Friday. April II, 1959 SCARLET AND BLACK Page Seven G Marlyrs' Weekend Helps Define Black-While Conilicl Where the Truth Hurts _ By Tom THOMAS The most obvious similarity between the‘recent Black Martyr's program and last years’ discussions [allowing the assassination of Dr. King was the re- current question: “What is the role of the white individual who is concerned, impathic, active, etc?” It is perhaps significant of the transition of the “civil rlghm movement” to a Black liberation struggle met this year the questions seemed to be but Cliches and the answers seemed far more difficult to find. To understand the complexity of this problem for the white Grinnell Student, it is iirst necessary to examine the posi- tlon (of confusion) in which he finds himself, in a simplistic sense, the Grin- nell student is generally sympathetic toward and concerned about the “Black movement." Recalling the righteous ex< hilaratlun of civil rights marches and We Shall Overcome and succumbing to latent activist tendencies, he looks for a ”role of participation." Having read hiack Power and a little of Malcolm X, he is ready to join the movement. The stu< dent is then frustrated when he finds that his idealism is re b u fie d. that the “Block struggle" is exactly that, and, to his surprise, somebody actuab ly doesn’t want him because, of all things, he is white. Reading Malcolm X a little more close- ly, he learns 01 a sarcalled “supportive role,” but this is very unclear. Question— ing Black students or black leaders re- sults in the same answer, “You've got your problems, and it's your problem to solve them." His posttion of support becomes one at not~so~sure affirmation of Black demands. His desire to be “where the action is” is frustrated, his own position becomes further confused, and most of all, he feels the hopeless- ness of doing nothing. The white student feels condemned to inactivity by his color, rejected by Blacks as a member of the white racist society of oppressron. However, it is in the very fact that the student is white, that he is a. member of the racist society, that the role of his participation is deiined should he choose to accept it. One must first res member that It is the racist Society in America which is both responsible for the conflict and the target of the Black liberation movement. Being already a member ol this society holds advantages to the concerned student that are avail- able to no Black man. It is in the White, middle-class com- munities of this country that the battle must be fought 7 a fight that has not even yet really begun. This may lack the dynamism of the strrogle in the urban ghetto and the high vi bllity of a march or demonstration, but its importance is as extreme. Beginning in his own com- munity and starting in his own context, the white student of today must address the task of provoking change in the thought patterns of his society, a process that will go back to the very ioundation of this country, of which today’s racism is but a latent manifestation. The process, above all, must be an educative one. The greatest failure of our society, dramatically portrayed throughout the “racial issue,” is a pro. round inability to understand melt, or even to engage in analytical introspec< tion. To combat this, one must force in< dividuals to go beyond the sophmoric approach to America characterized in high school U.S, history courses and examine the oppressive past of our comb try’s racism. There must be an under. TRUTH- (Continued on Page 12, Column 2) Photo By LARRY FRANK Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King is a martyr and hero for all humonitarlans. How- ever, his tactics are now more relevant in the anti-war movement than the Black Power struggle. rune Part E Clarifies Stand An article reporting the major ideas presented by four mem- bers of the Black Panther Party at a panel discussion last Satur- day was supposed to appear in this space. The Printer or the Scarlet and Black however, found some of the direct quotes in the article to be potentially obscene and refused to print the Panther statements. The article‘s author prelers not to run the article it the complete text cannot be run for it is vital to an understanding of Ihe Panther position, the goal or the article. The editor finds this action as a form of censorship of the Black movement and a failure to be aware of the accepted lan« guage. Out-moded white values are being applied to accepted, nor mal behavior. Times are changing and the press Should he allowed to communicate that change, (See Editorial) “Sleeping Through A Beyolution” By HOWARD WARD Why honor‘ Black martyrs’ on a col- lege campus which is located in an all white Iowa town, which has a Black student population of less than 5%, and can only boast of having three Black professors on its staff? Why didn’t some Concerned Black~ Studenm honor their Black martyrs in Des Moines or in some area where Black people predominately preside? The reason for having Black Martyrs' Day was not primarily for the benefit of the handful 01 Black inhabi- tants 0f Grinnell College, but for the education or the “white majority" on this campus, those people who are too undel- exposed to Black feelings, Black culture, and Black people. Black Martyrs’ Weekend gave the “white majority” the opportunity to view in their own surroundings, Black reelings, Black culture, and Black people. Black feelings were presented through the film excerpts of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose assassination was commemorated by the Black Mal'tyrs' Weekend. His warnings to white Ameri- ca ot “sleeping through a revoluti 1" rang vehemently through Herrick Chapel and almost everyone was grasped by his words. A contrast or Black feelings, culture, and people was presented through the choral selections of the Chicago Ensemble Gospel Group, and through the words of Father Bene- ree. The gospel group exemplified a portion of Black culture through the sounds of gospel-spirituals, which was reminiscence of the anguish and toil im- posed on the Black man in this country for 300 years. Father Benefee, who may have been viewed by some as a radical priest was illustrative of one portion of the Black mood present today in this country. Some whites in the audience may have been orrended by Father Eerie— lee’s words, while others may have been angered, yet nevertheless the Black‘ priest “did his thing” and told those in the chapel what he stood for and how he felt. This included the fact that Black people are going to get themselves to« gether, and are not concerned about what the white man does. The sensitivity sessions, which were held during the afternoon, were designed to bring out the true emotions of both Blacks and whites in regards to race. poverty, and other related problems of today’s society. These sessions were guided through me expertise of trained social workers and counselors. A crowded South Lounge witnessed rep Iesentatives of the Black Panther Party. who emphasized the principles and ideo- logies of their organization. As shocking as it may have been, those kids not only represented the Black Panther Party, they expressed the views of many young people across this nation, which entails the banding together of the oppressed, Black and White, against the oppressor. Professor Charles H. Nichols, visiting professor of History and American stu- dies, presented on academic overview of the present mood in America, and em- phasized the need for understanding and thought in society today. Here was an opportunity for both whites and blacks to listen to the realistic views of an edu- cated Black man. Maybe for those whites who listened and learned there is some hope, and for those others i . I! And as Father Eerie fee closed his speech, he held up a gun clip and said, "We shall overcome," and the Black Panther stated, “Stick em up Mother this iS a holdup. We've come lo 'get our share."