Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / March 8, 1984, edition 1 / Page 4
Part of Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, 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
r LPage A4-The Chronicle, Thursday, March 9, 1984 Winston-Salem Cly^oiyc^e Founded 1974 ERNEST H. PITT , PuMisAer NDUBIS1 EGEMONYE ALLEN JOHNSON Co-Founder Executive Editor ELAINE L. PITT JOHN SLADE Office Manager Assistant Editor T\ A 1 1 Brewing trouDie Run as many "Coors To You" commercials as they might, the folks who brew the "Best of the Rockies" will have a hard time countering the racist statements of their chief executive. William K. Coors displayed an incredible combination of nerve and ignorance recently by telling a minority business group in Denver that African blacks are "intellectually inferior" and that slave traders ultimately did America's black populace a favor by importing slaves to America. "One of the best things they did for you is to drag your ancestors over here in chains," Coors said. Among Coors' other gems of wisdom was that black African countries encounter economic problems because thev simnlv aren't smart enotich to manaee such matters. "It is nbt that the dedication among blacks is less," Coors said. "In fact, it's greater. They lack the intellectual capacity to succeed and it's taking them down theTubes."^ Coors has had its image problems among black Americans before but had ameliorated them somewhat recently by becoming more involved in the black community. For instance, the brewery now sponsors the major athletic events of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the oldest black athletic league in the nation that includes such institutions as Morehouse College and Tuskegee Institute. And it has assumed a higher profile in the sponsorship of nonathletic events in the black community as well. Still, no matter how much money Coors giftwraps for black causes, and no matter how many smiling black faces it sprinkles in its advertising, the garish insensitivity of its head man is something those of you who drink beer ought to consider during your next purchase. A prominent Los Angeles minister, the Rev H. H. Brookins of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was enraged. "That kind of reference in 1984 shows that racism is not just still alive," Brookins said concerning Coors' statements, "but it's blatant." Brookins also admonished "all right-thinking people to stop drinking Coors beer." Whether Coors' remarks will spark a national boycott of his product remains to be seen. A public apology, at this writirtg, had not been tendered, and John T. McDonald, , head of the Los Angeles NAACP,T joined Brookins in urging black consumers not to drink Coors beer. Our advice to Coors is to enroll with all due haste into somebody's black history course, think before he speaks, and let the black community know in no uncertain terms that he is sorry for what he said. Otherwise, he'll wind up brewing more trouble than beer. Crosswinds Number two From The Louisana Weekly. According to a Gallup poll released in the last two weeks ago, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson is now the number two man in the seven-man race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The fact that Rev. Jackson is now running second nationally, just slightly ahead of Ohio Sen. John Glenn, is not a surprise. He has been increasing his appeal among the electorate ever since his individual initiative in Syria gained the release of Navy Lt. Robert O. Goodman, who had been held prisoner after his aircraft was shot down on a bombing run over Lebanon, and after fine showings on two nationally televised debates among the candidates. Jackson^-also 4hemost-exciting of the Democratic candidates with his revival-style oratory, his way of turning a flashy phrase, and his charismatic presence; people are drawn to him wherever he goes. But the media have already made too much of those_attributes ~ the real essence of the Jackson appeal is his touching on important American issues in a fresh and non-political way, as well as his call for a "Rainbow Coalition" of Americans who want to see their country move closer to its ideals. His second place showing, his surprising support among whites in New England, where he has been campaigning hard, however, have increased the hazards of his run for the nomination. Not only has he been harassed with death threats from white supremacists (two Jefferson Parish men were recently released from charges of threatening the candidate's life), but he has also been attacked off the level of his background. Recently, an issue was made of the non-issue of Operation PUSH receiving $200,000 in contributions from a confederation of Arab states. (It was a non-issue because the contributions were quite legal.) And a rumor that