Shaw University - Bear Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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Foreword The pages herein attempt to capture black consciousness as it exists on the Shaw University campus. To understand what appears to be a new mood among black college students, it is necessary to reflect upon a famous quote from The Souls of'Black Folk, There W. E. B. DuBois has written: One ever feels his twoness, -an American Negrog two souls, two thoughts, two unrec- onciled strivingsg two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. The history of the American Negro is the history of strife,fthis longing to obtain self- conscious manhood, to merge in his double selfinto a better and truer self, The American black man has always attempted to achieve this manhood by emphasizing one phase of his Iwoness. ln the early l960's, the emphasis was on his Americanism. At the present time, particularly among black college students, the emphasis is. to borrow a term from Senghor, on Negritude. The new mood has come under many names: black pride, black acceptance, black awareness, eltx We describe it under the name, black consciousness. This mood has touched black college students throughout America. Here at Shaw, the awareness of blackness has manifested itself in many ways. One of the most effective emphasis on self-acceptance, self-awareness and self-knowledge has come through our Drama Depart- ment, under the direction of Mr. Chestyn Everett. Such productions as Take a Giant Step, and A Raisin in the Sun, were produced by the Shaw Players. This group has also presented several programs on the theme of Blackness. The annual Homecoming Parade stressed the beauty of blackness, Black robes, dresses and other black attire stood out on this occasion. Many of the young men on our campus show this black consciousness by wearing their hair in the style called Afro. And several of the young ladies have let their hair grow in its natural way. The mood has also been expressed in several other movements and ways: pride of heritage, a concern about adding black courses to the curriculum, of participation in programs designed to elevate the black community, and ofsupporting the cause ofblack folk around the world. This new mood, as indicated earlier, operates on a different rationale than the student move- ment of 1960-I963. During that period, the emphasis was on integration, being accepted into the mainstream. Students discovered that integration meant absorption, loss of identity, and nothingness. Now they are saying, We are coming back conscious of our blackness, proud of it, emphasizing what we have done, what we are doing, and what we will do. We are no longer ashamed, nor do we believe that white is automatically right!! Black is beautiful. We are discovering our heritage and we will build on it. 2

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The Nzheleen-S1'xly Eight Bear Shaw Un1'vers1'ly Raleigh, North C arolincz

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Conlcnlx Immduulmn .-Xctn ltlcx Grcckx People Sporu Studcm Dlrcclory In NICUIOFIHHI 3