University of Louisiana Monroe - Chacahoula Yearbook (Monroe, LA)

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LOU KINSEY - ee lems; there is always going to be problems. | believe in Black repre: sentation, but I don’t think ae [shes 3 the court is the a answer.’ a BARLEY KNIGHT - : tf shuden want Blacks on the Homecom- ing Court, they should go out — and vote for them. We shouldn't — have to suffer (and | not have court) because 2 ce! go out and vote.” Protest signs are displayed during the first half of the Homecoming game. Ranging from statements about treat- ment of Blacks in general to com- plaints of the seventh position on court, the signs expressed the minor- ity’s opinion. HOMECOMING The Controversy Controversy seems to be be- coming as much of a Home: coming tradition as the parade and football game. Due to trouble with the quo- ta system last year, the SGA simply decided to let the stu- dent body vote for the top six candidates in a free election. Even though a large number of blacks were in the run-off, the final outcome included only whites. 16H Homecoming In a frantic panic and with administrative pressure, the SGA enlarged the court by one position and included Karen Canady in the hopes of prevent- ing a disturbance from the black minority. It did not work. “| don’t think it was fair to put me on the court. If all whites made the court, then that’s the way it should be. They shouldn’t stick me on just to satisfy the minorities,’ said Canady. ; Having ‘‘token representa- tion’’ understandably insulted many blacks. The issue quickly expanded into a huge discrimi- nation protest that shadowed most of the weekend. Black Caucus President Mack Crayton and Pan-Hellenic President Ricky Carthon orga- nized the students on two even- ings to plan their strategy. During homecoming week there was a boycott of th | Homecoming pep rally and pi. rade. On Saturday evening aj proximately 65 students gat! ered and marched with pick signs to the game. Endurir shouts and heckles from whit! students during the first hal they left the game before tt court was even presented. The main goal of the demo: stration was to gain “fair ar

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As always, Pi Kappa Alpha displayed true Indian spirit at the Homecoming game. Mike Meeks can Bank on 18th Street to Northeast. Floats, carefully designed and built; music, — skillfully played and covertibles filled with the other spirit groups, en- dured the downfall of water - with little disturbance. The bright colors of the floats and the encouraging slo- gans depicted a hopeful victory over the McNeese Cowboys. 3uilt and ridden by various fra- ernities and sororities, the floats spread a spirited liveli- ness throughout the parade. The beat of marching music announced each band as it passed through the streets. NL(’s “Sound of Today” set the pace and the sound for the other bands from many sur- rounding areas to follow. The Alumni-Faculty Annual Awards Dinner was held that afternoon. Before approximate- ly 350 people, Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding Re- searcher, Outstanding Alumni and Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award were presented to Nancy Lowery, Dr. Mervin Kon- trovitz, Talmadge Foster and the Dallas NLU Chapter, re- spectfully. In the evening, the big mo- ment finally arrived ... the football game. Unfortunately, the score ended as 10-0, in the Cowboys’ favor. Some say per- formance was down because spirit was down. Rainy weather and the exaggerated controver- sy certainly did not help. However, the true spirit of Homecoming was held by those coming home. Whether or not the game was lost, they enjoyed the excuse to return to old stomping grounds. — Elizabeth Gustwick Student Life 16G

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f i WVERSITY OW WOW VOL, 55, NO S MONROE, LA 71209 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER Tied ia ms me Seer tat St | hors uae com. ea PETER JETZEL - ‘‘The top six voted upon should be on the court.” FRANKLIN BROWN - ‘‘It’s un- fair because the only reason they put her on the court is be- cause she is black. They were hoping that it might satisfy the racial problems pertaining to the Homecoming Court, but it only made the situation worse.” The Pow Wow served as a forum for the Homecoming controversy. Articles, columns, letters, opinion polls, and even an editorial cartoon informed stu- dents about the disagreement and ex- RS py. Pain pressed some of the various opinions. Malone GOING TO .w.e— MALONE STADIUM J = THOUGHT We weeE Blacks advocate p poneosan ewe morean a a equal representation’ in cam- pus organizations. They re quested to have a minimum of 20 percent representation in all organizations since 20 percent of the student population is black. “Black students aren’t ask- ing for much, only for represen- tation and to be acknowledged at the university,’’ explained Carthon. Even though the protest was not carried out to its potential, Carthon said he thought it was effective. “It did serve its pur- pose, because people are look- ing into the problems, trying to see if discrimination exists.”’ However, many students, both black and white, consid- ered the Homecoming protest a ‘trumped up excuse for black inactivity’’ on campus. “It’s a lot easier then having courage, integrity and zeal to get involved. It’s a lot easier to feel sorry for yourself because you're the ‘poor little black kid’,”’ said Crystal Rae Coel in her letter to the editor of the Pow Wow. Other letters also expressed students’ frustration with what they felt to be a very exaggerat- ed picture of the issue. “The black girls involved in the spirit organizations are glad to know they were chosen for their talent and not the color of their skin,’’ said the Warbon- nets and Little Indians in their letter. They wrote in response to an attack that the judges for spirit group selection were not pro- fessional and that blacks were at a disadvantage in try-outs. As time passed the contro- versy died down. However, it left a bitter edge in the stu- dents’ memories of the 1985 Homecoming. — Elizabeth Gustwick Student Life 17