Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Jan. 8, 1971, edition 1 / Page 8
Part of Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
fA . errs ff Joe Hill OpLiiorj of The Daily Tar Heel are expressed on its editorial pee. All miipied editorials are the opinions of the editor and the staff. Letters trd columns represenj only the opinions of the individual contributors. Tom Gooding, Editor Friday, January 8, 1971 We promise to speak only good! of line dead. We haye long been disgusted with the attempts of many local personalities to portray the town of Chapel Hill as some quaint little southern village. Years ago the town of Chapel Hill impressed visitors as a nice, quiet village. The image was an attractive and profitable one for the area. The image was appropriate at that time. However, many local residents became so attached to the image they could not bear the thought of entering the modern world. Those people have been fighting a losing battle for years to maintain that image. it' This is the damnedest s 1 Dane Hartgrove ' The evening began well. George and Evelyn had invited the whole Martin family over for a post-Christmas get-together. It was an old-fashioned pot-luck affair: each family group brought one dish, like fried chicken or deviled eggs. Cousin Bill and his wife were there. George still had trouble remembering Bill's wife's name, even though Bill had been married to her for almost five years. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Sue came, bringing with them two teenaged daughters who would have preferred to spend the Saturday evening after Christmas at a drive-in movie with their boyfriends. ("Incuse M Tofc BRGlrtG- UP i ; T QO TT f-v A TECHNICAL. POINT , BUT i&X AR6M"T'THEY SUPPoSep TO ' V k Vi Y P7 o TgE SAME. TEAM ? I J Y We l c o - jp We don't want to destroy anyone's dream world but the official 1970 census shows that Chapel Hill has a population of 25,557. We are happy to report that local officials are finally, beginning to admit that Chapel Hill may be too large to be labeled a village. In fact, Chapel Hill's Mayor Howard Lee was even so bold as to say, "we have long since passed the village state in Chapel Hill due to physical development and physical change." There's an old saying that admonishes one to speak only good of the dead. The "village" is dead; Good. thing I have ever seen." 1 -CO. Cathey Mae ttlmfiiiiig tt Cousin Jim and his wife Alice were there, with their six children ranging in age from eighteen to three. Jim had driven his family over in a station wagon, and he took a lot of kidding from the other men about how he would have to start driving an air-port limousine if he didn't slow down in the bedroom. Uncle Albert and Aunt May had come with their two children, both in college: the girl in fringe and the boy in hair. Albert and May had finally adjusted to not having kids to scold after their two had gone off to college: they had bought a dog., , The conversation centered on the usual topics- of general disinterest. Oppiressfloiiii The jailing of Caesar Chavez on December 4th crystakkuzes the lettuce strike -a struggle every bit as difficult as the five-year grape strike. My assumption is that most of us are already familiar with the plight of the farm workers (i.e, extremely low wages and miserable living conditions) and acknowledge that these conditions are deplorable. What many of us don't realize, however, is how these conditions benefit, an elite group of people in society. More importantly we fail to see how we are. involved in this struggle. This article will attempt to clarify whose interests are served by these conditions and what we can do toward beginning to break the power of that elite group. The company that signed the complaint against Chavez and the United Farm Workers Organizing committee (UFWOC) is Bud Antle Inc., the largest scab lettuce grower. Bud Antle is partly owned by Dow Chemical. Lettuce in the Salinas area is dominated by international companies like United Fruit, Purex and Dow. Lettuce is far more important to agri-business than grapes; farm chemicals are far more important to Dow than napalm was. As one of the leading pesticide manufacturers, Dow already has a big grudge against the union, which has insisted on tough anti-pesticide and health and safety clauses in every contract. UFWOC union labels are now on 20 per cent of the California-Arizona lettuce, but the rest of the growers are holding out and suing to break the union. Any lettuce in cartons without the UFWOC eagle is scab lettuce (some of the companies have even placed red clenched-fist symbols on their non-union lettuce in order to deceive both retailers and consumers). Union lettuce is available to any store or chain that wants to buy it at wholesalers throughout the country. Until Bud Antle recognizes UFWOC, the boycott is concentrating on, Bud Antle and Dow Chemical. Bud Antle ships about 11,000 carlots of lettuce a year. A box of lettuce sells for between $2 and $3. That means that Antle ships between $22 and $33 million worth of lettuce a year. The company farms about 43,000 acres of land in California and Arizona. The lettuce is sold under the labels "Rick" and "Bud." In addition to farming operations, Antle owns "House of Bud" wholesale outsets in major U.S." cities and in Belgium. Bud also operates a vacuum cooling company, an investment. tllQlLX T&r- HGieL. f-3.71 see yoeraig mniee 3 Lyndon Johnson was accused of being a member of the Communist Party by the Republican members of the family, and the Democrats made snide comments about the similarities between Richard Nixon and Herbert Hoover. They were saved from discussing death and taxes by the arrival of Cousin Dave, the only ' unattached male in the adult part of the family. Dave