Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1996)
ruar y 28,1% ling, TheBuiuib iblic in 11 ie enjoys tk ational sts ova brinju and briiii rds andai id the otte :nd up tali irning abot; ition on tk Internationa: work, meets, ski doorway into tool for oii ntemational .is semester, izech Repuk tonal Week preading in ■ home from leMSC. ordinatoroi Programs, iternational much pres- n campus, jet pathway are they get ie team and Cain Ed wonderful lid. “Jew venturous i whatofi- d unlike tke ; of “Anna ova’s story ding. r rams Wednesday • February 28, 1996 Aggielife Page 5 • The Battalion Harambee celebrates African-American culture By Libe Goad The Batt alion I n Swahili, Harambee means together ness. During Texas A&M’s International Week, it means that African-American and other minority organizations celebrate the end of Black History Month. Together, the PanHellenic council and the MSC Black Awareness Committee are sponsoring the Harambee Festival, which is meant to present a col lage of culture to the rest of the University. At 7 p.m. in Rud der Forum, the Voic es of Praise, Prime- Time Posse, Nation al Society of Black Engineers and Greek organiza tions will explain their groups’ purpos es and provide a little entertainment. Tina Harrison, chairwoman of the BAG, said the Harambee festi val will be good for a commu nity unaware of the campus’ cultural climate. “People are unreceptive to different cul tures right now,” Harrison said. She said the main purpose of the event is to take another step toward unifying the campus through education about the organi zations’ histories. The Harambee festival works to unify different ethnic groups, since division among groups happens in almost any circle of organizations. Kim Matthews, vice president of MSC Student FVograms and a senior business ad ministration major, said the event helps groups establish a bond by having them meet in the same place. “It helps them to have a meeting,” Matthews said. “They do not have a big pres ence on this campus.” But the organizations’ efforts have been gaining momentum with the help of fa mous faces. Last semester, former Black Panther Bobby Seale tried to clear up any myths about the ’60s African-Ameri can activist organization. In conjunction with MSC Town Hall, BAG brought Solo, an R&B group to campus. The committee also brought actor John Amos, the Boys Choir of Harlem and a leadership program given by journalist Chuck Stone. A big push for awareness will be on March 25 when Terry McMillan, au thor of “Waiting to Ex hale,” visits for a book signing and a showing of the movie based on her book. Harrison said the struggles African Americans have gone through have brought their culture together in a way that is unique from other cultures. “The African-American culture is differ ent from many,” she said. “The people have gone through so much.” After slavery ended, the new freedmen set out to find their families. Harrison said these freedmen began the tradition of African Americans calling each other “brother” and “sister.” The honorary ti tles come from the time when ex-slaves un successfully searched for their families and adopted those around them as their own. “We had to be strong people to survive,” Harrison said. The celebration of Black History Month re minds the community about these struggles and the people who have overcome hardships. The figure who most easily slips into mind is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. From beyond the grave, he continues to make a strong impact, and he is honored across the nation. But he is one of many who led the way through African-American struggles. Martin Hodges, BAG director of publica tions and a sophomore journalism major, said history records the changes made by Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. “Remembering King is not enough,” Hodges said. “The people who marched are just as important.” The purpose of Black History Month is to remember the leaders of the past and high light the people who are furthering the fight. This month, different African-American organizations brought KTRK Channel 13 news anchor Melanie Lawson from Houston; a black history Jeopardy; and a book drive. “Envy Among Us,” told about prejudice within the African-American community, and during AIDS Awareness Week, “HIV — Could be You” warned about the AIDS crisis in the community. Matthews said programs like these have heightened her awareness of the subtle dif ferences between various cultures. After at tending a BAG program last year, she said she learned the different ways African Americans relate to each other compared to how people in her own culture do. “I was the only white person in the audi ence,” she said, “and I learned a lot about the black perspective.” The celebration of reflection and progres sion will end with organizations joining forces and achieving Harambee. /\ fncan-American organizations National Association of Black Journalists Founded in January 1989, NABJ is the largest media organization of African Ameri cans in the world. The group aims to: 1. Strengthen ties with black journalism students and the Bryan-College Station media. 2. Sponsor activities to help members en hance performance and effectiveness. 3. Expand coverage of African Americans in a balanced manner. 