Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 9, 1985, edition 1 / Page 29
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Tony Brown's COMMENTS Justice Is Not Black Or White I predict that by the time you read this column, one of the three men convicted of killing Malcolm X will be free on parole after serving 20 years of a- life sentence. Muhammad Abdul Aziz, known as Norman Butler when he was convicted, has convinced many-if not most-of the 14 members of the New York State Parole Board that he has paid his debt to society and is rehabili tated. Conspicuously, however, _ the Only black member of the board behaved as a zealot-not an impartial witness-in his at tempts to keep Aziz in jail for the rest of his life. Commissioner Ted Kirkland, who will not be reappointed to his job by New York’s governor, has been accused of practicing his own brand of racism by Senator Christopher Mega, head of New York’s Crime and Correction Committee^ and 3 most admired and respected black state offi cial, Senator Leon Bogues. Kirkland’s questioning of Aziz and his behavior during a parole hearing before a three-member panel not only shocked many state officials, but moved the full parole commission to the unpre cedented action of picking a new panel to hear Aziz’s case. The new panel, will exclude Kirkland and the other two members of his panel. . Before Kirkland’s. panel saw _ Aziz in February, a previous parole panel' of three luled iu December that it had no ob jection to his parole; a psychia tric report was also favorable. However, Kirkland abandoned the legitimate charge of the pa role board to evaluate a con ^Vict’s ability to lead a produc tive life and focused rather, on Aziz’s racial views. Kirkland's questions were not only Insulting and groundless, but suggested that he was more concerned about his own person al “blackness” than the con vict's fitness. In fact, the climate icked of racial paranoia. Al the parole panel’s job is to determine guilt or inno _ but how a convict has used his time in jail, you would never know it to read the official transcript and the statement* of -dfl# black Oommissioner.^/ Kirkland began his assult with his version of history. Malcolm was “psychologically uplifting..a Nat "Dimer...Harriet Tubman... Frederick Douglass... Marcus Garvey,...” Malcolm was help ing black people gain their iden tity. “Today 1 think most may very well be lost from lack of identity,” the interrogator said. He clearly suggested that had Malcolm lived, Macks would have no identity problems today and Aziz, as “one of his kill ers,” is, by virtue of this con voluted logic, responsible for the pathetic black condition today as observed by Kirkland. Kirkland was also obviously bothered by Aziz’s outstanding performance as a prisoner: a master’s degree; a calming force at the Attica prison riot in 1971 and at Sing Sing in 1983; a counselor to other inmates; an Imam for the American Muslim Mission in prison; and an ex cellent record on a. nine-month work release program in which he lived in the community, held a job, paid taxes, fed his family and reduced society’s burden by that amount of production. As a result of his record, support for his release came from all quarters, including ‘ black politicians, New York’s black police commissioner, Jew ish leaders, and journalists. But surprisingly, this support in furiated Kirkland: “Would the Congressman and all the rest of tlifin in* rrrnnimcndingyour pn role if you had killed a white person of a similar status?” “I didn’t kill him,” Aziz of fered and added, ”1 think it< (Malcolm’s murder) was a tra gedy.” But that didn’t satisfy Kirkland. The CIA, Kirkland said, is suspected of killing Malcolm and it represents the^law enforce ment establishment. “Why do you think they (law enforce ment officials) look so favorably upon yon?” Guilt, Kirkland seemed to think, made Aziz a model prisoner. ' Wp&f “Tony Brown’s Journal” TV series can be seen on public television Sundays on Channel 42 at 5 p.m. It can also be seen on Channel 58 on Sundays at 6:30 'Mp.m. Please consult listings. Vereen Grins On Broadway New York City - Ben Vereen belongs to that rare group of performers who can do it all whether on a Broadway stage, TV, film, or in nightclubs. He can sing, dance or act. As the star of the new Broadway hit musical, “Grind,” at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, he’s making his flrst Big Apple appearance since ‘‘Pip pin’”, a show that won him the coveted Tony and Drama Desk Awards, plus past performances in “Hair,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” And who can ever forget his memorable performance as Chicken George in “Roots?" A two-hour musical in which he lights up the stage and displays his trademark, spectacular footwork, “Grind” re volves around an interra cial romance that takes place in a Chicago bur lesque house in 1933. Ve reen as Leroy, Hawaiian born brownskin beauty Leilani Jones as Satin and Timothy Nolen as the Irish tenor make up the trio and comedian Stubby Kaye supplies the laughter. It’s been a long time Black And Red Allies By, Tony Brown Special To The Post Afro-American scientists Dr. Allen Counter and David Evans of Harvard University have spent the last decade studying the missing cultural link be tween the Bush Afro-Ame ricans of Surinam, South America, and the Afro Americans in the United States. Alter countless hours re searching rare book col lections and many danger ous trips deep into the Amazon jungles, these black expeditioners un covered a secret history between the African and Indian tribes that have lived free of Western civi lization in the South'Ame rican jungle for centuries. ■' In Part II of a two-part special examining the his torical relationship be tween the Bush Afro-Ame ricans-of Surinam, South America, and the indigen ous Bush Indians of the Amazon region, “Tony Brown's Journal" delves deeper into this fascinat ing exploration with rare film footage showing the customs and secret rituals of these ancient tribes. Dr. Counter calls it “one of the most fascinating stories that one can imagine. READ THE CHARLOTTE POST TOY JAI VIDEO Presents YOU mXm-1*.' IN A DREAM COME TRUE Your Very Own Made For Television WEDDING VIDEO_CALL TODAY! 1315 Bc&ttics I* ord Hd. 567-2660 since Broadway audiences cast their eyes upon such a talented brownskin, high stepping chorus. Fea tured in several dance numbers with Vereen, they gamer their share of ap plause. But it’s Ben Vereen whom the crowds come to see nightly. And their ge nerous rounds of applause seem to say to him. “Don’t stay away so long, we missed you." Maria Lmty Salat Rapmantativa If you’re in the market for home furnishings and appliances, come by and see Marie today! 4524 S. Boulevard 523-7*93 ■ - CONSIGNMENT MOP - -Quality Hems_ At Reasonable Prices Consignors Earn Money While They Work New to slightly used. Not your typical Consignment Shop Items. 20°/ OFF All Merchandise Over $25 With This Coupon _aia*~* CwHT<* *w
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 9, 1985, edition 1
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