Newspapers / The Carolina Indian Voice … / June 9, 1977, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page 2, The Carolina Indian > t EDITORIAL lAND OPINION PAGE -.-The voice of rhe drum is on offering ro rhe Spirir of rhe World. Ir's sound orouses rhe mind ond mokes men feel rhe mysrery ond power of rhings ■CLACK ELK AS I SEE IT Druce Dorron LETTEP6 TO THE EDITOR A RESPONSE. OF SORTS, TO ♦ REV. SIDNEY A. LOCKS ^ The letter appeared in the public 2 forum of The Robesonian. p Entitled "Says Blacks will watch ‘ associate school slot,” the * missive rubbed my sensitive nerve endings raw. Blacks, simply put, make up approximately two-thirds of the total population of fair (sic) Robeson. Two-thirds against one-third means effective control any way you look at it. From The Insurance Commissioner ^ First of all. The Carolina Indian ' Voice did not receive a copy of : the letter. That, in itself, smacks 1 of a subtle, condescending back ■ hand of sorts. Anyway, for those of you who do not read The Robesonian, here is a copy of the letter as it appe.a^ in the June 6 edition of th;^!seeming crier of an outdated 1860 Democratic Party mentality and doctrinaire: But many Indians tike myself resent an Indian or a Black or a white from one of the, as I see it, decrepit city school systems, attempting to tell we county folks how to run our school system. If I were to write a letter and advocate policy for the Luraberton City School System I would be hooted out of the county. People. generally speaking, like to run their own affairs. Dear Editor: The North Carolina General Assembly is considering two bills supported by the insurance industry which would drastically change the present system of insurance rate making in this state to the disadvantage of the people. To The Editor: 1 think the' appointment of Mr. Swett to the superin- tendentahip of Robeson County schools was a giant leap for ward in the restoration of trust by minorities in our system of county government. I am sure all would agree that finally, though long since quallEed, a minority individual is now given the opportunity to serve his county in a major leader ship capacity. This is and has bew particularly crucial, since Indians make up a majority of the population in our county. Let’s face it, fair is fair. I ap- plaude the members of the county school board for being fair enough to make such a decision. At the same time, all eyes must remain fixed on that same school board because, now the associate superin tendent position is open. Will they complete the progression of qualified minorities by selecting a Black or will this exclusivism be perpetuated between Whites and Indians or Indians and Indians in regard 10 the top administrative positions in the county school system? Sure there are qualified Whites, Indians and Blacks in the county and unless history is not repetitious anyone but a Black will get the second position. I would not be surprised If the board recommended an “outsider” be brought in to not “arouse the natives”, or what about creating three associate positions and populate them tri- racially. Some kind of trickery or deception will be employed to keep the top county school system from teing staffed by two minorities; one Red and one Black. In all due respect to the county school board members, we the Blacks of Robeson County will be watching and as far as we are concerned, it is put-up or shut-up! S.A. LOCKS Pastor, Sandy Grove Baptist Church 1600 Fairmont Rd. Lumberton Too, nothing was said in the letter about the qualifications of said associate superintendent. The associate or assistant superintendent should be an educator above all else and, as I see it, who ever is named should come from the county school system. And I hope the selectee will be a Black educator from the county school system. Why go to Lumberton to select a Black when we have Blacks in the county system eminently qualified to serve? No. leave Lumberton out of this important decision. They would still have us under the nefarious double-vote yoke if they had anything to do with it. Thank God, they do not! Too, I doubt very much if many parents and educators in the Robeson County Administrative Unit appreciate advice or subtle threats from political operatives in Lumberton. If these bills are passed there will be a raid on the people’s pocketbooks. Rates for automobile liability insurance alone will increase $54 million dollars. Rates for other lines of insurance can increase by several hundred million dollars within the next year. Both bills would effectively ruin two important laws: It seems to me that Blacks and Indians who reside in the Lumberton City School Unit should exert their energies and outrages to the system that is, as I see it, shortchanging them, and let Indians and Blacks and whiles do what they think is best for the county school system. 