Page 2, The Carolina Indian Voice ********************** *****★★★★★*★★★***
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
mysrer/ ond power of rhings.
-BLACK ELK
i
3f
♦
*■
*■
34-
34-
34-
34-
3f
AS I SEE IT
Druce Dorron
.ETTF,P5 TO
THE EDITOR
n * * w wwwwTrwIt
A RESPONSE, OF SORTS, TO A MILD REBUKE
I gel a lot of criticism and rebukes; some of them arc justified and some
of them are just good old fashioned caterwaulings. One’s success is based
in part on how he (or she) responds to criticism and rebukes.
I know some people who simply fall to pieces over the least bit of
criticism. I call these people waiiers on the dark side of the moon. They
are to be avoided at all costs. They are dangerous folk, unable to accept
even the kindest rebuke. Avoid them like the Bubonic Plaque.
Parent lambasts
schools tor lEA Stance
Dear Sir
I know others who reek from self pity, and take great pleasure in being
rebuked. They are machochistic, and love to be bandied about. They
don’t particularly like themselves and gladly accept deadly darts from
others.
I fall somewhere in the middle. I do not like criticism and like to be
praised to the high heavens. I like to be patted on the back and told what a
wonderful fellow I am. I Figure I get about one accolade for every five
■'You damn scondrcl you.” That is a pretty good record.
i would like to comment
concerning the Indian
Education Act trip to the
mountains last week for all
Indian children in two
elementary grades of each school
in the Robeson County School
Unit.
What one must do is learn from criticism. Cynics like to say that
criticism is the unconscious tribute mediocrity and stupiility pay to
sjcccss. 1 would not dare apply that faulty maxim in my case. I most likely
dcser' e a lot of the critLsiii! eet. I don't like it but I probably deserve it.
One of the readers of The Carolina Indian Voice wrote me last week and
said. “I enjoy most of your paper.. .sometimes you seem to get hung upon
one subject and can’t get off.
I have been to the mountains
several times with my family,
and I am sure most of you .
have. But there are a lot of
children in these grades that have
not been and cannot afford to go.
And some of them will die before
they complete school and never
see a hill much larger than a canal
bank.
number of times trying to get our
Legislators to do something
about double voting. One time in
particular I remember a group of
us went and marched around the
building seven times. Like in the
Bible when the seven priests
marched around the walls of
Jericho and on the seventh day
they marched around seven
times and blew their trumphets
and shouted and the walls fell.
“The editorials I enjoy most are those where you let your better self
show through...your kindness and concern for all men...”
We were in hopes that the walls
would fall at the Board of
Education. That is the wall
between the White Board of
Education and the Indian
children of Robeson County.
Well, through a lot of hard worL
by certain people which are too
lanv to Ms
C \V:>|
Now that is the best kind of criticism. When one criticises or rebukes
another he or she should include something good as part of the genera!
critique. I appreciate that kind of criticism. I learn from it.
If it was a trip to the state fair
you would hear it talked heavy
among the school faculty
about getting your money in to us
before the deadline.
I assume the reader was talking about my seeming preoccupation with
the issue of race in Robeson County. I admit quite freely that it is an issue
that ta.scinatcs me I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I am not
blinded to man’s frailties either.
But there are trips that are free
and do not involve money
locally, it looks to me like some
people don’t want it.
1 also believe that one cannot know where he is going if he does not know
where he has been. Robeson County Racism is an evil thing, laced with
condescension and a lack of respect in many instances.
I try to hold to the poet's theory that “hope is an echo, hope ties itself
yonder, yonder...” I believe that we are making progress in Robeson
County but I also know that we have a long way to go before equality is a
reality in our backward county.
But the even handedtbrilicism and mild rebuke will make me more aware
of the good 1 see about me in Robeson County. The are many
people—Indian. Black and White--who do not believe the lessons taught
by our elders. More and more ability and savvy are over riding issues in
electing candidates and appointing people to responsible positions,
irrespective of race.