was a high school history teacher, and had taken a job that fall in Lyndon County, in the heart of North Carolina's Klan country. T "Well, boy, I guess you been having it kind of rough down there, what with that federal order to desegregate and all. They killed any niggers down there yet?" "Naw, Uncle George. We ain't got no problems with the colored folk. Seems liieilps company, a fleet of 250 vaa and is a partner with Dow Chemical in a styrofoam container company. In addition to all of the above in 1969, Antle received subsidy payments from the U.S. government amounting to S690.COO. Bud Antle, Inc. enjoys a very special relationship with the U.S. military. Sixty per cent of the lettuce that the VS. military buys is from the Antle company. Dow Chemical is one of the world's largest corporations. Dow maintains 34 manufacturing locations in 19 states in the U.S. and sales offices in 22 American cities. Dow also has 44 offices and 51 manufacturing locations in 23 countries around the world. Dow consumer products include Saran Wjap, Ziploc (plastic bags), Dow Bathroom Disinfectant Spray and Touch of Sweden Hand Lotion. Dow owns a big chunk of the Antle Company. In 1968 Dow was the only outside stockholder in the Antle Company. Of the five directors on Antle's Letters to the editor UNG howl spirit To the Editor: For a time, I received the impression that the "ole Carolina football spirit" was waning. However, over the holidays, I had the. good fortune to witness the Peach Bowl (Peach Bowl?) game in Atlanta. Although the outcome of the game was disappointing, those present in support of the Tar Heels exhibited one of the best exemplars of school spirit and loyalty I have ever witnessed. Despite almost insurmountable odds against winning in the final minutes, the Tar Heels continued to put everything they had into the ball game-in the midst of the worst weather Atlanta has probably seen in a number of years. Dripping wet, and . numbed, they fought undaunted until the final second passed. The band . and majorettes deserve commendation, too, in their efforts during the half-time activity, for they carried, out their well-planned performance iri splehded fashion through this sub-freezing temperature and snow, falling in sheets. (Very few people can don a majorette's uniform and twirl a baton for fifteen minutes in snowy weather.) Particularly impressive also were the fans themselves-those who traveled such a distance, cognizant of threatening weather conditions, to be on hand to back their team on the field. They are to be lauded, too, for their continued vocal support and applause for the "Heels" even when the outcome looked bleak. . Here are three ways that students have proudly represented their school in a most memorable instance. From this event, I have seen the pride and strength of the University of North Carolina once more uplifted. Laurence W. Cannon Carrboro Injustice to athletics by Oakley To the Editor: This letter concerns the remarks of former UNC cheerleader Bernie Oakley that appeared in the Tar Heel just after his resignation from the squad: In. criticizing out athletic program, I feel that Bernie Oakley has done an injustice by lumping the entire department into one target. His criticisms, many of them valid, seem to be applicable only to the football and baseball programs. like all of a sudden there just ain't no young niggers of high school age in the whole county. All of 'em just dropped out of schooL Either that, or disappeared, seems like." T hear tell they put up a big sign at the city limits down in Smithville that says 'Nigger, don't let the sun set on you in this town.' That right?" "Shoot, Uncle Jerry. Why, down there every pick-up truck has a Klan Country license plate on the front and a rifle and shotgun on the rack behind the seat. Belks Department Store sets aside a whole room just for white sheets." Cousin Jim threw in his two cents worth; "Why, that ain't nothing compared to what the boys at the service station up in Danfield done the last time COIr Board, Dow is represented by C.F. Weaver, President of the Dow Chemical Financial Corporation, the investment arm of Dow Chemical. The Dow-Antle connection goes back many years to when Dow began manufacturing the wrappers for Antle lettuce in 1961. Dow also sells Antle "economic poisons" pesticides-the use of which the UFWOC wants to restrict. In 1969, when Antle had some financial reverses, the company sold Dow 17,000 acres of agricultural land which firmly establishes them as part of the agri-business scene-for an undisclosed amount of money in excess of $5 million dollars. Dow then turned around and released that is rented-the land back to Antle. Obviously the oppression of the farm workers benefits the small group of people who own the agri-business corporations. At this time the struggle I do feel that the other varsity sports are notably in harmony with the goals of the University. The basketball program at North Carolina contributes immeasurably to the University without perverting its standards.' Not only have all of the players surpassed 800 on their college boards, but indeed, almost the whole team scored well in the thousands. Their major ' 1 fields range from English to Chemistry. In addition, four members of this ' year's squad came to Carolina without scholarships and dedicated themselves to the point that they earned scholarships. One other is a Morehead Scholar. In recruiting, our coaches have a national reputation of honor and "letting the school sell itself." Certainly, Dean Smith teaches a great deal to our players. Many of his ex-players have devoted their lives to working with young people as coaches, using much of what Coach Smith taught them. The values stressed by Coach Smith, are not limited in