1. The reinsurance Facility I_aw which abolished the discriminatory Assigned Risk Plan, and 2. the law abolishing age and sex discrimination with a good safe driver plan. Indians have stood up and been counted in many instances, including the shoot -out of the Black on the county elections board a while back, the election of a Black to the chairmanship of the Robeson County Democratic Party, the selection of a Black to head the health department in the county, the election of a Black on the Robeson County Board of Education, etc., etc., etc. We haven’t done as much as we should, but considering the historical perspective, Indians have made a definite committment to the bettering of Indian-Black political relations. The insurance industry has the largest single group of paid lobbyists in the General Assembly. They are working night and day to enact SB 150 and HB 658. A large number of insurance agents are on both the House and Senate Insurance Committees. These bills could reach the floor of the General Assembly within the week. Frankly, Rev. Sidney Locks, I thought the letter was in bad taste. I, most of all, resented the last paragraph that read: The citizens of North Carolina will have to pick up this different directions, in many instances against our wills. ■ Tn all due respect to the county school board members, we the Blacks will be watching and as far as we are concerned, it is put up or shut up!” The Carolina Indian Voice, like many responsible politicos and right thinking folk, has long advocated an Indian-Black political holding of hands. That seems to make sense because of the racial break down of Robeson’s populace^Indians and Even now, as 1 write this column. 1 am cognizant of the fact that I cannot speak for anyone but myself. I would not be guilty of gross effrontery and say, in essence, that I speak for all Indian people. We are too diverse for that, and history has sent many of us scurrying in I like to think that lever once in a while espouse the Indian viewpoint and catch the tenor of our needs, but I do not and cannot SPEAK FOR ALL INDIAN PEOPLE! They (Indian people) will not allow me to do so. Still, I will concede that 1 agree with most of the sentiment expressed in the letter, namely that my hope is, as is yours, that a Black will be named to assist Superintendent Purnell Swell come July I. But, if I were Supi. Swett, I would look for a Black educator who was loyal to the children of the system above all else. Pembroke Drug Cenur, (Mom arui W. Srd, Pembroke, NC. Dial 521,4805 If “Shoe” fits try it on! How wotUd you like to have a pair of shoes to stamp out heart disease, early death, and disabil ity? There’s no better time than now to try them on. Just follow the ‘‘watch your shoes” formula. It’s simple, but it works. The shoes formula represents risk factors which, if care fully controlled, would lower your chance of de bilitating heart failure. In the formula SHOES, “S” stands for smoking: “H” is for hyper tension; “0” is for obesity; “E” for exercise, and “S” is for stress. So, watch your shoes and you’ll be re warded with better health and a longer more active life. If 1 could not find one...well, a wild eyed Afghanistan, a mild mannered Saudi Arabian, a Scotsman. complete with swirling skirt, would do just fine. Most of all, I would not name an assistant this or vice that from Lumberton or the other hinterlands of our fair county. YOUR PHARMACIST pemBCddScZI*?? ^ And. finally, The Carolina Indian Voice has attempted, to the best of our abilities, to not pre-Judge Superintendent designate Purnell Swett or the Robeson County Board of Education. I have found, as a general rule, that fair-minded people will do the right thing most of the time if they are allowed to operate free of duress or pressure. Maybe all of us (including all politicos) ought to give the Robeson County Board of Education and Superintendent designate Purnell Swett the opportunity to act on what they consider is best for the children, not the politicians. multi-million dollar tab if the.se bad bills become law. Sincerely, John Ingram Insurance Commissioner HB 658 and SB 150 would end our present system of prior approval of insurance rates by an elected Insurance Commissioner. Instead, insurance companies would be turned loose on the people of North Carolina to set their own rates. The practical effect of these bills would be to make the elected Insurance Commissioner powerless to regulate insurance rates in the public’s interest. Cummings Evokes Praise Thank the Good Lord for People like McDuffie Cummings! Sincerely, Orontfey Blue Indian Claims Commission 1730 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Wants Further Action I need your help to fight these bills. Write, call and telegraph your elected representatives. Let them know that you want your elected Insurance Commissioner to approve rates before they go into effect. This is in regard to the case of Mr. O’Neil Oxendine being brutally beaten by two state highway patrolmen. The incident occurred on the evening of April 22, 1977 on the Union Chapel Road, and was witnessed by the Town Manager, Mr. McDuffie Cummings. Just why did the district attorney refuse to let Mr. Cummings take but a Warrant? For all we know, the reason he did not allow Mr. Cummings to take out a warrant on his patrolmen was because of racial discrimination, in my opinion. ' What if two Indian patrolmen would have brutally beaten a paleface just because they were allowed to wear a badge? I wonder if the district attorney would have refused to let the white man take out a warrant against the Indian patrolmen. No! He would have taken out the warrant himself. I think it is time for someone to go to Raleigh and let’s put a judge in Lumberton. Robeson County that believes in justice, and not just in a badge and racial discrimination. We don’t need a judge like that in Robeson County. We need a judge like the one I described, who believes in justice