IW CMDv
Prisoner Replies to
Schm*lleger's Letter
Dear Brace,
I am compelled to reply to
Frank Schmirileger's letter in
Monday'* Robesonian and
comment on Darlene Jacob*'*
study.
I commend Frank for his
cautious journalism with hy
pothetical words and phase*
like, "appear to be", "as
suming that", "perhaps",
"seems to show", "would
seem", and especially,
'' What if". AD of which would
bring objections in direct and
cross examination in our
courts, but used quite fre
quently in the prosecutors
closing argument to the jury
in Robeson County.
Frank says, "Perhaps In
dians commit more crimes-".
Impossible to reveal who
actually commits mote crimes
because of initial investiga-'
tions and screening by our
city police, county deputies,
and state patrolmen, that may
or may not, lead to an arrest.
How many suspects are
caught in the commission of a
crime, but not arrested or
convicted because they are a
well-to-do white who can buy
their way out right then, or at
least on or before court day?
At times they go free simply
because they are white, with
no need to bribe. 1 have seen
and heard of it among my
white friends. The discrimina
tion begins earlier in the
judicial process than Dar
lene's study would reveal.
Concerning the higher con
viction rate and longer sen
tences for Indians, Frank
asks, "What if' Indians
committed more icnoui
5S ?taSTSTpotaTi
em Mire it would reveal that
Indiana are convicted more
and amitaaced longer than
Whites for crimes of the same
seriousness level. Ansd; on
the nature of the crimes would
only point another finger at
discrimination. \
Frank asks. VWhat if
Indiana cannot afford the best
lawyers? This is probably
' true. I admire the Justice
System for their program of
court appointed counsel for
indigent defendants, but a
number of competent attor
neys become mysteriously
incompetent when appointed
and Indians still lose cases at
a higher rate. While this is not
a form of direct discrimination
it is certainly not justice
either.
Franks asks. "What if'
more Indians have prior rec
ords. They probably do. Al
most every figure in Dariene's
study confirm the answer.
Keep in mind the study is
based on 1980 statistics only,
if, in previous years, Indians
had higher arrest rates, high
er conviction rates, longer
sentences, and especially
lower dismissal rates, they
are bound to Have more
en nationwide, that poverty ?
the root came of crime. Think
of all the moody and effort
from investigation to impri
that money -epeat on the war
against povery. And. what at
the cause of poverty? Could it
be discrimination? Maybe not
in prevalent form, but the
more dangertJfla Kind, the
subdued accepted discrimi
nation that conflicts with the
social equality we strive for in
jobs, wages, and economic'
and educational opportunity.
Discrimination has been
around a long time, but lawp
against if are fairly new and
difficult to enforce.
I am Indian. 1 am not a
racist. I have friends and
loved ones of many races. 1
am young enough to recall the
"White Only" signs in towns
of Robeson. Not that I ever
tried to or wanted to, but I
could have passed for white. I
noticed early that while I was
in the companyof whites I was
treated as a white by potential
victimizers, until they learned
my Indian name. No matter
how white I appeared, while
in the company of Indians
I with more Indian appearance
Kthan I, I was treated as an
(Indian.
L All this is not to say
| conditions are not changing,
\ but the changes are slow,
I gradual and overdue. And, I
I am not implying that the
( Judiciary alone, or the Whites
I as a whole, are at fault.
I Discrimination is an evil we
g all have to conquer. The
(findings of Darlene's study
have prevailed for so long that
? native Robesonians have ac
cepted them as fact. This is
I just the first time anyone has
< ever put the numberson pa
[ . . -
[ i agree witn frank, tnat tne
['Indian Commission has a
tj responsibility to the people of
Robeson-the Indian people. I
5 hope they will carefully con
Isider all the facts, and re
search as far back in time as
? necessary to substantiate
! those facts, and perhaps
uncover and confirm more
5 "alarming figures."
