1982_02 The Daily Collegian February 1982

              -7n
PAGE 2 Dr. Robert Mikell
Chairman,   Ethnic   Studies Department
0: Where did you attend school and
what was yoor field of study?
A: I attended Booker T. Washington
High School in New Orleans. After I
graduated I enrolled in San Francisco's
Community College in 1969, In 1971.
I attended the University of Southern
California (USC), where I earned a
B.S. and B.A. degree in Business
Administration. I obtained a Mas¬
ter* degree in 1972 and finally a
Doctorate degree in 1977.
Q: When did yon begin administering
and teaching at Fresno State? And why
did jou choose Fresno State?
A:In l972therewasajobofferhereand
1 accepted it. I felt the need to help
others because someone once helped
me.
Q: Briefly describe the departmenl
you're in charge of, and your duties at the
coordinator.
A: I'm in charge of the Ethnic Studies
department. It consists of three pro¬
grams: Armenian. American-Indian,
and Black Studies. My duties are to
formulate schedules for the courses,
make evaluations of the courses and
instructors, plan and develop new
curriculum and provide special
services for students.
Q: What is happening with black stu¬
dies programs nationally? How about the
program here at CSUF?
A: Many programs have been dis¬
mantled throughout the country. How¬
ever, the CSUC system is operating
very good programs in the field of
Black Studies. The valley has a good
mixture of cultures and the program
here is going good-and it will in¬
crease in curriculum and students in
the years to come.
Q: What is the significance of Black
Studies and how is it helping students?
A: Black Studies is very important to all
students. It was established heir eleven
years ago to meet the needs of stu¬
dents. The black studies faculty-has
adopted the philosophy that the sur
vival of black students on this cam¬
pus depends, to a great extent, upon
the support given by the black studies
program. In spite of the limited re¬
sources allocated to our program, we
have developed into a multi-faceted
operation designed to meet the total
needs of our students, but more com
prehensively, to meet the needs of all
of our students (Black, white, Chi-
cano.etc.)ona university-wide basis.
Q: Should black studies be mandatory
for all students?
A: Definitely. The present school sys¬
tem is based on courses of the major
culture. Black students are exposed
to both black and white culture.
There exists a lack of inclusion for
whites.
Q: What Is the future for black studies
at CSUF?
A: That more and more non-black
students who participate in other
departments, such as political sci¬
ence, criminology and nursing, en¬
courage students to enroll in black
studies courses. The general educa¬
tion program requires all students to
take three units of Ethnic Studies.
This was made mandatory by the
chancellor and became effective in
the fall of 1981.
Q: Besides your work, what other orgs ni¬
dations do you participate in?
A: I'm a member of the United Black
Men*Organization, the United Negro
College Fund Committceanda form¬
er member of the Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity. I'm also the treasurer of
the Valley Small Businesses. The
United Black Men* group has been
very active in community matters.
Q: What are the major problems facing
blacks under the Reagan Administration?
A: Education. The effect on financial
aid is causing more Blacks lo be
financially unable to go to the col¬
lege. The ultimate effect is the elimi¬
nation of Black Students. The job
market also has a direct impact.
Blacks are usually last hired and first
fired.
Michele Davis
The month of February is set aside as a
time in which we keep going, and take an
extensive look at our individual and cul¬
tural selves. It's of crucial importance thai
we keep going as we look introspective!)
opposed to stopping because motion or
advancement is the lifeblood source of our
survival.
As a people, I'd say we know more
about what v>c don't have than what we do
have. Did you know that 90 percent of all
African-Americans are productive within
the workforce: that we make 100 billion
dollars per year. 80 billion of which we.use
to buy food and services.and that collec¬
tively we would compose the 9th richest
nation in the wotld! Although this society
keeps telling us how pathetically poo rand
disadvantaged we are. in actuality we are
quite wealthy and powerful. IF we just
recognize it and USE IT! The crux of ihe
realization of our wealth is in whal we do
while we are at the University here in
Fresno and all other educational institu¬
tions. It is important not only that we
attend classes to take all the information
that professors have to give, and get the
best of grades but also our attitude satis
faction should not come in our aspiration
to get a good paying job someday, but in
aspiring to work' for one's self. Without
the setting of such a goal it will surelv
never become reality. Of course we may
need to use I he good paying job as a learn¬
ing stepping-stone, but be sure to step on
and over to become your own boss. Unless
we prepare now to achieve this goal by
demonstrating j change in our attitude
and performance, we will stand motion¬
less as society surpasses us.
