The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: News

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young speaks at the University NAACP's first Image Awards ceremony.

The University chapter of the NAACP's first Image Awards ceremony Saturday night included a speech assessing the "daily struggles" in their lives.

Former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young spoke to 200 NAACP members, University faculty and community members.

"Each and every one of you is in the midst of a struggle," he said. "It's not because you are black. It's a struggle because you are a child of God. It's a struggle between good and evil."

Throughout his speech, Young discussed both the struggles in his life and those currently facing the world.

For his personal life, he talked about the difficulty of dealing with the death of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his troubles with school. Despite his struggles, Young said he is amazed at what he has accomplished.

"I don't know anybody that's as sorry as I was at college, and look at what I've done," he said.

Young said many of his struggles relate to the gap between rich and poor individuals.

"We've integrated the schools," he said. "We've tried to integrate the politics. Now, we have to integrate the money."

Young gave a positive assessment of the HOPE Scholarship, and he encouraged students to return to their hometowns after graduation. He told students to look at towns, such as Hope, Ark., and Plains, Ga., from where the recent presidents and corporate executives have come.

On other national and international topics, such as teen pregnancy and global warming, Young said, "God will help us to deal."

For the event, the NAACP turned the Ramsey Center's volleyball court into a banquet hall, decorating it with balloons, candles and plants.

Throughout the night, several dancers and singers performed. The Black Theatrical Ensemble, a female trio, sang and presented a dramatic monologue, "From Slavery to Freedom." One of BTE's members is Andrew Young's granddaughter.

Matt Winston, assistant to University President Adams, greeted the audience. He said he wanted to recognize the "context of this evening." Winston spoke about the Civil Rights leaders who came to campus this semester and said he was delivering Adams' regrets, since Adams is currently in India reviewing study abroad programs.

The NAACP presented its image awards to both student groups and individual students.

BTE won the award for Outstanding Cultural Performance.

The NAACP gave the Graduate and Professional Scholars the Outstanding Community Service award.

Tiffany Aholou won the award for Outstanding Social Justice Research, and Claudia Caycho won the award for Outstanding Social Justice Advocate.

Erin Mahone won Outstanding Campus Leader, and Desiree Dawson won the Academic Award.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools