Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Jan. 7, 1988, edition 1 / Page 5
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Black History Literacy Test Thursday. January 7, 1988 - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page SA It’s Black History Month Time. Time to start thinking about your theme for the annual Feb- txiary celebration of the contri butions of African people to the world community. ■ My television theme for the en tire month Is called: "The Ethnic History of Black America: Ques tions and Answers." Looking at us from the vantage point of an ethnic group In a culturally plu ralistic society, rather than a "minority" In a White-majority sea, makes Blacks an economic ^d political power house — like all other ethnic groups. My Black History Month spe cial Issue of 'Tony Brown's Jour nal Magazine" will edso carry the same theme and Information. Of course, free Issues are available '(first come, first served until they run out), as usual, to read ers of this column. You can re ceive 200 per box for the cost of shipping ($20 for each box). You can order at 1501 Broadway, Suite 2014, New York, New York 10016. Send check or money or der. On television with a live audi ence (and our audiences are "live" — and In living color) we will use experts on various as pects of our past to teach and quiz (If you want to join our live television audience, write us). That's right, we're going to con duct a four-part quiz on national television to see how much of the country knows about the Im pact of the Black Experience on America and the world. Let's see where you are. Try these: (1) Why did hundreds of thou sands of Blacks migrate from the South to the North between i915and 1940? (2) Name America's five Black Presidents? . (3) Who chopped down the cherry tree and could not tell a he? If you only got number three correct, you need to watch our series on public television dur ing February and read our Black History Month special Issue of Tony Brown's Journal Maga zine. The first of four topics dealt with on national TV and In the magazine Is "Field to Factory." It covers the exodus of Blacks from the rural South to the ur ban North between 1915 - 1940 and tours the Smithsonian In stitution’s National Museum of American History's exhibition. You can see the real thing now at the Smithsonian or when It goes on tour in early 1988. We examine how this migra tion shaped the structure of American society and tackle the question: Was It worth It? What gives this question such contemporary Importance Is the emerging awareness of the plu ralistic nature ,of American socl- ety.'The old melting pot theory Is taking a back seat to a 21st Century reality. By the year 2000, one of every three Ameri cans will be non-Whlte and so- called "minorities" will consti tute more than 50 percent of the population of 53 major Ameri can cities. Already more than 25 percent of public school stu dents In America come from a non-Whlte background. That's why pride In cultural heritage Is Indispensable to personal or ethnic group suc cess. Self-esteem based on cul tural background has been evi dent In the upward mobility of European and Asian Immi grants. The failure of Blacks Is due largely to a lack of emphasis on ethnicity and stress on White Tony Brown's Commentaries acceptance. This America we live In has more people of Irish ancestry than tn Ireland; more Jews than In Israel; more people of Polish descent in Detroit than In most of the leading cities In Poland; twice as many people of Italian ancestiy In new York as In Venice; and more Africanized Americans than people in most African countries. One reason there is no minori ty Is that there is no majority. And the term "minority" itself di verts our attention from Ameri ca's true ethnic heritage. There Is no "White" majority and in a pluralistic society. It is suicidal for Africanized Americans to think like a minority. Our second topic Is: "Has America Had Five Black Presi dents?" Enough said. For the de tails, see the TV series and get the magazine. "Spirits that Sing" and "The Black American Quiz" will round out the topics for Black Hlstoiy Month? TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL TV series can be seen on public television Sunday on Channel 42 at 5 p.m. It can also be seen on Channel 58, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Please consult listings. Unknown Will Win Presidential Race ’ The New Year. I can't get used to It. I am stlU writing "Januaiy 6, 1987." It happens eveiy year. Resolutions, of course, and they are already broken. And predictions—a columnist has to make predictions. . Then—If any come true he can brag at the end of the year. 