sity, th said the words "Kill All the Jews" sity, the figures for African-Amer "I run into a ·Iot of ignorance," about all of us ."
ican were scrawled op a .dorm as well. ican students have not been said NU student Carolyn Strong, Optimistic NU officials and stu
booste So far, no culprit, either on or off boosted. 19. "A lot of people here have had dents describe university Prest
Only I campus, has been caught, univer Only 4.2 percent of the freshmen very little, if any, contact with dent Henry S. Bienen, who took
who c , sity officials said. . who chose to attend NU this year minorities. A girl asked me if I over as president in January 1995,
'are Af . "This was shocking to white are African-American-a total of could teach her to speak jive." as "a true believer" in the idea of
82-·co I students because it was so overt, 82- ·compared with 6 percent a Within days of the appearance creating a more diverse faculty
year a 1but it was no surprise to black year ago. Last year, 6.5 percent of of the racist graffiti, the black stu and student body.
the en orthwestern University offic.ials h~ve students,"Sanderssaid."Northwest the entire undergraduate student dent alliance sponsored a multira
body, getting a powerful and disturbing ern is a white supremacist institu body, or 487 students, were cial forum, where for several He appointed the task force of
Africa age from without and within this fall: tion, and that has a ripple effect. African-American. hours students grilled administra faculty , students and administra
Asso ieful, bigoted epithets painted on a boul- , If racism is thriving, who wants Associate Provost Eugene Lowe, tors and demanded that the uni tors charged with finding out why
chair in the center of campus came at a time to come here?" chairman of the university's new versity abide by the 10 percent students are saying no to NU. He
task fOI 1m minority enrollment figures were : In the late 1960s, NU officials task force, suggests that NU loses promise of the 1960s. personally participates in the
black meting. I_vowed to get and keep African- black students in two ways. Stu- "People at NU aren 't used to recruiting of minority faculty, and
t it may be the best thing to happen to ; mobilizing," said Mike Sweiven, he has launched an all-campus
since a certain coach came to townt 23, a graduate student in history. public relations blitz through
decided to 'stay awhile). "But a lot of things are converg speeches, open meetings and state
e unease on campus surrounding race ing at one time." ments printed in the Daily North
ions has sparked a top-down and sur A handful of students showed western newspaper. I
ingly frank self-examination on NU's up to a' word-of-mouth meeting on . "The true values of Northwest
rts to attract m inor itjes and on the race relations recently. ern are not the values that some
I climate at the university. "Maybe instead of all these 'this body scrawls on a rock of hate
officials and students are talking is-what-racism-is' forums, we and cowardice.. . . That doesn't
ly non-stop about tolerance these should try attending each other's characterize Northwestern,"
-from an anti-bigotry march and rally cultural events," suggested Hadar Bienen said at a university-spon
.sored by the university administration Dafny, 20. sored rally this month.
;FJontaneous discussions occurring "I'm Jewish, and would love to
ng students who might not have met "I think the real point is that
go to one of your shows," she said
wise. we want to speak out . .. and tell
to Amanu Nwaomah, 19, an
this has coincided with the first meet the community that Northwestern
African-American sophomore.
of a new administration task force to has no tolerance for intolerance
"You should come to our wel or bigotry in any way," he said.
re why African-American enrollment coming ritual," Nwaomah said.
eshmen this fall dropped 30 percent "Why don't we all give each other Sanders, who heads the black
why Hispanic enrollment hovers stub an open invitation to our separate student alliance, said he is still
ly around 3 percent. events?" hopeful.
ny students see compelling reasons for Then Maryarn Ahranjani, 20, "I think this university can
ewed commitment to diversity. explained about the Islam Aware change," he said. "The people in
rlier this month, "The Rock"-a huge ness events going on all over cam charge just have to want it to."
:1er in the middle of campus that for P.lJ~: The graffiti attacking minor ,
es has been used asa monument for jfygroups reminded her of a Free-lance reporter Brian Cox
ns-was painted with "Die Negroes" .. " I poemr she said. coruribuukt tQ.: this article.
the word "Black" circled with a slash ' . ', . . . ._' \ -,-~ .".. - -r-r-:
gh it, said Jimmie Sanders, 21, an NU
r and coordinator of For Members
• the African:A.te~rican student . ~r t
, .. ~ SEE xu, PAG~8
The Daily Northwestern
"There is absolutely no publicity now besides Session I (2 : 15 - 5:45 p. m .) Hill , l Od l lurrts 11,111
(
r A I o
Bev Smith
"a reflection of who you are ." In addition, she As one of few audience members willing to speak additio
encouraged black women to not let themselves be with the press after Souljah's initial decrying of the hemsel
treated as sex objects but stand up and be the "strong media, and herself an African-American, Bates did oe the ,.
women we were created as." Later Souljah stated , not agree with everything Souljah said . She ouljah
that there cannot be "black power with black continues, "1 also think, contrary to her [Souljah 's] r with
immorality." opinion, that association with other cultures is
Education was touted by Souljah as the key to a important to our struggle; for instance, she was • the ke
successful future. Although opposed to the fact that black
stating that the cur rent system and white alli ances were
of education is designed to
"maintain the current
arrangement of white power,"
sh e empowered African
"
We can't have a
beneficial
they were
struggle,
point in
to the struggle . .. if
not part of the
then
the
she didn't see a
assoc iation . I am
WE
Americ an students by defining
movement without not of that opinion, however ; I
m01l
their responsibilities as to knowing what we're believe that is very pertinent and knov
develop their minds to think and fighting for. crucial to our struggle because I J
analyze independently, to know some white people who . .
establish a community to . would stand up for justice if
depend on later in the business Sister Souljah in her they saw examples of injustice Siste
world, and generally to " get a
plan an accomplish it." speech to NU students. going on ."
Bates' concern illustrates the
)eeC
Reac tions of the audience fact that even though Souljah
were extremely positive , with members seek ing delivered a message based in common sense, the bers s(
guidance and advice in the' roughly hour-long beliefs underlying Souljah's instruction were Iy hou
question and answer period. CAS freshman Rosalyn somewhat radical. Capitalism was presented as a way hman F
Bates comments, "I thought it was very good the to prevent groups (such as African -Americans) from rery go
way she gave us applicable advice, things that we can working for the collective good rather than the gs that
apply to organize ourselves and better combat some individual good, and the current education system, as comba
of the racial issues and discriminations on this already mentioned, was portrayed as a tool design ed :io ns 0
campus." to preserve white domination of blacks.
<, ~-