Xavier Herald - Page 11

The Xavier Herald is written and edited by students of Xavier University. The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the University nor do they represent any University policy. Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the editors. Member: Minority media Syndicate, Inc., Associat...

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Format: Online
Language:English
Created: Xavier University of Louisiana 1989
Online Access:http://cdm16948.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16948coll14/id/4946
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title Xavier Herald - Page 11
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title_short Xavier Herald - Page 11
title_full Xavier Herald - Page 11
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title_sort xavier herald - page 11
description The Xavier Herald is written and edited by students of Xavier University. The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the University nor do they represent any University policy. Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the editors. Member: Minority media Syndicate, Inc., Associate Collegiate Press, Intercollegiate Press Association, College Media Advisors Association and CASS Student Advertising, Inc. Sebreana Domingue, Editor-in-Chief; Shenita Carrol, Managing Editor; Jamilah Owens, Copy Editor; Kaahedrian Williams, Photography Editor; Bernel Davis, Photography Editor; Karen Bradley, Business Manager; Healon Knight, Office Manager; LaSonjia Faulk, Office Manager; Kim Thompson, Photographer & Office Manager; Sharon Latten, Advertising Manager; Ponchitta Turner, Advertising Manager; Tonia Muse, Fashion Editor; Steve Prince, Staff Artist; Aissatou Sidime, Photographer; Chris Campbell, Faculty Advisor. Staff Reporters: Lisa Crawford, Yolanda Dillon, Audra Evans, Stacey Evans, Troy Gullage, Martin Hayes, Soulan Johnson, Kimmie McNeil, Susan Reine, Aissatou Sidime, Paula Wright.
publisher Xavier University of Louisiana
publishDate 1989
url http://cdm16948.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16948coll14/id/4946
_version_ 1801582749229776896
spelling xuloai_p16948coll14-4946 Xavier Herald - Page 11 5 No. 8 1989-02-16 Xavier University of Louisiana The Xavier Herald is written and edited by students of Xavier University. The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the University nor do they represent any University policy. Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the editors. Member: Minority media Syndicate, Inc., Associate Collegiate Press, Intercollegiate Press Association, College Media Advisors Association and CASS Student Advertising, Inc. Sebreana Domingue, Editor-in-Chief; Shenita Carrol, Managing Editor; Jamilah Owens, Copy Editor; Kaahedrian Williams, Photography Editor; Bernel Davis, Photography Editor; Karen Bradley, Business Manager; Healon Knight, Office Manager; LaSonjia Faulk, Office Manager; Kim Thompson, Photographer & Office Manager; Sharon Latten, Advertising Manager; Ponchitta Turner, Advertising Manager; Tonia Muse, Fashion Editor; Steve Prince, Staff Artist; Aissatou Sidime, Photographer; Chris Campbell, Faculty Advisor. Staff Reporters: Lisa Crawford, Yolanda Dillon, Audra Evans, Stacey Evans, Troy Gullage, Martin Hayes, Soulan Johnson, Kimmie McNeil, Susan Reine, Aissatou Sidime, Paula Wright. African American college students; African American newspapers; African American universities and colleges; College student newspapers and periodicals; Student publications; Xavier University of Louisiana Text PDF XH_1989_02_16_011 Xavier University of Louisiana English Physical rights are retained by Xavier University of Louisiana. Copyright is in accordance with U.S. copyright laws archives@xula.edu .. • • • •• • .. • • . , • , .. • .. ••••• u February 16, 1989 XAVIER HERALD Page 11 Black males speak out on issue of extinction by Stacey EVaDS SUiff Reporter The phrase "vanishing black male" is steadily becoming known throughout the work force and college campuses across the counU)'. Small numbers of black males arc graduating from high school and even less are preparing for college. Concern, however, is not being limited to Louisiana. It has become a national issue recognized by educa­tional leaders, writers and renowned scholars. Although college attendance is only one aspect of progression from high school, a study conducted by the Census and Labor departments found that 24 percent of the 1,155,000 black high school graduates between the age of 20 and 24, who had not gone to college as of the fall 1986 were unem­ployed. In addition, sixteen percent of the graduates were completely outside of the work force, neither working or looking for a job. According to a recent bulletin published by the Committee to Study the SlatuS of the Black Male, 43 percent of the public school population in the 1986-87 academic year was comprised of black males. However. they ac­counted for 57.5 percent of the non­promotions, 65 percent of the suspen­sions, 80 percent of the expulsions and 45 percent of the dropouts. When asked why black youths are faced with this problem, Dr, Antoine Garibaldi, chair and study direcoor of the commiueeandchairman and associ­ate professor of education atxaYier, had plenty to say . "We have made gains in society in terms of Lhe work force but more !.han one-third of the population is poor. A large numbcrof youth's are n01 succeed­ing. They don't seem 10 have many career aspirations. Some don' t see the need for college which is called a delay of gratification. They don't want to spend four years in school but yet they want a job immediately," he said. Garibaldi added, "We know that a serious problem exists. It's time to focus our efforts on reversing the b"end. That means there's lots of work to be done on collegecampusesand in the community. The responsibility to change