Learning - Part 2 - Harding University Digital Archives

Again this year, Skotiaplayed an important role inpromoting understandingbetween blacks and whiteson campus. The club, which derived itsname from the Greek word fordarkness, was begun two years ago tohelp educate students about blackculture and black contributions toAmerican society. It was also designedas a support group for blacks whomight feel isolated on Harding's mainlywhite campus.The brain child of Richard King andShiela (Harper) Allen, a formerstudent, the club grew mainly out ofthe observance of Black HistoryMonth, which was designated asFebruary. Skotia has helped organizeand support a program which bringsblack lecturers to Harding. In pastyears this has included suchdistinguished speakers as Alex Haley,Marva Collins, and Eldridge Cleaver.This year students heard fromClarence Pendleton, a leader in civilrights. "I think it's very important forpeople to take pride in who they are,"said King (who is co-sponsor of theclub along with Paul Pollard), "andblacks have made a lot of importantcontributions to American society."Through the lectures, King hopes thatstudents will realize this and be proudof their rich heritage. Besides 'aspeaker, the club also has organized asinging group which shares some of themusical traditions of black AmericansThis group, named the "CelestialSingers," takes part in the program andhas become an institution in its ownright.The main goal of Skotia, though,was to provide fellowship and socialcontact for blacks as well as whites. Ithas sponsored meals, parties, andother activities, including a hayridethis year. It hopes to educate allHarding students about what blacksreally are; to eradicate stereotypingthrough increased knowledge, contact,and awareness. Also, it wants to showthat a ll people, regardless of skincolor, have the same needs, wants andhopes. It was opened to all interestedstudents and was not at all a "blacksonly" club. 'W e don't just sit aroundand talk about 'black' things and whatit's like to be black," said King, hintingthat if they did, Paul Pollard - whiteco-sponsor of the club, would feel leftout. Instead, they discuss pertinentsocial issues which affect all students,as well as any day-to-day problemswhich arose.While it was met with some hostilityin the past both from on campus andoff, it seems that Skotia has finallybeen given some of the acceptance andrecognition it deserved. 'There aresome things we're trying really hard toforget about," said King speaking ofthe earlier incidents. "People arealways opposed to what they don'tunderstand . . . but the administrationhas continued to be very helpful andsupportive, and we appreciate that."Skotia, now' firmly established,looks toward the future. Ithoped that through it, some ofthe longstanding walls which haveexisted between blacks and whiteswould be broken down. King evenventured to look farther than that. "Ilook forward to the day," he said,"when there won't be any need forspecial clubs. When the whole story istold, both black and white can appreciateeach other's contributions."But until that day is realized, Skotiacontinued to help us to see that aboveaU, we are brothers. 1Jlt- Sherry DanielAoyd Timothy Hicks - l-o ..... ling Green. KYAmy L. Higginbotham - ~arcy. ARWilliam C. HiU . Tupelo. MSMartha Jane Hinds · Porrland. ORlynn Ann Hinrichs - Nichols. IAHarland James Hittle - Wichita. KSThomas Wesley Hobbs - Joplin. MOGerald G. Hodge - Dolton. ILJulee Ann Holder - Surey. ARMark Delber Holderbaum - Wi1Iard. MOBonnie lee Holdren · Mountain Home. ARDeanna Louise Hollifield - Annandale. VAEdith lafonda Hollaway - West Plains. MOHolly Lyn Hooper - Pasadena. TXBradley Duane Horton - Mabtlvak ARSusan Evon Horton - Bartlett. TNLillian Rosanne Howard - Atlanta. GAlynn Howe - Dayton. OHJames Bennett Humphreys - Jackson. TNMichael L. Humphries - N. Utile Rock. ARWilliam Todd Hunter - ~arcy. ARMonica lrven - Mil ..... aukee. WITammy Susanne Irvin · Btntonvil1e. ARCynthia A. Isbell - Mountain Home. ARSarah Ruth Jimenez - Alexandria. VAGeorge Eugene Johnson - Dts Moines. IAKevin Wayne Johnson . Akron. OKSusan Ethel Johnson - $tarcy, ARDenise louise Johnston · Vernon. CTMichelle Lynn Johnston - Uverpool. NYBarry Don Jones - Bono. ARCharles Morgan Jones · Corpus Christi, TXCheri L. Justice - Columbus, OHSusan B, Kearney -Joplln, MOSuzanne Marie Keene - Camp Lejeune. NCJuniors 21: