North Carolina Newspapers

^ge 2, The Carolina Indian I EDITORIAL ...rh'e voice of rhe drum is on offering ro rhe Spirir of rhe ni I |k I Ir's sound orouses rhe I I IN I iVl cnind and mokes men feel rhe mysrery and power of rhings. -DU\CK ELK PAGE ^ ‘Spitting into the wind’ provokes similar ire on Allen’s Award To the Editor: AS I SEE IT Druce Dorron TIMES ARE CHANGING BUT THEY REMAIN THE SAME Indians are having a hard time of it psychologically and politically and in every other way. They are being butressed about by the stresses and strains of their history. The chickens are coming home to roost. A case in point: The Robe son County Board of Education met Tuesday afternoon and said not a word about the attorney hiring. Six Indians, two whites, and one Black can not find it in their hearts to replace I. Murchison Biggs, the epitome of white conser vatism, with an Indian law firm. Why? Well, nobody knows, really! Indians do not kill across racial lines and they do not seduce across racial lines so it stands to reason that they cannot fire a white conservative anything, including I. Murchison Biggs or Y. H. Allen, the shrewd white superintendent. When Harbert Moore’s mo tion at an earlier meeting to replace Biggs with an Indian law firm was defeated 4-2 it raised a number of questions, the most overriding question is why did only six board mem bers vote when all nine of them were present? The chairman only votes in case of a tie, What happened to the other two Indians who did not vote? Was it psychological shock? Were their hands still ed by a reading of their infamous history? Faced with an opportunity to fire a white conservative...well, were they overwhelmed with the thought of such potential power? God only knows our heart. Who can decipher the nuances and subtleties of our history? Are we programmed? Are we indoctrinated by what has happened to us? God only knows...Still, we must begin to grapple with our past, our ignoble present and our unknown future. Our destinies are in our own hands. What will we do for our children? Anyway, the board did not mention the problem. The politicians called off the people and it seems that I. Murchison Biggs and Y. H. Allen are what we want and, seemingly, what we deserve. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO IT TOO... Another interesting case is the one that the county commissioners are dealing with right now. I expect them to emulate the county school board: you know debate it and then give it to the white. Slim Barnes died and, sud denly, the commissioners found themselves with another problem. An Indian, Murphy .Woods, applied for the posi tion of chief industry hunter for the county. It seemed that the Indian had the inside track in the race, until the white conser vatives got into the act. There are three Indians on the seven member board of commissioners. They are out numbered. Times are chang ing but they remain the same. It seems right now that the white will get the job. It is racial pure and simple. Indians as the white conservatives see it, are trying to get above their raisings. Said a white politi cian, “You know that Lum- berton wouldn’t help an Indian in this job. They just wouldn’t. You know why as well as 1 do...’’ Yes. 1 know why but when are we going to deal with the racism that keeps Robeson County a backwards, low coun try entity? But here’s the catch: Whites vote for whites. Blacks vote for Blacks, and Indians...well, you never know who an Indian is going to vote for. That’s our disadvantage. LEHEfTS TO THE EDITOR Indians will, on occasion, vote for whites and Blacks. History has proven that the reverse is not true. Condescension is still the by word in racial relations. Many Indians walk about saying, “let’s not do unto them as they have done unto us.’’ And they continue to do it to us. It seems that there are two sets of rules, one for the Indian and one for the others. Questions Writer’s Bible Quote I am writing in reference to an article in your 2-4-77 edition of The Carolina Indian Voice. begins at home.’’ She stated to the person she was writing about to read the Bible and he would find the above state ment. Where? Racial relations, as I see it, are at their lowest ebb since the days of Henry Berry Lowry. Mrs. Mabel Oxendine of Rt. 2. Maxton made a state ment that 1 would like to know where I can find it in the Bible. One of your loyal readers. The statement was “Charity Palmer Ray Bryant Rt. 2 Box 86 Maxton, NC A Black political leader called me the other day and he was as mad as a setting hen. Said he, “By God, the Indians are trying to take everything.” In the distance, I heard the braying laughter of a white conservative. Retired Serviceman’s Pay A Concern of Reader It is, as I see it, time to be honest. Racism rules the roost in Robeson County. We need forceful, agressive and bold Indian and Black and white leaders to represent us in public