Some days ago, a member of my family received !
a call from a young white woman who is curator of .
African art at New York's prestigious Metropolitan '
Museum. She wanted to know about Africa House
which I helped to incorporate several years ago in
New York State. .
Upon my recent return from abroad, I called her.
It sterns she wants permission ot use the Africa .
House name as a part of the Metropolitan. In my
conversation with her, I reiterated several times that
it was time Afro-Americans such as myself help
direct this type of identification inherent in the
name and purpose of our proposed Africa House. I
concluded our conversation with a promise that I
would talk to her in two months after I return
from another planned trip as an economist and
journalist. . ; ' ;: '" -.fv-:-"' r
However, I know deep in my psyche is that
somehow, we blacks must re-institute the thrust of r
the Africa House idea. So, I have called a black at
torney and a couple of friends with money to catch
up on the corporate taxes now due on Africa
House. In my opinion, it would be better to control .
the concept and help steer Metropolitan rathenthan
they monopolize sensitive relationships with bur
. African peoples, leaders and heritage.
In my opinion, American philanthropy, despite '
the pleadings of many distinguished black
Americans on all levels, has shied away from sup
porting gestures and symbols tying us to Africa.
Our original idea was to erect a prestigious
building, dubbing it Africa House. The distinguish
ed black American architect, Henri Legendre, ac
tually designed a structure. It included a museum,
exhibit halls, a library, meeting rooms, restaurants,
a theatefV office space, hotel rooms and apart
ments. It was to be backed by a responsible inter
racial board of governors and a board of trustees
' from both America and Africa. In this structure, a '.
permanent program to promote cultural exchange,
scholarships, education, forums, trade and com
merce would be administered through Africa
House. Rental of office space and profit revenues
from the hotel and apartments would insure a
i budget for the Africa House program.
I still pray we may achieve this objective a
physical building which could be a pride and joy for
Africans.
Africa House Idea Not New
j The late Marcus Garvey saw in Africa economic
1 salvation for black America and the Caribbean.
I This great visionary never got to go to Africa
! because he was betrayed by some whites, finally
1 prosecuted in bigoted courts, banished to Jamaica
where he died. Mn Garvey envisioned headquarters
in both the Cnited States and West Africa. The
depth of his dreams disturbed political and in
dustrial America. For they saw in his African con
fluence a great awakening of blacks who had an op
portunity engage in independent trade and com
merce. Mr. Garvey's' dedication and foresight is
haunting andchallenging.
Some old sages in Harlem have intrigued me with
facts that at least three groups dating back to the
late 30's, 4tfs and 50's actually put up store fronts
designated "Africa House". Another organization
actually acquire a brownstone building. One move
ment involving many members from past efforts ac
tually incorporated an Africa House but was forced
to let it go for a lack of funds.
Of late, the Harlem -j&evelopment Corporation
. (HDQ has gone a step further They have cpnceiv- .
A on fntrt-nnttnnal Trade. Center -destined io be
in an area which already includes the New'Yorkr,,rfrH
United Nations . ; V
Needed: A Symbol To Africa in the U.S.
By Curtis T. Perkins
State Office Building. HDC has- engaged a
distinguished correspondent, and traders and others -doing
business on the African continent to take
significant space in the Center. Other Third World
nations art also sought. HDCs structure was back-,
ed by the Carter Administration through the valiant :
leadership of Congressman Charles Rangel. In .
Washington, D.C., a very erudite group has also
begun a national museum to gather in African and
Afro-American antiquities, objects of art, artifacts
and historic memorabilia.
Certainly all of these stabs at connecting America -and
Africa in a substantive sense are lauditory.
I must ask do they go far enough to establish ,
respect and due recognition of Africa in our great
land. ' v. ;.:v,-"-i --V ;':.:.
Other Ethnics and Nationals
Var Ahead in Visibility and Clout
Strangely enough, when the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
needed a permanent building to avoid high rents, no .
one came to their rescue to donate such. New York
City will probably lose this movement. The
NAACP does employ scores of people, has a direct
interest in black people everywhere. It is good for
New York.
Yet, the national office of B'nai B'rith and its
subsidiary, the Anti-Defamation League, were
given the building near the United Nations which
formerly housed the Carnegie Peace Foundation
for many years. Further, the Jewish community has
a score or more headquarters which ihey own in
dividually which directly advance their image in
culture, religion and for Israel.
There is an English Speaking Union, A French
Society and museums for the Ukrainians, Irish,
American Indians, etc.
For decades, India House has been a mainstay in
the Wall Street area. Asia House is now a full-,
fledged tribute to this part of the world.
Japan House is a significant element in the
United Nations community. There is also a Nippon .
Club in New York City. The Pan-American Union
has long been in Washington.
Space will not permit me to note all of these ac
tive institutions who advance the causes of these
various peoples throughout our nation and around
the world.