and will allow an attorney to defend his defendants. As judge, Charles G. McLean would not allow Mr. Henry Ward Oxendine to do this. The judge knew that his state troopers were guilty; they were seen by Mr. McDuffie Cummings committing their brutal crime against Mr. O’Neil Oxendine. I don’t think this case should be left where it is. I think this case should be heard by a grand jury. Let them see that these state troopers are guilty as accused. Then the grand jury can return the true verdict against these troopers. I, myself am a Lumbee Indian. I subscribe to The Corolina Indian Vaice and always will. 1 surely hope that someone, probably Mr. Henry Ward Oxendine, will take the outcome of this brutal case to Governor Hunt in Raleigh. Let him know the whole circumstances of the case. As I have said, let’s not forget it without something further, and right being done about it. I wonder what Judge McLean was thinking about. It must be that he doesn’t like the idea of double voting being outlawed and found unconstitutional in the County of Robeson. This, of course, should have been done hundreds of years ago. I am a Lumbee Indian. And 1 stand up for my people just like the whites stand up for one another. Ido not enjoy .seeing my people getting kicked around and beat up. I want to see them get justice. We all know, to start with, that the pale face breed don’tcareforanyofus. They just want to see us marching down death row in Raleigh. 1 think that that is the only time they are satisfied. Questions Legality In School Systems Thursday, June 9, Pen-Pal Program in Progress "SCHOOL OFFERS BIBLE LESSONS, SUIT RUMORED” and the truth thereof. An article appeared in the News and Observer on January 23, !977 bearing this headline. 1 would assume that most people are aware of the drawn out questions concerning the legality of what is. and is not constitutional in our public school systems today. This contraversy has slowly spread its claws into our businesses, and even worst yet, into the homes of our nation. Here we read statements give by some of our most loyal, and beloved forefathers, that fought and some died to pass on a hertitage to the future generations of Americans. A heritage of standards, and values that this nation was founded upon. So, please let’s take it to Raleigh where, probably, it will be given the true consideration. Yours truly, Mr. Cesory Jacobs As we the older generation can give witness to, there has been a change over the past 15 years of rebellious feelings between children and parents known as the generation gap. I have heard it expressed that this is in large part due to the face that children are in a state of insecurity on the part of the parents. What child can feel any degree of love or acceptance, when he, or she feels that their parents have no interest in their future, or their growing up process. Through my own experience, and my studies in the field of sociology, I find that children are bom with potential, but without a knowledge of life, and the expectations thereof. We as parents do our children a grave injustice when we become so negligent that we leave the growing up process to them, and will not afford them the same equal opportunity we were handed down by those before us. We so boldly boast of our progress and advancement, and the various fields of endeavor we have undertaken. But how much effort have we directed to the upkeep, and unity of the American home, child rearing, education levels, skill levels, and our standard of communication, and honesty? Do we, the American people, lack the insight and wisdom needed to know that the examples we set before our children, the values we teach, and allow to be taught in our public schools, are the very foundation on which our children will be establishing their future, or do we not care to have a part in their future? “Aren’t they the enemy?'' a black third grader asked me when I asked his class to write letters to Indian children in a schixil out west. Not a surprising response to those of us who are aware of the brainwashing about Indians done on all of us by TV and Hollywood films, and the lack of adequate or proper information in social studies textbooks. We even find the effects of this brainwashing in attitudes Indians have toward themselves. This is epitomized in a statement by Evan Haney, an American Indian and veteran from the Vietnam War while speaking at the Winter Soldier Investigation. “When I saw a child watching cowboys and Indians on TV, I would root forthe calvary not the Indians.” (From pages 349. .350: CHRONICLES OF AMERICAN INDIAN PROTEST, compiled and edited with commentaries by the Council for Interracial Books for Children, Fawcette Publications. Inc.). teachers which has a large national circulation. We expect to have the article completed early in the fall so that it can be published during the 1977-78 school year. specific .