frlday, march 21979
dally nebraskan
9
Conference speakers urgp World-wide unity of blacks
-1
By Dorccn Charles
Norman, Okla.-Worid wide unity of ail black people
was the theme of this year's second annual Big Eight Con
ference held here last week. The conference presented
speakers of national and international fame such as
Reverend Ralph D. Abernathy and activist Stokely Car
michael; -
Representatives of black student governments from the
Big Eight schools and 24 members of the Afro-American
Collegian Society; along with severi members from the
University Program Council from UNL participated in the
two day event on Feb. 23 and 24.
Black people need to study their history and develop a
more thorough understanding of their African Identity,
according to John Henry Clark, professor at Hunter
College in New .York. . .
Blacks have been brainwashed too long by being taught
the European view of history, Clark said. ,
"African people are the originators of civilization
Clark saidV "Europeans copied their ideas from Africa."
: Pride in past . v
Mathematical and scientific concepts originated in
AfricaVhe explained and Europeans were ignorant of
many ideas until they time Id Africa.
The way African history 'is. taught in schools today,
black people , are led id believe their ancestors were Wild
men swinging from trees, Clark said. Instead of being
proud of their African ancestry, black people are taught
to be ashamed.
"We need to communicate more with our African
brothers and sisters.
"Information about Africa is purposely distorted, he
said. Persons in the highest level bf government are
responsible for perpetrating the mistrust between Africans
and Americans, he said .
"Africans visiting the United States are told to stay
away from the black community,' he said.
Divisiveness among lower and middle classes is a major
hindrance to black unity, according to a workshop dis
cussion Saturday.
Leadership '
Middle class blacks, whd are unaware or tmcdncerned
about the struggle of the majority of black people remain
individualistic and refuse to become involved in the
struggle. Due to middle class apathy, conditions for blacks
are slowly worsening, as in post-rec6nstructioh days.
"You need to study history," said Casey Childs, associ
ate director of the Greater Urban League of Oklahoma
Acting director of the Scholarship and Financial Aids
office, Ron Fritz, resigned Monday to manage a hardware
store, he saidi
However, Ron Fritz admitted that he has other reasons
for leaving.
"There is more he said, ''but it will be significantly
better for the department, the university and the students
if 1 were to stop there.'
Fritz was named acting director In July 1978 after Dir
ector Jack Ritchie resigned. He had been associate
director since July 1973.
According to Fritz, his staff is aware .he has resigned,
but none contacted knew of any other reasons he might
City. "You cannot move forward until you first look
back.
More political involvement of young people is needed,
Childs said. Blacks must study the struggle of the 60s and
find new methods of combating racism.
"You are the agent of change," he said. "You must
look to yourselves for leadership."
It is Up to black college students to continue the
struggle, said Reverend Ralph D. Abernathy at a dinner
address.
Abernathy, known for his participation in the freedom
marches of the 60s with Martin Luther King, stressed the
importance cf student political involvement.
Power vote
"There is nd progress without struggle," he said.
Blacks must realize: the power behind using their vote,
Abernathy Said. ' '
"President Carter wouldn't beta the White House if it
wasn't for our Vote," he said.
Organization is the key to ending oppression, said
Stokely Carmichael, keynote speaker at the conference.
Carmichael internationally knowrt as a revolutionary in
the 60s who coined the phrase "Black Power" had been in
exile in West Africa and returned to the United States to
form the- All African People's Revolutionary Party.
"Without Organization there cannot be a functioning
society," he said.
; Carmichael' stressed the need for international unity,
madeposslble by an awareness of one's identity.
"The way you perceive material reality is a result of
the society in which you live," he said. "For example, if
you look in this room, some of us will say we're black,
some Will say we're Negroes, some will say we're African.
It depends really ort how you've been taught to think that
will tell you which one you are. Of course, proper think
ing will tell you we're Africans, there's no question about
it."
Join together
Society has so confused the thinking of African people
in America that they don't know who they are,
Carmichael said. Perceiving themselves as minorities, they
cannot see the power behind a unified struggle with those
in Africa, he said.
. "Confusion is the biggest enemy of revolution," he
said.
Africans everywhere have a responsibility to participate
in the struggle, Carmichael said.
"If you are not in a political organization for the
people, you are against the people," he stated. "If you dd
not help to organize the people, you are working for the
enemy."
African people must Join together and realize they are
inthesAmestrugglejhesaid. i
"History Is only made by the Solid Unified masses of
the people," he said.
Free Africa
African people are the only people hi the world Who
deny their heritage, Carmichael said. Their confusion
about their identity prevents them front forming strong,
meaningful organisations.
"If you look in America, you will find In all the other
ethnic groups conscious political organizations," he said.
"Every group except Us."
Africans in America have not only denied their past,
but refuse to associate with their past, he said. African
people in America must organize to free Africa.
"Until Africa is free, no African irt the) World is free,'
he said. "The longer we are Without organization, the
more brtttal will be our oppression."
The power behind an organized mass of all African
people has no limits, Carmichael said.
"We must organize every African everywhere in the
world and put them in an Organization fighting to free the
masses of the people," he said; "Ortce We've organized, no
force ort earth can mess with Us."
nciai aids oirector miits
hive for leaving.
He Said he has thought about leaving the department
for about 10 months.
"It's art Opportunity that doesn't conie along often,"
he said, adding that it's never a good time to leave the
department.
"We're in our busy Season-the office is swamped. t
just have to look out for myself in this particular time,"
he said. , '
Assistant to the Dean of Academic Services Robert
Reid said he knew bf Fritz's resignation but since Dean
Gerald Bowke'r has been out of the Office for several
Weeks, nothing has been decided about replacing Fritz.
Fritz's resignation becomes effective March 3 1 .
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