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1S-TKE CAROLINA TIKES SAT., JANUARY 16, 1S32 . TVJorfin T lithor TCIna Tr ' , 1929 -1960 s- 1 TheLegacy f ! EDITOR'S NOTE: We must not forget or forsake Dr. King's dream. .America has not yet reached the point, that "justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" for all of her citizens. America's very sur vival and certainty her survival as a great nation depends on her efforts toward that end. But there are those in powerful positions today who do not recognize the damage their personal prejudices aredoing to our country: Who knows but what we, who have suffered the countless indignities she continues to heap upon us, are not here to save her. Our reason for being here could very well be this great task. : v , . Following is Dr. King 's famous speech delivered on A ugust 28, 1963 during the historic March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom before some 2 1 0,000 people: -.- '. .. '.: . .. ;, .,. . : :,' 5 To Be Equal Jordan Made A Difference By John E. Jacob E 'I Have A Dream 99 Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a the flames of withering injustice. It came as a Joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. Y . ' . r . KI . But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadley crip-' pled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in. his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condi tion. '7-"", ''- :,....r-.,:.r,jr--- -.- In asense, we have come to our nation's Capital to cash a check. When the architects of oiu republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and thrpursuit of happiness. -.--.- .. . , ' It is obvious toda that America has defaulted on this promissory note in sofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring -this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check; a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this" hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of NOW. This is no tirtfe to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the iranquilizing drug of gradualism. NOW is the time to make real the promises of Democracy. NOW is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. NOW is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. NOW is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. ( It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent 4will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. 1963 is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content; will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizen ship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. ' But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshbld which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place" we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom bv drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulf ed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom I jWe cannot walk alone, And as we walk, we must make thiUedee that we shall march ahead. We' wnen wur,you'UCsau$iiear'' wecari never wsausiieu as luug-us vi? ncgru is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutalityWe can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for Which to vote No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. - I am hot unmindfuNhat some of. you have come here oyt of great trials and' tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. ; Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not walldw in the valley of despair. 1 say to you. today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustra tions of the moment I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. - i? I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true . meaning of its creed: "We hqld these truths to be self-evident; that all men are. created equaj." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveholders will be able to sit down together at ' the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppressionwill be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. ... I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. -. , ' I have a dream today. 1 have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains, and the crooked places w ill be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be reveal ed, and all flesh shall see it together. - : ; i - This is our hop-;. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith werwill be able to hew but of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. This will .be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new Tearing ' My. country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, , Of thee I sing: ' ( ; Land where my fathers died, , ' , 5 n Land of the pilgrim's pride, t- ,,' From every mountain-side - - , Let freedom ring. ' . , And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! r ; Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! i, ' j , Let freedom ring front the curvacious peaks of California! - ' , , But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! ; Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring. When we let freedom ring, when we, let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Pro testants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the olu Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" - . , ...., .