Editorial And
Opinion Page j
AS I SEE ifl
Bruce Barton
-??Pembroke, I hardly know you ...
PEMBROKE-Have you noticed how Pembroke is changing? If the town were
a woman, I might say, "Pembroke. I hardly know you ..."
When 1 go to the post office now, I meet people that I have never seen
before. Strangers. Pembroke is growing rapidly, the progressive say. But I
would reply that provincialism, even quaintness. has a place too. Until recently,
1 was always comforted by the uniqueness, the "Indianness" of Pembroke.
No more! Pembroke looks like any other Robeson County town to me
these days, no more, no less. It's sad, isn't it?
When 1 was a boy growing up on Barker Street, 1 knew every person,
seemingly, in Pembroke, by name and profession. Now, 1 hardly know anyone.
Pembroke has become a hot bed for Section 8 Housing, and receives strangers
daily. They come to live in our community, with maladies and special needs.
Our Realtors build for them, and gladly go to the post office and pick up the
check that is there for public assisted rent, a lot of times, it seems, from the
Lumberton Housing
Authority. Why is there so much Section 8 Housing in Pembroke? Isn't
something out of kilter, or am 1 out of sync with the times? And. if we truly
need Section 8 housing, why isn't it administered by Pembroke's Housing
Authority instead of Lumberton? And Public Housing! It seems to me that
we have more public housing that we need. 1 notice that, from time to time, we
run ads heralding public housing. We have this municipal plum that we want
to share with others. We need enough public housing, not too much. Ummm!
As noted elsewhere.,.Pembroke used to be predominately Indian: now it is
like any other frmnicipality in Robeson County. Pembroke is quietly losing her
character, her uniqueness. And maybe that is the price we pay for progress. It
is sad to see some of the changes in Pembroke, and someone told me recently
that he was approached by a woman of the evening. God forbid! Not in
Pembroke, I cried out. And he replied, sadly, "Yes, Brother Bruce, yes. She
asked me to do something that scared the bejabbers out of me." Ummm!
Pembroke, I hardly know you.
It might be a myth anyway. Pembroke has always been an anomaly, never
truly an Indian town, not as far as who owns the property is concerned. For
years, the largest taxpayer in Pembroke was Pates Supply Company. Pates
Supply Company is still_a major force in the life of Pembroke. For instance,
Pembroke District Court rents from them. And the former sheriffs two sons
are major landowners and taxpayers in Pembroke. They were left sizable holdings
by the late Ruth McCormick, who at one time was married to the Stone
boys' daddy, Hubert Stone. Ruth McCormick, a very nice lady, left the Stone
boys much of her holdings. For instance, she was the largest stockholder in
Pates Supply Company and owned a significant amount of First Union stock.
The Stone boys own it now, and lots more besides. And, of course, it goes
without saying that they, or anyone else, have a right to own property in
Pembroke. The point is made to address the issue of the changing face of
Pembroke.
The university has also changed the complexion of Pembroke, most times
for the betterment of the community. But not always. I had a dispute with a
university official a few years ago. I cried out in anger that university faculty
members and administration only helped create pot holes in Pembroke as they
traveled in and out, never stopping to buy anything. That has not changed
appreciably over the years. But I understand that the university is encouraging
a developer to build a housing development tailored to the university
family. That sounds good and encouraging.
And the fast food industry has discovered Pembroke. We have everything
but a McDonalds and 1 wouldn't be a bit surprised to see one of that genre
crop up in the near future.
And drugs. Drugs are destroying our children, especially our Indian males.
It seems that the Indian psyche is not structured to receive drugs into its
fragile system. Drug dealers and users have discovered Pembroke, all persuasions
and colors. It seems that the pigmentation of ones skin does not interest
those who sell drugs, or those who ingest them, in the least. Drugs destroy all
who dare use them, including our Indian youngsters. Using drugs is like
playing with a loaded gun. It is bound to go off from time to time and inflict
much harm What can we do?
I pondered aloud to myself, after a recent visit to the post office, "Ah,
Pembroke... I hardly know you." How sad! But would I want to deny anyone
the right to shop and live and even cuss and do drugs in Pembroke? Well, I
would hope that we can eventually curtail the sale ofrdrugs in Pembroke and
the rest of Robeson too. The rest of it? ... Well, we'll just have to live with it
and count it as progress and the constitutional price we pay for the right to
live in a free land and eat a Double Burger at noon.
Murawsky and Locklear Wed
Nicole Lyn Murawsky and J. Edwin
Locklear both of Angier (NC) were
married April 13,2000 at nine o'clock
in the morning at Dunn's River, Jamaica.
Reverend Adrian A. McLean
officiated the double ring ceremony.
