University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Tough Minds Tender Hearts m Rev. Jesse Jackson told an audience of 4,000 in Barnhill Arena THAT THE COUNTRY’S YOUTH COULD MAKE GREAT CHANGES IN AMERICA. “Leadership in not by polls but by heartbeats,” he said. By Simon S. Lee S TUDENTS were called to action on Feb. 9 by Rev. Jesse Jackson, president of the Rainbow Coalition and two-time Demo¬ cratic presidential candidate. Jackson told a Barnhill Arena audience of approximately 4,000 that caring leaders with char¬ acter were needed in the United States. After praying for the Hai¬ tians, Jackson said that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was mirrored by the youthful audi¬ ence. “I wish Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were here,” Jackson said. “You resemble, in large measure, that nature of that dream tonight. You look like the real world order.” Jackson called for the youth of America to take back their political empowerment because it was the youth who had made the great changes in America. “I call you to action,” Jack- son said. “I call you to hope.” The 1992 election season was a test of the youth’s strength in the political process, he said. The presidential election would allow the younger generations to close the gaps that exist in America. “There’s a challenge to change presidents,” Jackson said. “But, more than that, there’s a challenge to change direction. “We need giants of morale and character,” he said. “We need tough minds and tender hearts in high places. We need compassion and vision to close the message and the moral gap between the leadership and the unmet needs of the American people.” Jackson said a lack of compassion and vision have allowed the American worker to be ex¬ ploited. He said politicians have used welfare to divide the poor, divide the races and divide the right to vote for empowerment. “What are you going to do about it?,” Jackson asked. You have the power. You’re called to political empowerment. There have been so many diversions from empowerment. Make our de¬ mocracy real.” Poor people work everyday, he said. Most poor people aren’t black, and most black people aren’t poor. “Most poor people aren’t on welfare,” Jackson said. “They work every day. They work in fast food chains. They work at Wal-Mart. “They mop floors, and they clean up germs. No job is be¬ neath them,” he said. “But when they get sick, they can’t afford to lie in the bed that they make everyday,” Jackson said. This is why America needs a national health care policy, he said. Jackson also called for Ameri¬ cans to stop the violence against themselves. Americans need to become responsible for their actions and stop accepting “short-term pleasure and long-term pain,” he said. “Our challenge is before us,” Jackson said. “Leadership must not just know. It must care. Leadership is not by polls but by heartbeats.” He asked all non-registered voters in the audi¬ ence to come to the front and register to vote. About 500 people went down to register. “Stand tonight, for a new Arkansas,” he said. “We are going to make you registered citizens tonight.” “There’s a challenge to change PRESIDENTS. BUT, MORE THAN THAT, there’s A CHALLENGE TO CHANGE DIRECTION. WE NEED TOUGH MINDS AND TENDER HEARTS IN HIGH PLACES.” ■ Jesse Jackson CAMPUS LIFE 4

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s UlNCE 1871 Old Main lias represented the University as tlie symbol of education. Decade after decade, old Main, like the campus it serves, has been rebuilt for use by yet another generation of students. On Sept. 21, the building was rededicated after an extensive $10.5 million restoration project. D. HOUSE PHOTO CAMPUS LIFE DIVIDER 3

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■ A Call to Action With extreme enthusiasm, Rev. Jesse Jackson told the youth of America that it was time to take back their political empowerment because they could make America better. I call you to action. I call you to hope. Jackson was greeted by a standing ovation in Barnhill Arena on Feb. 7. M. ROBERTS PHOTO ■ Hitting the High Notes The Inspirational Singers entertained Jesse Jackson and a crowd of 4,000 prior to Jackson ' s speech. Patty Guy, Ralph Maxwell and Terry Perkins sing His Truth (Still Marches On). M. ROBERTS PHOTO ■ Registered Voters At the end of his speech, Jesse Jackson asked all non-registered voters in the audience to come to the front and register. About 500 people followed Jackson ' s request. Stand tonight for a new Arkansas. We are going to make you registered citizens. M. ROBERTS PHOTO JESSE JACKSON 5