4. Encourage the Department of Journalism to appoint black professors and lecturers. Striving in Society to Achieve Sister Hood (SISTAS) Founded in Summer 1995, SISTAS en courages African-American women to seek and attain the highest level of achievement emotionally, spiritually, physically and eco nomically through unity guided by love and respect for the members and their and our fellow sisters and brothers. Black Graduate Students' Association Founded in 1987, BGSA’s purpose is to provide a professional, informative and so cial network for its membership and to as sist in the recruitment and retention of African-American graduate students and other minorities. BGSA provides: 1. A forum for guest speakers at monthly meetings. 2. Social gatherings held mid-month 3. Information on fellowships, campus ac tivities, professional opportunities and the sta tus of the African-American graduate student 4. A network for undergraduate and gradu ate minority students to communicate social, academic, personal and professional concerns. The National Society of Black Engineers Founded in 1975, NSBE is the largest stu dent-run organization in the nation with over 10,000 members. NSBE’s mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers, to excel academically, succeed professionally and have a positive impact on the community. The NSBE torch symbolizes the group’s everlasting burning desire to achieve success in competitive society and to affect a positive change on the quality of life for all people. Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference Founded in 1989, SBSLC is held on the third weekend of January each year, uniting over 1,000 students, staff and faculty, na tionally renowned speakers and a variety of corporations from throughout the country. SBSLC’s mission is to take the initiative to educate youth and to help them to focus on their futures. MSC Black Awareness Committee Founded in 1969, BAG sponsors a variety of programs which educate Texas A&M Uni versity and neighboring communities on the culture, history and heritage of African Americans The BAG focuses on programs which highlight African-American achievements that both challenge and enhance one’s val ues and enhance one’s knowledge. Information courtesy of the National Association of Black Journalists. CuttCn^'Eci^e' Te<Ju^oiLo^Ce^' Computer Hardware and Service • l lie Highest Q uality Products • Complete Network Support • Upgrades and Full Systems 4MB SIMM, 60ns, 72pin $119 SMB SIMM, 60ns, 72pin $ 229 1.2GB Maxtof 71260AP $245 1 2GB Quantum Fireball $ 250 1.6GB Western Digital 31600 $ 335 Phone: 693-4282 FAX: 696-6459 Do You Have What It Takes to Face Texas A&M’s First Annual AGGIE CHALLENGE?!! AGGIE CHALLENGE is the first true test of strength, stamina, endurance, and dedication. Come test your abilities and compare them to others while competing as an individual or as a relay team consisting of 5 members for prizes, including a $500 academic scholarship awarded to the fastest indi vidual time. Applications will be available beginning Monday, February 26 in the Memorial Student Center, Koldus Building, or Corps of Cadets Guardroom. Applications will also be available at the AGGIE CHAL LENGE informational meetings held on Tuesday, February 27 at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, February 28 at 7:15 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center room 292 A. AH interested University Students are encouraged to attend. All applications and $6 per individual (or $35 per team) entry fees will be due by 8:00 a.m. on March 9 to the Corps Guardroom. The AGGIE CHALLENGE has been made - do you have the guts and determination to accept it? AGGIE CHALLENGE - March 31 CLASS OF 97 SCHOLARSHIP The Class of ‘97 is awarding two, $300.00 scholarships to the two most motivated Juniors on campus! Applications can be picked up in the Class of ‘97 Cube in the Student Programs Office of the MSC beginning March 4th. They are due in the cube by 5:00 p.m., March 25th. If you have any questions, please call 845-1515. 121MAN FOUNDATION SUPPORTING EDUCATION THROUGH ATHLETICS Earn A Generous Paycheck, Work Flexible Hours, and Help Aggie Athletics! The 12th Man Foundation is now hiring personable Texas A&M students to raise money over the telephone. *5.50 an hour *Flexible Work schedules *Looks good on resume Deadline: Thursday, February 29th Call the 12th Man Foundation office at 846-8892 or come by room 109 in the Koldus Building to apply. Dr. Robert E. Kotch Family Practitioner Announces the relocating of his office effective January 2,1996 to Park Place Plaza (Former Winn Dixie Shopping Center) 2501 Tx. Ave. S., Suite C-107 College Station, TX 77840 No Appointment Necessary Hours 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday 409-696-2005 FREE PAGERS NEW Motorola BRAVO PLUS $29.95* 0 $£95 AIRTIME ’ Activation and Airtime Purchase Required Activate Your Molorol.i 764-5900 PROFITABLE NUMBER! 845-0569 The Battalion Classified Advertising The world’s largest student travel organization. 800-777-0112 STA TRAVEL WHEN: WHERE: TO EXPLAIN HOUSING/RENT INCREASE FOR 1996-1997 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1996 6:00 P.M. RUDDER 301 ALL STUDENTS IN RESIDENCE HALLS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL THE OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING AT 862-3158 OR SEND AN E-MAIL MESSAGE TO <HOUSING@TAMU.EDU> Bad News for Limes: 99c Mugaritas All Hie Time. It’s a young lime’s worst nightmare. El Chico’s famous Mugaritas™ for just 99<t any time, every day of the week. And while no other purchase is ncccssiry, we expect you might disagree. After all, were talking about El Chico, the originator of some of the freshest, most authentic Tex-Mex cooking anywhere. EL CHICO ZS^Tnce la^irp Where Tex-Mex Began: College Station (Under the Water Tower)