Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / June 13, 1981, edition 1 / Page 13
Part of The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Council Heads Issue Opposition jStatement-DHA . Following is a statement released this week by the Council Presidents of the Durham Housing Authority: "As Representatives of Durham's Housing organizations, we are disappointed and frustrated with actions . taken in today's May 29, ; Durham - -.Housing ... Authority Commissioners meeting. Although tenants voiced their opinions, and those of their councils,, they . were ignored by' Commissioners.. The ac-r tion taken by these Com missioners to de-recognize the existing City-Wide Te nant Organizations were deplorable and un justified. We are clearly against the expressed desires of the majority of the positions taken by these DHA Commis sioners which suggest that they know what is better for tenants than tenants themselves. "We are also amazed that the majority of the Commissioners failed to even attempt to express to tenants justification for their vote even though tenants gave long and numerous explanations for their stated positions. "Today's action taken in the May 29th meeting made clear to tenants how the Housing Authority Commissioners and ad ministration actually manipulate tenant oriented issues. This is not the end. We will continue to meet and further ac tions will take place." , 'SAT., JUJSE 13, 1831 TKuncu;ari3-i3 Affirmative Actioir The dust has settled and perhaps it is now an appropriate time to look back soberly on the now notorious "Janet Cooke Affair." For those who may not be aware, Janet Cooke was a journalist with the Washington Post who recently became the first black woman to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for her fall 1980 articles "Jimmy's World," which chronicled the story of an eight year old black junkie and drug addict. The only problem was that (1) it appears that the story -was primarily a figment f Ms. Cooke's evidently vivid imagination and (2) it ap pears that Ms. Cooke's claimed academic credentials she alleged attendance at both .Vassar and the Sorbonne in Paris were not in order. In fact, Ms. Cooke's finely woven tale began to unravel when officials at Vassar College called the Post to inform them that she was not a graduate. This movie-like scenario should concern all affirmative action advocates because it has been used to call into question the credentials and capabilities of not only black journalists but black professionals generally. As one waggish observer cracked, "You bet ter put your diplomas arid certificates on the wall of your office now before they begin to challenge you." Witting and unwitting racists have used the "Cooke Affair" as a crude weapon to bludgeon the affirmative action thrust by alleging that efforts to in crease black participation inevitably lead to fiascos. This is vicious, unalloyed racism because . the attempt by John Hinckley to commit the dastardly act of assassinating the President of the United States did not cause a similar outcry of challenge against the capabilities of white sons of right-wing oil executives. Imagine the lynch mob spirit that would have arisen if the attempt to slay Reagan had been done by a black! Similarly, as baseball players union chief Marvin Miller has noted, some fans scream bloody murder about the salary of a Reggie Jackson but remain mute about the mega-bucks of a white star like Pete Rose. The fact is that the double stan dard judging blacks detrimentally by one standard and whites by another is a tell tale sign of racism. By Gerald G Home, Esquire Janet Cooke And The Full Court Press Irt that light it will interesting to see how another brewing scandal involving a white journalist is handled. The New York Daily News has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the country. Recently one of their star white journalists, Michael Daly, was charged with fabricating a story during a recent visit to politically charged Northern Ireland. The London Daily Mail termed his piece about Irish youth attacking British troops with gasoline bombs with the latter retaliating with live ammunition "a work of pure imagination. . . .a malevolent piece of propaganda which is a disgrace to jour nalists." Daly quickly resigned after these revelations hit the newstands. Let's see if this disgrace will call into question the creden tials and capabilities of white male jour nalists. If the history of racism in this coun try is any guide, this definitely will not oc cur. And what about Teresa Carpenter? She's the white woman journalist who was award ed the Pulitzer Prize after it was snatched from Cooke. Now the Associated Press reports that James A. Wechsler, a New York Post columnist, has filed a complaint with the National News Council about Ms. Carpenter's prize winning article in the Village Voice. The complaint alleges that the article implied it was based on an interview with Dennis Sweeney, who killed former Congressman Allard K. Lowenstein, but was actually based on an interview with his at torney. Let's see if this scandal will call into question the credentials and capabilities of white female journalists or if the prize will be snatched away. The above is not the only evidence of the . racism that permeates this affair. Why would the Post's editors believe a story about an eight year old black junkie anyway? Wouldn't the Post editors have demanded more evidence if there had been allegations about an eight , year old white junkie? And what about the controversy surroun ding Roger Wilkins, nephew of Roy Wilkins and member of the leading body that award ed the Pulitzer Prize? It was inevitable that Wilkins would be charged with hanky-panky and favoritism toward Coofe, an attractive, vivacious "brown bombshell." It turns out that Wilkins