Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 March 2001 — Page 7

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2001

Few Black IU students take part in leadership meeting for them education

Indiana University recently held its first National Black Student Leadership Conference. The conference was sponsored by the Afri-can-American Cultural Center and was free to any college student who wanted to attend. The title of the conference was, "A Legacy to Keep—An Image to Uphold: Shaping a National Agenda for Black Student Leadership." The conference was about six months in the making and guess who they selected togive their keynote address? What an honor it was for me to return to the Bloomington campus where I had attended graduate school. I was very curious to see what the social atmosphere was like and how the African-Ameri-can students were adjusting on a campus that has over 30.000 students. and where they make up less than 10 percent of the student population. Upon my arrival Friday night. I met with some of the AfricanAmerican graduate students who were working on doctorate degrees.

Education

Does

Matter

By Leroy Robinson

They were from all parts of the country and seemed to be extremely focusedon theircareer paths. Many of them were older students, w ho had returned to school after being in the workforce for several years. One thing became apparent early on. The graduate students and the undergraduate students have very little, ifany.contact w ith each other. Also, by there being so few of them in the doctoral program and all of them studying different areas, each of them were the only AfricanAmerican in their classes. However. it was very nice to see these young people getting their Ph Ds in French. Spanish, information

systems, and foreign affairs. Each of them agreed that many students in the groupof about l .500 African-Americans are struggling do to the lack of self-discipline, internal motivation, and self love/ pride. At the conference on Saturday, many of the graduate and undergraduate students expressed their frustration at the lack of unity among the Blacks on campus. They all talked about the many different divisions that exist between the African-American students. They spoke of the fraternities and sororities, those being from Gary. Ind.,orNew York City. There was even those from down South (Atlanta) who only socialized with others from the Southern part of the country. An elderly professor brought up the Willie Lynch article titled "Lets make a Slave.” The participants had heard the name, but none of them had read the article. (Each of them had free copies courtesy of me before they left the conference). The keynote address was bro-

ken down into three parts: Our Legacy, our Image, and the state of our Black student leaders. Many of the participants were disappointed in the turnout. They expressed the need for every African-American student on the IU campus, male and female, to be at this conference. The conference was attended by about 90 percent females, some who were from Africa. I personally spoke to a few former male students of mine, who assured me that they would come home early from their parties Friday night, and attend the conference by 11 a.m. They were all “noshows." There seems to be quite a bit of apathy on the IU campus. Even the great Chuck D of Public Enemy who spoke the Wednesday before I arrived, only drew 10 to 15 Black students. The overwhelmingly majority of his audience was white. However, for those who attended the Black Student Leadership conference, there is some hope. They all seemed to be committed and dedicated to taking some posi-

tive action. None of them blamed our shortcomings on someone outside our community. They all agreed that the only people that can

help us. is us.

For all of those who did not attend, it becomes apparent that you think that our legacy is something that we lost and you do not wish to find. You feel that our Image is something that is broken, and you do not care to fix it. And the state of Black student leadership ismot important, because you have other more important '‘social" events to attend in order to increase your popularity rating. And judging by the past presidential election, winning the popular vote alone does not guarantee you a room in the house or the career of your choice. Semi your comments to me at: [email protected], or write me at: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis. IN. 46236, or cal I me at 317-393-2188.

Youngsters at Building Blocks Academy learn that reading is fun

Community visitors read to students By FREDERICK L. MERKERSON III Staff Writer Former Indianapolis Colts player Devon McDonald never had anyone to read to him as a child growing up in Jamaica. The early deficiency recently inspired him to help the Building Blocks Academy celebrate Dr. Suess* birthday anniversary by doing what the children's literature author advocated most — reading. s Located at 3515 Washington Blvd.. the academy held a “Read In" last week in which teachers, ministers, professionals and athletes read their favorite story books to the school's students. It was an opportunity McDonald sajd he couldn't pass up and more importantly wanted to take full advantage of. He didn’t just read How the Grinch Stole Christmas: he brought it to life. Providing unique voices for every character in the story, the 6foot. 4-inch, and 245-pound McDonald also acted out each scene. "I just read it the way I like it. And I like it exciting." he said. "When I read a book, I take longer than anybody else because I put on a show.” McDonald now works with Sports World Inc., a company that sends professional athletes out to share personal life experiences with students. "Reading is in everything we do. If we can reach out to these kids and show them the importance of it now. they'll be better later," he added. Seven-year-old Robert Hawthorne said he really enjoyed

