THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 10, 1994 TAG: 9410100053
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Riding a wave of triumph, Randall Robinson, an activist credited with spurring the nation's involvement in Haiti, told students at Hampton University Sunday that they, too, can change the world.
Robinson is the executive director of TransAfrica, a Washington lobbying group for African and Caribbean nations. The group was heavily involved in efforts to end apartheid in South Africa and to return Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power in Haiti.
``I want to leave you with the impression that you can effect change everywhere in the world,'' Robinson said at an inauguration of recently elected student leaders.
``You are not only the sons and daughters of Africa, you are not just Americans, you are members of the global community. Our people must be empowered.''
Robinson, a former member of the University's Board of Visitors, said his message to the students was that they must always be interested, aware and vigorous in their pursuit of information and insight. He also wanted to convey a sense of possibility.
``You have been given a special privilege to go to this school,'' Robinson said. ``It's not all about grades. . . you have to get so much more out of here than that.''
He said that black students have a responsibility to be vigilant, to be educated and to fight to empower others in their world. Robinson, a Richmond native and former Portsmouth resident, is a graduate of Virginia Union University and of Harvard Law School.
``I say to you, remember your responsibility,'' Robinson said. ``You didn't get here by yourselves; many are depending on you. You will reap much, but you owe much.''
Robinson, 53, challenged students to keep a watch on world events and to learn history to get a perspective of what they are watching. He said that they need to travel the world as part of their life's education.
Robinson said it wasn't until he visited South Africa that he realized how much Americans had invested in that country - just by looking at the billboards dotting the country. He decided that one way to end apartheid was to pressure companies to divest.
Robinson said the ``$50 billion loss of capital'' certainly influenced the country's leaders to change their policies. He said money is a powerful tool that African Americans must better learn to use.
``I used to think money wasn't important when I was a young man,'' Robinson said. ``I thought poverty was a virtue. But I realized you can't do much unless you amass capital.''
He encouraged the students to become industrialists and millionaires. He told them not to be shy about earning money. He said it was a travesty that so many African Americans live in Washington, yet not one ``owns a building in the downtown.''
``We still have a long way to go,'' Robinson said. ``You have no freedom unless you pay for it.''
Robinson said later that he will work to continue an American partnership with Haiti and continue to promote Aristide and democracy.
``Certain conditions have to be fulfilled for this thing to end successfully,'' he said. ``There has to be disarmament of the paramilitary troops and the generals have to leave the country.''
Robinson predicted that Haitian Army Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras will leave the country this week because he will be ``vulnerable'' without his troops once Aristide is back in power.
Once things begin to settle in Haiti, Robinson said he will turn his attention back to Africa, where he will try to get more support for countries like Botswana and Zambia. He also hopes to ``facilitate more democracy in Nigeria and Zaire.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Randall Robinson
KEYWORDS: LOBBYIST ACTIVIST by CNB