did not lobby for Cooke but for another white journalist to receive the prize. With typical blindness, the racist critics pass ed over this evidence in their haste to launch anti-black missiles. But it shouid be obvious why racism has reared its ugly head in the Janet Cooke Af fair. For like the thief that yells "stop thief the nation's press which is virtually lily white has a material interest in conjuring 'up all sorts of red herrings to distract atten tion away from their lamentabble affir mative action records. But for the thriving, lively black press, the number of Afro American journalists standing in unemploy ment lines would be much larger than it already is. r Black employees at the New York Daily ''News have created a storm of protest about the horribly discriminatory treatment that has been accorded them. Black employees at the principal establishment organ New York Times recently settled a lawsuit in their favor that forces more affirmative action down the throat of their Board of Directors. Minority, employees at the Wall Street Journal could hold a meeting in a phone booth. Twenty present and former reporters and other employees of the Washington Star have filed a suit against the paper charging it with racial and sexual discrimination in employ ment. Of the estimated 40,000 journalists now working for white dailies, fewer than 1,000 are black. Two-thirds of the nation's 1,762 dailies still have not hired a single minority news professional. The American Newspaper Publishers Association Founda tion has closed down its journalism scholar ship program for minority students. Newsweek has one black editor; Time magazine has none. Neither the Associated Press nor United Press International which are the major sources of news for, most people of this nation has a single black among its editors and bureau chiefs. Of 1 ,200 accredited Washington newspaper correspondents, fewer than a dozen are black. More than 99 of all newsppaer editors are white. ,, .' Coverage of black affairs by the major, lily-white press is worse. In New York City, for example, it has long been contended that though the city now has a black and Hispanic majority, one would never know it from reading the area's press except for the black press, of course. "Ignorance is closer to the truth than prejudice," is often said. The nation's lily-white press has displayed both ignorance and prejudice when it comes to covering black affairs and it is a close contest as to which approach has been further from the truth. Those on the trail-blazing "Freedom Rides" of the 1960's were castigated as "outside agitators." Today, blacks trying to disman tle the ugly edifice of apartheid in South Africa are labelled as "terrorists." So much for prejudice. On the other hand, they have ignored the massive outpouring of black anger and dissent against racism in this country, like the 100,000 strong march in Washington, D.C., on Martin Luther King's birthday; they have ignored the massive mobilizations against the murder of Atlan ta's black youth, e.g., the May 25 manifesta tion in Washington. They have ignored the recent lobby for jobs on Capitol Hill that posed affirmative action as a primary issue. So much for ignorance. Further, Janet Cooke objectively was forced to manufacture credentials because of (1) the racism that has barred blacks from the schools where they could get credentials and (2) the racism that permeates the hiring practices of the nation's lily-white press. The Janet Cooke affair smacks of scan dal. But let us be clear that the "scandal" in volves not this solitary individual but the racist pattern and practices of yet another major United States institution. Until more lawsuits "a full court press" and demonstrations are deployed against these flagrant violators of affir mative action laws, we will continue to be victims of their poison-tipped arrows of bigotry. The press should be pressed in (and all over) the courts until victories are wrung. It's Never Too LateTo Learn At Durham Technical Institute By Donald Alderman Adults are more dif ficult to teach than young people: Although they have more life experiences and may be highly motivated to learn, they have many different roles and responsibilities with competing demands upon their time; adult's may lack confidence in their ability to learnj-rand adulte'vaFy more from each other than young people do. Despite the challenges and difficulties of teaching adults, the Adult Education Program at Durham Technical In stitute is accomplishing the often rigorous task with flying colors. This is the situation, according to program director Ms. Xiome Boyce and several students who have com pleted the program. Ms. Boyce, a Dominican Republic native, talks proudly Of the program's success. She contributes the program's progress to "a fine staff and the very best instruc tors available." The four-part program includes: English as a Se cond Language(ESL), Adult Basic Education, (ABE), Adult High School Diploma (AHSD), and General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency. The ESL program of fers English studies to any non-English speaking per son. Most of the students 1 are professionals who are I studying or working in the 'he ABE nroeram of fers instruction to par ticipants from non-readers to the eighth grade level, j These participants must be ; I at least sixteen years of ! age. The AHSD and GED j .. programs offer high L.LschoiL: dinlarnas .... and ' equivalents to drop-outs; 'and persons who never at-, tended schooj, The AHSD is a short term program designed for students lack ing a few courses before being eligible to obtain a diploma. The GED allows persons to obtain a diploma equivalent star ting with the grade last completed. "At a time when you can't wash dishes without a diploma, the program is definitely