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d Page 2, The Carolina Indian I EDITORIAL tAND OPINION ^ PAGE ...rhe voice of rhe drum is on offering ro rhe Spirir of rhe World, Ir's sound arouses rhe mind and molses men feei rhe mysrery and power of Things. -BLACK ELK AS I SEE IT Bruce Barron f - I I LETTEP5 TO t THE EDITOR REALITIES OF LIFE IN ROBESON COUNTY Running a newspaper in Robeson County is a precari ous business, frought with danger. Running an Indian orientated newspaper in Rob eson County is doubly finistra- ting and precarious. One must remain constantly on alert, careful to not fall prey to the realities of life in Robeson County. But realities are life: we can't always run from life. Sometimes, we must face up to things as they are. answer to this inquiry is the answer to our common prob lem. And our problem is our collective scarred psyches. Do we accept our psychological make up as it is or do we attempt to change our atti tudes, enhance our self images? More on Prospect School Situation from Concerned Parent To the Editor: AND THE BANKS LOOKED ASKANCE AT US I do not wish to be bitter or deprecating to others but the Indian’s precarious perch on the societal ladder of Robeson County sometimes causes a spill. Anyway, why should there be a societal pecking order in Robeson County; Who decided that the whites are on the top rung? And where does that leave the Indian, and Black? Why scrambling for second place of course. That psychological mind set has caused the enmity that exists between Indians and Blacks today. They do not trust each other and, in most cases, do not like one another. They are a threat, one to the other. What is ironic is that in many cases the white conservatives in our fair county pull both their chains. And then we went to the banks, both at home and in Lumberton. 1 suspect that we are victims of a murphy game in economic circles in Robeson County. We can’t prove it, but our paranoia has made us suspicious and wary. I’d like to take the oppor tunity to elaborate on the recent article to the editor entitled “Sees Non- Regoni- tion as Harmful to Child.” We attempted to borrow a small sum of money in vain. Two county commissioners agreed orally to co- endorse our note. Additionally, the editor of The CIV offered to put up a lot and car in addition to the two co- endorsers. The banks refused to make the loan and. finally, the banker at the last bank we approcahed, without amplification said, "the truth is we just don’t want to make the loan.” Why? Well, your conjecture is as good as mine. Incidentally, one of the commissioners we approached is the largest stock holder at the last bank we approached. To the parents I want to say that it’s too bad and most inexcusable that yours as well as mine must be hurt by such heartless practices. And at.the same time nobody is ’’aware” that every thing isn’t as it should be. It-is dangerous to talk of these things, especially if one is not financially secure and is indebted to lending institu tions for intermittant monetary injections. You see, the student body is classed into two groups, “Se lects” and “Culls.” The latter is stifled, their incentiveness squelched and made to feel as the least of the less desired. Otherwords, give me your blood (your talents, whatever they may be, all your creative energies, etc., all that you have to offer to make MY institution look good to every one that doesn’t know the costs). Approved, now you can go to H—. The selects is another story. They’ll make it by hook or crook and it’s usually both. FEW FRIENDS IN A TIME OF NEED Did our supposed vulnera bility seek the economic hounds on us? Did they reason:“let’s take care of ths journalistic pest once and for all?” Did they set us up, to topple us? The Carolina Indian Voice is not financially secure; nor are we able to survive with our souls in tack without straying occasionally from the prover bial white line in the middle of the road. We are doing fair, but we are not well off. Every once in a while we run into problems. Internal Revenue Service, creditors, etc. And we have to scramble for our lives. But we are surviving, keeping our heads above water. You thought that when you stood in opposition to a cause that was brought to fore, recently, that you had done a real service for our school community, just the opposite resulted. The things you have We don’t know. We squirm- learned and now know for a ed out of our delimma by hitting the road and collecting monies owed us. And money constantly flowing was thrown into every leak in our economic dike until they were patched. A LESSON LEARNED Such was the case recently. Where did we go? Well, to friends at first. At least we through they were our friends until we needed them. The need ruptured our supposed friendship. Friends- Indian friends- turned us down, not coldly but for a variety of reasons. Most of the more financially secure ones were (so they said) over extended or they did not wish to face the wrath of their wives for co signing a note for us. They mostly were sympathetic but not responsive to our needs. We can understand that; but we necessarily don’t like it. The lesson learned is that the price of one’s soul is not for exchange in the market place. It is not for sale. And one should pay particular attention to his business if his livelihood is tied into the fabric of public life. And the newly coined axiom is “don’t play the game if you*can’t pay