Rev. Jackson was alleged to refer to Jews as "Hymies" and New York City as "Hymietown" persisted in the media, even though the candidate vehemently denies this and no reporters traveling with him have ever heard him utter the epithet. (Note: Jackson later admitted that he did use the term in private conversation.) Please see page A5 * * tto uew/ i'tosmrt.' i'm 6m?y/ tjavta&t.' i i'w CUM!, i'to wee/ j'to gm?y/ l'to Wc( i fr? Ben Chavis: By CLIFTON GRAVES Chronicle Columnist Dare to struggle, all of you who are oppressed; dare to take a stand for liberty. Confront the unrighteous; halt the oppression. Be not afraid to speak out for justice; do not remain silent to inhumanity. Learn to organize your people; teach the right way of liberation. Dare to struggle, all you who are oppressed; dare to see the everlasting light of freedom. For almighty God, our creator, has made the way clear. -"Psalm 46" from "Psalms from Prison " by the Rev. Benjamin Chavis Ben Chavis, one who has truly paid Hie rlll^C mft/iftrn-aau nrAnViAt rtnn Ititf Vtuvvj f tllVfVIVl a~MUJ pi V/pilVl) V/I1V whose incarceration and subsequent liberation has been likened to Daniel in the lion's den, civil and human rights activist, theologian, the living legacy of Bishop Richard Allen and the Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, of the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Wanted: BY DR. MANNING MARABLE Quest Columnist Ronald Reagan may be the best organizer of progressive Americans in history. Reagan isn't just carrying out policies which hurt the elderly or harm the environment Nor ic hic aH. ministration satisfied merely with destroying the lives of millions of unemployed people, blacks and Hispanics. The Reaganites want nothing less than the destruction of the most basic economic and social gains achieved by the overwhelming majority of American people over the past half century. And in their vicious and racist contempt for us, they have brought about the basis for a powerful anti-Reagttn-eeaHtiottrLook at their criminal record on human services. Since Reagan was elected, over six million people have fallen below the poverty level. One out of every four Hispanics live in poverty, while 36.2 percent of all Afro-Americans are poor. Seventy percent of all of Reagan's budget cuts have targeted the poor, and funding for programs which help low-income families this year is almost 30 percent oeiow iv?i tundings levels, since 1982, 700,000 families have been dropped from the Aid to Families SHOULD Stuck vt out nw l?&ano/ \ ft , DAfsesH I >A YOUNG/ aji \S THIS 0N6 c NGW P6PSI A PI oX mm/ : His struggle and Bishop Henry McNeil Turner, of the Rev. Martin Luthej: King Jr. and Minister Malcolm X. Yes, friends, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is someone special. For the record, in October 1972, Ben Chavis, eight black high school leaders and a white woman were convicted on perjured and bribed testimony of "unlawful burning" and "conspiracy to assault" as a result of in- HKHHf tense conflict in 1971 in Wilmington, N.C. The 10 ' were sentenced CNIm Qnvet to a combined total of 282 years in prison. With the subsequent parole of tVio 111hita mnmon (Via Atkarp UaonmA 111V nimw TT Vllioilf UIV UIIIW1 J UVvCllllv internationally known as the 44Wilmington 10." In 1980, after dearly a decade of political and legal struggles, with millions of dollars and hours expended on petitions, rallies and marches demanding that the state and federal governments end the racist cover-up liance for jus with Dependent Children and another 260,000 had their benefits cut. Three million children have been dropped from the school lunch program. The situation in civil rights is even worse. Reaganites originally fought against tne renewal or tne voting Rights Act. The administration opposes school desegregation and affirmative action. Only one black works in a senior executive position, and Reagan has even tried with partial success to wipe out "Republican and Democratic members of the Civil Rights Commission who oppose his "Only one black works in a Reagan has even tried with Republican and Democratic me mission who oppose his racist / racist policies. There were only eight women in his first 116 judicial oppointments, and only 19 of the first 400 top administrative appointments were blacks. Many progressives recognize, however, that the electoral defeat of Ronald Reagan is not enough to turn the tide of political reaction, sexism and racism, which is an integral part of Reaganism. We have to develop linkages between rnnctitn#nri*c which have been victimized by the brutalities of the present administraall we needed was. ntose force amd mocestfts... 