Most of these establishments were made possible
by the generosity of the American people. It must
be fervently recognized, by us first of all, that
blacks who earned no wages during slavery and low
wages ever .since, have substantially contributed
therefore to individuals, institutions and corpora
tions, making their philanthropy possible.
In some instances, indirect subsidy , by U.S.
Government agencies and the Department of State, '
in particular, have promoted the efficacy of these
i 1 i, 1 1 ' i :
Crime
it , - in i i ,,
organization's. ...
Yet support for most things Afri-Americans push
to ally with Africa goes ignored or is starved out of '
existence. .-v". 4
, The late Dr. John W. Davis, a resident of my
town in New Jersey, recalled his experience in being
on the board of directors of a white dominated in
stitute purported mandated to help Africans. This
former college president, administrator for the AID
program in Africa under President Eisenhower and
an executive with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
. until his death, said two strange men always sat in
on the meetings of this organization. They had little
to say. But - Dr. Davis found out these were
operatives of the CIA and were using the movement
to gather information at the UN and in Africa. In ,
disgust, Dr. Davis quit the board.
Incidentally, this organization is still thriving,
with a white man in charge. -
When Richard Nixon was President, I sought .
funds for Africa House. One of his chief advisers,
Leonard Garment, promised to work out the re
quest. He never did, considering Watergate and
other distractions, We got nowhere with President
Gerald Ford either, although some highly placed
blacks were advising him on African affairs.
African-Black American Relations Difficult
A few months ago, Carl Of ford, the esteemed
publisher and editor of The Black American
lamented in an editorial, the lack of progress with
Africans although he had tried for almost a score of
years. Mr. Offord who carries more stories about
Africa than any other newspaper, said he hadfew
answers to this dilemma.
Many Africans at the UN and those laboring in
winning support against the ugly racism as
perpetrated by South Africa, say they are at a loss
as to why more black Americans don't join them
around the U.S. in their struggle.
Black entrepreneurs Constantly complain that
they are unable to effect meaningful and productive
deals with African governments or African traders.
They point out they all too often have to deal
with Asians and whites rather than indigenous
Africans and getting very little consideration from
these people.
Some black Americans blame the International
Division of the U.S. Department of Commerce who
favor white business men over blacks. The State
.Department is singled as having too few blacks in
influential posts in Africa advocating fairness for
black business people.
;.. Black professionals, especially lawyers, cite very
little work from African governments in the United
States. Black Americans engaged in executive
recruitment also gripe for not being allowed to sup
, ply black experts for Africa,
i Africans say blacks with money do not invest in
Africa, despite they have joint ventures thirsting for
black capital with good return and guaranteed
SATUmZAV, JVE 11. 1K2-TKS CAHCIXU TC3-1S
' American Committee on Africa, The position of his
i Committee and Judge .Booth personally against
: apartheid against Africans is knows throughout
America and the world.
Cross Roads Africa, founded by the late Rev,
James Robinson, precedes the Peace Corps and is '
; still building in a limited way; bridge to Africa.
David Rockefeller, the international banker, has
just spent some time in Africa. He decries as false
that many of .their political structures are com
munist. Mr. 'Rockefeller sees a great future for
" Africa which has vast natural resources needed by
' the industrial nations. . . .
Doudoa Diene, director of UNESCO for Liaison
with the" United Nations, is constantly policing
galleries and museums in having African antiquities
returned to .their countries of origin. Mr. Diene is
meeting signal success. Who know, many of his i
finds may be assembled some day and displayed all
over America.
Dr. John Henrik.Clarke and Dr. Ben Johannon,
two noted black American historians who teach at
prestigious colleges, along with others are making
an impact -with true African history and
achievements. These great scholars are creating a
Renaissance in giving Africans credit for con
tributing to civilisation. They are in constant de
mand on television and radio talk shows, as well as
lectures throughout America.
Randall Robinson, executive director of Trans '.
Africa, is making his mark in Washington in behalf
of African heeds and aspirations. Mr.- Robinson is
moving steadily as a lobbyist for Africa.
With the prestige of the United Nations behind
them, the South West Peoples Organization
(SWAPO) keeps a steady vigil for the independence
of Namibia. The African National Congress (ANQ
works diligently in winning friends against the
South African government. The Pan-Africanist
Congress of Azania goes courageously forward
warning Americans of hatred and denial in South
yVfricsi
POLISARIO, although controversial in the
Organization of African Unity, is proving its cause
for complete independence.
The Organization of African Unity (OAU) with
the aid of a black real estate firm has acquired its
own building for its Mission to the UN.
The black press is carrying more stories about
Africa.
One has to take hope in these various activities by
these disparate organizations.
There has to be imaginative coordination beyond
official Africa if its 250,000,000 people are to take
their proper economic status in the world. The
United States is a powerful nation and Africa and
its friends have to lobby America to proVide ade
quate aid for development and make the South
Africa government treat its black majority in a
civilized manner with the principles of one man,
one vote. Namibia needs its independence now.