-."h is fitting that. this, my first To Be Equal column, be devoted to the man who has, for the past ten years written this column Vernon Jordan.' I was somewhat amused to find newspaper and broadcast accounts of his - resignation from the presidency of' the" National Urban League describing Ver-' non Jordan as a "black leader". The appellation is an indication of the nation's Obsession with defining the limits on black achievement. Jordan, of course, is a "leader", with no qualifiers necessary. J never see the term "white leader" used, so why limit the scope of 1 national leaders who happen to be black? Yes, Jordan was a major spokesman for civil rights but his leadership ranged ' beyond that to advocacy for all of America's poor and disadvantaged. The organization he headed, the National Ur ban League, has its roots in the black community. But it also serves other minorities. and addresses issues of vital importance to all citizens of all races, issues such as the fate of urban America. It was Vemon Jordan's hard task to be an advocate for policies that help minorities and the cities during a period when the national mood was slipping into what he called "the new negativism". - Many people who supported desegrega tion in the South were now fighting it in their own home towns. Ardent civil rights supporters drifted away to other causes and other movements, or simply dropped out of the fight for social change. , Jordan's leadership Spanned the period of Nixon's "benign- neglect," the flounderings of the Ford and Carter Ad ministrations, and the current Ad ministration's overt hostility to long standing social and civil rights gains. Civil rights leadership in thsixties also had a tough fight, but then the enemies were clearly .identifiable v- segregation laws, howling mobs, and club-wielding bullies in sheriffs uniforms. The enemies of the seventies were deeply rooted in tangibles like inflation, ' a sluggish economy, and irrational fears. Victories were harder to come by as the national consensus in favor of greater equality melted away and as economic stagnation eroded gains in . employment and much else. The shrinking nation economic pie made people meaner, more selfish, less willing to open opportunities for groups previously excluded. ' Despite that negative turn Vernon pressed on, holding 'successive Ad ministrations and the society as a whole accountable to America's ideals and con stitutional guarantees. His forceful ad vocacy raised high a flag of protest around which others could rally. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Vernon Jordan made a difference. He made a dif- ference in his articulate advocacy. And he made a difference in expanding oppor- r tunities for many people even in a time of national withdrawal. '; His vehicle was the agency he headed, rebuilt and honed to a greater state of ef - ficiencyi the National Urban League. It is too little recognized that each year some ' one and a half million people come to Ur ban League offices in search, of jobs, training opportunities, health care, hous ing and other concerns, and for aid and counsel. . ' ,,.' 1 - 'V;- ri'Srv 'V Vernon's career spanned jhe Jtrighten ing days of southern resistance to civil rights when he con f ronted raw power and defeated it through the even greater power of the raw; the exhilarating days of civil rights victories in which he was' responsi ble for registering some two million southern blacks whose voting rights had been denied; through the war on poverty, and distinguished service in behalf of the black colleges V. - ; - Capping that extraordinary career with a decade of leadership at the National Ur ban League, he now moves on to the prac tice of law, something he has always wanted to do. Given his eloquent ad vocacy skills, I know he will be a great success. With his great leadership skills, , Vernon Jordan will continue to be a positive force in our natiori. Poland's Anti-Worker Crackdown Bayard Rustin A. Philip Randolph Institute A military junta has taken power in Poland, suspended civil liberties, and moved with force and violence against the Polish people. Th$ declaration 0f a "state of war" by General Wojciech Jaruzelski is a clear indication of the bankruptcy of the Communist system in that country. Today Poland is an occupied country. It is a country occupied by Polish troops but commanded and armed by the Soviet Union. Make no mistake about it, Poland has been invaded r but from within. Yet despite - the brutal ,k provocations of Poland's Military junta, the Polish people and 5 their free trade union movement, . I visited Poland last April and met with a large number of .Solidarity leaders and rank-and-file Polish workers. Most of the men and women with whom I spoke ex hibited a great deal of level-headedness and a profound absence of fear. They were not radicals hell-bent on seizing state power. More importantly. Solidarity's leaders were keenly aware of the weight of their responsibility to millions of members. Solidarity may have been born out of conflict but it functioned and thriv ed because of its capacity and willingness jo compromise. It was the government's unwillingness to strive for true com promise that led to the recent declaration of martial law, Solidarity; have ' exhibited remarkable restraint and rikrinline. Renorti rcachinc 'waho.Wei..iAdiCate,4ha SolidarUydersti passive resistance and. not to respond with - Approximately ninety , per cent violence to government violence. Despite the virtual cutoff of informa tion about what is occurring in Poland the few reports which are succeeding In penetrating ' the tight security cordon around, that country suggest that the 'strike movement is spreading and that Solidarity's call for a general strike is be- - ing heeded. terests and aspirations of the people. It is they, rather than General Jaruzelski and the military junta, who are the embodi ment of the Polish national will. '.. As I write this, strikes continue to erupt in POland. The Polish workers defy orders to return to work, knowing full well that in their peaceful defiance they risk imprisonment or death. If the news blackout imposed by the Polish government has not been lifted by the time you read this it will be an ominous sign that Poland is in the midst of a national catastrophe created by the Polish military junta. Whatever the out come of the momentous events now un folding in that country, it is clear that i z t '- i nor j fun ncaitr rx iriia naar0 ann cpmiriiu of the speecn"ana association are denied to tne union's 9.5 million members participated in this process, which Was the first nation wide, democratic election held ; in that country since the imposition of Com munist rule. ' .