Thursday
11,e Pan American University of Texas - Pan American
February 13, 1997
Yolanda King keeps father's dream alive By Edgar Sandoval The PAN AMERICAN Some people question that February is dedicated as Black History Month, according to the eldest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., Yolanda King: "We should celebrate our history year round not just one month of the year, but we got the shortest month of the year." The punch line got the desired laugh, but Ms. King, an African American Activist, said her mes sage was serious. Our communities have to learn to live in a multicultural society. Ms. King spoke last Thursday to 300 persons at the University Ballroom. Sponsors called the event a success when tickets sold out within a week. "We have not reached the promised land," said the actress, who appeared in the movie about civil rights activist, Medgar Evars, Ghost of Mississippi. "My father's dream remains allusive." 'Whether we like it or not, we have to live in a multicultural society," she said. "We must focus on difference until difference does not make a difference." King emphasized people should have the oppor
Photo by Reina Martinez The Pan American
tunity to have a choice and freedom of poverty, exploitation and violence. "My parents dedicated their lives searching for strategies to achieve that dream, but I believed because I choose to believe," she said. Audience cheered and applauded sharing her
dream and enthusiasm. Students responded to her message. "I feel an honor to be here; she really motivates me to go on and have the decision and power of choice," said Claudia Davila, UTPA Junior (See King - page 17)
Editor resigns, interim editor appointed By Mark Milam The PAN AMERICAN Citing philosophical differences with The Pan American Advisor, David Waltz resigned as the editor of the student newspaper Monday at a spe cial meeting of the Student Publications Committee. At the meeting, Waltz spoke of his problems at the newspaper and being unable to resolve his dif ferences. The resignation was accepted with regrets by the Student Publications Committee, who in turn authorized the Advisor, Bob Rollins, to appoint an interim editor for The Pan American. The Committee will meet in early March to appoint an editor to fulfill the term of the Spring semester. An editor for the Fall semester will be chosen in April and will assume duties beginning with the Summer editions. In his resignation letter, Waltz cited problems with the Advisor and his involvement, the newspa per budget, and also with the move of The Pan American to the guidance of the Communication Department. Waltz stated, " I strongly feel my efforts to maintain student control of The Pan American is a losing battle... I feel no matter what
I do to maintain student control of The Pan American, my efforts will be in vain." Part of the differences between Waltz and Rollins was due in part to the efforts of Rollins and the Communication Department to integrate the Journalism classes (Reporting, Editing, Photojournalism ) into the production of The Pan American and PANORAMA, campus magazine. While the Communication Department believes that this will help in the education and develop ment of communication students, Waltz clearly saw it as an effort to weaken his direction and authority. "As editor, my major obligation is to produce a weekly tabloid newspaper on time. I feel at this time, depending on a class to report news is under mining my efforts to produce The Pan American and therefore I choose not to fulfill that capacity any longer." In response, Rollins said, "David Waltz worked hard and made many valuable contributions to the newspaper... I wish him the best in his future endeavors." Rollins has appointed Norma Castillo, a senior majoring in Communication - Advertising /Public Relations, to serve as interim editor.
Norma Castillo