Spring Break
Former Black Panther gives lecture
Student activism encouraged
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
|
For those in the auditorium listening to Elaine Brown, it was something to cheer about.
"Something has happened to the spirit of black people in terms of commitment," said Brown, a former leading member of the Black Panther Party.
Brown expressed the need for social activism in the black community as the speaker for the seventh annual Mary Frances Early lecture sponsored by the Graduate and Professional Scholars.
"What I'm talking about may not be a reality here at UGA, but we're not that far removed from the 'hood," she joked. "Some of us are just a loan payment away."
Brown, who has announced her candidacy for president under the Green party, gave her own social commentary on recent controversial issues, including the scandal involving the Duke University lacrosse players.
"We've got a sister at Duke who's seen as crazy because two white boys could buy their innocence."
In addition to the controversy, Brown spoke on health problems, poverty and the need for more student activism.
"I never saw change in the status of black people while I was in the Black Panther Party," she said. "The question is not where do we go from here, but where do you go from here?"
Brown said she encourages those who earn college degrees to help others.
"Those who want to become lawyers, give five hours a week to your brothers and sisters," she said.
It's also about connecting with the other struggling people of the world, she said.
"Commit your life to social activism so people -all people - can finally say, 'We are free at last,'" Brown said.
Mary Frances Early was the first black student to graduate from the University. In 1999, the Graduate and Profession Scholars proposed that she speak at the annual spring lecture. The next year, the group officially renamed its lecture in her honor.
"Every year I'm just amazed these students have the energy, not only to do their classes and theses, but also to take time and energy to put this together," Early said Wednesday evening.
"I am humbled and honored by our guest speaker," she said. "She gave us much to think about and has challenged us."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Alumnus
posted 4/19/07 @ 11:49 AM EST
I'm glad that speakers such as this are allowed to speak on campus. It benefits us all to know what the extremist fringe has on their agenda so that we may counter their ideas with rational, logical arguments. (Continued…)
Duke Dude
posted 4/19/07 @ 1:06 PM EST
This women should be totally discredited and shunned for her outlandish and ridiculous remarks about the Duke story. It is a complete disgrace that someone like this is allowed to speak at the university and more disgraceful that her appearance merits a front page article. (Continued…)
Ty Jones
posted 4/19/07 @ 1:44 PM EST
Alumnus and Duke Dude are clearly white supremacists as you can tell by there remarks. Elaine Brown is a strong black queen and those kinds of peoples scare white folks that want to keep "darkie" down where they think he belong. (Continued…)
Jeremy
posted 4/19/07 @ 2:05 PM EST
What exactly is she the Queen of? As far as i can tell, she'd be great right there with King Imus.
Ty Jones
posted 4/19/07 @ 2:44 PM EST
Jeremy, clearly you have some clarity issues.
Imus was white and a racist and his comments were racial.
Elaine Brown was nothing more than telling the truth about the Duke story and how, once again, the rich white got away with pulling one over on the poor black. (Continued…)
N
posted 4/19/07 @ 3:17 PM EST
It's kinda sad that I can't tell if Ty Jones is being sarcastic or sincere since there are people out there who REALLY think that way.
I certainly hope Ty just has a higher IQ than that of a brick. (Continued…)
D
posted 4/19/07 @ 3:28 PM EST
"Elaine Brown was nothing more than telling the truth about the Duke story and how, once again, the rich white got away with pulling one over on the poor black. (Continued…)
meo
posted 4/19/07 @ 6:31 PM EST
this lady doesn't realize that she's the real problem in america today, she's just as racist as the people who she opposes. the duke comment completely discredits her, come on now, the accuser had a history of psychotic episodes and changed her damn story over and over, elaine i feel sorry for you because you just can't see the big picture, "white boys" is how she referred to the duke players, i'm sure if someone at a uga lecture referred to oj simpson as that "black boy" the damn NAACP would be on 316 before we knew it!!!
Charles R
posted 4/19/07 @ 6:44 PM EST
Friends, Ty Jones is an internet troll account, most likely someone who is not black, dismisses black people, and only knows a caricature of what it is to be black. (Continued…)
Ty Jones
posted 4/19/07 @ 9:05 PM EST
U know what Charles R, any time you want to meet me for a coffee, watermelon, fried chicken, or a beer downtown and talk, I'm up for that.
If you can man up, then shut up. (Continued…)
Post a Comment