the bill.” And, most of all, work desperately to stay out of economic harm’s way, We accept the challenge and pro mise, anew, to tell the story of a proud and courageous peo ple (the Robeson County In dians) in a far and objective manner. ,fact, you would not have believed nor accepted as an existing practice had you not met headon through your child’s experience. I’m sorry your child had to pay such a price in order for you to know what all the ruckus is about between Administration and parents who are concerned enough about what’s happen ing to student morale to buck the tide. When the Lombee, a weekly newspaper that preceded us in Pembroke was in operation the same friends we approached , pumped some $30,000 into it in vain. The Lambee failed abysmally. The Indians hired a number of white editors to attempt to salvage their good intentioned enterprise. They paid and paid and paid in vain. Does it have some thing to do with the psychological mad ness of Robeson County that these Indian firiends would pump $30,000 into the Lombee a newspaper edited and oper ated by whites, and not a dime into a newspaper (The Carolina Indian Voice) edited and operated by Indians like themselves; Why? Is it my unruly locks? My independent spirit? My arched incredulous brow? 1 don’t know but the It is good to be alive and well and up and about doing what makes one feel good and useful. Survival teaches one many lessons. I have shared a brief outline of our recent difficulties to say loud and clear to all who^ijl listen that you can do your own thing with out selling out to the economic and political devils in our midst. An Indian sage once told me: “keep you soul unfettered and work hard at your task in life.” That is what I plan to do, a little wiser now but not trampled under foot by the realities of life in Robeson County. It is hoped that you will use your experience to help stir other parents to the fact that those are our children in Prospect school and we have every right to be involved and concerned about what happens to our youth and how it hap pens.I can’t say it loud e- nough, that we, as parents, better start caring enough to look into and observe the atmosphere in which our chil dren spend most of their awake hours. Away with the silly notion that as long as my child isn’t involved I don’t care. They haven’t even bo thered to project into the future enough to see that in due time, they’ll be caught up in the same vicious tenacles that engulfed your child. The se kind of things didn’t just start with you.They were happening at the time you believed you were helping to better the situation. In es sence, you along with others refused to SEE what you were LOOKING on. Thanks to those who read and support The Carolina Indian Voice. We shall attempt to live up to your high expectations. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to take a crack at fulfilling a life’s dream- the establishment of a newspaper that tells it like it is from the Indian prospective. EVERY 2 WEEKS . SA ANTIQUE - USED FUHNIT JRE - Appliances '1 - DILLON, S. C. the well-being of their child ren, and they should - by the same measure, so ought we to do the same for ours. You see it’s as simple as protecting what is ours by whatever means deemed necessary. If we, as concerned parents don’t force out the undesir ed policies practiced in our school and tolerated at the local level, our kids are going to pay a heavy penalty as a result of our slothfulness. I have to say at this point, that it was for this reason and some relative, that concerned parents began to ask questions in an effort to discourage the continuance of such noted practices as being injurious to the “total” student. At this point, a loud wail came forth “troublemakers, agitators, the community scum is making an attack on the Administration of the school!” Why not? Our children constitute the school that provides the jobs that is their livilihood. Why not - insist for improvements, any- — one can profit on this point? WHOLESALE ^ March 5th and 19th •• J. C. McDaniel |tl|C9|C!|»Kl|c4c>|»|Cl|C9|C9|c4c««««)|C!|,|C9|c«;|C3|C3|C9|C!iCi|« It’s too bad children suffer from such experiences as yours. Some readers may say why all the fuss? Yeh- I say why all the fuss? It’s all about the total effects these incidents have upon the children and SHOULD NEVER come by any way of any school doorl Heavens forbid! Schools should have all the community input it can get to make school a good experience. Let me tell you about another incident that occured about three years ago in our school. There was a so- called “Talent” program sponsored by the school, staged in the gym, for the purpose of naming a “Queen” that had already been “pre-picked.” As it would be. one of the prettiest girls in the Prospect High School did a marvelous presentation of one of the great Shakespear's works. May I add that in my humble opinion, she should have got ten some recognition. It was obvious that she had put a lot of concentration and effort into the role she so beautifully portrayed. 