'Those that don't work out can be forgotten. But I remember my predic tions from last year. The results do not encourage me to go out , on a limb again this year. I .1 - 1 For instance, I predicted that the Soviets would find a way to get their troops out of Afghani stan. They didn't. I predicted that unknowns •would be challenging Gary Hart .qnd George Bush for the Presi dential nomination. How was I to know that Hart would be out, and then back, challenging the unknowns? But there were some correct calls like "another summit with the Russians to get our minds" off the problems that President Reagan can't handle. I was right about that one, but my overall success rate does not qualify me to be a prophet, yet. So this year I will bet my chips on one prediction. It Is a real D.G. Martin One On One long shot, most of you would say. Here It Is. The Democratic nominee for President, whoever that turns out to be, will win the election In November. I can hear you. This Is what you are saying: "What? How can you say that? We don't even know the names of the Demo cratic candidates except Jack- son emd Hart. They may leaid the polls, but neither will be nomi nated. The Republicans have Bush and Dole In the lead. They are two seasoned, well-known candidates. Whichever one Is nominated will have the edge over an unknown Democrat" Maybe you are right, but listen to this. What seems to be a disadvan tage to the Democrats now may be their biggest asset in Novem ber. The Democratic nominee, who Is now "unknown," will be a "fresh face" for the campaign against the Republicans. He a^I contrast to the well worn Bush or Dole, whoever Is nominated. Neither of them, for all their good qualities, has shown the ability to generate much excite ment—certainly not like the great communicator, Ronald Reagan. That means that the Demo crats' "fresh face" will have the opportunlty--magnlflcent op portunity to stir the country with a vision of growth, security, and well being. Meanwhile, Bush/Dole will be defending budget and trade deficits, waste ful defense spending, a valueless follar, imaffordable health care, and every other bad thing that has happened to us recently. They are going to sound old, tired, defensive, and boring. In that race, I will bet on the "fresh face" even though I don't know his name—yet. Let me know what you think. Write me In care of this paper or at Box 37283, Charlotte, NC 28237. vspviuTff utnvi t ^^330NH0r . TwecHVwrts i°^r f9S% “Wa// 5//"eef says hang hii- boHom soon!" Barneses Ask For Action, Less Talk Dear Editor As we have now ended one year and are beginning another one, we, the parents of Derek Barnes, wish to personally thank you for your continued support of our efforts to share with the black community the problems we encountered with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System when we at tempted to leam why our son was denied membership Into the NJHS (he clearly qualified, without any question of having to lower any standards). We can truly say the CHAR LOTTE POST did not sit Idle to what was happening — Instead you called out to the people of the black community for them to wake up and take charge of their children's educational experi ences. You pleaded with them to give serious consideration to electing good people to the school board, and you urged them to stand together and to be heard. The Barnes family feels rejuve nated, and we are committed to helping our son and other sons and daughters receive fair and equitable educational experi ences In the Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System. We believe that by re-electing Arthur Griffin and Sarah Steven son to the Charlotte- Mecklenburg School Board, we will once again be In a better po sition to receive the much need ed support for our children. In our personal situation, Sarah Stevenson and Don Austin truly tried to turn decisions around, with George Battle helping at tlmes.We cannot overly stress the Importance of electing de pendable, open and honest school board members who will stand firm to their beliefs for the good of our children. As all CHARLOTTE POST readers should know, the media was contacted only after numer ous, unsuccessful attempts to communicate (by letters, phone calls, meetings) with the Individ ual school and the system's ad- mlnlstrators.We soon realized, without a doubt, that our story had to be shared with the black community, and the CHAR- LO'TTE POST helped us to ac complish this mission. We never expected to reap any benefits for Derek, personally. We only knew that this sort of thing had happened one time too many, and we were willing to devote our time, energy, and money to speak out against une qual and unfair treatment of our son, Derek, as well as other chil dren in the Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System seems to believe that our children, for the most part, are simply not qualified, and therefore, they are either overlooked or perceived as hav ing exceptions made just for them. The CHARLOTTE POST helped us