The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 43, Ed. 1, Tuesday, February 24, 1998 Page: 7 of 14
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I I Y I N
f b ru a r y 2 4 1998 :' Page $ ' 0P f. M'l S T
- i ' i i ii n i i i i r
JR
captivated -1 had never before met any-
one wno resemotcd me In so many ways.
Tlmmy had brown wavy hair that
seemed in desperate need of a good com-
bing. He dkln't play much with the other
kids as the building blocks were much
more Interesting to him. And Tlmmy
mumbled Ids words and you had to listen
intendy to understand what he was say-
ing. Playing with htm I was shocked to
observe a near carbon-copy of myself in
preschool. Unfortunately I was about to
be shocked in a much more profound way.
" Tiramv pulled up his sleeve to show
me and his teacher something we dkln't
want to see. Tlmmy had a three-inch long
gash oil the lnkk of hte elbow. My
daddy did this to roc." My heart sank.
The teacher asked Tlmmy "Daddy
(did it on accident right?"
Tlmmy replied "No. He pushed me."
aMMy worst fears were walked by his re-
pl As the teacher conferred with anoth-
'jta teacher over the proper way to doc-
ument the situation 1 checked my watch
-Mi realize Tlmmy would be picked up
within 30 minutes and I would most
iljkely never see him again in my life.
tifjFocusing all my attention on Tlmmy I
played and loved him with as much love
(p6 I could muster in my shaken em-
9tfpnal state. Tune ticked away and soon
jTfenmys mother was there to pick him
Mt I picked Ttaimy up and clenched him
"in my arms. My heart would never let go
.pjjthls boy. My arms however had to. 1
would no longer protect him. I could no
(onfer show him Gods love.
Leaving the Christopher House 1
.broke into tears. Imagining Tlmmy's
future was horrifying. 1 was powerless
to affect it The only thing to do was
commit myself to pray for him and
rtgtttt that God would- work in his life
Wmcc 1 ws unable t. Somehow this
dkln't seem like enough
10 covpfe of weeks burl met Becky She
& me she had preyed for me during a tkne
m which I was experiencing exueme family
j turmoil and long before I came to know the
gftmd. I could not thank bar enough for her
j J$cWon to keep me m her prayers.
t((Suckknly I felt much more confident
it ray prayers for Tlmmy. Prayer is not a
Ami ditch resort Prayer is an invitation
jflf God to work in miraculous ways in
soujr lives. 1 was foolish to think that 1
could ever help Tlmmy In a greater way
an God cqujd. But I was humbled to
.remember how God worked through
idie prayers of Becky and many others
tnpst of whom I'll never meet.
jMaybe someday I'll see Tlmmy again.
Mftybe my prayers will have been an-
swered. Until then I will pray for
Hflmmy. Surely that will be enough.
TCevln Underman is a junior manage'
ment major from Belmont Calif and the
Students' Association executive treasurer.
oj t
i "- (w
. iS rVlf tu ArJ'I Ml T fmv CLT" If Tmmm. . i M
Lm H mJK f jmmmJUM I If V I HTF If ltBk DlMlM V
YnM mMJih1jVBi JPiBP'fe I ""TaBBmBk. WBPBHC Errfj&fff
God works!
through prayer
pvurlng fcst spring
JLbKftk on a cm-
plfn to Chicago 1
was Messed with the
opportunity to meet
Timmy: Our cam-
paign vohtmtmd at
Christopher House a
social service mute
that provided day cart GOtST
and pre-schooi fcro- CoiUMNIST
grams. I met Tlmmy tcuis
5te in the afternoon ?'"
9
Month raises pride in black history
GUST COLUMNIST
Anthony Williams
Recently I had a conversation with a
good friend who said she didn't see
the need for Black History Month. Her
opinion was this specially-designated
time just causes further gaps in race rela-
tions. "People are just people" she said
wand I'm tired of whiteblack stuff all the
time. Why can't we just look at people In
general Instead of putting them in cate-
gories labeled -white' or 'black?'"
