Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Aug. 29, 1985, edition 1 / Page 15
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I T.WfflardF a white couch, black carpet and deep-red curtains, Fair, a beardI ed, shaven-headed Isaac Hayes I look-a-like, was at home. I Fair said his branch of the Urban League is considered a 4'stepchild" by the national office. For I example, two years ago, The I Miami Urban League was put out I of the National Urban League for refusing to pay national dues. According to Fair, he couldn't see sending money to New York and not getting any services in return. A year later, the national office changed the rules. The Miami Urban League was reinstated. "We challenged the system," said Fair. "We went all the way." Going all the way is more the rule than the exception for Fair. For 22 years Fair has headed the Miami Urban League and for 22 years he and the organization have been one and the same. "The Urban League tends to take on the disposition of the president," said Fair. "If he is humble and meek, the institution will be humble and meek. Historically, the Urban League , has been an institution of White America to keep Black America in its place. Most presidents refuse to give the institution any form. Most should be closed tomorrow. They serve no purpose." Fair continued: "The Urban League is the conscience of White America. The Urban League is a nice institution; it's not militant. White America said 'Let's help them. They walk like us, they talk like us ... What better institution than the Urban League?' " But despite what Fair calls an unfortunate ^beginning for the Urban League, he refuses to continue to be guided by white corporate dollars. -"I'm not looking JFor White America to underwrite the proinniwiin?nmn?mni?nnmmiMwmiinnmniimnii Newregistri ( MltHllllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllMlllllltllllWfltttMIMf within seven days of the date the p In the past, the NAACP has use special registration clerks. The cl conduct voter-registration drives a churches and night clubs, Marsha] Not having the additional clerl number of new registered voters, "They are trying to make it h? register," said Marshall. "The boa be in the business of making regist should be. We tried to cooperate Board of Elections) and told them were any problems. But they didn The Board of Elections has ap] registration clerks for the NAAC1 of Women Voters. Because of a law, the number of special regist each party has been increased to 1 The county already has approxic ? registrars, said Graham. He said round at each or the city-county h library and colleges. In addition, been submitted by the Republican parties, Graham said. A Very Good Gome To Th Me You know Pri you 10 get to agent in your professional insurance ne Homeowners And I'm back the largest in country-Pru< So if person* important to ?to help. William J. I Office: (919) Residence: (9 The Prudential J I air From Pag? A1 grams of the Miami Urban League unless it's on our terms," said Fair, flashing one of his customary, full-mouthed smiles. "In Miami, we are not depending on white folk to keep the Urban League alive. We lose money, but money is not important because it can be replaced." Fair's stance has not won him many friends. In 1968, a study was commissioned in Miami to sec who would be the most likely person to start and stop a riot. Fair was number one on both lists. But during the May 1980 riots, Fair said he was at the golf course. "White folk expected me to be out there to stop the riot," said Fair. "I resented that." Fair's relationship with his own board of directors has been strained, too. For instance, Fair _1 A * 1 ? .1 ^ was cnasusea oy tne jewisn members of his board for sitting on-stage with Louis Farrahkan when the Muslim leader came to Miami. And he said he's been fired more than 300 times. Fair's relationship with Vernon Jordan, the former National Urban League head, often resulted _ in heated exchanges. "In the early '70s I told Vernon Jordan that the movement would self-destruct," said Fair. "Nobody listened. Now CORE is dead and the NAACP is on its last leg. We are not prepared to take the risks required to wake up black Americans to support us. What is required to make a black person become a member of the NAACP is contrarv to what th* RJRs and Haneses want to hear. White America doesn't want to hear the truth." Fair said he does and says what he does and says because somebody has to be willing to stand up. "If it's right, it has to be said," said Fair. "If it's wrong, it has to be challenged. And if it's in the best interest of black folk, you have to be willing to die for it." ition policy >erson registered. "We don't wi 5d more than 100 registering peop erks are used to won't do it right t shopping malls, them. 11 said. "If we sec w< ks may limit the don't need thou he s. Marshall said ird for people to ther complaints ird is supposed to Tisdale. ration easy like it 5 with them (the + to tell us if there ? t." ?THIS LITTl , ?LITTLE GIF proved 24 special ^ She'll love joinii * and the League ^ Tinkerbeii win send h chance in a state * e' Lnange in a State ? certificate Tinkert* ration clerks for * Newsletter from Tink I ? poster * Tinkerbeii b ' ? stickers * Tinkerbeir . ? , * * and more! nately 600 special 'j^.