1 thought, at the time, it goes without saying, she’ll be among the finalists. Well, to my disbelief, she failed to be recognized. The conspicious “game’’for the “names” of a select few cease to operate- not so in this case. I’m sure your child feels no more disappointment than did this girl. Simitar experiences have befallen others, but 1 remember this one because it was a well- prepared presen tation for no recognition from the school that I ever heard about. (Another case of “your blood.”) tWhy not insist on a policy of 2 across the board honesty and ^'faJr play equal for all the Jischool body? Yes,, the parents 2 of the children in this school ^;should in fact force into ^ existence some positive action # for the sake of the children. # My children are my responsi- ■if bility as well as a sharing of ^ the responsibility for others ^ and to see to it that they move. ‘ work and play in a totally conducive atmosphere. Ad- ministative staff take care of they were wearing the wrong name and because of it they couldn’t read in certain books because that was the priviledge of the “selects.” (Although " they read the forbidden books at home and did so very well.) It's imjjerative that we stress positive attitudes in the chil dren to solidity a better base for the future. If we fail- there’s plently of vultures with possible five letter names, just waiting for the right moment to devour their prey, and they’re masquerading all the titles that belong to the church. Another student recently had the misfortune of not being able to get grades earned properly recorded. In- cidently, she too wears the wrong name. The administra tion was made AWARE of the dilemma at hand. The child was withdrawn from the school and placed in another to be spared embarrasment and any future harrassment. This should never have happened, but it’s tolerated. This sort of thing will continue unless parents become distraught with concern for pupil welfare enought to move off their rocker and make a positive move against the Monarchy rule. We’d better start caring for our children and the commun ity of which we’re all a part- now, or we can soon wish we could forget it but can’t. Walter Lowery P. 0. Box 1033 Pembroke, NC Former resident Remembers Dear Sir; I’ve made Indiana my home for a lot of years, but I still consider North Carolina my home. You see, I was bom and reared on a farm just five miles outside of Lumberton. Yes, I’m a Lumbee Indian, except when I left North Carolina, we were still called Cherokee. But 1 like the change. It’s diffe rent. We’re all different. Such notables as Bernard Lowry and V. Brooks were my school teachers. I take The Carolina Indian Voice and was much-much pleased to see Mr. Lowry’s picture a few weeks ago. I enjoy the paper a lot. 1 was in Pembroke last summer, but I must say there is one thing I am tired of reading about, and that is I. M. Biggs. I’ve heard my dad talk of Biggs all my life. It was a big store in Lumberton. If for no other reason, why don’t you kick him out of the Indians’ affairs just because he is whlte.He pro bably remembers a lot of times the Indians were kicked out because of their race. If I sound a little bitter, Tm sorry. Man, it goes back a long ways. There’s an old saying; An Indian’s memory is like an elephant. He never forgets an injury or a favor. If the Administration in the school or at the county level was concerned about the well- being of children, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen. Oh, they can say what they may, you see who gets recog nition and it’s not two or three months old and is made “AWARE” of their negligen ce by outside sources by failing to offer the little reward of public attention. It's DEPLORABLE that our com munity will TOLORATE such misdeeds at the childrens’ expense. If it’s something right and good for my chil dren, 1 don’t care who gets mad at my speaking in their behalf. If I don’t, nobody else has any right to do anything either. I’m prepared and 1 hope you are so prepared to act alone if necessary as often as necesary for whatever is right for our children. When you’re working for “right” you’re automatically thrown into an unpopular minority group. I guess that might comply with something I’ve read some where before to the effect that straight and narrow is THE WAY-and few there be that find it. When 1 speak harshly of the white man, 1 only mean the ones in North Carolina who, when I was a boy, treated Indians like dogs. I still carry the hate. Once you leave the South, the whites are much much different. They treat an Indian like he’s really some body. In all the years I’ve lived in Indiana, I’ve never been treated bad because of my race. I can even get upset when I go back home and walk down the streets of Lumber- ton. Here I have even been looked up to because of my race. So, do the Indians a favor, send I. M. Biggs on his way. So we can stop reading his name in onr paper. Again, may 1 say 1 enjoy the paper very much, also your editorials. Keep up the good work. Thank you A fellow Lumbee and proud of it, Jim Jacobs 602 Pine Mancie, Indiana STRAINED relation^ utfWEEN THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE AND PROSPEST SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION A number of parents in the Prospect School community have called the Carolina Indian Voice and chastised us for not carrying news from Prospect School. We want to ... very much. The problem, quite frankly, is that there is a strained relationship between the Carolina Indian Voice and the administration of Prospect School. Who’s to blame? Probably both of us. Internecine feuds between Indians are self destructive and counter productive. Part of the problem is that Connee Brayboy, associate editor of the Carolina Indian Voice, is a member of an ad hoc parents committee named ‘Concerned Parents of Prospect School.’ The committee has questioned many of the policies of the present administration of Prospect School, as well as the administration of the Robeson County Administrative School Unit. Therein lies the problem, at least most of it. The Carolina Indian Voice has suffered and Prospect School has suffered. We propose a new attitude, a bigness of spirit from both the Carolina Indian Voice and the Prospect School administration. We will carry the news from Prospect School if it is shared with us. Public institutions like the media and the schools are both subject to criticism, sometimes of a very harsh nature. That is the price one pays for taking care of the public’s business in the public square. The Carolina Indian Voice promises anew to attempt to be objective and understanding with Prospect School and all schools in the system. Our newspaper is open to them. That is why we began the Carolina Indian Voice ... so that our readers could use the medium to exchange and share news and ideas. We are interested primarily in showcasing the Indian experience in Robeson County. We are not interested in feuding with any Indian individual or institution; that would be counter productive to our stated aim. Still, it takes two to tango. The associate editor of this newspaper has an inherent right to express her views and work to improve the situation at the school her children attends. It seems that we should be able to do both: carry the news of Prospect School and allow staff members of the Carolina Indian Voice to express their opinions. They are two different things. Conversely, the administrators of Prospect School are not obligated to accept as gospel items or opinions expressed in this paper. But we can work together if we are both willing and bigger than our individual differences. Our forebears were bom and raised in Prospect and relatives abound in that beautiful countryside. Prospect is home, the roots from which we sprang screaming into the Robeson County heavens. We care deeply about our relationship with the place of our birth and nourishment. Aghast at Congressional Pay Raises Dear Mr. Editor: After reading so much about our Congress’ $12,900 a year increase, pay raise, I think it is lime everyone wrote to our President and Congress, ask ing that something be done faster for the poor. Cornelias L. Mocker Rt. lBox299 Pembroke, NC 28372 I guess they can afford to buy their own TVs and drive their own cars now, sure enough. Musing Dy Reasonable CocMear 1 hope as an out growth of your recent experience that you will fall abreast with other concerned parents and con centrate on re- storing whole some morals, spark incentive ness and an un- squelched spirit of competitiveness for all students, equal and fair. And if speaking up for these attributes causes one to be called “troublemaker,” “crazy,” etc., then I don't mind in the least because it’s for children that I care- others as well as mine. Long ago it became necessary for me to explain to our children that SPRING IS A COMING AND OL REASONABLE IS A FEELING BETTER mine feel better. or Reasonable is like the weather, always a changing from high “I feel goods” to low “why me Lords?” And the weather has got me up and about, a feeling better. The weather is a warming up. Still, a fellow cain’t have ever’thing. Right now I’ll just settle for feeling better. Cold weather reminds 01’ Reason able just how feeble he is. And the high light bills and oil bills have re- reminded 01’ Rea sonable just how pore he is. homeported in Yokosuka or Reasonable has been a thinkin’ about things lately, a trying to see if things are getting any better. And al though 1 fee! better...well. I can’t say they have. But warm weather makes old bones like Warm weather reminds 01’ Reasonable of other things. Maybe the warm weather will cause our new .school board (6 Indians, 2 whites; and 1 Black; to git to work. Spring is a good lime to fire people who have been mistreating us. Guess Thursday, March 3,,^ According ro Scriptiii f f ^^"8^ su,c,4 country is about,! have mrifA _ Evangelist Ted Brooks Box 339 Pembroke. NC 28372 Psalms 27:5 "For Iff me unie of trouble He shall hide me in the pavilion.” David had con fidence in God. That s why he was able to receive God’s blessings because of his confi dence. David said “The Lord is my light.” David knew he was not lost because he said the Lord is my light. Now some of you are now in trouble, some of you ' are sick and need help. Your children are lost and you know and have read of God’s wrath. What you need is more of God and the only way to get more is through Christ. Then you can say as David said, “And He is my salva tion.” Jave more p,'j have jobs, wanting more, p.f to panic when things will get, P said as in the dl before the f|„ f ealing and d,i,j and v---- - giving ii marS, If we have salvation then we have deliverance. We have also healing for our bodies. We have safety, preservation and soundness. David had trust in God. He knew God would deliver him from his troubles. David even said his strength was in God. Even his life was in God’s hand. David said “Even when the wicked come. He is a protector from his enemies and his foes.” In the third verse David said “Though a host should en camp against me...” He saw God as his refuge, even in war. David said, “God is my help.” 1 believe there are three things a man must desire: number one is to dwell in God’s house until death. David said in Psalms 27:4. David said ther** i® one thing 1 have desired of the Lord. He said I will seek after it that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all of my days. Number two is to behold the beauty of the Lord. David knew to behold God’s beauty was to worship God in beauty of holiness. Number three is to inquire of his temple for David said God would hide him in his pavilion in the time of trouble. Not only that but God would set him on a rock and would lift his head above his enemies who are ail around him. Noah entered intt-i they knew not ur.i came and took i-i Matthew 24:37, [|,L time we look arour’l IS having a party and so. in most of.,* long every one b.