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EDITORIALLY SPEAKING Robeson Community College reaccreditation report is unfair and keeps us reminded local politics is unique Ll'MBERTON-lt's one ot'the strangest phenomenon we have ever observed up close in Robeson County According to reports in the Robesonian Newspaper. mostly emanating from the mouth of the board chairman George Regan, politics should be damned, and the board/of trustees should becopte iTrubber, stamp for the sitting president at Robeson CommunityGoUegg.._jt's funny/ because every person on the board of trustees at RCC received their apftoint ] inent because of politics, as well as RCO President Fred Williams and 4egaij too. i i II Robeson Community College is undirgoiiw,lbsj?accrediation profess af most public institutions do every ten y jars ni fttV Thii iim| Jm j f of a self study and a visit by an accredirartwi*^amn<iftte'th^ WpfcjfciMrhp soft' study and makes recommendations, mostly based onTffC^S?<<jj|gtationj|f the self study. I study myself, and I ask my friends to agree wit!^me*,!TS politics in the purest sense. Politics is how one even gets appointed to the accreditation team. This visiting accreditation team, according to the Robesonian. who seems to mostly quote Regan, the White chairman of the RCC board of trustees, wants the board to make a clear distinction between its role and that of the president; establish broad policies and follow them; protect itself against special interests even when they arise from board factions; and require the whole board to approve any official or unofficial action That sounds reasonable enough, but not political!) practical. We can remember in the recent past when Indians and Blacks were not represented equitable on the board of trustees, faculty staff or administration at RCC Now the Blacks and Indians and Whiles too are insisting that some kind of racial equity emerge at this public institution Suddenly, the self study, and the visiting team that is responding to the self study, is cry ing foul. Too much politics. That is laughable, as we see it. RCC President Fred Williams, board attorney I. Murchison Biggs and George Regan, board chairman, all White we might add hejj for clarification, are playing one of the great political con games in recent years, as we see it. in a naked attempt to stem the tide of a board of trustees now mad. up equitably of Indians. Blacks and Whites, who are insisting that all people be represented in every area of life on the RCC campus. What's wrong with that? The problem with the report is that some of the traditional White elements at RCC are seemingly having problems dealing w ith four Indians, four Blacks and four Whites on the board of trustees who are playing the adverserial role as they should. We have even heard reports of high administration officials at I RCC publicly bad mouthing the board ot trustees in no uncertain terms The worst thing imaginable is a sitting board o: trustees that is a rubber stamp tor this president or an> other head of a public insitution. All ot us need to be checked politically especially RCC President hred Williams. Black board member Thomas Jones said it best when he was quoted recently in the local press as saying, "Now that we're equal with tour blacks, tour whites and tour Indians. suddenly there is a problem. I think it boils down to people not being willing to accept change, the SACS team did not stick to the facts and let these kind of perceptions into their report " L. Harbert Moore, an Indian trustee, agreed w ith Jones and called the report of the visiting accreditation team unfair. We agree with Moore and Jones. The public is not getting the truth about this accreditation process, and cannot believe all that it reads in the Robe onian. or hears from the political mouth of the sitting president, board attorney or chairman. The accreditation report is not that bad. and is easily correctable if the president, board attorney, and chairman will cooperate and quit playing politics with the rest of the board of trustees and public. We publicly applaud this board of trustees for daring to flex their political muscle and demanding equitable treatment for all of us ? Indian. Black and White. Editorial And Opinion Page AS I SEE IT | Bruce Barton Indian males in danger in Robeson County "Indian males are in danger in Robeson County. We might call them the endangered species locally. Indian males are dropping out of school at a higher rate than their black and white conterparts. and it seems hardly a week goes by without an Indian male being killed, and most of the time by a fellow Indian male. It's sad and needs to be addressed by the Indian populace, ft's a Social malaise that can only be addressed by the Indian community. What can we do to save our Indian males, and how can we convince them to quit killing each other? Most of all, we need to pray and develop programs that will address this deadly malady in our midst. It has been this way as long as I can remember. I can probably remember hundreds of Indian male friends and acquaintances that were killed in the flush of their youth, and most of them were killed by other "Indian males. And our prisons are filled, in large part, with Indian males. In my day, the problem was alcohol and a tattered psyche; today the culprit seems to be drugs and a sense of hopelessness that expresses itself violently one toward another. I can diagnose the problem, but I do not have the answers. I wish I did! The answer, as I see it, lies somewhere within our collective hearts. Let's pray for our endangered Indian males , and love them unconditionally. Brenda Brooks remembered Brenda Brooks, 57, of 109 Howard Street in Pembroke, died Monday at Duke Medical Center. Her husband, Howard Dearl Brooks, has probably been my dearest friend since we began school at Pembroke Elementary eons ago. Later, I taught social studies to four of Brenda and Howard's five children at Swett High. They are wonderful children, and I count them as my own. Brenda Brooks and I helped make a lot of history in Robeson County. Many of you might not know it. but Brenda, Howard and I were the original founders of the Carolina Indian Voice Newspaper. We found ourselves, most of the time, on the same side as we agitated for Indian self determination and justice over the years. We won some social battles, and we lost others, but we fought the good fight nevertheless. Brenda Brooks lived a gracious and wonderful life. She was full of promise and was loved dearly by her family and friends. But her dying might have been her finest moment. She knew that she had cancer for a long time, deadly cancer, but she fought with grace and courage until the last moment. She set a wonderful example for her husband, children, immediate family and friends. She taught us all how to live and, finally, how to die. She died with grace and dignity, as she lived. Head high. Saved and full of hope. She looked resolutely ahead. It has been a great privilege, personally, to call her my dear friend. 