The activities for this month provide all
kinds of information about who we are
and the riches we hold. I urge you to par¬
ticipate and enrteh your lives for yourself
and for your children (to be).
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Uhuru \a L'moja wclcomcsanv and a
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Letters should belcgthlcand noieveced
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l;huru Staff
Editor-in-Chief: Darvl-Glcn I ord
Managing Editor: Sandra Seclev
Production Manger: Stephanie Buolci
Photographer: Kahlil Jackson
Staff and or C'nnirihiilors:
laequeline Brown. Jacqueline Bullock
Reginald Charles Davis. Manuella Kellv
Veronica Maxell. Kichard Rollins
Debbie Shout, (ireg Stevens. \V,;ivih
Bvrd. Renee Bosliek. Michele Davis,
luckson Smith
Straight Talk
Hun's over.	
/ mil you're had a sale and most
en/uvahle holiday season, wherever you
were. Sun you must come hack down tu
earth and reality again. As. difficult as it
can he at limes, you 've not to crank that
old machine up for. hopefully, a very good
Spring 8.' semester. You have that obliga¬
tion to yourself. Gel all you can now for
inflation rates are mm mak ing knowledge
unavailable to you: whereas in times past
it was literally prohibited. Same concept
as lodar now shown in i-D. Wel¬
come Back! /
— Reginald Charles Davis                ^S
by Brian Waller
Q: What are the major problems facing
blacks here In Fresno? And at CSUF?
At Education again. City schools ex¬
perience many problems. The con¬
troversy of closing I rwin Junior H igh
School, problems in disproportion¬
ate suspension. With problems in
secondary schools, the preparation
for college is inadequate and this
presents further problems.
Q: What do you think is the solution to
the problem in education?
A: Much of it depends on the Black
Community. If Blacks would express
their views and apply pressure we can
get attention and begin to work on
the problem. Blacks need to take a
greater interest in Blacks.
Ernie Shelton (right), director of Vete¬
rans and Disabled Student Services "at
California State University. Fresno, pres¬
ents CSUF President Harold H. Haak
with a state legislature resolution honor¬
ing Vietnam veterans.
The resolution was sponsored by State
Senators Ken Maddy and Rose Ann
Vuich. and Assemblymen Jim Costa and
Richard Lehman on the occasion of Cali¬
fornia Veterans Month proclaimed by
Governor Brown.
CSUF participated in the month-long
observance by honoring all veterans, and
particularly Vietnam veterans, during
halftime ceremonies at the football game
between the Bulldogs and the University
of Nevada- Las Vegas.
Shelton coordinated the project in
which veterans throughout the University
service area were invited to attend the
game at reduced admission price.
Don't
Helen Out!
Hhrk r...„t.. s,...T    . iwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimniiiiiiiiiiniiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiit
,m   ed   , h v, srudcmsa.e =    The September 14. 1981 issue of Uhuruf
:d,hl!": PMure takc^lor the |Nl Umojjwrongly placed tne poem -Val-|
\ll\ ,nl ,J :t Y^i ,Kb Icdiction-forUgoEgbuziem.and-Coingl
x-lpin. 1 pstairsOld Calctcm Room -"2 SNwoko §
Choir
«_._    „j »    ...     I    "Valediction" is rightly authored  byH
Sponsored By: I He Black Gospel |Egbllmwe  j.   Nwoko8   p^  nole  ,n*|
j
Bridget Up Close
by Piccola Sinklield
PAGE 3
Bridget Carter, a freshman who's
enjoying her first semester at Fresno
State University said she finds it ex¬
citing. Bridget enjoys Fresno State
because most of the people seem to have
positive attitudes toward succeeding.
She is majoring in Health Science
with the objective of being a medical
doctor. She is going into this field
because she feel that this major is one in
which lacks women. Bridget being the
youngest of a large family of thirteen,
sometimes finds it difficult to live up to
her family expectation. Although she
receives lots of encouragement from
them.