"Anthony" she asked me "why do
you think we need Black History
Month?"
I approach this sub-
ject with caution be-
cause racial discus-
sions can turn into ex-
plosive arguments.
First 1 admit to not
holding degrees in psy
chology or sociology
nor having completed
any extensive research "" ''
on this subject I don't have much in the
way of academic credentials. I do how-
ever have almost 30 years of experience
ki being a black American.
Some alarming statistics: Blacks rep-
resent about 12 percent of the U.S. gen-
eral population but over 50 percent of
the prison population. One of every 31
black men will be murdered before
reaching the age of 55. Over 60 percent
of all black women who give birth are
single mothers. Those statistics are sad
enough as I've presented them but even
more tragic is when you or someone you
love makes up one of the numbers just
quoted.
Several different studies have noted
major problems within the black com-
munity. Most of these problems stem
from the low expectations many black
Americans have for themselves. They
limited view of lifes possibilities.
Did you ever hear the story about the
eagle raised In a chicken coop? He lived
hi a place where nobody could fly - they
didn't even try. They saw other birds fly-
ing but they knew they'd never be one
of those birds. Right along with the rest
of the chickens that eagle spent his
whole life on the ground. God created
him with the ability to fly but he never
fulfilled that promise because he never
realized he was Intended for anything
but existing In a chicken coop.
Some young black children are like
dial eagle. They never see anyone ar-
ound them accomplish anything. Like
the eagle - like all of us - they're mold-
have been conditioned to take a severely
Black History Month provide an
opportunity for black children to
learn about black people who have
made a difference.
ed by their surroundings. To be Inspired
to their best efforts diesc children need
a chance to Identify with success to ob-
serve someone with attributes similar to
their own who has overcome obstacles
and made a contribution to society.
Black History Month provides an
opportunity for black children to leant
about black people who have made a dif-
ference. Having such examples is a pow-
erful step toward giving diem the hope
and belief that they can succeed. A pri-
mary purpose of this month is to inspire
motivate and encourage young black
children; to make them proud of their
ancestors; to give them an excuse to lift
their self-esteem off the floor of the
cldcken coop.
Although embarrassing to admit
most of my early childhood views of nat-
ive Africans came from Tarzfin movies.
When 1 was in school no one was men
tioning the rich varied and complex his-
tory of the African motherland. Only
having the movie Images my perception
was mat all my ancestors had bones
through their noses and clucked spears
at white Bwana. "
Of course my teaching about.
Columbus Plymouth pilgrims Spanish
conquest and all the familiar - and pre-
dominately Caucasian - history learned
in elementary school was extensive.
What young African-American child
could be expected to proudly embrace
her African heritage if she was forced to
compare ancestors who looked like
extras on a Tarzan set with die brave
mosdy white men and women who
colonized the New
World built railroads
across North Amer-
ica and forged the
foundation of mod-
em society?
If there had to be a
single reason for
Black History Month
It would be for the
children. This month
Is a chance to build up their expecta-
tions for themselves. Most black people
would honesdy prefer a fair opportunity
for success to a chance for blaming their
sorrow on others. Being able to honor
the achievements of their heritages and
to begin dreaming of the achievements
they will cam someday Is vital to all our
children - black white red yellow
brown and everydilng In between.
Black History Month Is not about
being black or white but about common
sense. We're all on the same team -called
humanity - and when a teammate
needs a hand you extend it Black
History Month Is a way to give a hand
up to young black kids; kids who need a
chance to move out of the chicken coop
and spread their wings to the sky.
Anthony WIlHoms Is manager of the
Bookstare.
Star Wars trilogy helps define generation
U A long time ago
Xxln a galaxy far
away..."
I think those words
were learned by me
before "Mamma" and
"Dadda."
J Let me pause for a
iHdment. as not ev
eryone reading this GuT
may recognize this COLUMNIST
phrase. Ro
;;f y &'. you FlTZGEKALD
are prooaoiy irom a
different generation because most of my
generation recognizes' the phrase that
opens all three movies In the Star Wars
trilogy.
n'Somc like to label our generation as
feneration X but a more appropriate
Que would be the Star Wars Generation.