* cannot help hi„,> Matthew 24:40, Je,’ shall be in the h' taken. Two shall the mill and one s.^' and the other lefi^ Can you imagine,. be like here, A t people going do.;* and the bus driver, or an airplane of pti caught up, Yougc-:* your children am* gone. Your wife;' gone. It is cornit;’ need to be prepr* Jesus said in Marl’ better for you to with no hands tb,:, hell into fire thai ri quenched. , Jesus said ifthyt., would cause you;- sin, He said yoir them off and come.* no feet or hands,!:' hell with all foiir.( need no hands ori life if you have t foot or hand Jesus:' it because He niatt| with. And the B only has to speak it is done. It is bei This after reading it, makes you want to be as David to have God’s blessing. But did you know you had more: You have Jesus Christ who said that He would never leave you. That he would never forsake you, that He would always be closer than a brother. Did you know that Jesus said that even now, “Whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God wilt give it to you.” John 11:22. David in his days worked and offered sacrifice and it was counted unto his righteous ness. But today you and I are only asked to believe in the name of Jesus- to believe that Christ died for you and 1. What is it you want from God? Jesus said you have only to ask. John 15:16 and not be ashamed of him. We who are Christians know our help comes from God. But we know also that it is through Jesus Christ that we receive and in him only can we be saved. Put your trust in him. Our help is on the way. Jesus is soon to gather his people. We are living in a time when man is made of want. Everyone wants this for thier house, this for their yard, this would look good on my car, this would look good hanging side of my house. 1 must have this. I must have that. We have been so busy trying to fill our drive way with cars and more cars, we don't even see danger any more- your home burning down. Young people killing one another. Most of them killing themselves with into the joy of the L-. the Baptist then ic hell alive with i mind as the rid begged only for; water. 1 would raihr Jesus hungry andh to go before him It of this worlds. 11; have Jesus than st 1 would rather cm than to walk or to? I know most ofyoiit not that way, m human, Weareeqe and rebel againstfe the reason He said' be in the field and be taken, not twobr other who was lefii the one who tried: cup of the Lord and' the Devil. You cc Satan and God.Yfl: at the master’s Satan’s table. 1 Cc Before 1 close I». this, if we confet Christ is faithful loi sins and to cleanst: unrighteousness. 1 You who don’t kiw is the time. Todays salvation. Tomerr' promised. Jesus; Some of you he la long time for. Jn want any man tofr have life. JesusloldJ the well thatwhos’p of the water thail* him shall never t' 4:14. In Christ Jea learn to trust him a* him as our li|li' salvation, inhimyc: for his is a rock of s#' this choice and lot Yours in Cte Evangelist Letters to Editor K Let me have just their pay raise and I think I can buy a color TV and a new car too. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor are welcome. We encourage our readers to express themselves subjeetto the following condi tions; ter. If no telepl" then reader sk*; deliver letter to* The Carolina located on Pembroke, fot >* P. S. Somebody should say Amen. Who is sinning the most, the poor unemployed or our legislators? Letters should include the signed name, address and telephone number of the wri- The editors tesf to reject letters^ nature or those H In Armed Forces Navy Captain Philip E. Johnaon, wb^ wife, Carolyn, is the daubster of Mr. and hto. Sanford Sampstm of Pembroke, recently assumed axnmand of the combat store ship USS White Plains during ceremonies at Subic Bay, Republic of the PhiUm^nes. The White THE CAROLINA INDIAN V( Published Each Thursday The Lumbee Publishing Con Plains, SUBSCRIPTION RATES- lnsrore-1 Yeor $7.28 2 Yeors $10.40 OUT OF STATE- 1 Year $8.00 2 Years $12.00 Japan, acta as a “floating store” for the combat iMps assigned to the U.S. Seventh Fleet, stocking both general and tedmlcal siq>ply items. A 1952 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Columbia, with a bachelor of Science degree, he Joined the Navy in June 1947. MEMBER: American Indion Pre** N.C. Press Association “ God gront me rhe sereniry to occep"^ connoi chonge; couroge to chonQ**^ coA. Qf,d the wisdom to know the The Corolino Indian Voice desires lok*'! promptly of Q chonge of oddress 1'^ address chonge to: The Corolino O. Dox 1075, Second Closs Posiog* Pembroke. NC 28J?2-
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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March 3, 1977, edition 1
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