Bridget interest lies in Improving the
education and welfare of the black com¬
munity; and rights of women. She
believes that all people should be given a
chance regardless of sex, creed, or
color. She is also interested in joining
some clubs, but wants to wait until she
is better adjusted.
Bridget has strong religious and moral
beliefs. For example, Bridget states:
"For those who live under Cod's rules,
shall live with Cod in his Kingdom.*
She feels that the fees at Fresno State
are becoming too expensive and that if it
affects anyone it will be the minority.
students. She also feels that their a
racial barrier between the students that
should be broken.
Bridget finds Chemistry, Trigino-
metry, and Political Science to be
difficult courses, but enjoys them just
the same. Her favorite courses are
Health Science, math, Drama, and
speech.
Bridget has a lot of hobbies, in which
she enjoys very much. She enjoys
jogging, skating, dancing, and most of
all reading. She also enjoys singing and
crocheting. Bridget said these are
activities that seem to relax her the
most, when she's deprefced or in a bad
mood. Bridget also likes sports. She
enjoys going to basketball games, foot¬
ball games, and most of all baseball
games.
She likes a lot of excitement, and
enjoys meeting new people and doing
new things. Bridget realizes her pro¬
fessional goals in medicine will take
about ten-to-twelve years, but says
that after its all over it will be worth it.
Bridget also states: 'When I finish
medical school, I would like to open my
own private practice with other doctors,
and become active in the black commu¬
nity.*
 "■■■"...: ■■■'.. ■■■'"   ■ "■■■ '  '■   "■	
Maya—from page 1
im speak and been carried to glory on his
wings of hope....and made me thrust away
he small constant worry which my moth-
:r had given me as'part of an early parting
gift: Black folks can't change because
white folks won't change.
ments which sear the imagination. For.,
example her confrontation with other
activists with Adlai Stevenson at the Uni¬
ted Nations after the assassination of the.
African revolutionary Patrice Lumumba.
Her confrontation with mounted police¬
men in the streets of New York during an
"unofficial* demonstration. Her tumultu¬
ous love affairs with her introspective,
young son. Guy: and his expatriate, black
South African husband, Vusumzi Make,
who expected her to perform the tradi¬
tional African roles of silent housewife
There are many highly dramatized mo-   and dependent mother. Maya refused:
'I here is^isilentTcreanT, which tears There are harrowing scenes of infidelity
through the veins, separates the muscles, and explicit sensuality; of the near tragic
pinching the nerves, yet the body seems to death of her beloved son. Guy, in an
remain immobile. We had never talked automobile accident in Ghana; her diffi-
about important issues. The man standing cult experience as the only American
over me venting his fury, employing his female editor of an African journal; a
colorful vocabulary was no longer my hilarious scene in which her angry, re-
love. The last wisps of mystery had disap- proachful husband chasesadrunken Maya
peared. There had been physical attrac- around the lobby of the plush New York
tion so strong that at his approach, mois- Hilton; witnessing Krushchev and Fidel
ture collected at every place where my Castro embracing on 125th Street in Har-
body touched itself. Now he was in hand's lem, surrounded by throngs of cheering
reach and tantilization was gone. He was unemployed Secret South African police
just a fat man, standing over me. scold- writing original lyrics and performing in
the much acclaimed American version of
CSUF'S OUTSTANDING
TEACHER TRAINING SPECIALIST
By Debra and Yolandi Vance
Junion
Journjl.!m A Health Science Majors
Fascinated by the thrill of seeing 50-and
60-year olds write their names for the first
time. Dr. Alexander Lark kneweducation
was the field for him. "It really was the
hook for me.* said Dr. Lark, referring to
an adult literacy class he taught in Chi¬
cago in the early 1960s.
Dr. Lark taught nine years in Chicago
schools before coming to CSUF. One
problem that Dr. Lark faced and con¬
quered while in Chicago was seeing many
beautiful Black children that came from
the islands of the sea (Cuba. Panama, etc.)
and spoke only Spanish. There was no
suitable language arts program in the Chi¬
cago school system for them." said Dr.
Lark.
Advisor: Ernie Shelton
gchange.