We grew up with Han Luke Lela and
Gnewle.
wiiy earliest childhood memories arc of
rny cousin and me playing with our Star
tears action figures Ain our Star Wars
vfnHcroos listening l? Star Wars audio
tapes and sometimes we would even
have the movie In the background.
The hallmark memory of my young
childhood Is the time when I was 7 and
1 got to see Return ofthejedl on the big
screen. Although it was the worst of the
three it was still a magical experience.
Admittedly not everyone shares my
passion for The Trilogy but many do. A
little net-surfing found some Interesting
information. According to a 1997 Gallop
Poll the average - ..
person has seen
St$ur Wms seven
times.
The film Is
also the largest-
grossing movie
of all time. One
critic hails It as"
the "predomi
nating scl-fl tale ' '
of the last three decades."
I agree but would suggest Star Wars Is
the biggest sci-fi movie of all time. Let's
face It there liave been some great scl-fl
movies but none can compare to the
appeal technical superiority and cultur-
al Impact of Star Wars.
George Lucas creative genius behind
Star Wars took a budget of $10 million
In 1977 and made movie history.
For those of you readers who still
have yet to catch the fever or those
who are still trying to figure out who
Chewle is allow me to briefly explain
how and why tills film and Its sequels
had such an ir-ict on my generation
and our culture.
Star Wars is not just a sci-fi flick but a
fairy tale. It has evil lords and
emperors knights a princess
monsters and even magic.
Star Wars Is not just a scl-fl flick but a
fairy tale. It has evil lords and emperors
knights a princess monsters and even
magic.
For us young Gen Xers in the late
70s and early '80s It was unbelievable
It was our fantasy world.
The amazement and wonder was not
limited to die little Luke and Han want-to-bes.
The adult world especially the
movie Industry was shocked and capti-
vated by the startling and Innovative
visual effects. Lucas and the company
he started In order to make these
movies was a pioneer in special and
visual effects. Star Wars set tV- standard
for future films in the FX department
In 1977 a modest bud
get film called Star Wars: A
New Hope captured the
worlds attention and Im-
agination. The profound
effects of thfs colossal ev-
ent are still being felt to-
day especially In 1997 -
the films 20th anniversary
year. Now with the new
Star Wars movies - dub-
bed prequels - on the horizon Star Wars
is going to carry our hearts and imagina-
tion Into the next millennium.
Rob Fitzgerald Is a senior biology major
from St. Louis Mo. and Students' Associa-
tion vice ftsldept
In
V d jj r
Words
Why dd you enjoy
coming back for
Lectureship?
Garth Black
Ckssof19S7
from
9kmfk!d
Calif.
To meet old friends lern sometislng from
the fectures and dssses stay with some W
old friends we only see durirtf Lectofwhitfc
Wayne Mathis
i
fromUunt
Del.
A
"My son and daughter-in-law are In school
here; I enjoy seeing them and the lectures1'
and classes." 1
Alfred Elston
Class of 1944
fmmthbbs
N.M.
-is
The theme of Lectureship Is the primary "1
reason. Hopefully there's a few people
still around here I know."
MVMHH-aHfHHHaaHMHMMl)
Missy and Nathan Stout
f"7I
o
'It's nice to hear some oood srjeakers.
Also you always run into somebody you A
know." .n
Mike Warner
H
o
JJ
Ckssof1963
fromTykr "'J
4
"I haven't missed a Lectureship since 1961.
This Is my 37th year In a row. I come to "'
get my spiritual batteries redwged."
Bill Sherrill
fmmHnting
Lkwtrsky
"We've ahMMtt anioued Lecturhiiv lt
been 10-15 years since we've been but my
wife and I love to hear the speakers."
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 43, Ed. 1, Tuesday, February 24, 1998, newspaper, February 24, 1998; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth99783/m1/7/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.