. I am an incarcerated victim
I of Robeson County justice,
j but do not grieve for myself at
(all. I feel that I at least
counted coup during my legal
; battles. I grieve for the braves
!I am doing time with who, for
lack of funds or learning,
g either put their freedom in the
(hands of incompetent ap
pointed counsel, or simolv
5 surrendered in the face of^he
. discriminating justice tfiai'
[ awaited them in a Robeson
; County Court.
1 have this to say for prison.
I Discrimination is slight com
; pared to the outside. I am
! serving time for growing
K marijuana, a non-violent
> crime, but I have been treated
much the same as the murder
ers, rapists, and robbers,
whether they are white, black
or blue.
Cordially yours,
Melton Lowry
Robeson County
Dept. of Corrections
? - ?- ? ? ? -
?S 7g
I B & B PRODUCE I
f Intersection of Highways 1
I 74 & 710 1
1 Christmas Fruits and Nuts 1
1 Stock up for Christmas! J
1 NOW OPEN 2
I FOR BUSINESS! f
f ^Discounts for Churches |
- ???.???? ? ??i ? ???. ? ^ ">.?, "?-;ra
Everyone's Talking
About Universal Life
"When can
you gat ona of
||, , hlnhail
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tu-datanad,
or tax-fraa,
yiakfa on your
aaaktga ? Try
Mta Inauranca.
The VVa* Street Journal.
May 4 1901
f \
"Naw HH Imur
ahca poMdaa an
f, -|ja r -a ?. II. , ,,
Owiwr C7MI, umj
Otwwf OBC0ni
ratumt baaldaa
niwila nlfri m *
prumcDon.
The Watt Street Journal,
May 4. 1981
.. pays Intor
Ml islss on ffw
poiicyB cmn
mbJus that art
up to tfwaa
Man MAaa
arrmm ww rmiwM
pmki on tndl
A|n | ni#|
norm I wnotw
Uto kmumnem."
The News end Observer. (
August 9. 1981 |
produJB ksio4jd Ik
? Wp.oeaiN7
Pembroke. NC 38373 . )
^PP ' {t1fJM1-?W
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SB AMERICAN DEFENDER UFE INSURANCE COMPANY (
I "Mam ,00 mtm ? FO fa. 27M7 ? Ratogr, NC IN11 <
I Southside/
Ashpole
King and
Queen
On Tnssday night, Dec. 7,
Heather Altaian and Patrick
and Ktag of Seethside- Ash
pole Elementary School.
Heather is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Altaian of
Rowland. Patrick Is the son of
Mrs. Frances LochJear alee of
Rowland. Heather and Patrick
are First Grade students in
Mrs. Nettle BoBard's room.
First runners up weret
Queen-Maria Charts and
King-John Bowens. Maria is
the daughter of Mr. and Mis.
Sammy Charts of Rowland
and John is the son of Mrs.
Minnie D. Leggett also of
Rowland. Maria and John are
second grade at^nents in Mis.
Lon H. Oxendlne's room.
Second runners up were
Qneen-Kelsha Lowery and
King Prather Edward Sweat.
Kelsha is the daughter of
Mr and Mrs. David Lowery
and Prather Is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. James P. Sweat.
Kelsha and Prather are third
grade students in Ms. Lucille
Evans' room.
Shown left to right are,
back rows Ms. Elaine Brans,
teachers adle; Ms. Nettle
Ballard, teacher; Ms. Mable
H. Revels- principal; front
row: Heather Aitman-Qneen
and Patrick Locklear- King.
[Elmer Hunt photo]
H
Warmest
\
yWuhes For
|TA Merry
' Christmas
m
jy-T> W9 OTTf ? V ?? ^
MMMkNt
. ?/ .. *vw\\\ 111//////rifez
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May the
^ shining lights
^ of Christmas
^ warm all
hearts!