I hear there are some leaders in
some schools who don’t like the
way the !EA Program is operated
now. I don’t think their personal
feelings toward the lEA Program
should justify them to not let the
parents of the children in those
grades know about the trip and let
the parents decide whether they
want their child to go or not.
down. But if such things as
letting people in the school
system do as they did behind the
White wail keeps going on, then,
it looks to me like, we’ve torn
down a While wall that was very
visible from a long distance and
put up a brown wall which is not
as visible, but serves the same
purpose. And that is to let Mr.
so-and-so do as he pleases, no
matter how many children’s
future he wrecksjusi so you don’t
hurt a few so-called politicians’
feelings.
' But I did not invent the unlamented and now dismantled Double voting,
the lack of Indian and Black representation on boards and commissions. I
did not create the economic stranglehold that some folks hold on others in
Robeson County. I sincerely believe that Indians and Blacks generally
have been left out of the money counting end of things. 1 oppose that. A
cavc in I'oint is the Indian Education .Act monies that tia\c bceneomin’j ii>
Robeson County now for six years.
I understand there were many
children who went on the trip
from all schools in the Robeson
County Unit except Magnolia,
Pembroke and Prospect. I would
like to know why there was not a
single child from these three
schools who went on that trip.
I would like to know how many
of the present board members
were for breaking double-voting
before it was broken. And what
did they do to help break it? In all
the dealings 1 had with it. ! did
not see over three of the present
board around.
It looks like we as Indians like
to wait for some idiot to get the
logs out of the river, then we
chiefs will do the fishina.
Can it be Indian Education Act monies if it does not go to a bank that is
predominately owned by Indian slock holders? I think not. It (lEA
monies) is actually White Conservative monies, not Indian Education Act
monies.
I think that since these are our
three largest Indian populated
•.ch;v.>K. that at least a few of Uv.-
students would have went, iflhey
would have had the opportunity
to do so.
I honestly believe that Indian Education Act monies should.be deposited
in the Lumbee Bank. I am not a majority stockholder in Lumbee Bank. I
actually own one share of stock valued at twelve dollars. But the stock is
owned (at least a majority of it) by the Indian citizens of Robeson County
and elsewhere. How can they deposit the monies elsewhere? Where is the
logic?
I get kind of irritated when I
think back when we were trying
to break double voting in
Robeson County. Different
groups of us went tn Raleigh a
In closing I would like to
encourage each parent in the
Robeson County School District
to open at least one of your eyes
and make sure that wc don’t wind
up with another wall in the
Robeson County Board of
Education.
Carl Moore
Route 3
Ma.xton, NC 28364
More than this. 80Vf of the pupil enrollment of the Robeson County
school system is minority—60% Indian, 20% Black. Why not put all the
monies in the Lumbee Bank? That would be the right thing to do.
Anything less than this is mere tokenism, as I see if.
the 1965 Voting Rights Act. One does not become subject to this act by
being magnanimous and fair and loving. Robeson County is subject to the
act because of proven instances of infringements of the voting rights of
Indians and Blacks. The 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed by congress
because of systematic acts of discrimination.
This is the kind of thing that fascinates me about race in Robe.son
County. Condescension rules the roost. Some criticised an article I wrote
an issue or so ago about this same issue. Some time ago the issue surfaced
at a meeting of the 40 member parent committee that is responsible for the
Indian Education program in the county system. One of the Indian parents
actually made a motion to place the monies of the lEA program in the
Lumbee Bank. He received four votes, according to information shared
with this columnist. To me. there is something terribly wrong when 40
Indian parents cannot agree on a substantive issue like this one. Would the
world come to a sudden end if the monies were placed in a predominately
Indian owned bank? Even though it is purportedly an Indian Education
Act program? Where is the logic? Are we psychologically degrading
ourselves when we allow Indian Education Act monies to be spent with
non-Indian venders and deposited in banks not owned by minorities?
