l^MpDlTORIALs WfcwdopiNiom W - PAGE "We cannot know where 1 we are going if we do not know where w$ have been." i / L_?==5U DEXTER BROOK'S FIRING A SAD LESSON FOR ALL OF US Even though I understand the dynamics of the action, " the firing of Dexter Brooks Tuesday night by the Robeson County Board of Education left a bitter taste in my mouth. I feel sadness, regret, uncer tainty about the future of my people. 1 equate it somewhat to the "Crab mentality." Put a bunch of crabs in a foot tub and watch them act out a mean and cruel scenario. One crab begins timorously to climb up the side of the tub and, lo and behold, the^st of,. down to their level. Indians, in general, and all men. suffer from this mentality, this need to keep us all down on the bottom of the foot tub. But, as noted, I understand it. The game, the scenario. All of us are guilty, including the wounded party. The mistake Brooks made, as I see it, was to be perceived as disloyal to his employer. There is an old saying: "If you work for a man. he loyal to him. If you can't be loyal, get out from his sphere and criticize him to the high heavens." Brooks seem ingly was not as loyal to his employer as he might have been, at least as some saw it. Sentiment was expressed that his brother. Larry T. Brooks, ran for county commissioner against Herman Dial, and eventual winner, Wyvis Ox en dine, with the tacit blessing of Dexter Brooks. Herman Dial had the support, al though muted, of Superinten dent Pumell Swett and educa tors generally. Abo, some ,seemed to think that the incumbent board of education member Lillian Faye Locklear and others were opposed by the Brooks forces. Dynamics. Politics. Dark plots. Mean doings. And the chickens came home to roost. None of us should take par ticular pleasure in the firing of a brilliant and talented young attorney. I have been a fervent fan of Dexter Brooks for many years, but I am also a staunch supporter of PurneH Swett. When two heroes come to a parting of the ways hero worshipers are left disgrunt led, sad. rarfused. And the dynaMcirtake over and life runs its bitter course. Two men, two heroes, two dynamos. Dexter Brooks has won many battles for Indian people. Every good thing that has happened to Indian peo ple in the last few years can be laid to his side of the ledger. Count them: the breaking of double voting, the saving of Old Main, the re districting of the county, equitable representation on the board of education, the discovery of the unlawful annexations by the Lumber ton City Schools, and more. Brooks was instrumental in all of these victories. I stand in awe of his intellect. And I 1 It jWvII ? And Purnell Swett. He assumed the superintendency of the county school system at a particularly vulnerable time. He has been a remarkable administrator. He has led the school system through some difficult times. He has hot been afraid to make difficult decisions, unlike his prede cessor who simply put hard questions on the back burner and left them to future administrators to answer. But we'll survive. We're a hearty folk, at our best when trouble is in our camp. We'll be stronger for the experien ce, better able to grapple with the dark forces about us. Earl Homer Strickland is a com petent young Indian attorney. He will not shirk his res ponsibilities. Our enemies should not assume that our ranks have been split asunder indefinitely. We will be stron ger, hi time, for the devisive experience all of us, in one way or another, have contri buted to. And, ot course the attorney for the school board serves at the pleasure of the body. Board members, whether in cumbent and lame duck or not, have a right to exercise their responsibility. They have done so. And tbey should not necessarily be damned or praised for exer cising their perogative. When the pain subsides, the initial shock of being rejected subsides, Purnell Swett, Dexter Brooks, and all of us, will be stronger for the experience. Besides, we need all of our soldiers on the battle field slaying dragons. Many problems remain, many ene mies swarm around our camp. There is plenty of work for all of us to do. I hope we will now turn our attention to the real enemies, not ourselves. LOKI ANN LOCKLEAR A BOUSNG SUCCESS AT 'STRIKE AT THE WIND!' CONCERT Lorl Ann Locklear is going to be a star, make no mistake about it. She Is talented, a country music star on the horixon. A turn away crowd turned out last Priday evening