VIEWPOINT
Black America has power in the ballot
The Black vote in America is like
the young athlete who fails to give
his all, and in turn never
recognizes his full potential.
The trend has in recent years
been for a heavy segment of the
Black population to shy away from
the registration and voting
precincts, yet sit back and endure
the constant struggle to survive
with limited resources that is so
unique to the Blacks in this coun
try.
The Afro-American is in the ob
vious minority in the U.S. com
pared to whites, but being the
largest of minorities in this coun
try, Blacks have potential to have
the largest single influence on
American politics and lifestyle.
Until the Blacks stand up and
make a realistic move to be
counted as a gjroup with human
concerns and desires as anyone
else, there will always be the Black
man at the bottom of the totem
pole.
In recent years, the major
political campaigns in this nation
have centered a sizable portion of
their strategy around obtaining
‘‘the Black vote.”
It has been proven that Blacks as
a whole, through the influence of
concerned Black leaders and in
terest groups can band together
and put all their efforts in one
positive direction.
However, the problem has not
t>een organization, but little
motivation.
In retrospect, this all goes back
to the theory of “cancelling out.” If
only a small percentage of the
Black population makes an at
tempt to move forward in the
struggle to have a true voice in this
country’s affairs, then that par
ticular group’s actions are un
doubtedly in vain.
Through increased community
education in the schools and chur
ches and a common sense realiza
tion that action and concern brings
about change, the Black voice in
America will be stronger.
Too many times. Blacks tend to
sit back and voice complaints
rather than stamp out annoying
problems with positive action.
Motivation (which later becomes
action) is what the Black com
munity needs, from both its leaders
and its successful middle class set.
If we are to move forward with
any intentions of t)ettering our pre
sent situation, then the Black
Americans “in-the-know” are go
ing to have to get our front and
chart the course.
It cannot be emphasized enough,
the importance of the vote to
Blacks, and especially in this era
where politicians are more apt to
l>end with the needs and demands
of their heaviest supporters.
As an already large group with
potential to be even much greater,
the Black vote should be collected
nationally into a powerful force by
the time the next presidential cam
paign gets off the ground.
If this task is accomplished, and
Black leaders can take out the
necessary time to sit down in an
organized fashion with the most-
likely-to-win candidates and trade
favors for precious voting power,
then we may begin to see a chang
ing Black America.
NEWS FOCUS: Kennedy ^80
By JAMES ALEXANDER
Co-Editor
New twists added
to the Viewpoint page
As of October 1, Black Ink’s
Viewpoint page has added a new
dimension for better expression of
opinion on international, domestic,
statewide, and campus affairs con
cerning our readers.
The News Focus column is a new
feature that will attempt to
spotlight key Black-oriented issues
based on factual information. It is
expected to zero in on thoughts that
may’ have failed to l)e considered
previously and it is not intended to
take the place of an editorial.
Another new addition to Black
Ink’s Viewpoint section will be
space reserved for letters-to-the
editors written from our reader.
Any letter submitted to Black Ink
should be opinionated expressions
of any concerns that you might like
to share with other readers.
However, we ask that letters be
typed double-spaced and turned in
to either of the Black Ink editors no
later than Wednesday evenings for
a following issue.
The staff of Black Ink does not
mind you submitting letters about
what may bug you, but all letters
will be censored for any damaging,
obscene or libellous content to pro
tect you and the newspaper.
As a general rule, all letters to
the editors must be signed by the
writer and topics do not have to
deal with issues printed on the
Viewpoint page.
If you have any drawbacks con
cerning your writing ability do not
worry, they still not be held against
you. We have an excellent staff to
proofread and double-check incom
ing copy to meet our standards.
For information or if you wish to
“sound-off” to our readers, contact
James Alexander at 933-4428 or
come by 349 James.
While incumbent president Jimmy Carter attempts to hold back a strong
movement endorsing U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy for the democratic
presidential bid. Black leaders in America are turning over in their minds
whether or not they will support Kennedy, the popular young Massachusetts
politician or incumbent Carter.
In the past presidential election. President Carter received the largest bloc
of Black votes in American political history but has since received a very
disappointing job rating by a cross-section of Americans.
If Carter is to turn his ground-level popularity around for the better and im
prove his chances of re-election, political analysts say his handling of the coun
try’s economic woes and the winter energy crisis between now and the primary
season will t)€ a determinant factor in his fate.
Kennedy’s political popularity, especially among Blacks, probably goes all
the way back to the success of his brothers, John (assassinated vice-president)
and Robert (assassinated presidential candidate) with the struggle of Black in
America.
The only skeleton in his closet, which should not seem to be a major factor
should he decide to run, is the Chappaquiddick incident in which he was respon
sible for the death of his then-secretary Mary Jo Kopechne.
Carter, on the other hand, had obtained a tremendous amount of popularity
among Blacks during the last election because of his innovative view of the
American political system, and his sympathetic feeling for Blacks and his
desire to see more Blacks in top-level government positions.
However, Carter’s downfall was his lack of overall leadership and many
Black leaders felt that his election-year sympathy had dwindled to near zero
since he had l>een office.
In recent conferences of Black organizations. Black leaders have shown
their support for Kennedy if he should decide to run in 1980.
This movement of many Blacks over to the Kennedy camp, which hasn’t of
ficially opened up yet, is proving to be a detrimental factor in Jimmy (Ilarter
serving a second term in the White House.
Whoever we as Blacks decide to elect Democratic candidate for the presiden
cy of the United States in 1980 will reflect that Blacks in America are experien
cing an awakening to the happenings in the political arena, and it will make
future candidates (uHy ^ware of the increasing collective power and needs of
American Blacks. *
Interested in working with us?
then lust
come to our weekly meetings
Monday at 6:30 p.m., in Upendo
BMCK INK
The euence of freedom...
Volume 12, Number 5
Theresa Williams and James Alexander
(^o-Editors
Donna Whitaker
Associate EMltor
Linda Brown
Associate Eklitor
Debra Harris
Managing Editor
Sharojm Marshall
News Editor
Kim Turner
Features E^tor
Karen Smith
Arts Editor
Frances Silva
Sports E^tor
Raymond Perry
Sports Editor
Beverly Shepherd
Special Projects
Andrea Fulton
Advertising Manager
Ricky Bryson
Business Manager
M3rra Blue
Community Editor
Deweese Gilyard
Photography Editor