“reasofihe. of interest), if . ^ We suggest that all interested teachers and administrators contacting us give, in addition to their names and addresses, the following information: grade level(s) of children to be served, tribe(s) represented, area(s) they would like to hear from (if administrators wan, names and addre- ' along only to leache^A York City area, baidoj' them published, orv^ that, too.should’k'n,'*' the letter to be addressed to: M,,?' James, Direelor Relations, Cooncil (, American Indian 280 Broadway, Sui York, New York looo) A Mini Editoriot When will District Attorney Joe Freeni!,| finish his investigation of the hijj, patrolmen charged in the brutality of Qi Oxendine? And what will he find? ' The question is so often asked, WHY? When our young people are turned off at the idea of spending time at home, or in church, or end up in drug addiction, detention centers, prison, and sometimes dead. We should, instead, ask ourselves what programs, guidance, or leadership abilities do we display before those young, and impressionable minds? What examples, or patterns do we hold up high enough for them to have a path to follow? What quality of education are we allowing to be taught in our public school systems? I am a firm believer in the American way: freedom of speech, of worship, life and the pursuit of happiness. The question is; to what degree of these institutions can we, or our children ever hope toenjoy, if we so idly stand by and do nothing while they are so recklessly abused and tom from the pages of the very constitution that many Americans gave their time, talent, and. their lives to write, preserve and protect? There are so many ways that we can speed up the time factors in achievement, but data plainly proves that the hands-on methods are the most successful way to build, and maintain a high quality ofleamingand achievement. Our forefathers both knew and realized this important fact; that a spirit of unity, properly constructed goals, and an internal /external motivation was needed to begin and accomplish this never-ending process. We would do well to take a look into the way our institutions are performing today. Therefore, it is with the goal of promoting friendship and understanding between American Indian and non-Indian children that we are trying to encourage pen pal arrangements between American Indian and non-Indian children throughout the country, h is hoped that a sense of pride and knowledge of Indian history will be encouraged among the Indian children and then transmitted to the non-Indian children. We believe that the educational benefits of such a project to all the children in the areas of language arts, reading and social studies are apparent. It is a fact that many Indians and B wary of ‘ ‘justice” as a color blind instniin Robeson County. We plan to sponsor the pen pal arrangements in two ways. First, all letters sent to us by interested teachers or administrators of schools with Indian children will have their pen pal requests forwarded by us to teachers in schools in the New York City area. Secondly, we shall include these names and addresses in an article about American Indian Pen Pals which we expect to have published in a magazine for The record shows conclusively that u Indians and Blacks are tried in the coiit Robeson County. And they (Indians Blacks) are tried by white judges and solici Are most of the “evil ones” Blacks Indians? Many of us tend to believe thatt springs from deeper roots than i sociological notions. Many of us alsoiti believe that justice is not applied Robeson County. In the perjorative ss many Indians and Blacks think they than their fair share of that racially attireil Justice’s dispensation. So, when will District Attorney Joe Fra Britt finish his investigation of the ki J patrolmen charged in the brutality of 01 Oxendine? And what will he find? I would like to give you some first hand quotations of our past generations, that we find worthy to preserve, yet not worthy to be applied, or used for our own children, and their progress. ,A. Abraham Lincoln; I believe that the Bi^ is the greatest gift that God gave to men. all the good from the savior is communicated to us through the Bible. B. George Washington: It is impossible to govern the world with God and the Bible. An elderly businessman was asked: sir why do you not employ any salesmen? He answered: 1 base my operation on the principle of giving my customers the very best of all my services, and in return I find that they are the very best sales personnel that 1 could ever hope to employ. We should also see to it that we afford our children the very best of our parental guidance, leadership services, and understanding that we are Reader shares a poem Pembroke Town Manager, McD Cummings, who observed the Owa incident, and alleges brutality against ira Hubert Covington and T. J. Evelyn, haspci the possibility of taking out a warrant the troopers. District Attorney Britt, ic reporter’s witness, said that he completed his investigation. He McDuffie Cummings that he (Cumn could not take out a warrant against ihetra until he conducted an investigation. able to give. Ust they should Indian Voice. I find it very C. John 0- Adams: So great is my veneration for the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more confident I am that they will prove to be useful citizens of this country, and respectable members of society. look back in years to come regret to the day when their parents had no time to invest in the growing up process of their formidable years. This, along with the combined efforts of a nation determined to maintain informative. I would like to share a poem with you. TO A TREE D. Andrew Jackson: The Bible, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests. E. Sir William Herchel: All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming the sacred scriptures. Young sapling-I saw thee growing in the forest