- ' Without ; question, the leaders of Solidarity, together with the leaders oflhe Catholic church, represent the true in- men and women who till Poland's soil. build its cars and tractors, and toil at its foundries. No one can predict; what will happen in Poland; but I believe that no wave of repression. nO matter how severe, can thwart the Polish people's desire to live in freedom. ' 1 Meeting Black Housing Needs : ' S Urban Enterprise Zone? William R, Morris, ASPC Washingion Housing Consultant Ronald Reagan has yet to fulfill his campaign promise to ' "move immediately" on urban enterprise zones, but with major tax ; and budget bills behind him, the White House is expected to focus on this issue early': in! the new year. The President has-embraced the idea. Congressmen of all ideological per suasions hve lined up to CQspensor the legislation. Such varied groups as the Heritage Foundation and NAACP, Sears, Roebuck and th4 Urban Coalition, Con trol Data Corporation and jthe Congres sional Black Caucus have taken a strong and generally positive interest in it. - The enterprise zone concept seems to have attracted nearly universal support because it promises to "greenline" rather than "redline" some of the country's worst neighborhoods," to substitute en trepreneurial capital for government han douts, and to open paths for blacks long closed out of mainstream economic op portunities. ' V'"; ', '., '. ' . What kind of areas, in what cities, will be eligible for enterprise zone designa tions? A White House Cabinet Council is considering testing the concept jn.75 loca tions over the next three years : The Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop ment, under legislation now before Con gress (H.R. 3824) would be authorized to approve 10-25, new zones per year for at least three years, with: each zone lasting until the year 200).. And an increasing number of states are canit9iJ-5- n what ; most folks . . iuea oy giving themselves the flexibility to set up zones in areas Washington probably won't con sider. . J - The common characteristic of all these plans is tax abatement or credit against, in come tax liability. Firms that, agree to locate pr expand in such zones and hire local workers would be rewarded with reduced corporate, payroll and capital gains taxes. In addition, local govern ments would be expected to lower proper ty taxes and other levies , Under the proposed Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act, sponsored bv Reps. Jack Kemp and Bob Garcia, selected cities would designate parts of; their com munities for economic revitalization. ; Low-income rental .housing will be con sidered a qualified business eligible for the samel tax benefits open to other zone businesses plus an investment tax credit of , fifteen per cent. The bill would require a preference, to city applications which demonstrate the greatest amount of com munity support. The Administration's plan, it has been reported, would t require local govern ments to involve community organzations in their programs. Called 5 'Neighborhood . Enterprise Associations' - these organiza tions would be HUD-approvediaX ex empt entities Owned by the area residents . who will share in the zones financial sue- , cess. It is thought this will help remove the fear of rising property values which can lead to displacement of zone residents and small businesses. , Eight states have already passed their , own version of enterprise zone plans. These are Connecticut, Delaware, , Florida, Illinois, ; Indiana, Maryland, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Louisiana has ' gone so far as to create a "rural" as well ' as urban . ? enterprise zone program. Altogether,4 over seventy bills have been introduced in state legislatures. One problem encountered with these plans, and of growing concern to blacks, , ; is that a brand new cadre of urban plan ners'have taken over the urban revitaliza lion process; they decide what sort of in""' Centives are sufficient to attract private in vestments to slam, areas, largely without v... the ;! participation " of area residents. Another concern frequently stressed by . local elected officials is the heed for up- ' front capita! assistance from the federal government for small businesses to locate in enterprise zones. .-. ' Given the limited number of zones to be designated, the competition will be fierce and cities, in their rush JO be selected , may . well be tempted to overlook or com- i promise the. needs of minority and poor residents in such areas. In the view of some experts, it also is not certain whether the substantial tax incentives provided by the program will actually alleviate press-, ing social and racial problems in cities or' simply move them - into other neighborhoods. And there is a fear that a move to" enterprise zones will make it easier for the Reagan Administration to "zero out" existing programs, like com munity development grants, already suf fering deep cuts. . ( f v , ' Because enterprise zones will almost y always be located in communrtierwhere j (Continued on Page 19) North Carolina Black Publishers Association t ' . L.E. AUSTIN Editor-Publisher 1927-1971 fuSPS 091-380 . ' Published ivery Thursday (dated Saturday) (except the week following Christmas) in Durham. N.C., by United Publishers. Incorporated. Mailing address: P.O. Box 3825. Durham. N.C. 27702-3825. Olfice located at 923 Old Fayetteville Street. Durham. NX. 27701. Second Clasi PosUge paid at Durham. North Carolina 27702. POSTMASTER: Send CAROLINA TIMES. P Q 27702-3825. -. . .. : ; .' ". - address changes to THE Box 3825. Durham. N.C. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One year. $12.00 (plus 48c sales tax lor North Carolina residents). Single copy 30c, Postal regulations REQUIRE advance pay ment on subscriptions. Address all communications and make all checks payable (e: THE CAROLINA TIMES. NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Amalgamated Publishers. Inc 45 West 45th Street. New Verk. New York 10036, ' . . Member: United Press International Photo Service. National Newspaper Publishers Association. North Carolina Black Publishers Association. Opinions expressed by columnists in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the policy of this newspaper. This newspaper WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE or the return et unsolicited pictures. -
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