I
"Many Black students are led to believe
that there are no jobs, and that it is hard to
get in the School of Education...this is not
true." Dr. Lark said. Citing that of about
105 student teachers this year, only one is
Black. Further, that of CSUF* faculty of
some 900. there are only 11 Black faculty
in tenure-track positions. Dr. Lark said it
would seem obvious that greater recruit¬
ment needs to be done for more Black
students as well as faculty.
Dr. Lark feels that more Black teachers
will add to the profession of teacher edu¬
cation and that this valley needs to have
more Black educators.
The job market for good teachers is
"wide open," said Dr. Lark. He recom¬
mends the beginning teachers lo "partici¬
pate in furthering their professional train¬
ing at all levels possible—workshops,
conferences, and formal courses are all
good areas to be considered."
Beyond hisdutiesat CSUF, Dr. Lark is
a trustee of a statewide employment net¬
work. Black Advocates in State Service.
(BASS). He wrote the constitution and
by-laws for that organization. Addition¬
ally, he serves as First Vice-Chairman of
ihe Allensworth State Historical Park
Advisory Committee. He isalsoa member
of trie Fresno Temple Church of God in
Christ.
Dr. Lark's educational credits are
many. He received his BA in Music Edu¬
cation from Goshen College: MA in Cur¬
riculum and Supervision of Instruction
from Roosevelt University, and his Ph.D
in Curriculum Theory Supervision of
Instruction and Urban Affairs from the
University of Southern California.
Dr. Lark is greatly concerned that there
has been such high numbers of Blacks
who enter college, butsofewgraduate. He
attributes this failure to the lack of moti¬
vation and to poor counseling. He feels
that if " the distance between Black stu¬
dents and Black educators can be shor¬
tened." then more blacks would graduate
Black students are welcome to talk to hi
anytime.
Dr. Lark's advice to Black students is
'as long as you can keep going, go. Go
straight for your doctorate. It's a matte
or endurance and faithfulness to your own
goals...we desperately need more profes¬
sionals who are Black, and of course
more Blacks who are professional."
Dr. Lark, who also speaks French, was
known in Chicago as an 'expert Spanish
teacher." He helped set up a Demonstra¬
tion Spanish/ ESL (English as Second
Language) program. This course of study
enabled many children from the islands of
the sea get a more equal chance at obtain¬
ing a good education.
Associate Professor of Education. Dr.
Lark came to CSUf in the summer of 1968
as Director of the Migrant Teacher
Program.
From 1970-1974 he headed the School
of Education Center for Urban Educa¬
tion. According to Dr. Lark, this program
provided training for the core of Black
teachers now in Fresno. Since this pro¬
gram, there hasn't been major recruitment
of Blacks for the teacher training program
at CSUF.
French playwright* Jene Genet* The
Blacks'; the dissolution of her marriage
nd her appearance before an all African
kangaroo court gathered to decide wheth¬
er her separation was "justifiable.
This is a powerful and informative
book; which should be read by all whom
delight in courage and fortitude in the
They could become more motivated by  heart of an uncommon woman. It is not
knowing of our experiences." add ing that  probable that it will become a best seller
because it will disturb the Disneyland and
Gothic romance mentalities of the Ameri¬
can reading public. But, Maya Angelou.
will appear at California State University.
Fresno, on February 4th, at twelve. A rare
opportunity to hear an American Origin-
al. \y
—by James H. Rogers, Ph.d
Reprinted courtesy of the Fresno Bee
oetryj
AN EXCERPT FROM THE TROU¬
BLE WITH ME"
Our stacking zone is a battle ground.
For men only.
The "Cowmen* cow the blacks down.
But I ask one question:
How do squirrels fight against elephants?
They slur the word 'nigger'at us
With the same tongues that speak hatred
Unanimously: They take our jobs from us.'
I watch them squint at us
As they tum'their shoulders against us.
On their white T-Shirts are the inscriptions:
"Low Riding's the best
Fuck the rest."
We foam up saliva in our mouths
hoping it will explode
In the words "Wet Backs."
And splash on their faces
Like wet rags.
Another question. I ask.
What else could this breed do?
Picking peaches or becoming Low Riders.
1 reserve my harsh judgments...
—By Egbliniwe John Nwoko