Where Are The Black Investors?
Recently, Detroit’s Mayor Coleman
Young said during a ribbon-cutting cere
mony for the grand opening of Trapper’s
Alley - a new commercial street, “This is
another indication that Detrait’s on a rail.”
Equally, if not more significant, and yet
ignored or simply missed by the n^ws
media, Young said, “If you own property in
Detroit hang on to it. If you don’t, you better
buy some.”
Mr. Young’s comment brings to mind
certain developments of concern in a part of
Charlotte’s black community, in this case,
the Beatties Ford Road corridor. While the
City of Charlotte is involved in a com
mercial development plan for at least a
portion of Beatties Ford Road, we have to
wonder if developments on this major
thoroughfare between 1-85 and the inter
section of LaSalle Street is an indication of
things to come.
Along this stretch of Beatties Ford Road,
two black-owned businesses-gas stations
have had to close, black efforts to acquire
the Texaco service station at 1-85 have
failed and hlark efforts to purchase the
supermarket in the University Park Shop
ping Center failed because of too little finan
cial support. In addition, the much talked
about upper middle income multi-family
housing development to be located to the
rear of the relatively new black-owned
Burger King fast foods eatery has never
Except for the opening of the Burger King
and, some long-standing black-owned busi
nesses, namely Dalebrook Pharmacy;
Queen City Sundries, Walton’s Accounting
Services, the West Charlotte Drive-In
Restaurant, Long’s Mortuary, two relative
ly tow churches, and a few other small
businesses, black economic development
has all but ended. v
The fact is in just over a 10-year period a
McDonald’s hamburger restaurant; a
Handi-Pantry, Tenneco and 7-11 mini-shop
ping stores; three chicken fry fast food
eateries; and a large Sav-On gas station (all
white-owned) have all opened in this pre
dominantly black neighborhood. We cer
tainly have no ill-will nor animosity to
ward anyone with a successful business
venture, considering the risks that they
must take.
However, we do wonder where are the
black investors? Why, with the neighbor
hoods linked to this section of Beatties Ford
Road having estimated annual incomes
totaling $60 million, are not black invest
ors in the forefront of this last decade of
economic growth. We are, of course, mind
ful of the fact that many lending institu
tions make it difficult for blacks to borrow
' investment capital, yet there are many
more lenders and other financial mechan
isms for securing investment capital.
Hidden in Mayor Young’s remarks on the
need to own or buy land is the need fjr
blacks to become more investment con
scious so that they can better control their
own financial futures and keep much of the
money owned by blacks in the hands of
blacks.
■
Unless the broader black community
begins, and begins quickly, to develop more
people with an entrepreneurship spirit and
work ethic philosophy, black people will
continue to stay on the bottom rung of the
economic ladder, even below the most
recent immigrants to America - the Cuban
and Southeast Asians.
ne Are lhe Enemy
“We have met the enemy, and it is us.”
This quote from an unknown source has
often been used to describe those who are
knowmgly or unknowingly engaged in self
WMle black Americans have at least
learhed and developed strategies to attack Di
racs* prejudice; have gained an awareness
of the link betweert limited education and
poverty; have an understanding of the
significance of good health habits; and
hopefully understand the psychological
impact of its historic roots; yet, when we
look closely at the progress that black
Americans have made, it becomes increas
ingly clear that even greater progress could
have been made except for the apparent
self-hatred and self-destructive forces with
in us. This truism is manifested in the fact
that black people harm and kill each other
at an alarming rate, too many of us - one is
too many - are spaced-out on drugs and
alcohol, over half of our households con
tain one parent families, and too many
black elected officials are out of touch with
reality. One such reality is that if they
w*- _ _ *■
rx*. • ,.*[fi. _ . . » Vv ft*-*. A, /.r£grJ 9
are elected by a largely white consti
tuency then their loyalties belong first to
that constituency. The problem is black
voters either don’t understand this or don’t
care and black elected officials too often are
not willing to tell black voters of their
r reality.
— - — -- — — -..
Underlying much of the self-destructive
nature of too many black Americana is a
preoccupation with the trappings of suc
cess - big houses, big cars, expensive
clothes, and for some a make-believe es
- cape from being black. When these values
are evident in black leaders they lose touch
with reality and are thus of no help to the
black masses.
Thus, while we pursue the quality of
values of better education, good health
habits, meaningful employment, family to
getherness, and maintain in historical per
spective our past for its value in the pre
sent and future, we must be ever mindful of
the potential enemy who lies within each of
X->'•>*> .V*
us poised in a manner to bring about self
destruction. Won’t you do your part while I
do mine?
BUCKS WHO THROUGH THOR SLAVE LABOR
BUILT THIS COUNTRY SHOULD
REBUILD OURCC
wiui au me news articles
and editorials written about
the epidemic of acquired
immune deficiency syn
dromes (AIDS), it is still a
disease plagued by general
ignorance. A contagion so
dangerous that it may be
more threatening than the
disease itself.
Yes, the cases have mul
tiplied from 11 in 1979 to
10,526 as of 1965: And it is
more common in the homo
sexual community. How
eipcrthis te.mot the com- >
plete Story, f .
It isf expected that the
number of active AIDS cases
may reach 20,000 during 1985.
Realistically, the facts are
frightening. There is no cure
for the disease. The virus
may remain dormant for an
extended period of time and
triggered by another virus.
One can be exposed but may
not contract it. It can be
transmitted through sexual
contact or of blood donors.