These things are real and of paramount concern to me and all right
thinking people. Someone imi.si speak out when nccessar>- to let "e i 'le
know that, in many instances, evil still lurks in the hearts of man.
But I agree with the reader: one should not be blinded to the good that is
taking place. The universality of man is the answer. We should be kind
and generous to one another. That is the goal that wc are working toward.
But until that time comes, I will speak out when I feel that I must. But I
will not speak out in rancor or resentment or ill will. I will try to look for
the best in all men. Hone.stly! I will!
I hope some of the things I have recounted will answer the mild rebuke
from the reader. I appreciate criticism given in the generous spirit of this
roavicr and I will try to be more solieitious than I have heen in the I'asi.
If there was not a bank owned by Indians I would not even consider the
matter. But it is patently wronc' when Indians cannot put monies from an
Indian program in a predominately Indian owned bank. I can hardly
believe it. It smacks of the craziest kind of racism imaginable. Indians
seem to be saying, "we have an Indian owned bank but we are not going
to put monies set aside for an Indian enterprise in it.” Wow!
Another reader wrote and called me “a blame fool.” What can I .say?
Daddy taught me another valuable lesson. He said, “Why get up.set when
someone calls you an .S.O.B. (or worse)? You either are or you arc not.
Saying you are not will not change the opinion of the one who labeled you
thusly. Just go on about your business and do the very best you can.”
So yes. these kindsof issues will cause me to raise my horns and holler to
the high heavens. Condescension, whether it is practiced by Indians or
non-Indians is evil and demeaning.
But plea.se understand me: I am not saying that Indians cannot bank
where they want to. Heaven forbid! All! am saying is monies allocated for
Indian programs by the slate or federal government should be deposited in
a bank that is predeominaiely owned by Indians.
And try to do the following;
The Carolina Indian Voice is committed to the improvement of racial
relationships in Robeson County. It is necessary if Robeson County is to
survive and join the twentieth century. Because Racism does own the
roost in Robeson, Robeson County ranks near the bottom in nearly every
category, including wages paid to workers and quality of school systems.
Live each day to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day. and
each age of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence, and
back without regrets.
Be your.self-but be your best self. Dare to be different and to follow your
own .star.
Robeson County has six separate and distinct school systems. That is the
stupidest thing I ever heard of, and smacks of racism in its most rank form.
In essence, Robeson County has to have six of everything, including six
supplies of toilet paper. What waste! What stupidity! What Racism!
And don’t be afraid to be happy. Enjoy what is beautiful. Love w
your heart and soul. Believe that Iho.sc you love, love you.
I cannot ignore these kinds of things. They are part of the fabric of life ir
Robeson County.
Forget what you have done for your friends, and remember what they
have done for you. Disregard what the world owes you. and concentrate
on what you owe the world.
Now some Indian and Black political operatives have a saying, “Hey,
let’s not activate the opposition!” I do not hold to this theory. I believe
one must activate his (or her) supporters or nothing will ever change,
things will remain as they arc.
When you arc faced with a decision, make that decision as wi.scly as
possible - then forget it. The moment ol absolute certainty never arrives.
And above all. remember that God helps those who help themselves. Act
as if everything depended upon you. and pray as if everything depended
upon God.
Robeson County is one of the 39 counties in North Carolina subjer
If all of us do these thing, everythin
Needs
Aetivitv
Bus ^
The Green Grove- Hilly Branch
-School is involved in an ettort to
j'urcha.sc a used activity bus.
You have always demonstrated
your interest in the clforts ot the
school to better serve the students
and community, may your kind
incrcasc-
If you will, please help us by
eivine or pledging any amount ol
money you choose on or bctorc
October 30th.
Thank your very much
advance for your assistance.
Yours for children.
H.S. Davis, Sr.
Prinz-Sn-’l
P.S. If you have a friend who is
generous toward a good school,
please direct that person our way.
