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The Afro-American, September 29, 2012 - October September 5, 2012 29, 2012
Coppin State Shows Up to ‘Rock the Vote’ By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO Student and community organizations alike came together on the campus of Coppin State University Sept. 25 to prepare for the 2012 general election Nov. 6. The “Coppin’s Rocking the Vote” pep rally took place in front of the Parlett L. Moore Library Quad and featured Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) as keynote speaker and co-host. “This election, I think, will affect the future of college students more than any that I’ve known of,” said Cummings. “This is crucial.” Blue and yellow balloons blew in the wind and members of the campus’ Greek life strolled and party hopped to music as others gathered pamphlets, registration forms and t-shirts related to the election. Students were given information on when to vote, where to vote, and how to register before the deadline arrives on Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. Cummings stressed to the entire campus community the importance of voting and knowing what laws are being changed in what states.
“I think that these I.D. laws are nothing but a blatant attempt to suppress the AfricanAmerican vote,” said Cummings, surrounded by supporters on the historically black university’s West Baltimore campus. “It also has the effect of suppressing the Latino and senior vote.” Aside from college tuition rates, loans, and federal grants, issues such as health care and the future of the social security system are all topics that will directly affect young people in the upcoming election. “There are many reasons that young people need to get out and be a part of this- it’s not just about them it’s about future generations yet unborn.” Cummings also highlighted the fact that this year’s election will have a significant impact on the Supreme Court and future cases that go before the justices. “The greatest thing is that the next president will appoint at least two or three members of the Supreme Court, which has already signaled that they are ready to overturn affirmative action.” Also in attendance was Councilman Nick Mosby, of Baltimore’s 7th District.
Rev. Marcus Garvey Wood Continued from A1
grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. At age 89, Mrs. Wood is still actively involved in the life of the church. “It’s been wonderful,” Mrs. Wood said. “I’ve had a good time in Baltimore, enjoyed the members and friends. I’ve been good to them and they’ve been good to me.” The highlight of the week’s festivities was a luncheon on Sept. 22 at the Pikesville Hilton, where Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley was one of the speakers. Tributes poured in from the highest levels in government, including a letter from President Barack Obama, who said, “At moments like this, we are reminded of the abiding truth that each of us has the power to create a better world for ourselves and our children when we do God’s work here on earth.” Other commendations came from city and state
officials. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) recognized Rev. Wood’s work in the civil rights movement. Rev. Wood made his mark in civil rights history when he became one of 11 young ministers in the first class to integrate Crozer Theological Seminary, then located near Chester, Pa. Among his classmates was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They graduated from the seminary in 1951. Rev. Wood, in his autobiography, “And Grace Will Lead Me Home,” credits his years at Crozer, where peace and nonviolent protest in a liberal theological environment was taught, for spurring both him and Dr. King into the paths both took in their ministries. The term “visionary leader” is often overused in the modern church world but for Rev. Wood, it’s an understatement. From missions work at home and abroad, to reaching out to the Baltimore
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community with homeless, food and HIV/AIDS ministries, Rev. Wood says he believes in involving the congregation in the community. “I was excited coming to Providence,” he recalled. “A larger church in a lager city means more talents available in a congregation, more people who could do more things.” “I see members as possibilities,” Rev. Wood said. Among his accomplishments at Providence was the building of a solar-heated, handicapped-accessible church. The facility, which opened at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. in 1981, was way ahead of its time, when alternative forms of energy were just being discussed and the American Disabilities Act requiring buildings to accessible didn’t exist. It was the first solar-heated church in the state of Maryland, according to the church’s history. At the time, says his granddaughter, Monica Wood, “Grandpa was looking at the fact that the time was coming where he would need such facilities,” she said, “and he was considering the future of the church and cost savings solar heating would provide.” After reading in a local newspaper about the lack of services for seniors in West Baltimore, Rev. Wood opened the Providence Adult Day Center in 1993. The center, which operates next door to the church, provides a safe environment for seniors to come for hot meals, have their medications monitored, get some exercise and engage in companionship under the watchful eye of trained staff. Nearly a decade later, Rev.
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Student and community organizations register the Coppin State community to vote on Sept.25 in preparation for the Nov. 6 general election. “This election is critical- specifically for our young folks,” said Mosby. “They need to know not only what is going on in Baltimore, but around the country.” “As it relates to voter suppression issues, a lot of these students are from Virginia and Pennsylvania so their families are directly impacted,” said Mosby, noting the makeup of the student body allows Coppin to have a say in matters that reach beyond Maryland. “The rally was so exciting,” said LaTasha Woods, a senior urban arts major. “Seeing the outpouring of students, community members and staff creatively emphasizing the importance of taking the first step in the voting process was inspiring.”
“Although I am already registered it was informative and good to see others signing up.” Those leery of using a voting machine for the 2012 election need to look no further than the Voting Machine Warehouse at 301 N. Franklintown Road. On Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. election officials are asking that citizens come out to The Public Demonstration of the Voting Machines for the Presidential General Election. Early registration in Baltimore will take place from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1. Voters who have had a change of address or name need to submit a new voter registration application as soon as possible.
Alums Dedicate New Field for City College During the past 10 years, the Baltimore City College Alumni Association has led an effort to renovate the Alumni Field at Baltimore City College. Under the leadership of Jacob Howard ’74, with the help of alumni donors and the Maryland 43rd District legislators, a new playing surface and new track have been installed. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held, Sept. 21 to mark the renovation and to retire the football jersey of Jedan Phillips ’12. Phillips was a member of the football team who lost his battle witih cancer earlier this year.
Courtesy photo
Cutting the ribbon of the new athletic field at Baltimore City College are, from left, Del. Mary Washington, Principal Cindy Harcum, David Owens, Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Del. Curt Anderson and Jacob D. Howard III. Wood would make what most observers felt was his most audacious step by creating a succession plan in 2000 and bringing in his successor, Rev. Summers, then a young pastor from Winston-Salem, N.C. Bill Davis, a 46-year member of the church, who serves as a deacon, remembers the day when Rev. Wood brought his succession plan first to the deacon board. “He said he had spent considerable time in prayer,
and that he had someone who he thought would be a good co-pastor to work with,” Davis said. “We knew Rev. Wood was getting up in age and couldn’t carry the load of a pastorship. But we didn’t think about the route of a copastor. That’s when we knew the Lord was in agreement with his plan.” But Rev. Summers did not replace the elder pastor; he works alongside him as co-pastor, handling the
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Photo by Alexis Taylor
heavy load of preaching the sermons. “Oh no,” Rev. Summers clarified. “Rev. Wood is still in charge. He still presides over every service.” “I’ve resigned twice,” Rev. Wood responds. “They won’t accept my resignation.” When asked what his plans are next, Rev. Woods joked, “I think I’ll become a layperson,” as he headed off to the concert. See more on B2
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