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1 Editorials & Comments Tragedy From Human Error In a rather bizarre and sense less killing, a 17-year-old black youth died in a Charleston, S.C. hospital after being shot in the mouth and abdomen by a white policeman. Ironically, the police officer’s patrol car mate, also white, claims he did see the shooting while a black officer - who says he witnessed the entire incident - had his testimony ignored and his job taken. Ironically, too, the black eye witness officer, Sylvester Rivers said that the white officer who did the killing was a beer-drink ing partner until the shooting. He said further that “there were never racial overtones between me and Kalman (the white of ficer doing the shooting). We always went out on Thursday night to drink beer. We’d drink til we couldn’t drink no more. When one of us gets tight, the next one would bring them home.” Other oddities in the story are that: Kalman was forced to resign from the Columbia Police Department for questionable reasons, yet the Charleston Po lice Chief admits he did not check Kalman’s background be fore hiring him; Kalman, who weighs more than 250 pounds found it necessary to draw his revolver and shoot a 150 pound youth to subdue him; authorities claim that Rivers the nnlv ouo. mother said he planned to do as opposed to joining another youth in a stolen car he would have not been shot, much less killed. Secondly, it appears to be a totally incorrect policy for the police department to employ any law enforcement officer without having thoroughly checked out his background, prior work re cnrrL and references. It also seems unbelievable that the de partment would retain as of ficers people who get so drunk that someone has to take them home even on off-duty hours. Thirdly, the firing of officer Rivers and the questions center ed around the lie detector test appear to warrant another re view if justice and the truth are actually being sought. Chief Is Right Fourthly, the police chief is right in his charge that blacks too often claim that conflicts between blacks and whites are “always racial” when in fact race may have nothing to do with it. He is right, too, in stating that in black-on-black crimes there is less pressure to solve cases. What this case amounts to is a tragedy in a human comedy of errors resulting from stupidity or a true lack of concern for our fellow man by both blacks and whites. Let us hope that we can learn from this tragedy so our community can avoid a similar situation. r . witness to the shooting, has changed his story several times during the investigation and that he failed a lie detector test; Rivers says the lie detector test was tampered with by the poly graph operator, some blacks charge the Charleston Police Department, which has 54 black officers out of 202, with “system atic racism;” the entire incident arose from two black youth attempting to flee from the black police in a stolen car and resisting arrest; following lengthy investigations by the police departments, a special City Council study, a coroner’s inquest and a grand jury clear ance, Kalman was promoted recently to Patrolman, First Class. Systematic Racism In response to the “systematic racism” charge the Charleston Police Chief said, “It’s always racial. I can’t help but wonder what if the officer had been black and shot him. We have horrible crimes committed in cities everywhere by blacks against blacks. There’s never any pres sure to solve those cases. Why don’t they march to get the dope dealers off the street?” As we have attempted to thread through the facts and news accounts in this case it appears to point out some basic human problems. First, if the youth had boarded a city bus to reach his destination as his Jobs, Jobs, Jobs? In an address before the Na tional Urban League recently presidential candidates Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter both promised to provide jobs, jobs, jobs and more jobs in an effort to attract black voters in the No vember elections. Carter may have over stated his care when he used such adjectives as “cre ative” and “exciting” to de scribe the new jobs. At the Democratic National Convention, Senator Edward Kennedy attempted to surpass Carter’s jobs plan by getting the delegates to endorse a $12 billion jobs program plank. Of course, Carter, Kennedy and Reagan each contend that their particular jobs program plan is anti-recession. Neither of them clarifies its implications for inflation nor states clearly how the program would work. Furthermore, neither of them appears to have recognized in their political rhetoric the role of the so-called free enterprise job market system. Does this mean we have finally come to the realization that America is no longer a free market society? This is something we all need to ask ourselves and think about. THE CHARLOTTE POST Second Class Postage No. 965500 • THE PEOPLE’S NEWSPAPER’’ Established 1918 Published Every Thursday by The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. ' 1524 West Blvd.-Charlotte. N't 2H2U8 I elephone < 704 > 37b ■ m«h Circulation - 9.2uo 62 Years of Continuous Service BILL JOHNSON...Editor, Publisher ^^J^^ARDRKKVESj^Cenw«ni»jiigf^^^^ Second Class Postage No. 965500 Paid At Charlotte, N.C. under the Act of March 3,1878 Member National Newspaper Publishers _ Association Not vh Carolina Black Publishers Association Deadline for all news copy and photos is 5 p.m. Monday, .ill photos and copy submitted become the property of the POST, and will 'not be returned. National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. 