Emerson College - Emersonian Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Deja vu? EBONI’S concerns are still alive, and still the same, after more than a decade It was in the spring of 1969 that EBONI, Emerson’s Black Organiza- tion with Natural Interest was born. EBONI’s goals at this time were to in- crease the knowledge and expression of Black culture within the Emerson College community. The organization also fostered a political and cultural awareness amongst its members. It took the time to study vital questions: who were we as Black people? How far have we come? How far do we have to go to attain our goals? More than ten years later EBONI finds .itself addressing similar ques- tions and concerns in 1982. Part of examining the situation means deal- ing with key issues, which include lack of Black representation on all levels throughout the College, the need to maintain Black culture in academics and the preservation of the organization EBONI as an identity. What is the basis for that identity? It is a mixture of our individual and combined attributes. We are Black. Our tradition and history have been ignored and exploited. We have ques- tions concerning our career advance- ment. We must deal with an institu- tion which will provide our training for the future. All of these factors play a part in the development of EBONI’s identity. The organization must integrate these factors with its presence at the College. EBONI’s Executive Council has a history of trying to work with the Administration. In 1969, Mooneyne Jackson and Dorothy Prince, Emer- son students and EBONI’s chief nego- tiators, delivered Ten Demands to President Richard Chapin. The De- mands called for more Black faculty, counselors and students. The list was an attempt to make the college aware of the insufficient knowledge and ex- pression of Black Culture within the Emerson College community. In 1982, the Executive Council attempted to discuss similar griev- ances. Members worked through var- ious committees, providing input on such crucial issues as Affirmative Ac- tion, recruitment of incoming Black students and reallotment of College space. When the young EBONI reached a stalemate in negotiations in 1969, members found themselves with no other recourse than to take over the President’s office. Similar frustrations arose this winter when the Adminis- tration planned to relocate the Stu- dent Union. The location of the Cultu- ral Center was threatened. More im- portantly, the working relationship EBONI attempted to develop with the Administration was threatened. Who was to say the other promises and commitments would not be disre- gard? This action would not only show good faith but would establish a new foundation for future discussion. EBONI’s identity also evolved from a need to survive. There is a shortage of Black faculty to place Afro-American input in the curriculum. This creates a lack of role models for Black students and pre- sents an unbalanced education for all students. The point of higher educa- tion is to prepare one for a career and cultivate a well-rounded individual. In dealing with day to day realities, all students must communicate with all types of races and cultures. This pre- sent void can only do damage; it is especially unfair to White students who have little opportunity to learn from another race and their experi- ences. Keeping this in mind, EBONI tries to fill this void. The organization provides social and cultural exposure via workshops, creative expression in theatre and writing and in the celebration of traditional events. This is not to say there are no prob- lems; lack of communication heads the list. The College community is not always aware of EBONI’s activities or potential. Public relations on behalf of EBONI members (above) gather at a reception for the Boston premier of the musical “Mahalia .” Lois Roach (right) was public relations Director for EBONI during 1981-1982, and is a member of the Class of 1982. 22

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“Their attitude was, ‘well, the students are going to be pissed off anyway, let’s just try and take the heat.’ ” — Danny Amorello, SGA President Regardless of the reasons and atti- tudes behind the initial allocations, Ludman and the SGA Executive Council began 30 hours of negotia- tions after the Saturday meeting with Koenig, in order to arrive at a satisfac- tory solution to the problem. This kind of involvement between students and administrators had been the purpose of the Space Utilization Task Force, a group formed in December which was comprised of Union Director Linda Slowe, Resident Director George Genges, and others. According to Lud- man, this group “never really got off the ground.” That is why, he added, student opinion wasn’t “processed” by the administration. As Ludman and the SGA began their meetings, EBONI, meanwhile, was acting on the issue of the Cultural Center. On Monday, February 8, the group’s own Executive Council met briefly with President Koenig and de- manded a written guarantee that the Cultural Center would be restored to its original function as per the Presi- dent’s earlier promise. Unless this promise was kept, said Ron Mitchell, the group didn’t see any point in nego- tiating on this or any other issues. “We were willing to make sacri- fices,” said Mitchell, “but we were’nt willing to be lied to.” Koenig agreed to returning the Cultural Center by March 1 , and EBO- NI agreed to give up their fourth floor office. President Koenig issued a memor- andum to the college community on February 10, in which he detailed the final agreements on space allocations determined by the SGA, the Student Affairs staff and some faculty. Four areas — the Cultural Center, the weight room, the faculty lounge (on the fourth floor) and room 24 — were restored to their original functions. The SGA office, the EBONI office, EIV’s office and room 21 became music classrooms or offices. EIV was relocated to 130 Beacon Street, SGA to 100 Beacon Street, and the EBONI office was incorporated into the Cultural Center. The Oral In- terpretation Society was moved to the Carriage House, the old theatre be- hind 130 Beacon Street. Relocation of the dance studio, which, according to Amorello, was the most problematic move, was accom- plished by placing it in Brimmer Street and relocating some theatre classes to 148 Beacon Street. Thus concluded ten days which may not have shaken the world, but which certainly angered a large por- tion of the Emerson student body. The rumored takeover and or lock out never materialized, and, according to Amorello, it never would have. “I had no intention of taking any building or anything like that. I initi- ated the rumor because Dr. Koenig was away and (I thought) if he heard he might come back.” Plans for such a takeover had been discussed in depth, however, by the SGA, EBONI and con- cerned students at the mass EBONI meeting. By Scott Leibs 21

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1 “The college community is not always aware of EBONI’s ac- tivities or potential.” the organization has been weak at times. Some students, both Black and White, express hesitation in approaching a Black organization. In the 1960’s such groups were aggres- sive and vocal in expressing their needs and opinions. Activities in this era have given present Black orga- nizations the burden with dealing with bad publicity. They are faced with the stigma of being “militant” or “radical.” Any association with such groups has been treated with caution. Representation and membership fluctuates as students try to integrate other facets of the college and EBONI into their lives. Like our predecessors in the 60’s, there is the need to come together and support each other. At the same time, we are at Emerson to learn and create experiences which will benefit us during our careers. A balance between the two is not always necessary — it depends on the person. It is necessary to provide the options for the individual to make the choice. Doors are opening slowly. Progress is being made through the Affirma- tive Action Committee, the position of Mmority Affairs Coordinator has been strengthened and student interest and leadership within EBONI is strong. EBONI has almost come full cycle in 1982. The problems, the grievances and goals need to be redefined and restated to increase awareness of EBONI’s purpose. There must be equal representation of race within the Emerson community at all levels. There must be dedication shown on the behalf of all parties — the admi- nistration, faculty and students — to open lines of communication on these issues. There must be some solutions, some results. by Lois Roach 23