McDonald's performance of his favorite book. “He read it really good, but sometimes he said the wrong word. We know that book by heart. But it still sounded good," said the second-grader. “My favorite part is when the Grinch gets stuck in the chimney.” Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Suess, captured the attention and imaginations of generations of children with popular books like the Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Nine years after his death, America still celebrates his birthday. March 2, as Read Across America day. March is also National Reading Month. "Reading is so important,” said Patricia McLauren, a public health nurse at the Marion County Health Department and one of the day's readers. “This has.been a wonderful program because it shows children the importance.Qf,reading and allows them to also meet professionals in the corpmunity.” Second-grade teacher George France said he was ecstatic about the program and its mission to get youth reading at an early age. “Gives students a chance to look at some of the people in the neighborhood and see that in order to get somewhere in life you're going to have to learn to read,” he said. “A lot of people have a hard time reading even at my age, therefore, we're not as informed as we should be. If kids are going to learn anything about our Black history and heritage, they’re going to have to read." Dr. Larnell Burks-Bagley, the academy's director, agreed and added that the second year celebration benefits everyone involved. "Kids can associate with the kind of books Dr. Suess wrote and to have people come in from the community and reinforce what the teachers have been telling them all along," she said. "It provides support to our students and it's always good for the community and school to build these types of relationships."

Former Indianapolis Colt Devon McDonald reads to the students of Building Blocks Academy in celebration of Dr. Suess’ birthday last week. (Photo/Frederick L. Merkerson III)

Tuskeegee Airmen speak at 28th Street Church of God Arthur Carter and Louis Hill, two of the five original surviving Tuskegee Airmen that live in Indianapolis, shared their life’s experiences as members of the proud and historical Tuskegee Airmen’s group during the battles of World War Two. Hill was one of the founders of the local chapter, formed in 1985. The Tuskegee Airmen served our country with unparalleled bravery and tenacity and their courageous feats performed have been recorded in the annuals of American history.

Brown invites students to apply for scholarships, attend summit in Africa State Rep. Charlie Brown. D-Gary. has extended an invitation to high school seniors and college students from Gary and Northwest Indiana to apply for a scholarship that will prov ide them financial means to attend the Sixth African-African-Ameri-can Summit. The meeting, entitled "The Summit of Hope." w ill be in Abuja. Nigeria.- from May 21 to 26. Summit workshops include those on agriculture, business and investment, education, democracy and governance, HIV and AIDS, and peace. "The summit was formed with the intent to foster cooperation and understanding between Africans, African Americans and friends of Africa." said Brown. "Since its beginning, new business relationships have developed, economies have grown stronger and people, especially Americans, have gained a new respect for Africa." Students who are selected will attend with Rep. Brown and state Rep. William Crawford. D-Indianapolis. The scholarships w ill cover round trip airfare, hotel accommodations in Abuja, summit registration materials and all official meals and events. Four scholarships are available. Those wishing to apply should contact Rep. Brown' s office at (317) 2329646 or (800) 382-9842. Scholarships for youth workers Staff and volunteers at nonprofit youth organizations in Indiana may apply for a partial scholarship to attend "Breakthrough Strategies to Teach and Counsel Troubled Youth" a two-day course May 3 and 4 at Holiday Inn Select. 2502 S. High School Rd. A limited number of scholarships are available from the Indiana Youth Institute. Tuition for the workshop is $149. w ith a scholarship cost will be $50. College credit and clocking hours are optional* college credits are an extra $40 tuition charge. Ruth Herman Wells, an expert on youth behaviors, will teach the workshop. Topics will include causes of disruptive behavior in youth, ways to teach these youth the positive skills they need to develop properly and practical strategies to apply in a v ariety of situations. To apply call IYI at 1-800-343-7060: download from www.iyi.org. or fax 1 -877-550-FAXX (document 132#). Applications with payment must be received by April 20. Charter Day program for Howard University alums Howard University local alumni and Channel I3's Angela Moorehead invite parents and students to attend a charter day program at 2 p.m. March 24 at Broad Ripple High School. University updates, admission information and other materials will be available. Alumni may find out how to join the club and participate. For more information call 259-8070 or 251-

6802.

Ray Charles donates to Morehouse College Recently. Ray Charles donated $1 million to Morehouse College during the annual "A Candle in the Dark" Gala. Charles received the Candle Award for Lifetime Achievement in Arts and Entertainment.