to hear her la con cert. making the audience the largest to tee a performance of Strike at the Wind!' In recent years. A count of 1442 was registered at the box office as Lorl Aon Locklear proved again that she k fc I am proud of the response to our appeal to get me down off this proverbial limb. Thanks for coming out and making this a night to re member. NOW MEDIA NIGHT IS SATURDAY NIGHT... As you remember, 1 have taken three nights-August 6, 14 and 20-and have climbed out upon the proverbial limb and vowed to fill up the au dience at 'Strike at the Wind!' on these nights. The first one-August 6-was our Lori Ann Locklear concert pre ceding the performance of 'Strike at the Wind!' As noted, the audience was full, over running. The next one is August 14-Saturday night and is being billed as Media Night. The local media is sponsoring this evening at 'Strike at the Wind!' with special activities, including promotions by die individual media outlets, and door prizes during intermission of Satur day night's performance of 'Strike at the Wind!' We hope to see you there. That will leave August 20 which is my favorite of the whole bunch-Church Night. More about this next week. People ask me what I contribute the relative success of The Carolina Indian Voice to and I tell them "helping people." I like Camel! Lock lear, the general manager of 'Strike at the Wind!' and "Boss Strong" in the drama. He is a fighter, a man who is not afraid of a challenge. rumor has it that the buft account was depleted and the drama was in real trouble. Carnell, on his own initative, revived the popular outdoor drama about Henry Berry Lowrie and his friends and protagonists in Robeson County. I like him for saving the show, a good and positive dramatization of a proud and hearty folk. He really de serves our support. And I look for ways to help him and all those who want to be suc cessful. And, most of all, I like the guy and am proud to count him as a dear friend. Pharmacist Pembroke Drue Center f I ? ? . ?. *- I InvMtacata yield dividends Investments are made every day. We wisely invest in I a home, education, marriage, and in eternal matters. | Good health is also a top-priority investment We invest in this series of weekly "Healthvlews" so that you might be better informed about pharmacy and health matters, in general. I believe patient education is a must in the future of pharmacy and encourage you to ask any question you may have regarding your drug's action, warnings. Indications, adverse reactions, and precautions. Know your pharmacy and pharmacist It's an Invest ment that pays! WW w tire -%x j /< SERVICE M SPECIAL .11 COMPUTER BAIAMCE, 2.00 Ik I MteCQlWjJCR BALANCE .150 EA 1 -'IKE ROTATION If WJMtD' '"7 ^ 1 Bssia M1KT TIBE IjOO EA. 1 ..jgamtmANct imu, I fUTED 2 MILES SOUTHEAST OfitWtM 1 5UTF ITWD. |?|6 ? I HME5S PtCWL 521-3346 ?' ?"#!:? awe mom J2I-4.W0 j lSUU6at' B4KTIR OKEMDUK. ft ?M k " v: 1 y mcAMuu K1 9 INDIAN FOGi I | - *a-*gSSyj I J SECOND CLASS POSTAGE V 9 PAID AT PEMBROKE.NC tf 9 24372 r / | X OUT OF fT ATI f; II ' LETTERS TO THEEDITOR THANKS FROM SPAIC ' 1 ?\ ' Dear Bruce. Oil SKf SPAJC (Society for the Preservation of Amer ican Indian Culture). 'I would like to thank the Indian people for the excellent reception they received while attending the annual convention of the Society for the Preservation of American Indian Culture. LRDA, NC Indian Commis sioon, Title IV, Robeson County schools, and Pem broke State University ex tended their very best to inform our visitors and make - ? : ? I I tAem welcome and comfort able. Our board of directors has selected the Indians of Robe son County as a model for Indian'people everywhere. ? Words of great praise came for the presentation of Strike 'iat Ike Wtad! It gave an informative but delightful plus to the meeting.S We would also Eke to thank you personally for making ouf* second convention great. Sincerely, HJ? "Lindy" Marthi, Ph.D. Chief Executive P.O. Box 76073 Mountain Brook, Alabama 35253-6073 ? Haliwa-Saponi Tribe ' seeks funding for Library rhe Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Inc., is a tax-exempt Organization with a C-3 Sta tus. It's major priority is to wort for the improvement of the So"s"-Economic condi tions of the Tribal members' Community. According to recent surveys that were conducted by the Administrative Staff in 1979 1980, indicated a strong need for a Library to be established in the community. This