THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES Continued from Page 35 siastic acceptance of this proposal and for a commitment to build a headquarters. We need the type commitment of the children of Israel when they started to rebuild the Temple — for, according to the Holy Writ, "They were of a mind to work." "If I am not for myself," reads a famous quotation, "then who shall be for me? But if I am only for myself, then what am I?" The Seven Jewels not only pulled themselves together to survive in a hostile climate but they sought the survival of other students, especially the Black ones who suffered the same discrimination that they suffered. Since its founding Alpha has been reaching out. "Mourn not the dead but rather mourn that apathetic throng, the coward and the meek who see the world's great anguish and its pains and will not speak." The author of this quotation is unknown but it addresses adequately the Alpha philosophy. Alpha will continue to speak to the needs of the poor and deprived. It will cry out against discrimination and racism. It will be a trumpeter for justice. In a role of leadership the Fraternity has adopted and initiated implementation of "The New Alpha Thrust" Program to Continue the Struggle:
1. Leadership Development - Citizenship Education — Sponsor a Leadership Training - Citizenship Education Institute in each of its five regions. These institutes will instruct Black boys and girls in public speaking, parliamentary procedures, Black heritage, group dynamics, community organization, governmental structures, self-actualization, etc. 2. Promote programs of youth motivation, youth employment, business encouragement, education and support for Black colleges, etc. The Fraternity will develop and sponsor employment conferences in 25 select cities across the nation in an effort to impact on the high incidents of unemployment among Black Americans.
1. Appointed a Social Action Committee to plan and direct our efforts for the maximum results. 2. Appointed a committee to study the impact of Reaganomics upon the Black community, so that the Fraternity can speak from an authoritative position in fighting cuts in the "people to people" programs of our Federal budget. I have listed but a few of the programs in our national efforts to give leadership to the legitimate hopes and aspirations of Black America as well as the poor, deprived and powerless Americans. We will do more. We must do more.
SOCIAL ACTION Alpha will increase its efforts in social action so as to exert a strong influence on the nation's decisionmaking, especially as decisions impact on the Black community. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, I participated in directing and coordinating the Black struggle to extend the Voting Rights Act. Passage of that legislation was a sweet, sweet victory for the united efforts of Black Americans and all Americans who advocate political justice. Alpha alone generated thousands of letters, petitions and phone calls in support of the measure. We have due pride in our efforts for they clearly demonstrate the power we have when we mobilize. To further our social action efforts and render them more successful, I have —
"The Struggle Continues," my Brothers. The Struggle Continues . . . until the measure of a man will be his ability, not his race. The Struggle Continues . . . until there are no double standards in housing, in education and in the use of public facilities. The Struggle Continues . . . until the old and the infirm do not suffer pain due to the lack of good medical care nor experience hunger because of inadequate income. The Struggle Continues . . . until the scourge of poverty, illiteracy and pain are erased from the land. The Struggle Continues . . . until the ugly head of racism will no longer be raised to divide our people and deny Blacks equal justice and equity. The Struggle Continues. The Struggle Continues. The Struggle Continues!
GIVE. The Alpha Phi Alpha Million Dollar Fund Drive. See Page 11 for ways you can give.
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ftgfc; The Sphinx/Fall 1982