and display an honest concern fo'j '’J the future and well being of these Me oidered-the means of survival to maintain, young citizens, will insure to a 1'’' ““ v greater degree a future people ‘‘“J” ‘ “8" trenches towards the sun and rain- united in the common bond of tentere looking for thy kind, Ihe welfare of all mankind. Let ns 11“" "'ey teb of loam thy fragile toots- all be assured that the investment ‘f away from home-to an alien place- we make in our young peoples' "'ren t sold for monies and thrust into a megre hole- formidable years of learning will ^ “ of acide dirt nnged by steel and Slone be the return we shall see in years Struggled thou to stay alive chioughcold and drought and threshing to come winds that came to shrivel thee- Eori Lackleor weren’t there all aldne when life itself was almost done-but came one who saw thy wretched state, and brought thee water that thou mightest live. So, when will District Attorney Joe Fi Britt finish his investigation of the hi[ patrolmen charged in the brutality of Of Oxendine? And what will he find? A SPECIAL PLEASANT Gll CHURCH Residents of Maynor Manor express Appreciation 1 see thee now in stunted growth and yet thy seed is strong- thy roots go deep into the ground for only in the depths may sustenance be found. Dear Bruce: The residents of Maynor Manor have asked me to express our THANKS to the many people who were concerned about our welfare during the recent flood we experienced. The management of Pembroke Housing Authority, along with the staff of their Social Service Teams (especially Ruby Locklear and Sylvia Sanderson) carefully monitored the water problem from its beginning. When it became necessary, they safely evacuated families and temporarily 'housed them at the Locklear Court Community Building. The place ordained by cruel fate for thee to live thy life- is one evil death and hate-of madness and sharpening its knife Where keepers prowl and rattle chains-and curse the ones they call insane-Came a timid and all trembling to see-the marvel of a organizations who assisted us tree- during this time of need: Mayor touched a leaf all green and new-for spring had come and held Reggie Strickland, Councilman ®arth in its warm embrace- Milton Hunt, Town Manager fearful one came to touch and see. shrinking back McDuffieCumings, FourCounty passing shadow trembling at the sound of key braving hell Community Services, Police itself to marvel at a tree Chief Vernon Oxendine and his ^ 'I’®® yoi'ng sapling, officers. State Highway Somehow thou hasn’t survived. Patrolman Clvde Fields, Fire 'I’** Pl^ce of death a Chief Ray Hunt, Fireman Urry 1'*’^ spirit is alive. ♦ Roberts, and other members of Thou hasn't friends now who care V And will bring thee water when they« The congregation s III Grove United MethodijO observed a very specijl* Sunday. May 29. guest speaker for it*' hour was the Reverends^ Cummings, CoonJin* Ministry Outreach, I N'.C. During ihewotsliil' there were eight pen* received membership * church on profession* Also. Mr. Cummin2S,« of the Division of Hi presented to Mr. Jr., Chairperson of Trustees, a grant for W used in the ereclinLf fellowship hail. The pastor. Simeon Cummings stated ihaifc •very commendable ' hour.- the Pembroke' Fire Department, Members of the Pembroke dare. I enjoyed a very heart warming experience as I participated in the evacuation and witnessed so many concerned citizens pitching in and helping. We. as resident.s here at Maynor Manor, would like to join Pembroke Housing Authority in saying THANK YOU to the following [leopic and RescueSquad. Sgi.Max Burnett There is a prophesy which tells U.S. Marine Corp., Mrs. Eva All this will pass away, Mae Locklear, James and Janice gone will be the hells Sheffield. We would like to to day. extend a very special THANKS to Hardees Restaurant and ‘’^od once the earth is opened Rudy's Restaurant of Pembroke And sweetened by the sun. for their donations of food. Then shall thy growth be sevenfold, And then thou shalt become a forest Again, may we say THANK - , _ YOU to all of you who so The first amongst thy kind generously gave of your time to To teach the trembling ones, help us during the flood. Once more their Mother Earth For only she gives life. Very truly yours, Mrs. Jean E. Haiems John A. Lowery, President THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICED Published Each Week By THE LUMBEE PUBLISHING CO.. INC, P.O. Box 1075. Pembroke. N.C. 28372 Telephone .No. (9 1 9) 521-2826 Subscription Rates vLiduilcs N.C, Sales Tas) Maynor Manor Residents Council Letter written by Bert Chavis X i T Y INSTATE X 1 Year, I 2 Years T Y OUT OF STATE X 1 Year ,t»'2YeQrs J God gront me the serenity to accept rne ""''s'^ chonge, courage to cha ige the things I con, ondfW $10. .-•ludes N.C. Sales Tax) f *1* to know the difference. ipm %J (ffClASSW^ .L Managing Editor ♦j- Associate Editor ConneeBra,'" Y Associate Editor Garry L, X Circulation Manager . . . . Donnie Lo»* 4- THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE desires to be ♦♦♦ ol' a eliaiitte ot' address. Send vour address rhanrr ,1, CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE. P.O, Bos 107.1. PeinW' t Sces.iid Class Posiaec Paid at Pembroke. N.C. 2*^- .
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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June 9, 1977, edition 1
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