Sister Souljah Addresses BSA

Rap star Sister Souljah warned the 120 people who attended a Black Students Association lecture last night in Emerson Hall that "white supremacy occurs everywhere and anywhere that you go."

Souljah told of her experiences as a student at Rutgers University and her projects on behalf of South African divestment efforts and antiapartheid activities.

Referring to herself as "African," Souljah said the Black community needs to build successful African institutions for "future survival."

She said her own entry into the rap music industry stems from her desire to develop a "type of product that would redefine the role of African womanhood, families and men."

The rapper's prepared remarks lasted only a few minutes and were followed by a question and answer period that lasted nearly 90 minutes.

BSA president Zaheer R. Ali '94, while introducing Souljah, praised her for standing up to President Clinton's campaign trail attack on a comment he said Souljah had made.

"Unlike Willie Horton and Murphy Brown, she has fought back," Ali said.

Clinton drew fire during the campaign from several Black leaders, including the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, for criticizing remarks Souljah allegedly made about the high rate of white violence against Blacks.

Souljah had allegedly urged Blacks to spend a week killing white people.

But last night, Souljah vchemently denied making the statement, saying such violence would not solve America's racial problems.

"If I thought that Blacks taking a week off to kill whites would cure racism on a global front, I would have suggested it." Souljah said, "but I know better than that."

The rap star suggested that, like other presidential candidates before him, "Bill Clinton was trying to capitalize off of the racial divisions within this country."

And Souljah's attacks on politi-

cians were not limited to Clinton.

"Republicans screw you and let you know that they are screwing you," said Souljah, "but Democrats tell you, while smiling, that they're not screwing you, and they're still screwing you."

Diversity Prevents One Leader

But when asked about a leader for the Black community, Souljah said its diversity prevented any single individual from standing out.

Souljah dismissed Jackson as a possible leader, saying, he "cannot always act in the interest of the Black community" because he is too dependent on the existing political system.

Souljah also criticized the legal system, saying Mike Tyson was not given a fair trial.

"He's supposed to be given a trial by his peers and hs peers were certainly not conservative whites {who sat on the jury}," said Souljah.

And although she emphasizd her opposition to any form of rape, Souljah said Tyson's victim "was wrong to go into a strange man's bedroom.

While women have the right "to dress and do as they please," Souljah said women cannot ignore "the state of chaos that the United States of America is in.

cians were not limited to Clinton.

"Republicans screw you and let you know that they are screwing you," said Souljah, "but Democrats tell you, while smiling, that they're not screwing you, and they're still screwing you."

Diversity Prevents One Leader

But when asked about a leader for the Black community, Souljah said its diversity prevented any single individual from standing out.

Souljah dismissed Jackson as a possible leader, saying, he "cannot always act in the interest of the Black community" because he is too dependent on the existing political system.

Souljah also criticized the legal system, saying Mike Tyson was not given a fair trial.

"He's supposed to be given a trial by his peers and hs peers were certainly not conservative whites {who sat on the jury}," said Souljah.

And although she emphasizd her opposition to any form of rape, Souljah said Tyson's victim "was wrong to go into a strange man's bedroom.

While women have the right "to dress and do as they please," Souljah said women cannot ignore "the state of chaos that the United States of America is in.