—The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1991 n a world of confusion, student strives for individuality By CARMEN LIVINGSTON Collegian Features Writer Malcolm Thomas wears a hat to avoid fussing with his hair and dresses casually in dungarees and a T-shirt. Hip hairstyles and flashy clothes aren't his forte. Studying scriptures from the ancient religion Kmt (pronounced Kamite) and conversing with people on any level of black consciousness is Malcolm Thomas's daily ritual his way of life. Thomas has spent much of his four years at the University organizing discussions for Black Caucus's re-education committee and planning sessions for the group's Afrikan School. He also abides by a vegetarian diet that links him closer to the original prac tices of African spirituality. "You can never forsake spirituality for the material world, without some reper cussions," Thomas (senior -elementary education) said. "There is no such thing as a separation between the spiritual and secular." - - . In an exuberant tone, Brenda Bell (senior-public relations), a close friend of Thomas for five years, explained that his ultimate goal is to educate African-Amer ican children about their heritage. Bell commented on Thomas's personali ty and consistency in his beliefs. "He has a very strong aura or inner-sense about himself," Bell said. "He gives you a lot of attention and lets you know he cares about you." But some University students say Thomas is "lost in the sauce" and isn't going to find success in the real world, Bell said. "I think he's a very misunderstood young man and people don't know how to accept his way of life," Bell said. "I wouldn't say 1 1 ./11 1991 Q..l.sh Phi Gamma Nu Professional Business fraternity\ ednesday September HUB Gallery 8:30-10:00 p Profess he is radical. He just lives what he believes." Thomas realizes that he might sound far fetched to someone with a different out look. "It's very important to note that I'm not striving to come off like some big mystic who is off in his own little realm," he said. "I just try to examine and internalize certain values that might help me gain power over myself and the world around me." When people categorize Thomas as mil itant or radical, he feels they do not understand the urgency of the current global situation. Many reports, newspa pers and magazines have portrayed black people in the midst of social, economic and familial crisises. "I am just someone trying to respond adequately to my circumstances," Thomas said. "People who classify me as militant or extreme do not understand how the world is creating very extreme conditions which require extreme solutions." His manner becomes more earnest as he explains the concept of African spiritual ity. "The best way to clarify my views on black spiritual practice and liberation would be to bring them under the umbrella of universal spiritual upliftment and lib eration to avoid having them pigeon holed." Thomas wants to emphasize that Afri can spirituality and liberation of black people are one tightly woven entity that should not be thought of as separate spheres. "I'm striving to look at my history and my people with a discerning eye, sifting through all that which might be dysfunc tional." According to revisionist history, ancient NEE I (A Friday Collegian PhotolChris Gaydosh African civilizations are revered as the earliest and highest developed societies; therefore African ethics are at the basis of all other religions, Thomas said. He further characterizes African spri ritualists as harmonious and concerned with a fundamental "greater good." A lack of individualism, classism, sexism and chauvinism characterize African spiritua lity's current mode, he added. "The liberation of black people finds its Everyone Is Invited To The Smeal College of Business Administration Career Fair HUB BALLROOM & RAY LOUNGE Thursday, September 12 ,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sponsored By The Corporate Associates Program and Business Student Council REPRESENTATIVES FROM 70 DIFFERENT CORPORATIONS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE STH ANNUAL SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CAREER FAIR. THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS TO MEET WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS IN THE BUSINESS PROFESSION. INCLUDED WILL BE DISPLAYS, SLIDES, MODELS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND BROCHURES. THIS EVENT IS NOT JUST FOR SENIORS.* 1991 SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CAREER FAIR AGWAY AIR NATIONAL GUARD AMERICAN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AMES DEPARTMENT STORE ANDERSEN CONSULTING ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES AT&T BALTIMORE LIFE BAXTER HEALTHCARE BECKER CPA REVIEW BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MARYLAND CALDOR INC. CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLACEMENT CIBA-GEIGY CLAIROL INC. COOPERS & LYBRAND CYPRUS MINERALS CO. DEFENSE CONTRACT AUDIT DELOITTE & TOUCHE DEPT. OF AUDITOR GENERAL DOW CHEMICAL USA EDDIE BAUER ERNST & YOUNG EXXON COMPANY USA FERGUSON ENTERPRISES FIRST FIDELITY BANK GENERAL ELECTRIC GTE CORPOPRATION HIBBARD BROWN & CO. IBM CORPORATION ICI AMERICAS IKEA INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO. JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER JOHNSON & JOHNSON WORLD H. Q. KISTLER TIFFANY Persottalities alcolm Thomas Collegian Graphic/Suzanne M. Atkinson relevance and urgency in that black peo ple are the most dispossessed and trau matized members of the known universe," he said. "As we rise, all oppressed people will consequently and subsequently rise, sig naling a gradual restoration of balance in the world." During his childhood in an urban section of Pittsburgh, Thomas's parents urged him to discover more about his black heritage and display it proudly. In fact, he was named after Malcolm X. "It wasn't as if anything was ever shoved down my throat by my parents," Thomas said. "They primarily just helped impart certain fundamental values such as digni ty, knowledge and excellence." But Thomas wasn't always in tune with his spiritupl development. Throughout his adolescence, Thomas became disillusioned with social institutions such as school. Now he admits his habits and actions were in many ways self-serving and hedonistic. "I honestly believed that the highest goal in life was pleasure," he said. At 17 years old, Thomas had a rejuve- List of Participating Companies nating experience after reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which rechannelled his misguided enthusiasm into finding ways to uplift his people. "I remember going to the library everyday getting books, pamphlets, any thing I could work with," he said. Although Malcolm X and other heroic black leaders influenced Thomas, his father's persona —organized, meticulous and responsible geared Thomas into a more positive light. "These are all things which I've expe rienced deficiencies in, and I'm trying sincerely to overcome these flaws," Thomas said. "I remember growing up and thinking that if I could be just more like my dad, I would be able to progress much further in life. "I remember wanting to be my father for many years, because my respect and everyone's respect for him was just that great," Thomas said. "I could make ref erence to Malcolm X or any of the many figures which have impacted upon me, but any such references might obscure my father's role as the towering figure throughout my life." While Thomas praises his father's per sonal strengths, the two do not share a close relationship. His mother appears to be his confidante. "She's free-spirited and less struc tured," Thomas said. "Some people might see my mother as more of an idealist as opposed to my father who is a realist." Perhaps Thomas's biggest challenge is to graduate this year —school has been his Achilles' heel for the past four years. "School is going better and I'm very optimistic," he said. "I'm currently at a crossroads where I have to either put up or shut up." KRAFT GENERAL FOODS MACY'S NORTHEAST MARATHON OIL CO. MARS INC. MARYLAND CASUALTY MELLON BANK MERCK & CO. INC. MOBIL OIL CORPORATION NABISCO BRANDS NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND NAVY COMPTROLLER PROGRAM NCR CORPORATION NW MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE ORTHO PHARMACEUTICAL PIZZA HUT INC. PPG INDUSTRIES INC. PRICE WATERHOUSE PRUDENTIAL - CORPORATE PRUDENTIAL - NORTHEAST PENN AGENCY SCHNEIDER DOWNS THE FOOTLOCKER THE GAP THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY THE TRAVELERS US AIR FORCE USGAO US MARINES US NAVY OFFICER PROGRAM US PEACE CORPS UNITED TELEPHONE SYSTEM USX CORPORATIONS WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC WESTVACO *SENIORS BRING YOUR RESUMES"""
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