Temple prof says: respect yourself and your race

She talked about everything from the controversy of rap music lyrics to a time when she "met a man named Malcolm [X]." Sonia Sanchez, professor of English and Afro-American studies at Temple University, spoke last night at a forum entitled "Role Models in the African American Community" sponsored by the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. "Malcolm frightened everyone, whites and blacks," she said during the event, held at DuBois College House. "He said things that before had only been discussed in private. When he was assassinated, everyone was very caught up and confused by his death." Sanchez, an award-winning writer, who taught at the University for one year instructing in English, also discussed how the African American community is perceived by people of foreign countries. She told the audience about a trip she once took with other artists to China. While in China, she said people did not think she was American -- they assumed she was only African. "'You do not look like you are from America,' people would say to me," Sanchez remarked. "It was then I realized that when you travel around the world you don't just represent yourself, you represent your whole heritage." Sanchez also made frequent comments about television -- she calls it "the idiot box" -- as part of the problem of the stereotype of blacks in America. Sanchez also stressed the theme of respect in her speech. She pointed to the increase in black-on-black crime in the U.S. and emphasized the importance of harmony in the black community. "You will hate others if you hate yourself," said Sanchez, adding that she wants more people to learn how to respect themselves. She explained how some women leave their young children alone in crack houses for weeks. "You may say that you aren't the one doing that, that you aren't in the crack houses, but we are all responsible," she explained. "We allow [things like that] to happen by allowing the little drugs, which lead to the bigger drugs." Many students in attendance seemed encouraged by Sanchez's remarks. "This really opened my eyes to black history in America," noted Wharton junior Anya Parkes. "She didn't preach hate. "I'm so tired of hearing about how blacks hate whites and whites hate blacks," she added. Zeta Phi Beta sister and Engineering junior Hilary Brown said that while organizing the event was difficult, Sanchez's speech was well worth the effort. "It was very difficult getting a hold of her [Sanchez]," Brown said. "But it was worth the effort to have her here." Parkes said the speech filled her with hope. "She gave me hope. Hope that someday everyone, not just some, will see all people as equals," added Parkes.