to say out loud, "We don't agree with you." There were many Post readers who sup ported our efforts as well, Mrs. Clara Jones, Rev. Rudolph Seth, Mr. Kelfy Alexander, Jr., and Mr. Arthur Griffin, to name a few. Even though we received limited actions and results, we were, and still are, "In It together." We are all committed to making sacrifices, along with the CHAR LOTTE POST, In spite of the fact that there are, and probably al ways will be, those of us who "sell out" for personal gains, as well as too many of us who fear losing something that was never ours to begin with. We feel that we don't belong to ourselves, and as black people, we must learn and be willing to take "risks." In a situation such as Derek's, we needed "risk takers" and there were only one or two. We needed more than "sympathy” alone to help Derek, but we feel that our efforts were not In vain to help the other "Dereks” In the school system. Thank you, CHARLOTTE POST, for helping us to wake up many sleeping parents like our selves. There Is hope for us as well as help. As black parents, we simply must get involved with our children's educationEil experiences and not hesitate to call on such organizations as 'The Children's Law Center," where there are some very good, young attorneys who can help our children when we feel we can no longer fight the battles alone. In 1988 we'd like to see more action and less talk from our black communities. Richard and Mamie Barnes On Keeping Dr. King's Dream Alive Dear Editor: Looking back on the year 1987 and forward to the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the two should wake all of us up. Dr. King’s birthday Is the time of year many of our one-time a year leaders come alive. In 1987, the black communi ty's biggest lost was the defeat of our mayor and city councilman Ron Leeper. Also, we saw the Klan march here three times, Vince P. Harris was killed on a prison bus, 400 blacks were killed In Mozambique and the list goes on. As we give out the many Dr. King awards this year- -as we always do—the question should be: what have you done In the past 364 days to keep the dream alive? The fact of the matter Is we have let Dr. King down. This year. People United For Justice will lead Its annual Dr. Martin Luther King march. As always, we will have a small group. However, this year we call for unity like never before. Most of our leaders feel a wsdk for Dr. King Is asking too much. With that In mind, a group of our leaders will have a parade wherein they will ride to a Dr. King program. However, the question Is not whether to walk or ride but what do we do after his birthday? The only thing that worries me Is the fact that ever since Dr. King died we have honored him but have never taken on any Is sues. I hope this year we will take on such Issues as racism, apartheid, Nicaragua and oth ers. On Sunday, January 10,1988 at 3 p.m. a few of us will march In honor of Dr. King. We call for leaders to stop the talk and join the walk. We pledge to work for freedom, love, justice and peace a total of 365 days a year. Any one wanting to take a stand can join us Sunday at the comer of LaSalle St. and Beatties Ford Rd. at 3 p.m. James E. Barnett Americans First, Southerners Second Dear Editor: The "progressive wing" of the Democratic Party of our state Is trying to keep North Carolina Democrats out of the main stream of American politics. 'The manner In which some of our leaders have endorsed Sen. Albert Gore Jr. for the Presiden cy reveals more concern with tire politics of geography than with the direction of the Nation. Senator Gore, like Sen. Albert Gore Sr. before him. Is a superb senator. If I could hang out my shingle as fiddle player In Nash ville. It would be swell to be rep resented by such an Intelligent senator In Washington. Unfortunately, the Gore Presi dential Campaign's appeal for votes here In the South has been set apart from other campaigns by subtle and occasionally overt racial overtones. As a prospec tive candidate for Congress, I disassociate myself from en dorsements on the basis of geog raphy or race. It would be grand to have a Southerner on the ticket, but this effort to bind North Caroli na’s Democratic Party to the Gore Campaign smacks of re gional selfishness at the expense of Democratic ideals. Are we Southerners first and Americans second? Of course not! We're proud to be Southern ers because we do love America and we cherish the South's place In our American heritage. David Proctor McKnlght r m WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? Let Us Hear Your Comments, Ideas & Opinions. Just Write: Hie Charlotte Post • Letters to Tlie Editor • P. 6. Box 30144 • Charlotte, NC 28230 Name and address must accompany your comments. A.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 7, 1988, edition 1
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