office. As long as we elect mediocre politicians, our return will be mediocre. After seeing on TV the hardships caused by the worst cold weather in history 1 can’t understand a pay hike for the top brass in the Congress of the United States. Bill on Recomputation. What would happen if I. Murchison Biggs was replaced with an Indian law firm? What would happen if Murphy Woods, a bright and attractive and qualified Indian was nam ed chief industry hunter in Robeson County? It appears to me that the Congress can agree on a pay raise for themselves easier than they can agree on ways to help the unemployed and people on welfare and etc. Representatives Charles Rose (D) went on record in favor of recomputation; Sena tor Jesse A. Helms (R) voted for recomputation; Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. voted against recomputation, but retired early in order to receive the highest pay for his retirement. Would the heavens fall in on us? Would the county regress to the dark ages? Would the whites flee the county? Etc. Etc. Etc. How about equalization of retired pay for enlisted men that retired between 1955 and 1958. This is only a starter of unfairness, in our social sys tem. I hear a lot of things on TV. Radio, Newspaper, and etc., but no one listens to the ones who have given the best years of their life for their country, only to be lost in the mass of red tape, etc. I say no! But who will convince the politicians? Times are changing but they remain the same. There is little rhythm or reason to the patterns of our life .at the moment. Who will be the first to knock down the psychological barrier that separates us all? Will we impart to our children what has been given to us? I quote, “National, Associa tion for Uniformed Services,” as follows; “Equalization of Retired Pay, Uniformed Ser vices retirees of the same rank and service now draw eight different rates of pay. For example, a Sergeant Major, Master Chief Petty Officer, of Chief Master Sergeant who retired before June 1, 1958 receives 88 percent less retired pay than another with the same length of service (30 years) who retired in 1968.” I only wish tharmwe'people knew and understood'How our enlisted service personnel have been forgotten and mis treated. One of the reasons given for not passing, Recomputation of retired pay was because it would take too much money, now I wonder; if it wouldn’t cosKt'lot of money to raise the salaries of our biggest salary drawing people in Congress and top federal employees. On September 17, 1973 the United States Senate approved by a vote of 71-14 the Hartke Cornelias L. Hocker, Sr. M/Sgt. USAF retired Rt.lBox299 Pembroke, NC HOPE IS AN ECHO,HOPE TIES ITSELF YONDER, YONDER I’ll admit that I am discouraged and disillusioned at the moment but I continue to chant a line of Carl Sandburg: “Hope is an echo, hope ties itself yonder, yon der...” Without hope there is dispair. Musing MCkteor By Reasonable SOMEHOW THE OLD DAYS WERE BETTER...UNTIL YOU GITTOTHINKIN’ There is little fire or passion in this column. 1 am distrac ted, upset, visibly disturbed about the trends I see develo ping,..but, well, the hope remains. I know things can be better and should be. There is not much more to say about it. or Reasonable can remem ber the good old days when the only Indians who had any thing to do with town govern ment in Pembroke was police men. Even though Pembroke was 95 percent Indian back in the 20s and 30s and 40s the governor of the state would appoint the mayor and town council from Raleigh, He alius anpointed whites. And them whites appointed or hired other whites (although there were less than 200 of them most of the time in the whole town) to be tax collectors, town clerk, check writers, etc. It was a pure mess and degrad ing to the Indians. But the hot head Indians back them could scream and hollar and raise the dickens about the mess ’cause they knowed they was in the right. Drug Center, Odcm and W. 3rd. Pembroke. NC. Dial 321-1805 Pharmacists likened to basketball heroes In some respects the pharmacist is like the bas ketball player who plays the whole game unno ticed, but who scores a last second goal that wins the game. It only takes a second, but perhaps the most important obligation that a pharmacist has to his “team” of hesdth officials is to insure a correct, safe prescription. We are the last ones on your health team to take a “shot” at catching a possible error in your medicine. So, like the basketball plaver, your pharmacist stan^ ready to “score” when you need the points! It is an awesome re sponsibility, day in and day out. But 24-hour8 a day, we stand ready to serve you instantly. pemBRol4ec“*NT“,K Now, well, we’ll got Indians just about ever’where you look. They are in the seats that used to have power. Now that they are in some of the seats, the power is being transferred somewhere else. Now, with Indians where ever you