PEMBROKE
CARPET
SERVICE
day ?i
-czzr
WAUPAPf R -
?rHKB eaiw"ic9
-CXWff ?8TMJLAT)QN
IfX r?*U*
sensors
opcenncsl
Best wishes to
our many good
Mends this holi
day timet
OUJCLNEWS !
Mrs. Jessie B. Ctasyis
? ...... |
Sunday morning a* 11 ft.a.
w?h prayer A praise aervioe
followed by the scrip tare
reeding from Matthew 2:9-12
by the pastor. Rev. Jnliaa
Special musk was rendered
by the Cherokee Quartet
using the following selections:
"I'm Already Won the War"
and "Sail To the Other Side"
followed by the Christmas
Message by Rev. Rsnsom
subject: Light 'A Wisdom
From the Wise Men".
Among the visitors was the
former Bishop, Rev. Ward
Clark, Jr. of Maxton.
At 12:30 p.m. following the
worship service at the various
churches the late Rev. Tom
mie Chavis family gathered at
the Lakeside Restuarant on
Highway 211 three miles
north of Red Springs, to hold
the annual family reunion.
Rev. Julian Ransom pastor
of Cherokee Chapel Meth.
Church, offered "Thanks."
The huge crowd of kindred
A visitors marched double file
down a long seasonal decorat
ed table to help themselves
to an "Old Country" Christ
mas meal served buffet style.
Children present along with
Onvia fan fly, the late Mary I
Alice Chavis family; two I
sisters, Mrs. Ruthie C. Lack. |
tear of fled Springs, Mrs. J
Flora C. ButUrd * fanfly ct $
Red Springs. -
Guests wen Rev. * Mrs. 1
Julian Reason A daughters.
Vickie tk Use at rnialinii*.
Mrs. Martin L. Lowry of
Pembroke. Mr. * Mrs. Wer
oefl Jecobe, Jr. of I eaten
Bridge, Mr. A Mrs. Clarence
Wei cf Red Sprigs, Mis.
Annie McNeill of Red Springs
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Chnvis
of Wakulla and Mr. and Mrs.
Michael Smith and son of
Fayetteville, NC.
CHRISTMAS PLAY
At 6 p.m. Sunday even
ing the program eras opened
by a welcome and prayer
given by Jennings BuRatd.
I. Following the prayer, the
play entitled "Grandfather
Tells the Meaning of CMst
mas" was presented in the
church sanctuary by the youth
and adult members.
Music was rendered by a
congregational group foRow
ed by readings given by lev.
Julian Ransom, Frbddis On
entfine, Jennifer Jones, Susan
Billiard and Rudy Inrllsn
Clyde Chavis gave a chall
enge "Make Room in Your
Heart and Home for Jesus."
Candlelight service fallow
ed with the pastor in charge.
Following the dose, rehash
ents were served in the
fellowship hall.
Program committee were
Mrs. Annie M. Chavis. Chrio
tine Bullard and Ave Scott.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Monday evening at fcJO
p.m. members and their
families of Cherokee
Side Restaurant far a ??s?i
dinner. Present with them
were the pastor and his wife.
Rev. A Mrs. Julian i??
Everyone had his menu
choice of seafood,
barbecue or steak.
During the dinner the game
of "passing the mistletoe"
often upset those who wen
unexpecdng and eqjoykg
their meal.
A wonderfel fellowship was
enjoyed by all especially when
the Mt. Him Baptist grup met
with oar group after the
dinner, along with their pas
tor, Rev. David Hunt.
Everyone went away wfch- ?
ing each other a "Many
Christmas" and a "Haopy :
New Year." ^
Hospital
bills
hurt!
We can help
ease the pain!
Let the hospital cure what
ails you; let us help what
worries you. Call a
Nationwide agent about a
hospitalization plan that can
help vou pay the bills.
WILLIE VOM LO^VRY
P.O. lo* 7
Pambrofc*. NC 2*372
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