240u S Michigan Ave. 45 W 5th St., Suite 1403 Chicago. Ill (50616 New York, N Y. 10036 Calumet 5-0200 ( 212 ) 489-1220 1 \ ' P /\ureaa i.. Madison Special To The Post While the present United States Mid-East actions are viewed bv the Arab world as greatly tilted to wards Israel, and that Pre sident Carter appears to be perpetuating an uneven handed policy, Arabs are not at all optimistic about Ronald Reagan's possible presidency. Dr. Barakat of the Jor danian Embassy sees the United States with its un linited support of Israel in high-powered weapons and money as either pushing Israel in a take-over of the Arab world or else that it is being black mailed in some manner by Israel. He says it's highly unwise for the United States to feel that a country of around 3 mil lion people can and should control HO million Arabs Dr. Barakat feels that the United States is cer tainly makings mistake by denying Saudi Arabia wea pons, while showering Is rael with the most sophi ticated ammunition. He says that this puts Israel in a position to attack Saudi Arabia at any time. So why BLACK COMMUNITY I % Affirmative Action The 13th Ammendment Future Of Blacks In The UJS. By Gerald Horne, Esq. Recall the scene: Blacks attempting to break the chains of oppression push for compensatory legislation. Along with their allies in Congress they argued that because of historic patterns of discrimination reme dial legislation is needed in the areas of employment, education etc. The foes of this drive argue any “special” programs for Blacks inherently discriminate against whites; i.e. it constitutes so-called “reverse discrimination." Sound familiar? Certainly it does. But the point is that this scenario was not played out this year, this decade or even the century. The fact is -that this was the historical oackdrop for the passage of the 13th Amendment in the mid-1860s. The fact is that newly freed slaves and their allies were arguing that simply to proclaim Blacks to be “free” without extending any aid or assistance would be a cruel deception. Indeed, the argued that Blacks require “special” assistance because they have “special” status - i.e. human property. The main demand, of course, was for “40 acres and a mule.” Needless to say, the newly born KKK fiercely resisted this effort and was the main proponent of the notion th^ these “special” measures and their const? tutional underpinning - the 13 Amendment - was some form of “reverse discrimina tion.” iimi___it •_ l. a m Am _ s co0pe**noN - __< SII8E mi ’ As I See It Ned 44The Nigger” Returns «iu v. ilUIIIIMNl Post Columnist . .Well, it is that time of the year when college campus es begin to buzz. The young felines come to school for the first time to find hungry eyes of the upperclass wolves gazing at them. It is also the time when football season gets underway. As usual. I’ve been called to give my prognostica tion of the situation. But before I say anything on the season’s outcome. I consult my own “Jimmy the Greek.’’ Yes, it is that time of year when we hear from Ned the nigger. Ned, as we all know, is never right, but he is con sistent. Though we don’t expect too much from Ned this year, he claims that he will be right on the money all season long. In fact Ned came up with his own slogan...“If you got a bet you jez can’t figger, then its time you call Ned the nigger.” Gross. Anyway, Ned says that the CIAA will be up for grate this year. Norfolk State is the team to beat, but Virginia Union (con trary to popular belief) will be a strong contender. Win ston-Salem State poses no direct threat to the title this year, but they can never be counted out. JCSU will be respectable as this year should show benefits of a rebuilding program under coach Harris. Both Fay etteville State and Virginia State will be respectable, but not good enough to pose a threat. Both teams have new men as head coaches. Dark horse favorites are North Carolina Central and Hampton. The MEAC again is no contest. S.C. State, under the direction of Bill Davis, will be MEAC chahipions. The program is too organ ized and too well funded for this conference. strong in ever position, but the forward spots are ex ceedingly well stocked. Also, Ned says that Jim my Carter will serve as president for the next term. The Reagan forces will come up short when the political jargon has to be backed up with substance. Regardless of who wins, Ned says, the people still lose. Sounds good, Ned. But can we bank on this info this year? Ned says he’ll stand on’ his record. In that case I'll sit on my wallet. + + + + Hats off to the garbage collectors who averted a strike by not listening to some ill advised opinions.Ti strike during a recession is not prudent thinking. + + + + God, grant me the se renity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. me mute milled uic mure iiiey remain the same.” Today, the KKK guns down Blacks in Chattanooga and North Carolina and are tried by all-white juries. Once again they argue that “Blacks are getting everything” and that is why they are acting. But what is the 13th Amendment and what relevance does it hold for today? The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and “invo luntary servitude.” However, it went fur ther. The framers of the 13th Amendment - Congressmen Sumner, Stevens, recognized that it was just not su ficient to lift the burden of slavery from Bla ?k backs; » they knew that even after the burden was lifted, the back would still be bent and Would not be designed to abolish the “badges of slavery.” What is a badge of.slavery?” In short, it is anything that signifies or establishes unequal treatment for Blacks. This view was validated by the U.S. Supreme Court in the well-known case of JONES vs. MAYER where it was stated that denial of housing opportunities constitutes a “badge of sla^ very” and is thereby unconstitutional? ^ The Affirmative Action Coordinating Cen ter has taken the position consistently that affirmative action is not only constitutional ly permissible but constitutionally mandat ed under the 13th Amendment. This brings us to the all-important case of MEMPHIS vs. GREEN, 610 FED 2d 395. This case concerns an attempt by a white community in Memphis to build a “Great Wall” blocking out and segregating the Black community. The case is absolutely critical for a number of reasons. First of all, in a time when the KKK is on the move, when right-wing facist-minded politicians like Jesse Helms can reach the U.S. Senate, etc. moves to impose South African-like apartheid in the U.S. must be taken quite seriously- especially when it receives the sanction of a city administration. 