look, it is a getting complicated to cuss and raise too much devil. You might be a stepping on an Indian’s toe. That complicates the situation somewhat. But Oi’ Reasonable does want an Indian school board attorney and an industry hun ter (whatever that is) etc. etc. etc. You know, just a third of everything in the county, including the money and pow- As soon as Indians (and Blacks) find out they can look a man in the eye and not ask for but demand at least two thirds of ever’thing, life will git a whole lot better. Right now, as it stands, the Indians especially are half way apologizing for even a thinking how I, Murchison Biggs’ head might look on the political chopping block. OT Reason able says “chop it off!” We do need Indian attorneys a doing some of that hifiluting paper work. T After reading As I See It, “Spitting Into the Wind,” 1 must comment. 1 have been taught all my life that Indians will sell out for White Owl Cigars. That is the most degrading statement 1 have ever heard. However degrad- iug, it is nevertheless true. And after Y. H. Alien was given the “Boss of the Year” Award by the Pembroke Jay- cees, I was again convinced that it is a statement of fact. My question is why? And next I ask: Who? Let me clarify my feelings on the man under discussion. I am fully aware that he is not solely responsible for the “less than adequate” educational system in the county. Being a product of the inferior Robe son County School System, I would be less than honest if I did not say that the system is notorious for the second rate facilities, supplies, materials, equipment, and in many many cases, the faculty they have thrown to the minorities in the county. We have nothing to do but look around us to know that these things are so. If you doubt for an instant that the minorities have been treated as less than human by Y. H. Allen and his cohorts on the now defunct board of educa tion, just take some time and visit the board of education in Lumberton and read the min utes of previous board of education meetings. Carry yourself back in time for the last twenty years. Check those minutes and you will see that 1. J. Williams and Company have never voted for any issue that was in the best interest of better education for minority students. During all his years of service (sic) to our children, not one time did he or any of his fellow board members do anything that would improve the educational process for the majority of the children they purported to represent. If 1 live to be 2000 years old, I will never be convinced that the illegal board of education that served so long and diligently to keep .us oppressed, deprived and under educated, were doing anything less than act in accordance with Y. H. Allen’s opinion of us. And Y. H, Allen succeeded B. F. Littlefield who was the King of Racial Discrimination and Injustice and Unaduitur- ated Hatred for those of us who have complexions less than pale. The minutes of the past one hundred years will verify my comments. And if you don’t believe Y. H. Allen is at heart (my opinion) a racist, consider the children. Look around you. Surely it is evident that the mentality of men such as Y. H. Allen, B. F. Littlefield, 1. J. Williams ana Company is reflected in the minds of us all. The mentality of these men who will condone a system called double- voting who will spend our money to defend a system they know in their hearts is illegal, this mentality reveals that they actually believed that robbing us of our good seif- images, denying us our Constitutional rights, breeding us to be masses of menial labor, was for our own good. I have been delighted to read in the past of the outstanding contributions of the Pembroke Jaycees to the “greater Pembroke Commun ity.” And all the past pride they have earned from me by repairing homes for the elder ly, sponsoring fund raisings for worthy causes, etc., it all became a farce when they undid all that good by the erronous act of presenting Y. H. Allen the "Boss of the Year” Award. I am shocked, stunned, disappointed, heart sick, and hurt that the organi zation which has been respon sible for so many beneficial projects as the Pembroke Jaycees would slap us all in the face by presenting such a prestigious award to a man such as Y. H. Allen. What an insult to the Boss of the Year last year. And, of course, there could not be a Boss of the Year next year. Who would be honored to follow in the footsteps of Y. H. Allen? Are we to hate them for this? 1 think not. According to my basic belief in Christian principles, they are to be pitied. One day soon- sooner than we want to admit, time will be no more. When time runs out, Y. H. Allen will appear before a man whom we all know has no respect of persons. I am assured that when he is asked about the wrong he has done to the children, he will be shocked. And he will say, “Lord,.I.did not know they were my equals.” In his mind