A private wedding brunch followed at
Dunn's River Sandals Resort. The
bride's mother, Sheryl Taylor, and
Ronald Ellis hosted a post-wedding
luncheon reception at their home in
Wilmington (NC) on April 22.
The bride is the daughter of Sheryl
Taylor of Wilmington and J. Eric
Murawsky of Fayetteville (NC) and
Stuttgart, Germany. She is the granddaughter
of Walter and Josephine
Furbee of Bergholz, Ohio, and
Lorainne Murawsky and the late
Walter Murawsky of Mason, Ohio.
Mobility Assistance
The "Seniors in Motion" program
is designed to assist senior citizens
and disabled person in this area with
mobility equipment. The equipment
includes wheelchairs, walkers, scooters
and motorized wheelchairs to
help the user stay in their homes and
remain independent.
The "Seniors in Motion" program
understands the financial difficulties
that currently face senior citizens
and disabled persons. This program
takes these difficulties into consideration
and employs a caring attitude
while dealing with inquiries.
For more information about the
"Seniors in Motion" program, please
call 1-800-594-1225.
Catching a flyball is a pleasure.
But knowing what to do with it
after you catch it is a business.
_ ?Tommy Henrich.
Parents of the groom are Horace
Locklear and Barbara Brayboy Locklear
of Angier (NC). He is the grandson
of Eva Harris Brayboy and the late
Tecumseh Bryan Brayboy, Jr. of Pembroke,
and' (he late Riley Lee and
Margaret L. Locklear of Lumberton.
The bride is employed with Gregory
Real Estate in Angier. The
groom is employed with Olde Mill
Motors in Angier. The couple lives
in Angier.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Lockiear
(former Nicole Lyn Murawsky)
" il
\
E-mail the editor at
brayboyconnee@hotmail.com.
Tell the Carolina Indian Voice
what's happening with you. j
DEBT PROBLEMS!
'Repossessions
Credit Card Interest
Foreclosures
IRS Problems
Call Bankruptcy Attorney
CHAD W.
HAMMONDS
844-8600
V ' Maxton, NC
*
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Voice of the People
The Family-Pan a I 1
After focusing on the housing issue. I ha\e been pondering the Tamils and
how important it is. Family is the greatest unit on earth. God kness sshat he was
doing when he gave us father, mother, sister, brother, grandparents, uncles,
aunts, cousins. What a great foundation. I can remember as a young girl all the
family at my grandparents' home, sitting on the porch and listening to the older
people talk. The topics included the harvest, religion and the future. We had a
large family and we svere taught by every member of the family concerning one
issue or another. One person didn't have all the answers, but together with the
family , we could work out any problem. My great grandmother was very ssise
and didn't seize the moment to correct you when you were wrong. My
grandmother was strong and a hard working woman with a great love for her
family. 1 saw her raise her children and grandchildren. I will alway s be grateful
to have had a grandmother like Gertha Mae Collins.
If you had a problem and went to her, don't think the answer would always
be in your favor because if you were w rong, she would tell you so. She w as
alway s right, even though I didn't agree with her then. I realize it now. Time has
a way of teaching you correct principles and if we could listen to our elders and
have faith in their righteousjudgment. we could exceed above and bey ond what
we imagine.
The reason for this reminiscing is because I feel the family is under attack by
a dark and powerful force. We can see it in divorce, violence, drugs and alcohol,
abuse, cheating, murders, abortion, abandonment and above all, there is no
prayer at home or in school. All these things are tools of that dark power. God
gave is family so that we would neverbe alone. 1 look at the elderly and remember
what God said:" Honor thy father and mother." Families have become so
wrapped up in the world and being overcome by money, power and positions
that they have forgotten God's word. That is the very reason for their existence'.
They have abandoned in nursing homes and rest homes or even left the elderly
alone for long periods oftime and never seeing their family. This was never meant
to be. Love is the greatest gift e have and charity edifies much. I know we bring
nothing in this world and nothing but our works w ill leave this world when we
depart. Whether they are good works or bad works, they will follow us.
Children are being taken by social services from the family and put into foster
homes and our courts are assisting them in the very act. Indian children are taken
more from Indian families in Robeson County than any other race. As a family
member I have seen this madness and we must stand together as a family to
stop all the deception and deceit that is happening to our families in home, school
as well as by the government. Our generation is behind and has little money.
But they had a great love for family. A lot of the good tradition of our forefathers
needed to be kept and taught to our children, like love, respect, honor,
compassion and service. 1 was taught these things and most importantly to take
good care ofeach other. 1 know the fight that the Cuban family had over the little
boy was not handled in the right way, but they believed in what they were doing
was right. They were protecting the family.
When children are taken out of their home, the government sees revenue and
jobs. I see pain and suffering in a long term aspect. I would really like to hear
from the people if you have had the same feelings write to me and ask some
questions about any issue and together we will find the answer. Thank you for
reading and listening to Wind in Her Hair. I want to listen to you, so write.
