Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Jan. 23, 2003, edition 1 / Page 1
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Dc/P ? Sports Week Wake tennis about to \ start another season \ ? ? ? ? Professional hockey comes to city See B1 See A3 See CI Community Marchers push for peace at rally History says stock market will improve *FIRM*CAR-RT-LOT*"C022 l ft . THRUWAY LIBRARY . J ? ? V^L V Wf I ^ ? M ? . ? ^ * -?-? VV-T4 ^ -* V> * < * d ... 71 WINSTON SALcM NC 27101-2755 INSTON-SALKM ? GRKKNSBOBO ? HltiH PoiM Vol. XXIX No. 21 Presidential 4 wanna-be talks about civil rights Edwards says Bush's stance on the University of Michigan's affirmative action policy is wrong BYT. KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE U.S. Sen. John Edwards says that he disagrees with President Bush's notion that 111 v a 1111 - mative action policy at the Uni versity of M i c h i - gan is unconsti tutional. The Bush w h i ? ^ Edwards House filed a brief with the Supreme Court recently aimed ?at striking down the school's policy, which awards points in the admission process to minority students. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case later this year. "I think the president is wrong," Edwards said during a visit to Winston-Salem Monday. "I think affirmative action programs like the Uni versity of Michigan's have increased diversity at our uni versities and colleges around the country, and that is a good thing and a positive thing." Edwards spoke at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Noon Hour Commemoration Service to a crowd of more than 1,000. It was Edwards' first public appearance in Winston-Salem since he announced that he would be seeking the presidency in 2004. Although that race is more than a year away, those who know Edwards are confi dent that he has what it takes to be commander-in-chief. Ben Ruffin, a Forsyth County resident and good friend of Edwards, introduced Edwards to the crowd as "the next president of the United States." Edwards' remarks were tailor-made for the mostly African-American crowd. He drew tremendous applause as he talked about the nation's potential and lambasted Bush for taking the easy road when it comes to civil rights. "Leadership is more than photo ops with black chil dren." Edwards said, taking a jab at the president. Edwards, who was born in South Carolina and raised here in North Carolina, also See Edwards on A10 Cj>en X writer calls for'honest race discussion BY" COURTNEY GAILLARD THE CHRONICLE Kevin Powell, 35, likened the work of Martin Luther King Jr. to the ministry of Jesus Christ, calling both men "truth seekers" in history. Powell was the featured speaker at N.C. A&T State University's Com memorative Observance, "Building a Beloved Communi ty: Bridging Our Diversity of Cultures," a program dedicated to the late civil rights leader. "People expect that, when you talk about Dr. King, just to come together and sing 'We Shall Overcome,' "Kumbaya." (or the saying) 'Can we all just get along?" I'm talking about what Dr. King talked about. Let's have an honest discussion because Dr. King, like Jesus Christ, His savior, was a truth teller. Let's be reafabout this." Powell said last week. Best known for his stint on the first season of MTV's reality series "The Real World" (New York City), this journalist, poet and hip-hop historian's writing and essays have appeared in sev eral magazines, including Newsweek. Essence, The Wash i ington Post. Vibe (where he was a senior writer for several years). Rolling Stone. Interview and The Amsterdam News, Powell has published and written books such as "In the Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers"; "Keepin' It Real: Post MTV Reflections o Photo courtesy of N.C. A&1 Kevin Powell on Race. Sex and Politics"; and. most recently. "Step Into a World: A Global Anthology of the New Black Literature." No stranger to the South. Powell's mother, who raised him as a single parent, hails from South Carolina. His mother, says Powell, grew up in the Jim Crow South, with no education beyond the fifth grade. "When she moved north (New York), she moved with the spirit of Dr. King...and all of the sisters and brothers who made it possible for us to be sitting here." Powell said. Powell referred to the evening's theme of ^Building Bridges." pointing out that at the Sec Powell on A4 Photos b> Bruce Chapman More than 400 people attended the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at Winston-Salem State University. Dream Believers Martin Luther King Jr. remebered through song, sermons at prayer breakfast BY T. KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would still have a lot on his plate if he were alive today, many said Monday morning during a prayer breakfast designed to honor the legacy of the slain civil rights leader. While speakers at the breakfast still subscribe to King's dream of racial equity ijtd peace, they were quick to emphasize that those goals still remain dreams. Some speakers even verbalized their fears that progress may even be stagnant or being pushed back. Julianne Thrift, president of Salem Col lege, told the nearly 400 people in the crowd, to speak out against issues that could be detrimental to civil rights. Thrift passionately spoke out against President Bush's recent decision to challenge the affirmative action policy at the University of Michigan. Bush has said the policy, which gives extra points in the admission process to minorities, is biased against whites. Thrift said diversity makes the educa tional experiences of everyone better. She Larry Leon Hamlin delivers Dr. King's passionate "I Have a Dream" speech. also said different forms of affirmative action have existed for years. "If you think George W. Bush got into Yale because of his smarts, get over it," she said, generating a hearty applause from the crowd. "There is affirmative action for whites....There is affirmative action for those people who have granddaddies in power." Monday's event was the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast was conceived by Chronicle publisher Ernie Pitt, who said the primary mission of the breakfast was to bring a diverse community together on issues that are of great importance to all. "I think it is important that we empha size what we have in common." he said. While politics was a main theme, the Sec Breakfast on A9 Bush, racism targets at annual service Photo hy Kevin Walker Ben Ruffin prepare* to introduce U.S. Sen. John Edwards at the annual MLK Noon Hour Commemoration Monday at the Benton Convention Center. BYT. KEVIN WALKER I Hh CHRONICLE . c Altalee Vinson and her eight grandchildren had an early day on Monday. They gathered in the morning with hundreds of others at Ml. Zion Baptist Church to march downtown. The march has become a Martin Luther King Jr. Day tradi tion. Vinson and her grandkids. who range in age from 5 to IT. have been regular participants, often making their own MI.K signs to carry along the route. "Even though they were not born during the Civil Rights Movement, they are still a part of this movement." Vinson said, keeping a watchful eye on her grands as she spoke. Vinson is of that generation that took King's words as gospel. She believes the dream of the late civil rights icon has the ability to still inspire. "Any time you express love and peace, that is something that will help all generations." Vinson said. Vinson's grandchildren were not the only lit tle ones who took part in the march. Even more youngsters were at the Benton Convention Center - the march's ending point - where the 23rd annual Noon Hour Commemoration of King's Set- Noon on A5 H m ???????????HIThe Only Choice for African-American and Community News 'WlliiMHMHii
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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