1 love her and miss her already. Her life is her testimony, and she has taught the rest of us how to face the ultimate challenge, deadly death, with a resolute dignity and grace that can only emanate from a heavenly place. ~~? \ Give thanks and pray While doing some routine chores around the house I started getting a little frustrated. Things were not going as easy as they should. It seemed as if nothing was working as it should. So 1 stopped and whispered a little prayer. Lord help me Jesus. After that everything worked out just fine. Everything fell in place as it should. As 1 stood back, feeling real good about the situation (and myself), I heard that small still voice. Why didn't you ask Me before you started? I was reminded. God is concerned about all things in our lives, He wants to help with all things. In all things give thanks and Pray without ceasing In Jesus name?Amen. -A Concerned Citizen I To My Daddy Bruce Barton From Daddy's Little Girl, Brand i Barton at&vi & 'Day F - is for being my Friend A - is for doing an Awesome job T - is for having Time for me H - is for being my Hero E - is for being Enthusiastic R - is for never Running out of time for me. This describes my Father A Man With Hope, Honor and Love jBWigwaaBiisgwBi Chalk up another successful "Project Graduation". While it took place on Graduation Day, May 26th, and the 517 guests of honor who attended have gone on to begin the enjoyment of the fruits of their labor that goes with finally completing their public school education, the organizers are just now starting to recuperate from the effort that went into putting the event together. Make no mistake - it takes an awful lot of work by a great number of people to make for a successful project like this. While most of them were from the school system - principals, teachers and other employees - there were others who represented other parts of the community. There were some elected officials who. annually, contribute their time and energy to work on the project. The law enforcement community was, likewise, involved along with some parent volunteers as well student representatives from our six high schools. It's a joint effort intended to make graduation a happy - rather than a potentially sad occasion for all the seniors attending. While "Project Graduation" originated in Oregon and Maine, it arrived in Robeson County in the late 80's following the death of a high school graduate in an automobile accident here. It's purpose, of course, is to provide an evening of entertainment and merriment for what is one of the most memorable nights of these young people's lives - an evening that is alcohol and drug-free. Since "Project Graduation" is not funded by the school budget, it depends on the financial support of local businesses and individuals. Besides money, many contributed food and other products needed for its success. Also important, -though, were the r ~ - many, many contributions received from individuals who, while having no products to contribute and, very often, not much money, still felt strongly enough about the program's value to help out with whatever money they did have. To their credit, none of these contributors - business or individual - seek recognition for what they provided. It should be understood, though, that it would have been impossible to put on an event of this magnitude without their help. While the purpose of "Project Graduation"istoprovidethese graduates with an evening of entertainment on this important night of their lives while showing the that it's possible to have an enj oyab le even i ng without having to resort to artificial stimulants, it goes beyond that. It's hoped that finding that tl se things are not necessary to enjoy themselves will sow the seeds in the minds of those attending and their friends to tum their backs on them throughout life. As the next genera'ion of tax-paying, voting citizens who will be leading the destiny of this county, clear heads unaffected by unnecessary stimulants will be necessary to carry out those responsibilities. Since the young are usually introduced to these stimulants by peer pressure without realizing the potential for destruction of mind and body, this night of abstinence can set the stage for a more productive life fortheseyoung people as well as progress for the county. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation to everyone who made a contribution to thisyear's event - whether financial or one of time and effort. All helped to make "Project Graduation" a success. Without you, it couldn't have been done. Thank you. 7 -... ... 1 Peter Hunt of Pembroke, the son of Teressa and Randy Hunt, brother of Alyssa, also grandson of Mr. undMrs. Gurney Hunt and Mr. andMrs. Charles Bryant, has been chosen to attend the EAA Air Academy Intermediate A viation Experience Camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from June 28- July 4. The EAA Air Academy offer young people the opportunity to meet and work with aviation professionals while living and learning the arts, sciences, and love of aviation both classroom and workshops. Participants in the EAA Air Academy come from around the United States and several foreign countries. Academy activities will include flight experience, workshops and classroom study., The academy develops leadership potential and broadens their understanding of both aviation and themselves. Many thanks to all EAA members in the surrounding areas and a special thanks to Mr. HerbSanderson.presidentoftheEAA and Mr. Bob Rogers, vice president. Peter is an 8th grade student at Prospect Middle School. JS=?.