Place Your Ad Here Today
The Carolina Indian Voice newspaper
Contact: Ben Howie. Advertising.,
I Lessons from a 'deaf mute' I j
Garry Lewis Barton
Back in the early '80s, my brother
Bruce, my sister Connee, and I were 1
working on putting out that week's 1
issue of The Carolina Indian Voice. I
Suddenly, out of the blue, a stranger I
sauntered in and handed each of us
a blue card.
"I am a deaf mute," the card read,
"unable to work to support my family.
Please help me."
Gosh! I looked at that poor, 'deaf
mute' and a wave of sympathy and
pity washed over me so completely it
started leaking out of my eyes.
I was so overcome by emotion and
choked up I couldn't say or do anything
except reach into my pocket
for my last five dollars.
The whole time I was reaching for
my last five dollars with one hand
and wiping tears with the other,
warning bells were going off inside
my arencnea ana soggy neaa.
"Self," my dark angel whispered to myself in my ear, "that
poor 'deaf mute' is wearing nicer clothes than you."
"Yeah," my good guardian angel piped up in the other ear, "but
he'll never be able to hear Mozart!'
Of course, I had never heard Mozart's music either, and I had
good hearing, but that was beside the point.
"Self," the dark angel tried reasoning with myself, "you're setting
yourself up for the fall."
"Nah," my guardian angel said. "Here's a fellow human being
in need. It's a lot better to give than to receive."
"Not if it's your last five dollars!" I don't know where that came
from. But it was pretty obvious doubt had somehow crept in.
Well, to make a long story short, all three of us gave that poor,
'deaf mute' the last money we possessed to our names.
Since it was lunch time and I had given not only from my
heart but my stomach too (since that five dollars had been earmarked
for buying my lunch) I decided to go to Mama's on Pine
Street, knowing if I looked pitiful enough sne'd feed me.
I walked outside en route to getting into my raggedy, brokendown,
rusted-out old 1956 panel chevy truck just in time to catch
the tail end of a conversation. It was between our 'deaf mute' and
a fella with him who must have been a 'deaf mute' too because he
had a basket full of blue cards too, and probably a pocket full of
money.
"It s a miracle!" My guardian angel cried exuberantly.
"Right!" My sarcastic dark angel interjected.
Then I was able to distinguish their words and knew it wasn't
a miracle after all: "One dumb (I'll let y'all fill in the
blanks since this is a family newspaper) was actually crying in
there," our 'deaf mute' was saying, pointing toward the building
which housed the Carolina Indian Voice.
The two got into a brand, spanking new white 1983 Buick
Skylark and drove off, still laughing uproariously, no doubt in
search of other suckers like me.
And as I climbed into my worn-out old vehicle, I caught myself
wondering where I could get some blue cards printed up.
Of course, after I got over the hurt and embarrassment of getting
fleeced, I realized I'd never be able to stoop so low as to
exploit folks' sympathy like that. And being the resilient ol'
codger that I am, I was soon feeling good about myself again.
I You see, I realized that I did nothing wrong. I had no reason
to feel bad. After all, I did what was expected of me. My brother,
sister and I reacted the way we were taught by a conscientious
mama (Berna Barton) who instilled in all her young'uns compassion
for our fellow man.
I can laugh about the incident now. But it was no laughing
matter back then. Caught up in the passion of the moment, I was
embarrassed and angry at myself for being gullible enough to be
taken in by an impostor claiming to be 'handicapped. And I
remember vowing to myself that I would never fall for that line
again.
But that's a selfish response and it's not fair to the next 'deaf
mute' I encounter who might legitimately be in need.
That 'deaf mute' imposter could not have had a conscience. 1
Being unable to hear during these technologically-advanced ;
times is not necessarily a handicap. Being unable to care is.
I'm a lot richer than he'll ever be because I'd rather have com?Esion
for my fellow man than a whole fleet of brand new Buick ;
larks. He might have left laughing. And left with my last five "
ars. But he won't have the last laugh.
We all must answer to a Higher Authority for everything we ;
do. And when I stand before God after my time on earth is
through, I won't be found guilty of not caring enough for my fellow
man to at least try and nelp. Conversely, that five dollars will ;
cost him dearly when he stands before the great I Am.
Of course, I must admit that for years after the incident, if a ;
'deaf mute' came up to me and handed me a blue card asking for
a handout, I would invariably ask, "You got change for a twenty?" !
If he said 'Yeah," "no," or anything else, I'd keep my money in ;
my pocket and hand him his card back.
Hey! I said I was compassionate! Not stupid! !
Well talk again, folk. ;
I " I C\ S>\rvina f^oieion C^ouni 7N
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