Finally, black Americans must seek economic op
portunity outside the United States because the
U.S. establishment does not seem willing or in
terested in accepting us or permitting us to make
gains. Africa is a possible avenue, A few whites
with compassion will support liaison along with us
to relate to Africa.
The Tri-Lateral Commission, the Foreign Policy
Association and various mechanisms provide whites
untold influence.
So, Africa House, Inc., or a similar concept has
government protection.
The truth is verv little mutual cooperation exists
between Afro-Americans, and Africans, Successful . to be ushered into being and nurtured until it gives
GRE
GO
YHOUND
FOR
COMFORT
plaguing our society. However, we must
not attempt to balance the Federal budget
by destroying the crime fighting capability
of our law enforcement agencies.
Reducing crime will take a concerted ef
fort by professional crime fighters and the
community. However, any. lasting reduc
tion in crime will necessitate revitalization
of our community improving our
schools, strengthening small business,
cleaning up our streets, and creating jobs.
Let us work together to reduce this
scourge of our neighborhoods.
blacks in the oil business are kriown tOlhave struck
out making deals with African nations who have
oil. ..
Some times expectations are too high. Most
African governments are awfully poor. Many black
Americans have good ideas but little cash to
undergird their projects with Africa. Both looking
to the other often end up blaming the other.
It would be that Africa House, with an efficient
leader and staff, could help resolve these conflicts
and guide black America and Africa to reciprocal
achievement.
There Is Hope
Judge William Booth is president of the
Africans 1 and " Afro-Americans -common purposes
and goals.
'-. The money to build this monument is out there.
The foundations must do their share and so must
black Americans with their pittance. The Arabs
with means from oil must invest in African growth
and black American salvation. For within their
borders dwell many black faces who, too, have kin
dred spirit with all concerned.
Africa House must be controlled by black
Americans and Africans and those in the Carib
bean. Africa House is possible.
I-
Mozambique
(Continued from Page 13)
AND
RELAXATION.
concentrated.
Mozambique officials
stress that the country is
seeking assistance from
both East and West and
point to the Portuguese
gift as evidence that
repeated approaches to
the West are bearing
fruit. Last month,
Mozambique signed a
military cooperation
agreement with NATO
member Portugal and a
$170 million railway
rehabilitation aid accord
with France, Portugal
and Canada.
At about the same
time; a senior Mozam
bican delegation visited
Moscow and a high-level
Soviet Military team was
in Mozambique,
No details arc
available, but it is believ
ed that agreement has
been reached for . the
Soviets to supply more
sophisticated weapons
than in the past.
vestment. Machcl who
visited Italy last year, is
planning a trip to
France, Holland, and
possibly Britain.
Minister of Information
Jose Louis Cabaco has
Mfwamhinue nlans to just completed a tour of
gain Western aid and in- the United States.
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ST. THERESA
REDEVELOPMENT
PLAN PUBLIC HEARING
4
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3 H
69 g
A
And leave the driving to us.
when: Monday. June zi , 1 9BZ votiti!?J
uiucdf, rih. n ...... ..11 ik.ii. Pit.. uu M Pit ull v Wv ,
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TIME: 7:30 P.M. ,
The Durham City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on
the proposed amendments to the Redevelopment Plan for the St. Theresa
Neighborhood Strategy Area. The project is bounded by Baxter Street on the
north, east to Fargo Street, Fargo Street northwest to Hillside Avenue, South
Street south to Chestnut Street and east to Roxboro Road; Roxboro Road on the
east, south to Piedmont Avenue, Piedmont Avenue east to Fayetteville Street
south to the W. D. Hill Recreation Center; the Recreation Center west to Hillside
Park, Sawyer Street north to Umstead Street; Umstead Street west to the
railroad tracks and the railroad tracks north to Baxter Street. A map indicating
this boundary is available.
The proposed amendments will be presented .at the public hearing by city
staff, and citizens will have the opportunity to comment on the amendments.
' Interested citizens are urged to ajtend this public hearing.
Copies of the proposed amendments to the Redevelopment Plan are available
for public inspection in the Planning and Community Development Department,
2nd floor, City Halt. Also, the Planning and Community Development staff ire
available tb explain tie proposal to anyonewho may be interested, j
' For mora Information, call the Planning and Community Development Depart
ment at 633-4137. , ...
The tvolinaJTJflies: June It.end 18, 1982
Life continually renews it serf. Her happiness is reflected
in your eyes. It is a day for smiles, your daughter's wedding
day., ..
As she arid your brand-new son-in-law begin tfleir adven
ture together, (living happily ever after, we hope) opening
up a brand new instant cash overdraft protection checking
account in that new family name seems like a great wedding
gift. Or, a new interestchecking account plan, or any one
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Here's to health, wealth and happiness!
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