Last Address to Alpha-men
Alpha Phi Alpha and Southern University
Brother Felton Clark Keynotes
Mourn the Passing of
Black History Week in El Paso
BROTHER FELTON CLARK
BROTHER FELTON CLARK
BROTHERS OF THETA DELTA LAMBDA
Negro history week activities in El Paso were highlighted by an inspiring address by Dr. Felton G. Clark, former President of Southern University and one of the pioneers in the expansion and development of Alpha Phi Alpha. Dr. Clark traced Negro history to the beginning of civilization in Egypt and pointed out the fact that black people were a part of that era. He listed the advanced nature of ancient Egypt, including the Pyramids, art, mining, carpentry, masonry, and the palaces that existed then. He stated, "These dark skins we have today were also numbered among the Egyptians. That is where you came from and you can be proud of it." Brother Clark said the black of Egypt later migrated to settle in southern Africa, and established the Kingdom of Mali, which today is Ghana. In Mali, a few thousand years ago, the blacks had a democratic form of government, established universities, had their customs and language, which are all examples by culture. With the takeover of Africa by European nations, the African Kingdoms fell. Brother Clark then spoke of the 18th Century slave trade. He said some of the blacks sold into slavery to the white slave traders were sold by black Africans. The black persons the blacks sold into slavery were criminals and persons without kin. The white traders wanted more blacks from Africa. "The Whites made slaves of all the blacks they could
capture. They treated people like cattle. They made people a commodity, Dr. Clark said. He went on to say that the slaves were brought over in ships. The slave traders would put so many persons in a ship's hole that there was not enough room for the slaves to sit. They were put in chains and many did not survive the voyage. The Negro slave, denied an opportunity to develop a written tradition, but developed a vocal or oratory tradition, he said. He cited the great Negro orator Frederick Douglas as an example of the greatest orators of all time. Brother Clark maintained that life does not mean much to a people if they do not have a historical tradition and history. "The Jews would have been annihilated years ago if they did not have a tradition that gave them courage to feel "I am somebody." Brother Clark encouraged all to study Negro history, learn that you have roots, a tradition, and that you are somebody. Local dignitaries in attendance included the City Mayor, County Judge, County Democratic Chairman, representatives from University of Texas at El Paso, Local Chapter of the NAACP, and the Interclub Council. Brother Clark was sponsored by Theta Delta Lambda Chapter and activities for his visit included a reception at the home of Bro. Ernie Hunter where Dr. Clark met the local members and their wives.
NEW ORLEANS — Dr. Felton G. Clark, who succeed his father as president of Southern University in Baton Rouge and held the post for more than 30 years, died. Brother Clark had been president of the predominantly black university from 1938 until his retirement a year ago. Until then, Southern had only two presidents in its 56-year history — Clark and his father. Under their leadership, Southern grew from a cluster of one-time slave shanties to a $60 million university system with a $12 million annual budget and branches school expanded its faculty from seven in Shreveport and New Orleans. The to more than 1,000. When Southern was founded in 1914, it had no academic rating. Now ft has a curriculum approved by every major accrediting agency in the nation. For Brother Clark, pride in the school meant pride in its students. "Back in the early days," he said at his retirement, "the students had a feeling they shouldn't stand as tall as they were capable. But now they see themselves as human beings endowed with all the qualities of any man. "Up until recently, the Negro has had to think about food and shelter before astronomy and physics," he said. "You can't do much creating while digging a ditch. Now Negroes are working in the chemical labs instead of sweeping them out." He died on July 5 and the funeral was held in Baton Rouge. 9