4 Gerald 0. Johnson Morgan State, A&T and Howard will have a dog fight for second place. Professionally, Ned sees the Philadelphia Eagles, San Deigo Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams as conference winners. Final ly, Ned thinks that the Golden Bulls' cagers will net the school its first CIAA tournament championship. The Bulls look extremely In Overpayments ESC Recovers $180,457 RALEIGH - The N.C. Employment Security Commission recovered $180,457 in unemployment insurance overpayments during July, .according to figures released by the commission’s anti-fraud unit. The unit investigated 169 l-rsons who have claimed or currently are claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Of that number, 147, or 87 percent were found to have been over paid $32,817. The com mission classified 121 of those cases, representing $21,506 as non-fraud and 26 cases, representing $11,311, as fraud. During July, 19 persons were tried in state courts for unemployment insur ance fraud. All 19 were convicted. Of the overpayments re covered, $21,292 was re covered through refunds to the commission and $159,164 was recovered bv withholding new benefits to claimants who had been overpaid. Ground Beef Ground beef should be thawed in the refrigerator. Keeping the meat cold while its thawing is essen tial to prevent growth of bacteria, say extension specialists at N.C. State University. From Capitol Hill President Carter Perpetuating Uneven Handed Policy cently exploded nuclear warfare there. Dr. Barakat said Prime Minister Begin stated that Jerusalem and the occu pied territory rightly be longs to Israel because of Biblical history. However, Dr. Barakat said that the Arab world will not let Israel set them back 2,000 years. He stated that Is rael is engaged in the war in Lebanon and that it starts mini so-called reli gious wars in Syria and anywhere it can. Concerning King Asad of Syria, Dr. Barakat said Asad was ready to talk peace with the United States, and that for the security of Syria, he want ed an end to Israeli occu pation of the Golan Heights, This has not been done. King Asad, contrary to much of the United States' belief is still a part of the organization of Arab countries. Dr. Barakat emphasized very strongly that the United States' Mid-East po licy must be based on an interdependence with the Arab world. The Arabs have oil and occupy a *\ strategic location. The United States has techno logy the Arabs need. These interests compliment each other, and these cannot be accomplished through a controlled or dictated po licy by one country. Dr. Barakat said King Hussein knew two years ago the Camp David policy was a failure. All Arab countries believe the agreement will not work. They firmly believe the Palestinians must be in eluded in the negotiations and that they must have an independent homeland. The United States must make a gesture to show that its heavy-weighted Is rael policy has changed. No longer will Arab countries be dominated by world powers. Things have changed. These countries will have to be dealt with as independent entities. Dr. Barakat says that if the United States contin ues to push its uneven handedness, it Just might drive the Arab world into another .camp. He blames much of the information by the American people on distorted reporting by the white press. The question has been asked by some of the Jordan Embassy per sonnel why the black Jpfcs does not have reporters in the Arab counties? They feel that this could cause fairer reporting of the Arab news. National Ad Hoc Coalition Formed Alfreds Madison shouldn't the Saudis have the power to defend them selves? Such a policy is dangerous This creates a psychological situation. It exacerbates the Arab Israeli conflict. He stated that if the United States is against Israel's West Bank settle ment. its continuing expan sion into the Sinai, its com plete occupation of the en tire city of Jerusalem, then why does the United States accepts Israel's actions? He noted that Israel is a big supplier of weapons to South Africa; that it re The Congressional Black Caucus and the Democra tic National Committee Black Caucus recently an nounced the formation of a National Ad Ho Coalition of black Democrats to the Democratic National Con vention. This committee was established to ensure a communications network for black delegates around issues of common interest to blacks, according to Con gresswoman Cardiss Col lins (D-Ill ), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. “We are not organizing for or against any presiden tial candidate, in reality we are organizing for black people everywhere,” she said. Congressman Walter Fauntroy, chairman of Voter Participation called for black unity on issues vital to black families. A National Black Leader ship Roundtable meeting will focus on major issues inherent in both party plat forms that affect blacks. “The very survival oI black America... depends upo: our ability to come tf together In New York set aside our narrow political interests, and concentrate on organizing all segments of the black community arouiid issues that will af fect the whole of black America during the decade of the 80s,” proclaimed Con*. ■ essman Mickey Le land. Caucus liaison for the CnalitiowJ ;
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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