value to ' spOrts:1 self -discipline, teamwork, getting along with people, pride in a job wsll done, and being a gentleman at all times. As for the question of catering to alumni, several facts should be mentioned. The new baseball complex was financed by an ex-Carolina athlete named Cary Boshamer. Boshamer at about the same time established a professor's chair at Carolina which figures to draw leading professors to our school. It is true that the alumni get seats which might be occupied by students, but keep in mind ' that if the alumni had not contributed, there would be no Carmichael Auditorium, much less seats. Of course, the students should come first, but the problem of alumni support is not unique , to the area of sports. Every University needs this support to exist and some catering is the result. As for our other sports which are very inexpensive and have no scholarships, I can' only guess that Bernie did not mean to include them in his criticisms. In conclusion, let me say that I don't mean to debate Bernie in his criticisms of college football, for I have long felt that college football will soon choke itself on its pursestrings unless it is thrust back within the perspective of the University. We need to look long and hard at this problem. But by supporting the high academic standards of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Carolina has shown a genuine . and refreshing concern. But Bernie, don't let your criticisms overgeneralize. I am sure that the soccer and lacrosse players, for example, must feel that "it is worth it," or they wouldn't be out there playing. And remember they get nithing proftecu: the niggers started fighting at the high school. They had 'em a damn commando unit all ready to go kill 'em some spooks. Even had a machine-gun mounted on the hack of a truck!" "Hell, Jim. That ain't nothing. Why, Bill and me was sitting La my car outside this Quik-Pik place over in Greensboro last Saturday, and we seen this car roll in with these two bucks and two white girls in it. Like I told Bill, ifn I'd of made a call down to Smithville, them old boys would of been up in Greensboro in five minutes, and five minutes later there wouldn't of even been a car left. That's how much them boys down in Smithville hate niggers!" Uncle Albert summed it up for the whole family: "Well, Davie, I don't know centers around Dow Chemical and Bud Antle Corp. who have built a mutually beneficial relationship bj?d on the exploitation of the farm workers. An important thing that v.e can do is to join the lettuce boycott now. Never buy lettuce without the UFWOC label. We should ask the retailer to show the UFWOC label on the cartons he receives. We should also impress upon him our intention not to buy any non-union lettuce. For more information write UFWOC Boycott-tl Centro. P.O. Box 1319, El Centro, Calif. 92243. Phone (714)352-5733. We should realize however that these actions are not sufficient to change the conditions of exploitation and inequality that now exist. As unions win minor struggles corporate owners raise the price of the good they sell and all other consumers (wage-workers) pay these costs. impressive out of all their work but the satisfaction of practicing, perfecting and using unusual skills. I express my wholehearted support of the varsity athletic program and hope it continues to improve and expand in the future. Joel Dvoskin 1 206 Granville Oakley gets support in resignation To the Editor: Without taking sides on the issue involved I would like to say that if Bernie Oakley's letter of resignation as a cheerleader and Dave Fox's letter of attack upon his motives for doing so are any measure of the intelligence or character of the men involved I will take my stand with Oakley every time. It sounds as though something which Mr. Fox values (namely football) has been threatened in principle by Mr. Oakley's stand. ) !'? Mr. Fox has responded by trying fo assassinate the character of his opponent rather than by dealing with the issues. (Have we placed too much stress on wrong values?) This is not the most helpful approach in solving what seems to be a difference of opinion. Democracy deserves a better chance in the seat of learning. John W. Gosnell Chapel Hill UNC fans' behavior poor at USC game To the Editor: As an alumnus of the University, it disturbed me when the fans and student body booed the visiting South Carolina basketball players as they were introduced. Why can't our "first class" team be supported by "first class" sportsmanship from the fans? Thomas W. Harper Raleigh The Daily Tar Heel accepts letters to the editor, provided they are typed on a 60-space line and limited to a maximum of 300 words. All letters must be signed and the address and phone number of the writer must be included. The paper reserves the right to edit all letters for libelous statements and good taste. Address letters to Associate Editor, The Daily Tar Heel, in care of the Student Union. .v & I 1 coimimtoy about the rest of the family, but I think it's a damn fine thing to see young men ready to go out and protect their country like that. It does my old heart good to know there's men in this country still ready to stand up for what's right and decent." Aunt May called out from the kitchen: "We're ready to eat. Albert, will you ask the blessing?" Albert waited while the whole family, all the women and children, gathered around the dining room table. Then he bowed his head and began: "Father, we thank Thee for Thy manifold gifts and blessings as we stand, again united as a family, before Thee. Help us to feel in our hearts the true meaning of this holiday season. .
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 8, 1971, edition 1
8
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75