he will believe he is right, but in his heart he will repent. In all likelihood, it will be too late for his salvation. It is already too late for my generation and the generation proceeding me and the gene ration proceeding me to be saved ^m the evil- doings of men such as Y. H. Allen. Still, he is to be pitied because the day of oppression, depression and repression of minorities is slowly fading into the past. But he and those like him, their day is in the future, and “Woe unto them.” And what of the Jaycee who nominated Allen? I pity him also. Afterall. he was only doing what he was indoctri nated to do- that being to look upon the Anglo Saxons as idols. . What do you do with an idol? You pay homage to them. You sacrifice for them. I only pray that whatever the motive of the nominating Jaycee, he will find it well worth the sacrifice. 1 say all that to say this. Although 1 was not at the Awards Banquet in person, you did not walk out on that farce alone- nor do you spit into the wind alone. You do it with and for people like me- those who have suffered un mercifully at the hands of Y. H. Allen and his kind in Robeson County. Thank you for caring. Carletter Locklear Rt. 3 Box 198 AB Maxton. NC 28364 Strongly Supports lEA Funds & Needs To tile honor; In pondering over it all, 1 have concluded that the Y. H, Allens of this county are not to be blamed for their actions. I believe that they also have had their hatred of us inbred in them. When the Anglo Saxons were indulging in slavery they did not believe the Blacks were human beings. From much concentrated reading, I have learned that they believed Blacks were less than human, that they had no souls. And they treated them just as they felt they were-inhuman. Don’t be misled by their never- failing claim that their grand mother was a Cherokee. They believe Indians also to be less than human. That is why they have treated all the minorities in this country as sub-human beings. They believe we are less than they are. And they have taught us to believe and feel less than they are. And they have taught us to believe and feel less than they are. That is the one thing 1 find difficult to forgive them for. They have taught us well in that respect. They failed to provide us the means for an adequate basic education, but they have taught us well that we were inferior. After years of extensive surveys and testing, Indian students were found to score below the National educational level of other races, one factor being deprivations and hard ships society imposed on In dians throughout the history of America. As a result. Con gress created the Indian Edu cation Act to provide special monies, thereby allowing In- dian students to catch up with the National average. We realize the educational level in N. C. is below the National level, and Robeson County is behind many other counties in the state, and this too is sad. But until we wipe out racism, along with six (6) existing school districts we will continue to remain behind. These conditions were not brought about by Indians, we are victims of circumstances, and if funds earmarked for Indian students are used for all races, how can we close the educational gap? Which is the intent of the Act. The lEA guidelines allows and encourages parent imput into program planning, and deciding how to best meet the most urgent needs of Indian students at the school level, which is totally different from all other funds received by the Board of Education in that parents have no voice in expenditures. Since this pro gram began in 1973 parents have drawn up, proposals, approved by the, elected com mittee, also approved by the Board of Education that were never implemented. Purchase orders have been filled without any knowledge of some of the members of the committee or the parents. This practice has created chaos and unrest in the schools and communitites that was so unnecessary but will remain long after the funds are discontinued. It seems to me. if an administrator can expend Title 1 funds for the poor, state and local funds and all other Title monies within the guide lines, lEA shouldn’t be such a hassle to spend for Indian children, if administered in a professional manner. Alleged lEA funds irregu larities necesitated bringing in a team of Federal auditors, who have been in the county system auditing all lEA ex penditures for the last several weeks. Placing extra work load on busy administration and Overworked staff, and extra expenses on the system that is so badly needed in other areas of school operations. lEA funds are not allocated to be used at the principal’s discretion. These special mon ies are to be used over and above any other per pupil attotment to enrich the educa tional level of Indian students and not to surplant any state or local funds in any way, Is that so complicated? Letters to Editor Policy LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor are welcome. We encourage our readers to express themselves subject to the following condi tions: ter. If no telephone number, then reader should personally deliver letter to the offices of The Carolina Indian Voice located on Highway 711 East, Pembroke, for verification. Letters should include the signed name, address and telephone number of the wri- The editors reserve the right to reject letters of a libelous nature or those considered in bad taste. Yeah, them good oT days! Maybe, after we Indians git tired of punishing ourselves for being stepped on and mistreated and denied and robbed...well, then we can git down to business and make this a good county to live in and work in for all the people- Indian, Black and white. Then OI’ Reasonable can quit a looking back to them good ol’ days. Tell you the truth, them was rotten and soul robbing days. Perhaps the lEA timing, was poor, and Tm sure it places our principals in an awkward position many times. Our schools are operating on a very tight budget and doing a remarkable job under cramped conditions in many instances. But if we use these funds within the rules and regula tions set forth by Congress, the work load should be lightened for all races, serving a two fold purposes and bring about a better understanding among all concerned. AUeen Holmes Rt. 3 Box 736 Lumberton, NC % * I See More Letters To % * I The Editor on Page 6 ****Ht*Jt:*,|e***********,,,*,|„^,,„,„^J Thursday, February 15 Racism Rears Ugly Head in Robe The recently published opinion of one local principal makes one wonder if the concentrated effort to upgrade the quality of education for Indian children, and the con stant struggle for Indian' sur vival have all been in vain. —An Edifarial Viewpoir The indirect confession and honest admission of lack of knowledge in the expedieting of Indian Education funds is heartbreaking for Indian pa rents, not to speak of the underprivileged Indian stu dents who are being denied the benefits intended to derive from these special funds. The search for a director of Indusj Agricultural Development in Rd County has brought racism to the 5 again in our backward, 19th ci County. The choice has come down to M Woods, an Indian, and Donald E. Gt a white. The lines have been d Seemingly, who ever can muster tl* racism in their respective camp, will; who gets the job. It looks like,; moment anyway, that the whites havt ayes than anyone else. The credentials of the minority cand Woods, have been bandied about: news media by Waverly Barham, clii of the Robeson County Industrid Agricultural Commission in no unc terms. In essence, Barham intimate he could not affirm Woods because not the most qualified.” Is Guyton? Why was Woods chosen as a topic 1 area news people when there we candidates for the job? Those who compared the resume of the two affir Woods is more qualified than Gt Barham, according to a light st Indian who was standing by when Bi and other members of the cotnnt emerged from the commissioner’s rt the last meeting, made some t comments. Said Barham, according: light skinned Indian who wishes not' identified for the most obvious of rei “We might have to come up with » candidate.” Said another, “Nah, have to stick with Guyton because: Sam Noble’s (commission chaij choice...” Did he actually say that can’t swear to it but it seems pli| based on some of Mr. Barham’s ant the press and before the boai? commissioners lately. Who will get the job? Well, it looksl safe bet to place your money on C? He’s the right color. , The loser, Murphy Woods, as ill now, is another sacrifice that Roi: County has made to the ‘ idol—RACISM. We all lose-li, Black and White when the color of atj skin, instead of his credentials, isth riding factor as to whether or not he((^ gets a job in Robeson County. :i No wonder that Robeson County isf? the 39 counties in North Carolina suh the 1965 Voting Rights Act. No woni" recently inacted affirmative action employment in Robeson Comf laughable and teethless. Racism is an evil, crippling di? Unless Robeson County is cured of:r only things left will be illiteraci’ poverty and 90,000 scarred psfi walking about upright. j God help us all! We’re all infectedlr madness. Said a Black who callt® recently, “THE INDIANS GETTING EVERYTHING!” 1 Indians have nothing”, this teP replied to the distant sound of a s conservative snickering in the back!ip( Attend The Church Of You Choice Sunday l THE CAROLINA INDIAN' Published Each Thursda The Lumbee Publishing Cc SUDSCKIPTION BATES' Instore-1 Yeor S7.26 2 Yeors $10.40 OUT OF STATE 1 Year $6.00 2 Yeors $12.00 M^DER: American Indion Pi N.C. Press Association God grant me the serenity to occepi connof chonge; courage to change CQh: ond the wisdom to know the The Corolino Indian Voice desires to prorriprly of 0 chonge of oddress. address chonge to: The Corolino Indi O Dox 1075. Second Closs Posto' Pembroke. NC 26372.