need was also determined as a priority by the Tjibal Govern ing Council. Funds will be used to build the Library for use by all the people living in the area served by tha Tribe. It will contain a ready reference of culturally related materials on the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe and other Native Americans. It will also include other direct school resource materials. The total projective cost of this project is $43,525.00 During the last year, we have requested funds from various foundations, ivstatal ind'out of slate.' As f AiJ date, we have received com-" mittments of $14,000.00 from1 Z. Smith Reynolds, $500.00 from Burlington Industries, and $500.00 from the General Tribal Funds. These funds will go toward the construc tion cost of $27,825.00. We ' have a deadline date of December 31, 1982 to raise other funds to supplement already committed hinds. The Tribe was donated (25) acres of land in June 1980 from Continental Forest In dustries. If funds are obtained for this proposed library it will be built on this land. Land Development Plan is available for review at the Tribal Center, which includes pro posed Library. 'We would greatly appreci ate your cognizance of this request for donation pfimarily for matching construction or other Library related needs. All donations are tax-exempt, receipt will be giVea upon request. If you should have further questions regarding tiiis re today, please let us have your I pledge at a later date. Most Sincerely, Kathy Harris-Wilson Socio-Economic Planner P.O. Box 66 Hollister, N.C. 27844 irar hl\ "Of comae, FU get k for Toe, I darting . . , Stead sway, while I kick the window ia!" j " Lyndon B. Johnson was the first President to be sworn into office on an airplane. - 1 Of WW M "? ?AT1? fM frv Mugwumps and Power Brokers by L?w Btrtii If there is anything worse than the political power broker, it is the mugwump. One is over-involved, even dishonestly involved, while the other steadfastly refuses to become involved at all. He straddles the fence and come heck or high water, he will not \ take sides. It is an Algonquian Indian word which more or le* means fence-sitter. Yet ironically, the mugwump weilds great influence, even often decisive influence by simply keeping away from the polls when he darn well ought to be there. THE MUGWUMP SONG by Lew Beaten Oh, does the dictionary tell us ? What a mugwump is? I said a mugwump is? Oh, Lord, a mugwump is? Oh, does the dictionary tell us What a mugwump is? He's a strange and most peculiar kind of bird. Oh, he can sit on barbs and fences While the skies fall down! I said the skies fall down! Oh, Lord, the skies fall down! He can sit on barbs and fences While the skies fall down! And he'll never make com plaint Or croak a word! luB. 1982 We saw the top vote getter in a three way race for county commissioner defeated re cently in a run-off which brought out not nearly as many voters as the first primary. The mugwumps were not there but ironically, their influence on the polls counted dramatically. Voters do count, one way or another, whether they are there or not. If you are an American, there is no way to escape your reaponsflMttty* ~4, riant it better^** these and have it count the way YOI! want it to count? I'D close with a quote from Wayne Revels, a young man who voted for the first time this year; "Have you ever noticed that the people who complain the ' loudest and the most are the people who don't even bother to vote?" You don't always get every one and Everything you vote for-of course, you don't. But you get the satisfaction of voting your own convictions. And that is important. It's practially the only right yot have. Hang on to it. i arir. IV 1 Irises take their name from Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. ^^ DIAL'S TALENT AGENCY If you are interested in a career in the entertainment industry, please call me for an audition and interview. Am interested in discover ing local talent, especially young Indian artists. \ Contact me at 521-4754 or write Dial's Talent Agency, P.O. Box 493, Pembroke, N.C. 28372. Or Dick Obitts at 50 Music Square, West, Suite 806, Nashville, Tenn. Telephone 615-320-1177. Auditions and interviews will be held September 4, 5 & 6 in Nashville. Deadline Is September 1 for applicants. ? l- ill / Ever Green Church News by Mrs. Leacjc Brooks MMod tbnap the ninth verses and the Second Chapter of-Peter, verm 11 and f 12. 