Studies estimate that a
million people - homosexual
and heterosexual - may have
been exposed to AIDS and
that 10-15 percent may or
could die. By the close of the
century more than 10 million
*
will be exposed and due to a
lack of a cure one million
could die. These are scien
tific projections.
For the past few months
the myth that AIDS is only
communicated by male ho
mosexuals has been in the
minds of meet people. A
myth drawn igxrn ignorance
and stupidity. a \
Many religious leaders and
spokes people view ho
mosexuality as sinful and
suggest that AIDS is God’s
punishment for the sin. The
leaders also argue that the
way to cure the disease is to
eliminate homosexuality -
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From Capitol tfill
President Reagan
Owes Americans An Apology
By Alfreds L. Madison
•Special To The Post
In a recent speech in Miami,
President Reagan said the “Demo
crats are pitting white against
black, women against men, young
against old. Republicans have been
blessed with grassroots supporters
who are committed to ideals of
individual freedom, family values,
free enterprise and a strong Ame
rica. While the other party has tried
to build a coalition by segmenting
America into warring factions, we
don’t promise quota systems and
give-away programs We promise to
do what is right for America and all
Americans.”
In speaking of quotas to an over
whelming white Southern audience.
Mr. Reagan appeared to have been
race-baiting, in order to build up
support for his anti-affirmative ac
tions.
At least the President realises that
racial tension is increasing, the fi
nancial and Job inequities be
tween woipen and men, high youth
unemployment, the financial inabili
ty of many eligible college stu
dents to attend college These con
ditkms seem to have Mr. Reagan so
frustrated that he is floundering in
trying to place the blame.
.The President has accused black
leaders for those of the rank and file
Macks possessing the inteiligsnce to
know that they are unemployed,
unable to send their children to
college, their youths can’t find Jobs
and the erosion of civil rights gains
for which many of them or their
ancestors, marched, died and were
imprisoned.
One questions why the President
unfairly lambasted the Democrats,
Just a few days before launching his
tax reform program, for which he
advocates bi partisan support Was
V - -4
Alfreds
this a trick to get the Democrats to
use the time, in their response, by
refuting his false charges against
them? Was it a ploy to get them to
oppose some elements of his tax
provisions that he hopes will not
pus so he can go before the people
and blame the Democrats, or was it
Just the usual Reagan way of
verbally attacking people whom he
wants to whip into acceptance of his
policies?
Mr Reagan supported Clarence
Pendleton, Chairman of the Civil
Rights Commtaslnn, whom Parren
Mitchell called the President’s
"lackey," In his vitriolic express
ions against black leaders The
Congressional Black Caucus, in a
letter to the President April 12,
requested a meeting with him to'
discuss their differences They re
ceived a reply April 22, stating that
he was taking it under Advisement
To date, the advisement period is
still in effect. When Larry gpeakes.
White House Press Secretary was
asked why the President had not
granted the Caucus’ request, he
replied that he does not meet with all
caucuses Larry was told that Black
Caucus was only a name and that a
meeting with them would give both
sides the opportunity to probebiy
settle their differences. No response
from Larry Speakes.
The Reagan Justice Department
has sent letters to more than SO local
governments asking them to
rescind their affirmative action
agreements and court decrees -
some of which have been working,
successfully, for around 12 years. A
survey shows that three Jurisdic
tions says they would move to
amend their decrees, while 26 have
flatly refused to Join the Justice
Department in ameudbq| the de
crees. Several cited their reluctance
to “reopen old wounds.” Eleven
localities have not responded in any
way to the Department’s request.
The present Justice Department
has used chacanery in resegragat
ing schools Mr. Reagan has ig
nored congressional mandate which
created the Civil Righto Commis
sion as an independent agency for
the purpose of investigating govern
ment departments for compliance
with civil rights mandates and for
making recommendations Instead
the President has changed it to
become his mouthpiece.
All of these-race, sex, and youth
setbacks-were made by this Repu
blican administration which Mr.
Reagan calls American and is doing
what is best for America. Since he
considers this divisivenoas as bad
for the country, the correction is
very simply , Just make a 160 degree
turn around.
President Reagan in the Miami
speech accused the Democrats of
being soft on the aggressive Nica
raguans, and he called the 18,000
anti-Nicaraguans Sandinista go
vernment of that country of around
2.5 million, as freedom fight
ers. He ignored the fact that he
supports, in a tangible way, the op
pression by the four million whites of
the 22 million Macks, whom he <■«»«
rioters, in their actions to get
freedom in South Africa. He also
refuses to utter one word about
South Africa’s attacks on surrmmd
ing countries. All Americans de
serv* to know the whole truth.
Since President Reagan realizes
what the problem are, he should turn
the search light on his administra
tion, analyze its actions, and then he
will find the root cause so there will
be reason for Roundering tor blame
placement.
If Mr. Reagan is serious about
wanting to solve these derisive pro
blems. he will halt the Justice De
partment’s civil rights assaults.
Letter fro The Editor
Celebrate AD Race
History Each Month
* •
; Bozieoa?
Charlotte, N.C. ante
2 ^DDD
Editors, The Charlotte Post:
The following letter was sent to the
attention of Jeanne Bohn.
WSOC-TV:
A while ago I expressed my
concern that a designation of
February at Black History Month
might limit emphasis to Just one
month A suggestion was to
ceMbrate AH Races History each
month.
Thank you, WSOC-TV. Your
present Black History Moments
made the hot June day cooler as I
readjusted the February-only
Daisy Speare-Stroud