Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Commencement Takes New Direction A noticeable change at the onset of the 70's was manifested at Howard University's commencement exercises. The Reverend lesse Jackson, a disciple ot black unity and nationhood, was the guest speaker Many members of the graduating class were clad in multicolored African dresses and dashikis instead of the traditional caps and gowns. jackson said that students who wished they were amending white universities; taculty members who want to be at Ivy League schools and administrators that are worried about Congress are perpetuating a problem at Howard. White universities are in trouble; black schools need not be. Our ends should be different; our means should be different, just as our origin is different, he continued. rhe past efforts of Howard students to make the University a black university relevant to the community dominated the four years the class of 70 spent here. I he graduates were urged not to use their degrees as union cards to keep a ' gig'' but as tools to help build the black nation. I hope that when we leave this place somebody will know that 15,000 young, educated, black minds have been turned loose on this society, Jackson told the students. They will say that something new, something good, something beautiful has taken place. 24 • Ika r C.r.Khiat «.• she Ii-.hJs student . Jni] trddition.il .id)

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Left. Representative Julian Bond from Atlanta lower Loll Question being asked of Bond by Coed

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