a community asset," says Mike Perkins, an AHSD program graduate. Perkins and his wife, Luida, completed the program in less than one month. They talk openly about how the pro gram has enhanced their employment oppor tunities, and how it has strengthened their mar riage. The AHSD, Mike says, allows for a very flexible schedule. "1 wanted my diploma but I could not afford to stop work and go back to high school," he said. "This program allowed me to arrange my studies around my work." The program allows students to work at their pace. "There is not any pressure on you or deadlines. You work as fast or as slow as you, want," Mike says. Since completing the AHSD courses, Mike has left a local drink company; where he worked as a delivery salesman. He is 'xuTrently a" swtnniariager at a local fast food establishment. "That ad vancement would not have been possible without my diploma," he remarked. Besides obtaining a diploma and advancing in the job market, the couple say their participation in the AHSD program has also strengthened their marriage. Linda explains that Mike is good in math subjects while she is good in verba areas. "We were able to assist each other in our studies and as a result, we realized the importance of having a close relation ship," Linda explains. Mike plans to enroll in DTI's computer technology program this fall. Linda plans to attend also, but has decided upon a study area. They credit their success to the "wonderful" in structors within the" pro gram. "They really , take an interest in teaching adults," Mike says. Ms. Boyce says the adult education program actually recruits many students for the Institute. . "Many students "become ' interested in further studies once they have received their diploma. . Once adults build con fidence in themselves and , realize that it is never too late for learning, they tend to be highly motivated, she said. , Age should not be a deterrent to gaining and dtrcatiorr My. floyce says" I many persons in the AHSD and GED pro grams are "well past their : primes." the age range, she says, is from 18 to 65 years. Ms. Elizabeth Willis graduated from the GED course at age 56. She says being involved in the pro gram was "a truly rewar ding experience." "I've been a nurses' 1 aide for thirty years. I've always wanted to be a nurse. Now that I have my diploma, I have my chance, Ms. Willis said, while explaining how the program has enriched her life. . Ms. Willis plans to enroll in DTI's nursing program this fall. "I plan to go as far as my mind will allow me," she says. "I'm really excited and in spired by these marvelous teachers." She says being able to attend nursing school at age 56 is "a dream come true." "My life and way of thinking has changed. If I live to be ninetv, I will never get old." Besides the Lawson Street campus location, DTI's adult education program branches out into the Durham and Chapel :1 , Hill communities: warn ing drop-outs of the necessity of education; assisting the social and economically disadvantag ed in advancing their state; reaching the il Uterate and enabling them . to function in a complex society; and, promoting the human cause by demonstrating self determination through education. "North Carolina has an alarrrting illiterate popula tion. We try to reach these people with love and understanding," Ms. Boyce remarked. Several housing pro jects, recreation centers, junior high schools, and churches are involved in the program. Housing projects participating are: Morreene Road, Oxford Manor, Liberty Street, Hoover Street, Few Gardens, and Cornwallis Courts. Other Durham institu tions involved in the pro . gram axc;kDuke,JUniversi ty, Goodwill Industries, W.D. Hill Recreation Center, St. Joseph's Per forming Arts Center, Car rington Junior High, Operation Breakthrough, Guess Road Prison and Hillhaven Rose Manor. Chapel Hill participants are: University Methodist Church, Binkley Baptist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Church of Reconciliation, Culbreth Junior High and Phillips i Junior High. The student population is said to be 60 black and 40 white. An estimated 2,200 students were serviced during the 1980-81 sum mer, fall and winter quarters. This total does not include the 1981 spr ing quarter. Those figures have not been compiled since the quarter is just be ing completed. "We are providing one of the greatest services available to the communi ty," Ms. Boyce said. "It is never too late for anyone to decide to further their education, enhance their employment chances, and advance their socio economic state." Indeed, in these modern times of high technology, every one needs to be literate. Those skills are the foundation upon which all further learning is based. Helps Shrink Swelling Of Hemorrhoidal1 Tissues caused by inflammation Doctors have found a medica tion that in many cases gives prompt, temporary relief for hours from pain and burning itch in hemorrhoidal tissues, then helps shrink swelling of these tissues caused by inflammation. The name: Preparation H. No prescription is needed . Prepa ration H. Ointment and sup positories. Use only as directed. suppers! NAACP FREEDOM TAG DAY JUNE 13 Sam O V7; v;.V ; : , NN- VV i V -Q--" ' -7 Kit- M f, h p&m. ' ' - A X. " V I. - v. - . H - 1 . - . .. -1. . i- ll 1 mm m SWAPgHead Visits Zimbabwe Sam Nujoma, president of the South West AM H is Rreet by Dr. Witness pie's Organization (SWAru) or Namibia, arrives in i CrT5' ""r w rureign uiairs (right) and I Salibury, Zimbabwe at the start of Zimbabwe's Nami: Josnu Nkomo (left), Minister Without Portfolio. UPI freedom ain't foe CONTACT YOUR LOCAL NAACP BRANCH -OR- SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE NAACP 1790 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
June 13, 1981, edition 1
13
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75