There are about four people at IHS who are aware of a very small, very pink room at the very end of the E-wing. This room is the deepest that one can go into the bowels of IHS. In that room, there are four average-looking filing cabinets that contain the annals of IHS Tattler history, dating back 125 years. Here follows a selection.
Read more online at https://tattlerarchive.wordpress.com/
Note: The current Tattler does not necessarily endorse the opinions published in historical Tattlers.
1.
May 1968
CBS Questions Students, Graves
Dr. John W. Graves and three IHS students were recently filmed for a CBS news special on marijuana.
Tom Hughes, Monica Klinko, and Phil Sainburg were informally interviewed by newsmen on Wednesday, March 6, and filmed on the following Monday in J-15.
Nelson Benton, a CBS newsman who has presented several special Vietnam reports, led the discussion of marijuana at IHS. The newsmen were interested in how many students used “pot” or marijuana at IHS, what these students were like, why they used “pot”, and what can be done about the increasing use of the drug.
Tom Hughes and Monica Klinko took a conservative stance on the use of marijuana, while Phil Sainburg represented a more liberal viewpoint. Dr. Graves was filmed at a later time.
CBS also interviewed local police authorities, doctors, lawyers, and Cornell students. Ithaca is expected to take up about on third of the show. Although several interviews will probably have to be cut from the program, IHS should remain on it, since it was the only high school in the country where interviews took place.
The CBS marijuana news special is scheduled for nationwide TV broadcast in late May, but the exact date and time are not yet known.
2.
To the Editor:
In the March edition of The Tattler the Afro-American Club was subjected to a very controversial question; “To what extent, if any, does racial prejudice exist in our community?” The answers ranged from an angry statement of “Yes, racial discrimination does exist in our community,” to a solemn declaration of “No, our community is free of any racial disturbance.”
Whether we are dealing with discrimination on local or national terms, it is always irrational and illogical to declare that racial prejudice is nonexistent in any society, whether is be racial, religious, or otherwise.
Unfortunately, Northern cities are flocked with black people who have come from homes of socio-economically deprived parents from Southern states who have migrated North, thinking the North, and cities like Ithaca, are a Negro’s paradise. Consequently, they tend to accent the conditions in which they are now living. Why? Because they feel the living conditions in the North are better than they were in the South. They, in return, deny any question of racial prejudice in their community. Many are being discriminated against, for the prejudice they are now being exposed to is far different from that of their past Southern societies.
Inside their Southern boundaries, prejudice was open. One tends to fear his enemy less if he knows where he is, and who he is. They are no longer dealing with this type of discrimination in the North. The existence of prejudice is hidden, sometimes even far more contemptible and violent than that of the South.
It is unfortunate, but true, that racial prejudice does exist in this community. It is not only shown throughout the housing and employment establishments, but throughout school systems, as well. This is a harsh accusation, but on with foundation!
Being a native of the North, I have dealt consistently with racial prejudice. Fortunately, I have learned to distinguish the false smiles along with the stabs in the back, from the smiles of sincerity.
And to those misled black children in the South, who believe that beyond Maryland’s borders an ambitious black is warm heartedly welcome . . . I hate to shatter their dreams, but the North is far from a black man’s paradise! The North is tough, and will remain tough as long as you are proud, determined, and ambitious . . . and black!
This is a sensitive subject, yet one that cannot be ignored. It is our responsibility to handle the situation with more interest and vigor in this generation in order to secure the future of the black faces of tomorrow.
But as long as man chooses to display inhumanity to man, and as long as economic, social and political dissatisfactions are in existence in the world of the Negro . . . riots of anger will widen the gap between the white and black.
And as long as fellow Americans destroy each other politically, and morally, the stripes and stars cannot honestly sway! And not only our many disturbed cities and towns . . . but our entire country, will remain divided!
3.
A Talk With Mrs. Parker
By Meg Archibald
Following is a personal interview with Mrs. Aethnea Parker, IHS French teacher.
Q: Where were you born?
A: In San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago.
Q: Is it always called both Trinidad and Tobago?
A: Yes, both islands are under the same government.
Q: Is the country independant?
A: Yes, since 1962, before that we were British.
Q: Did you live there throughout your childhood?
A: Yes, on one island or the other.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I went to a private school run by Catholic Sisters. Then you had to pay tuition, but when we were eleven, we took an exam covering many subjects. If you did well, you received a scholarship to pay for the remaining seven years.
Q: How old were you when you finished your secondary education?
A: Eighteen. I had to remain in school an extra year because I did well on my final exams. Often if you received good marks on the exams, the school made you stay another year so you could take them again; this added to the good name of the school.
Q: Since you’ve been in this country, what are your general impressions of America?
A. Well, I really never wanted to come.
Q: Why not?
A. I have been trying to figure that out. Perhaps it’s because I never met many nice Americans. In Trinidad and Tobago the Americans were mainly servicemen stationed there since the way, who kept much to themselves on the Base. Maybe is was also because of the stories on heard about discrimination in this country. Personally, I have had no unpleasantness, but the atmosphere here is so tense and discouraging. In Trinidad we have many races and racism is a question but not a major problem. In the 1930’s we had some racial disturbances and conditions have improved considerably since then.
Q: What do you think of American students?
A: Students here are so crazy about grades. Good marks are fine incentive and you should try to earn them, by all means, but don’t lose sight of learning for knowledge’s sake. It’s not the kid’s fault; it’s a product of the society.
Q: In your opinion, is life in the US too fast and pressured?
A: Yes, at home, life is much more relaxed and spontaneous. You take life as it happens rather than always working to make it happen.