rests with us and the federal government" Although this situation seems dis­mal, conversation with several black males on coUege campuses proved hopeful. Eric White, a junior a1 Xavier, said, "The problem is in the family struc­LUre. There are too many single parent homes. Kids are being brought up with no role models - no onc 10 give them a sense of direction. As a rcsulL,lhey tum 10 the Streets. As black college swdents, it's up to us to help these kids. We need more people to get involved with Big Brother/Sister programs to let people know oLhersdocareabout whathappens to them." Tulane University freshman Pat­rick Banks said he feels the problem comes in when parents neglect their children as they grow up. "Parents need to encourage thcir kids to do well in school and lett11em know how impor­tant it is to keep their grades up, If there's a problem with the school work, parents and teachers need to come to­geLher wiLh Lhc child SO Lhey have an opportunity to improve." Earl West, a senior at Louisiana Tech, said, "Our people are getting deeply involved in drugs. We're kilJing each other off one by one. h 's a sad situation and now it's preveming us from getting into school and the work force. People in the community, espe­cially college students need to go out to the local high schools and let the kids know it's not about drugs; it's about education," According to Kendall Roy, ajunior at Southern University of New Orleans, there are several factors bringing black males down. "One in particular is that black females tend nOlto support black males while they are striving to gct to the top, but are willing to stand by Lhem after they have achieved some type of social or economic status. Instead they should be more supportive and encour­aging while black males are trying LO reach their goals. In tum we should be more supportive of them and their ca­reer aspirations." When asked how he felt we should solve the problem, Garibaldi said, "We need more black teachers to serve as role models. If you ask kids what they want to be, most will say an athlelCora singer. It's rare to hear 'I wanllO be a tcacheror adoctor.' It's acomplicatcd issue, We have to stan in the first grade, Large numbers drop Out at the fourth or fifth grade level. Something is happening there. Even teachers confess they don't expect most black males to stay in school. "The family plays an important role. Large numbers of kids are in single parent families and the parents have to go to work. We have to help parents out at school. We should offer rewards for academics, something to encourage them that it's okay to do well in school. Peers say it's nOl okay to do well and kids aresen silive. They want 10 bcapan ofthccrowd. They' re afraid to bealone. We have to learn LO be their extended family," he added. According to Garibaldi, there are several possible solutions to this im ­perative s ituatioo. but no one can do it alone. The community has to ban to­gether to ensure thal the problem of the " vanishing black male" is indeed van­ished. Malcolm X made his mark in the pages of history by Soulan Johnson Sill!! Reporter Malcolm lillie, born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, who in his­tory today is known as Malcolm X, abandoned "Littlc" because he consid­ered it to be his "slave name". To many Malcolm X is known as a black militant leader who aniculated conceplS of race, pride and black nation­alism in the early 1960's. He was often known as " big red," because of his reddish hair, inherited from a white man in the West Indies. While growing up in Lansing, Mich., Malcolm X - at the age of four - saw his house burned down by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan. who also were the susoects in the murder of his father. Following these horrendous trage­dies, Malcolm moved to Boston to live with his sister, tn 1946 he was convicted ofburglaryandsem to prison. It was injail where Malcolm converted to the Black Muslim faith. After being released seven years later, Malcolm transformed his life and began speaking on tours around thecoun­try. He spoke with bitter eloquence against white exploitation of blacks. And because of his dedication and determina­tion to see equal justice he was considered to many people a candidate for the second position in the Black M.uslim hierarchy. But after the assassination of Presi­dent101ln F. Kennedy, Malcolm publicly commented that here was a "caseof chick-ens coming home to roost." This brought about horrible violence as well as the termination and participation of Malcolm 's affiliation with Lbe Muslim movement. When questioned about the break with the Black Muslims by the Youth Socialist Alliance, Malcolm Slated, "I dido 't break, there was a split. The split came about primarily because they put me out. Basi­cally because my uncompromising aproach 10 problems I thought should be solved. and the movement could solve, would be contrasting to their beliefs and more similar to my militant ideas." Following this confrontation, On March 8, 1964, Malcolm announced the formation of his own religious organiza­tion. Muslim MOSQue. Inc. ThisorRaniza-tion was eSl8bli shed for the purpose of fighting economic and political exploi­lation and social degradation in black America. Following the fonnation of his new organization, Malcolm's life became threatened frequently , but he refused police protection because he felt that it was unnecessary. However, later that year, Malcolm was viciously sl10t to death at a rally of his followers, at a Harlem ballroom. Three blacks were subsequently con­victed of his murder and it was widely believed thal Muslims were involved. Because Malcolm X advocated vio­lence and appeared to many to be a Ca­See Malcolm page 15 • • http://cdm16948.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16948coll14/id/4946

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