'tJIfhaMtherefore God hath join* together, W mot nan pat asunder." Mark 10:9. - The leaaon Sunday was about the responsibility of oar church and aodety to keep fnjUaa together. The strength of he church ia determined by the stranth hf its famiiirs Keeping families together therefore is or utmost impor tance to both the church and society. We have a problem, however, far in many countries, a growing number of families are breaking up. We must remedy the situation, and the best way to do it is to influence our families to return to the Word of God and God's plan for the ? family. GOD'S PLAN FOR THE FAMILY Matthew lfiM One of the main issues in Jesus' times ifra? the" -grooms^ ror "^*punmy~IWsy one's wife.*'Among the Jews there were liberaijchocflt of thought on grounds for diVbrce.*The liberals believed a husband ccxjld divorce..his wife for almost any reason, while the conservatives believed a husband cookl divorce his wife only if she cpmmitted fornication, adultery, or somd*other act of unfaithfulness to her husband' The, Pharisees tried to reason that if 'Jesip s)dc4 with the liberal attitude toward divorce,- He* could be accused of not upholding the Jewish morality. Many 'of theigi, Jike many modern men, looked feraq eafy >v'ay to put away their wives so they might secure or get another. ,'Puring His ministry, Jesus already h*8 ^pokerr -twice on" the subject of {JSvercfe .(Seov^laftbew 5:32 and Luke lty.lfc). On*the-occask>nof our lesson, Jesus, .aniwemd the Pharisees by directing-their attention to the act of God In creating one man *nd one woman for eac^o^ter. an^ upitifig them as husband and^wifid. Jesus'boldly affirmed that divorce never.]yas a part of God's plan for the marriage -relationship. In marri age, husband,and wife become one, unfced^by God, and no one has authority to separate. tfyssn. Divorce was invented t>y man, not Ood, and is therefore wrong. t. With t&e exception of Mark 10:11 and Oie Qospel passages about divorce speak af us hands-divorcing their wives, not the other way around. This is ?MCMse..yieie?'wete no provisions in eWfc^the Vryil or- religious laws of that ttme-'for -wdmen to divorce their 4m*a^.,H*?erer, Jeans tkght that men and women have equal rights and afHiga'riops' *1b'ni*hlage and He con aemifed divqree' fpr husbands and wives. When. Jhe-Pharisees saw Jesus had an entered ftttm; the scriptures without taking.sidds with either school of thought on the issue, they, reminded Him of Mo$w' piwistoqs'for divorce. If divorce 'had not been God's (dan, why did Moses grant husbandT the authority to give ?their wives writings of divorcement? ?: Jesus answered that Moses had not autborftrgd divorce, but had only allowed it.'He permitted divorce because of the crurfh^ ofjiu^bands, toward wives who, /4r$u9 reasons of the husbands, had beconSeufrxairable;' Moses realized that husbands with unwanted wives might tburi?or evfe?(hutder them. J .hjt problems in schools come from'.jfhildteii- who are from broken * Tlutsour mariMges and our homes need noffail. If wh mfwi'w oartner keeps ?his spiritual life in accord with God's will, problems can be settled without reaching divorce. Hi^bahds ap9 wives should remember their courting day*. .They were conside ,r*te of bach othrif then, and they must be Considerate, of dph other now. If there were disagreements then, they would try every wdjyupossible to get things straight. If should i< nb different now. 'Keeyi^tbe ^unily.together is the AyMintportfnt fob of husbands and wives.^t-u{ important for them to realize they must be led by God in each decision thev make. K t|ev are in tune with the will of God, and let Him direct them, the family will stay together. ? Praise God for dial. Sunday's program was put on by the youth class. The teacher is Mrs. Dinna Brue, ?This 'class .too received the attendance banner. * i.Thpsa paWn? "thpfr birthday offerings were little Shqn Strickland, grandson of Pearl and Jeffery Strickland, Teresa Wilki^s, "daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Willdns and MeUssia Cummings, daughter of Mr. 'James and Mrs. Mable t'u minings. The Rev. Jopeph Locklear, our pastor, preached from Daniel 2, beginning with verse 3f fa&ugk'tt, using for his text rWhatXlfcxtr' I've never heard a news ur me. bpt vary interesting. Praise God far his word. The'Bible is s book of books, ? " Donl fcrket conference Saturday 2:3tf. <11-mie .members ate uktf to J* ACvfr* A * * ? ? i i ?'