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Top Black Political Developments In 1987
by Dennis Schatzman
When my editor asked me to write an opinion piece
assessing the key Black political developments of 1987,
I asked myself, "why me? I just moved here in )une.
Who am I to offer my opinion on the politics of Black
Winston-Salem."
I reminded him of the old adage, "opinions are like
navels , everyone has one." So what, I asked, makes
my opinion worthwhile?
"Well, he starts" since you're new to the area no one
will legitimately uccuse you of selfishly advancing any
particular agenda. Second, you were an elected official
in your native city of Pittsburgh and, therefore, know
the political game. Third, you have some 15 years ex
perience observing and covering local and national
politics as a reporter and editor for several Black
newspapers and magazines." "And finally", he adds,
"It is I who hands you your paycheck.
Hey, I can take a hint. So here goes.
Winston-Salem, unlike Greensboro, Durham, High
Point, Charlotte and other areas throughout the state,
did not have mayoral or aldermanic races in 1987 that
would normally generate high Black political interest.
That is not to say, however, the Winston-Salem was
devoid of political activity, be it mild political activity
at best. Aside from the city/county Bond Referendum
vote in November, Black political participation in 1987
involved and/or benefitted the few and not the many.
Among the significant highlights:
- Newly elected District Attorney Warren Sparrow with
a larger percentage of the Black vote appointed two
Black assistant district attorneys, one who is the scion
of a prominent Black political family.
- James Beaty and Loretta Biggs are appointed to
Superior and District Court judgeships. Both will be
seeking election to full terms in 1988,
- Black and other minority businesses, led by Thelma
and Theldora Small, successfully drum up support that
pressures the Board of Aldermen to reconsider erec
ting a proposed transit center at Fifth and Liberty, the
site of their businesses
- A bill sponsored by State Rep. Annie Brown Kennedy
that requires the City of Winston-Salem to set aside
a percentage of contracts for goods and services for
minority-owned businesses, passes both legislative
chambers in Raleigh.
-After months of searching, interviewing and denying,
the city hires Emery Rann, 111 to head the Human Rela
tions Commission. Rann's appointment shocks many
local pols. Reason: Rann, son of a prominent Charlotte
physician, is a lifelong Republican who recently head
ed Governor Martin's Office of Minority Affairs. What
they didn't realize, however, is that Rann is well train
ed in the rough and tumble, give and take of Civil
Rights. A Howard-educated lawyer, Rann has long
been active in Greensboro's NAACP Chapter.
- The East Winston Development Plan is approved, pav
ing the way for possible much needed business and
affordable housing expansion in East Winston.
Although each of these events are very important,
none that I have mentioned have more present and
future impact on the Black political culture than the
following three events:
- Carl Russell dies
"If it appears that I have seen more than others in
my life, it is because I have stood upon the shoulders
of giants,"
Sir Issac Newton said that. But when it comes to Carl
Russell it could have easily been echoed by C.C. Ross,
Richard Davis, C.B. Hauser, Richard Ervin, Larry Lit
tle, Annie Brown Kennedy, Logan and Vivian Burke,
Patrick Hairston, Larry Womble or any other Black
politician or civil rights leader who has set up shop in
the last 40 years.
Carl Russell 1910 - 1987
Black people loved Carl Russell. There is no doubt
about that. They loved him as a leader, an alderman
and candidate for mayor. And they miss him now.
Failing health limited his effectiveness as a leader
throughout the 80's. But before that, Russell easily
qualified as the greatest Black political leader Winston-
Salem has ever known.
There are several reasons for this. One, Russell was
a Black businessman whose livelihood was solely
dependant upon Blacks, not whites. This reduced his
chances to be co-opted by people who traditionally
pressure adversaries by boycotting their businesses.
Also, because he was a businessman, he was easily
assessible; people could come to the funeral home and
see him. Conversely, he could leave the funeral home
anytime he wanted and see them. Few Black politicians
have that flexibility.
Happy Holidays
from
Alderman
Larry Womble
Still fewer politicians had the wherewithal to spon
sor and host their own radio show (which has aired
every Sunday morning on WAAA since 1951) where
Russell railed at injustice and racism with great clarity
and regularity. His strength is sorely missed by both
the existing Black political leadership and the rank and
file alike.
- Urban League Controversy
Everyone's a loser in this one. Thomas Elijah, presi
dent of the Urban League for the past 11 years, was
suspended amid allegations of "fiscal mismanagement"
and "abuse of power". The charges were brought by
several board members, many with poor attendance
records and a penchant for leaking unsubstantiated
rumors about Elijah to the news media. Charges are
hurled back and forth and the whole mess ends up in
court and the media. The board loses virtually all
credibility with the League's dominant constituency,
the Black underclass. And the League is rendered
vulnerable to the city's charitible giving power struc
ture who, in these days of fiscal austerity, could see
a way to reduce its annual donations to this vitally
needed agency.
- Black Vote Assures Bond Referendum
Black voters city wide, voted over 75 percent in favor
of all nine issues of the November 3rd Bond Referen
dum while the rest of the population were roughly split
on the issues. This certifies again that the Black vote
in Winston-Salem continues to act, in the words of
political scientist, C. Van Woodward, as an "arbiter bet
ween white factions." In other words, the Black vote
excercised considerable political leverage in a hotly
contested political issue. Whether or not Blacks will
benefit from this political clout by gaining a respectable
share of contracts and. services remains to be seen.
One lesson to be learned from this is that Blacks can
be influenced to vote a certain way if motivated by peo
ple whom they know, trust and respect. Among those
who fit those descriptions were Lee Faye Mack, Mazie
Woodruff, Walt Marshall, Larry Womble and Vivian
Burke.
What does the future hold for Black political
achievements? The hot issue wil again be the Black vote
(or the withholding thereof).
Three County Commissioners are up for re-election;
so is the Register of Deeds. I already mentioned Judges
Beaty and Biggs.
But the big race (aside from the presidency) is the
Governor's race. It looks like it will be Lt. Gov. Bob
Jordon against the incumbent Jim Martin. A heavy Black
turnout in the Triad will favor Mr. Jordan; a less than
heavy turnout would thrill Mr. Martin.
And that's the way I see it. The check, please.
Merry Christmas
and
A Prosperous New Year
Alderman
Frank Frye