5 '"f ^ \ , vikuo*! , wow/. w tSft >F TUOSfc I! PS? ~ || \ | i continues against the 4110," their conviction was overturned by the Fourth Circuit . Court of Appeals. Yes, the Wilmington 10 were freed, but the scars of0 their struggle remain, just as the scars of their wrongful conviction and incarceration will forever mar this state's legal and political history. Yet, far from being reactionary or negatively bitter over his gross and inhumane mistreatment, Chavis has channeled his considerable energies into more constructive ventures. These have included pursuing and earning master's and doctorate's degrees, being named deputy director of the United Church of Christ's Commission For Racial Justice,being the catalyst behind the formation of the National Black Independent Political Party, marrying the beautiful and talented former Felicia Cassells, completing the inspiring recollections of his prison experiences titled "Psalms From Prison," and most recently, being asked by the Rev. Jesse Jackson to spearhead the national "Clergy for Jqckson" : presidential election committee. It was for the latter reason that Chavis returned to his home state^ast week to inspire and motivate black folk and other folk of conscience to Please see page A5 tice in '84 tion - women, blacks, labor, the unemployed, low-income people, Hispanics and others. The general focus we must take is to maximize voter registration, education and mobilization efforts within these groups. A group of national leaders and organizations have called for a yearlong campaign to mobilize this majority of Americans - 4 4Alliance For Justice In *84.*1 Their goal is to force the presidential candidates of both parties to discuss meaningful issues -44jobs, peace, freedom" - which were senior executive position, and partial success to wipe out mbers of the Civil Rights Compolicies. " 1????????? ???I??M ?W * elevated by last summer's magnificent March on Washington, D.C. The Alliance For Justice has already met in 25 cities and has engaged at local levels in educational work in churches and neighborhood centers, sponsoring forums for the presidential candidates where they are forced to address the issues, and organizing voter registration and education drives. The Alliance For Justice's list of endorser^ represents a diverse coaliPlease see page A5 BUT HAG PCeSlDENT'S HANDS weee tied by the PEACENIK, WEAK-WEED NEftfeUSNELLIES IN... ' r Chronicle Letters Sharing our black heritage To The Editor: (This letter was addressed to Ernest Pitt, thej?ublisherj My class and 1 would like to thank you for speaking to us during Black History Month. Many of us had not realized just how important this event is. There were a lot of things you told us that we didn't know, such as "comon inventions" around the home that were invented by blacks. Thank you again for sharing with usvKelly Horton 1 Carver High School A Job Well-Done To The Editor: I'm writing this letter in order to congratulate ivis. tiaine r. Browne and the Student Union Program Board of Winston-Salem State University for a job well-done. This year, I was fortunate enough to finally hear the Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. speak as a visitor during Black History Month on the campus. He was a very inspiring speaker, who possesses the leadership necessary to inspire and motivate today's youth. Again, 1 would like to congratulate the board for a job welldone. May God continue to bless Winston-Salem State University so that it may grow and educate young black students like Mr. Chavis and others. Veronica L. Bitting Winston-Salem A Good Gesture To The Editor: (This letter was addressed to Ernest Pitt, the publisher J The Chronicle's awards luncheon held on Friday, Feb. 17, was interesting, entertaining and very well-planned. There were no signs of boredom on any faces. The ovations given the honorees were gracious, and every speaker was superb. I am elated over the progress that the Chronicle has made. Many, many others share my enthusiasm. The meal was delicious and the music was soul-stirring. It's been a long time since I've had that much enjoyment. May your paper have continued success. (I'm sure it will). If there is anything I can do in my feeble way, please don't hesitate to call on me. Thank you for the invitation. (Mrs.) Hattie G. Tanner Winston-Salem Kudos To The Editor: (This letter was addressed to ***** *&rm$rf*ttt;TJwpttbiisker.) Please allow me to extend to you, Elaine Pitt, Allen Johnson and your entire staff our belated congratulations on two counts, - first on your having led your newspaper to the enviable goal of being named North Carolina's most outstanding weekly newspaper. This is a most significant attainment, especially since it does not stipulate "Most Outstanding Black KT AlllC *% A I Ua rirt ? rl J n . i lit sianuai us yuu Please see page A5 it THE P6NTA6ON fy> U)? x |5 ilvn \
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 8, 1984, edition 1
4
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75