___??I_ To advertise, write to: The Carolina Indian Voice Benjamin Howie, Advertising P.O. Box 1075 Pembroke. N.C. 28372 Or Call Office: (910) 521-2826 Home: (910) 522-1477 "Receive. A '%'wd I wouldn't want to be neutered. . . a : sit ?*?*?*&> % \-ism many* as Garry Lewis Barton I saw a commercial on tv a while back encouraging folk to have their pets neutered or spayed to help control the animal population.' It's been a while, but I believe the spokesman was Bob Barker of 'The Price Is Right' game show fame. Of course, if Barker engaged in as much hanky-panky with as many of the models on his show back then as was alleged, ol' Barker might be a more likely candidate for being "fixed" than the animals. Sex is something a lot of folk like to do but don't like to talk about. Indeed, even today when I think about what my mama and daddy had to do to conceive me, I still get a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not my Mama! Maybe when I grow up I'll be able to handle it. I don't know. But I do know that apparently a lot of folk think mankind has a monopoly on sex. (Of course, considering his propensity for maiming animals, "kind" seems a wee bit out of place in the word mankind.) Many seem to think we're the only creatures on the face of the egrth entitled or destined to enjoy sex. Otherwise, why are some folk so obsessed with "fixing" animals? Speaking of being fixed, one of my past wives once approached me about getting neutered. The proper term for the surgical procedure, I believe, s vasectomy. And it's not supposed to diminish one's ability to enjoy or perform the sex act. Nevertheless, ner proposition brought out the religious side of me. I told her like ol' Job of Bible fame told his wife: "You speak as a foolish woman!" All I could think about was Happy, our chow dog when I was a little boy, oh so many moons ago, whose cheery disposition earned him his name. But ol' Happy didn't seem anywhere near as affable after he was neutered. And for good reason, I might add. Like Happy, I too probably wouldn't feel like I had anything to live for, or be happy about if I had been neutered. And I'm fairly certain it's true a vasectomy ain't nothing like being neutered. But I have this hangup about letting anybody get anwhere near any of my vital organs with sharp objects. You decide v^hich of your organs are vital and I'll prioritize mine. And the primary reason humans supposedly have their pets "fixed" is so they won't have a lot of unplanned or unwanted babies. Folk, that's a classic case of the kettle calling the pot black, ain't it? I hate to be the one to bring it up, but there are a lot of unplanned and unwanted human babies born every day in this country. And, indeeed, some folk have been audacious * ^ enough to encourage having some unwed mothers on welfare "fixed." Of course, they don't call it. But it's the same no mat^ '* ter how you dress it up in fine and fancy rhetorical clothes. And it ain't right, folk! Not in my eyes. The truth is it's not nice to fool around with Mother Nature.The way I have this thing figured, after the Flood Godcrammed two of every kind of creature on the ark for a reason.!! I don't know why,, except what the Bible says. If he had want--; ed them spayed or neutered, then would have been a goodtime to do it. Instead, He instructed all the creatures on the* ark, including the human variety, to mate and have babies. I And since then I've never read anything in the Bible about; changing God's Master Plan. So put away the knives, so-said-; to-be animal lovers. * Perhaps it would behoove mankind to use a little common' sense before using the knife. A good rule of thumb would be:; Don't do anything to your pet y'all wouldn't want done to y'all.; Ouch! It hurts me to even think about it! Hey! On secondthought, maybe I'd rather be a friend of y'all so-called animal! lovers afterall. Life's "rough-rough" enough without ruffling! anymore feathers, no disrespect intended. , * But what if we're wrong and sex is as important a functionin the lives of animals as it is in ours? Then "fixing" them for! our convenience would be a terrible and cruel thing to do,! wouldn't it? I think so. * Indeed, if we had to live by the same rules we are so quickto impose on others, our existence would be pretty pathetic^ But it might be what we deserve for wanting to play God and! rule the Universe so ruthlessly. ? The following advice is just as applicable to animals ashumans; and I bet Lorena's husband wishes she had followed? it. . . * "If it ain't yours, don't 'Bob-it!" ; We'll talk again, folk. - The Carolina Indian Voice Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C. by First American Publications The first issue of the weekly newspaper, The Carolina Indiari Voice was published on January 18, 1973, by then editor, owner and founder, Bruce Barton with a $500 personal loan. It has a proud history of continuous publication, having never missed an issue since its inception. Bruce's sister, Connee Brayboy, the current editor, is the only person to have enjoyed full-time employment since the newspaper's inception. A brother, Garry Lewis Barton came to work full-time in 1973 and ended his affiliation with the newspaper in 1985; its founder, Bruce Barton left, to further his education shortly thereafter. Another brother, Ricky Barton, has been affiliated on a patt-time basis with the newspaper since its inception. For the first time in years, the four siblings are reunited and dedicated to publishing the best newspaper humanly possible. Connee Brayboy Editor Bruce Barton . Publisher Ricky Barton President and Business Manager Garry Lewis Barton Production Manager
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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June 15, 2000, edition 1
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