^assoopiu, registrars can be to: T?nkerbe? Far . , , , . York, New York. 10101. lgn schools, each ?only. Do not send casl 100 names have *T1NKERBELLN and Democratic * I Reason To e Rock? jdential. The Rock Now I'd like know me. As the new Prudential ' area. I am trained to offer you service for virtually all your >eds...Life. Health. Auto and >. \ ;ed up by the vast resources of isurance company in the dential. il. professional service is you. contact me I'm now here Icock stridge Building Boulevard 765-9650 19) 377-2581 c 1984 The Prudential Insurance Company o' America Newark N J Fair's comments often have invited death threats. Just last year, he had to hire bodyguards after numerous threats from the Miami Cuban community. Fair credits his spunk to his environment and his upbringing. His father, he said, was known as Crazy John Fair. "He refused to me anything but a man," said Fair. "He commanded and demanded respect. He was labeled crazy by white folk. My father was wellrespected in the black community. He was a Mason and all the brothers wanted John Fair to say the last words over them. What I a$i, I picked up from my environment." As Fair talks, it seems evident that, despite his smile and friendly manner, a fire rages inside. Fair conceded that the fire burns deep, but he added that it's not a destructive flame. "I'm angry as hell," said Fair. "Any black man who says he isn't is either dishonest or a damn fool. How can you not be? If the Jews can't forget the Holocaust, how dare anybody suggest I forget slavery. That's not a human reaction. Generation after generation was robbed and raped and vou succest that I nnt h* hit ter." Fair said that his bitterness is not akin to the bitterness of a Klansman or Nazi. "I refuse to allow people to confuse my pro-blackness with being anti-white folks/' said Fair. "I'm not anti-white folks. I don't labor on my hate, but I won't forgive them. Unlike a Klansman, it doesn't bother me that we exist in the same space. What bothers me is when they tell me how I should exist in my own space." Fair writes a column for the Miami Times, a well-read, hlarlr utmItIv 4tI malr< wawv % ?? VVl\?J A Iuunv .somebody n\*d every.w,eek," said Fair. His writings, he said, adFrom Page A1 ninmiiiimnnniiiMnimM>?ntiiHMWniwi?nmmn int everybody and their brother out >le," said Graham. "Some people : no matter how many times you tell 5 need more, we will get them. We sands of them out there." Graham told him to take any furto District Attorney Donald K. 1 , 1 -fc AD CAN BRING YOUR A BIG SURPRISE! ng the Tinkerbell Fan Club. er: Tinkerbell 1 Hnkerbell wall jf i all s Bill of Rights J//.. erbell * Tinkerbell / ' A. utton Tinkerbell ; ,W|^ e f #?, 1 s good grooming tips ' - your little girl's name, address and * t Club. PO. Box 1090. Radio City Station. New 1 Send check or money order in U S dollars i h or stamps. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery^ IAKES GOOD GROOMING FUN! x X | Democrat fill Victor Johns ||fl Winston-Salon Load f dress black problems, and, as might be expected, don't mince words. For example, Fair said he didn't jump on the South Africa bandwagon in hs column. "Protesting in Washington was nothing but a joke for the National Urban League," said Fair, commenting on the League's decision at its national convention to protesj the conditions in South Africa. "The issue is a year-and-a-half old. When does a nigger have to get an appointment to go to jail? "Besides, it's not our cause. Part of our problem as black people ... is the practice of universal brotherhood based on color. .> Where were the Africans during the black civil rights struggle?" On economic set-aside programs, Fair is equally maverick in his stance: "Ain't no white man sonna put you in business," said Fair. "That's a joke. I don't want 2 percent. I want access to 100 percent. I refuse to allow you to have two sets of rules. Once 1 get the rules down, don't do me no favQrs. I want to go after the whole pie." After 22 years years away, Fair said he would one day like to return home. But he's not sure I home wants him back. APPLIANCE Al 1403 S." STRATH a F >;< ?jm / -i a ' ? $35 ^ L . .Jfl| HL J. ? H I, '" f- 'H k '^i^M ^^^Ep*,v '* '>; ;?5^h^ - ; A/0 PAYMENT 'TIL Oi Johnny Harris invites you ove ^ Microwave Ovens. Also come TVs, VCRs and other applianc ; WE'LL MEE . = F PA Pick Vie He Candidate for the Wli NORTH E A B?????? * Vote Vic Graduate of and master's f Resident in a* "I believe i growth and i Northeast Wart . 0 on Jr. i native hr m * ership in the best The Chronicle, Thursc HEADACHESTRENGTHJ 1__ HAY FEVER A / / ALLERGY MEDI If PLUS 24 s NON-ASPIRIN PAIN I 3frTT*^l^l lOCr^ 16 s 3 / |p ??> 2oz 97c * - ^ I H m I ^KJ y i _ I MD TV CENTER. CJ IRD ROAD, ONE BLOCK FROI feJBl Pa PV[ justslid M - |b|H| EThe Microw: "Good 01'5-Yr. Wa Touch 90 DAYS EC EM BE ft r to Bobby league's this week for a go by to see our large selection of refrigev :es. T OR BEAT ANYBODY ELSE nston-Salem Board of. st Warp : Johnson ? Tuesday, Atkins High School; B.S. degret rom N.C. A4T the Northeast Ward 23 years t takes progressive thinking and ualnnman* li//n?#nM C?I?m reivprncni IIUUU9 1 particularly needs. " MAJOR CONCERNS ? Jobs for Local People Reduce Crime Rate Decent, Affordable Housing Equal City Services Throughout PAID FOR BY COMMITTEE TO I Interest of all pi ) jay, August 29, 1985-Page A15 WB1 I ND ' I one alterat I RELIEVER ,8^3!. I rSudafed I 24s 1.87 " ~ T^T. i wi - 1.27 Afrprdf/ft *insii?jii?pgi'Zf,* in turnsMM I nasonic jhtty ahead of our time ave that still gives you Fashioned Cooking!" rranty ... Parts & Labor Ovtns Starting At 99.95 SAME AS CASH od price on Panasonic ators, freezers, washers/dryers, 'S PRICE .. ftV*--..;-..wSt. -:i \: M- .> \ Sept. 24,1985 ) earned at WSSU Initiative to have the as a whole and the City ILECT^ICm I
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Aug. 29, 1985, edition 1
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