Johnny
Porrazzo
to a!‘'pear
at PSU
Johnny Porrazzo
Pembroke- Johnny Porrazzo,
who sings ’em all—country, rock,
gospel, l ivi.i t and blues,
contemporary love ballads,
something for everyone—will
perform at PSUTuesday, Oct. 18
in the PSU Performing Arts
Center. This Lyceum Series
attraction begins at 8 p.m.
\il ii>>ion i' 's2 for everyone
except PSU swdents with l.D.
cards who wiltme admitted free.
Porrazzo has Hvc new albums
for every musical taste, including
an album of piano interludes. His
talents include playing lead
piano, arranging, conducting,
sinsing and producing.
At age 22 this young man has
been described as “poised,
confident of his identity” and
supremely sure of his destiny of
being a super star. In his own
mind, he believes he is already
achieving this status.
He is said to be a
singer-pianist
I charismatic
) “crosses
over” every contemporary style
from Elton John to Stevie
Wonder to Barry Manilow to
Barbara Streisand.
Porrazzo reportedly has talent,
personality and charisma plus the
“ineffable charm of youth.”
Because of these, he has soared
from dub ixirformer to concert
star in less than two years,
His promoters claim he will be
the super star of the I98()s that
Sinatra was of the 40s. ElvLs
Presely of the .50.s. the Beatles
were of the 6().s and Elton John is
of the 7()s.
He has given concerts at
colleges and universities all over
the East and at night clubs
throughout the South.
Porrazzo performs on an
acoustic grand piano, backed by
a four-piece band. He carries his
own sound system, grand piano.
L lu-xurv van.
Vd Editorial Co n nent
INDIAN IDENTITY:
A PROGRESS REPORT
But, like I say. criticism is a good thing if one learns from it. The statute
of a man is proi'ortionaie to the size of tlie thiivj it takes (o eeta 'joul.
So, let’s learn from criticism but do as this reader has done: critici.se
kindly and look for something good to throw in for balance.
W. 3rd. Pembnkt, NC. Did/ Sll-tSOS
Think of body
as machine
The average working
person needs re-habili
tating — physiol re
habilitating. Think of
your body as a machine.
Proper maintenance
guarantees increased
life.
An important part of
your body’s main
tenance is exercise. Sus
tained ex'^Tcise 30 min
utes perday atlcssttl^ree
times per week through-
out life promotes
strength and circulatory
fitness which, in turn,
leads to improved pos
ture, greater nutrition,
less ol^sity, lower blood
pressure, fewer coronary
attacks and stronger
mental capacity.
Exercise in a sensible,
strain-free manner. Con
sult an expert, if you
wish, but get started,
soon — when you jog by
the Pharmacy, wave; you
won’t be ne^ng our
services, you healthy
nut!
Thursday, October 13
According to
Scripture
The National Congress of American Indians,
and other critics of the Indians ot Robeson
County and elsewhere, should have read last
week’s issue of The Carolina Indian Voice.
Evuigellsi Ted Brooks
P. O. Box 339
Pembroke, NC
I Kim , 17lh Chapter
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is building (or
repairing) houses for Indians of Robeson
County. The BIA is trying desperately to satisfy
a ruling in federal court whereby die Famous
22’s rights were reaffirmed. Building or
repairing the houses for the remaining 8 of the
original 22 affirmed in the 30s as 1 /2 or more
Indian blood cements a certain fact: there is
Indian blood in Robeson County.
And Elijah, the Tishbite. who
was of the inhabitants of Gilead,
.said unto Ahab. as the Lord God
of Israel liveth before whom I
stand, there shall not be dew nor
rain these years, but according to
]ny word.
Are the remaining 8 of the Original 22 the only
ones affected by the ruling? Yes! Unless the
Indian peoples of Robeson County and
elsewhere can present a united front to a wary
federal beaurocracy.
Could the remaining 8 constitute a tribal
council and in effect adopt the rest of us? Yes,
as we see it, that is one way. It might also be the
only way.
But there is a constitutional question to be
resolved in the present Lumbee Bill that in the
same bill names us and takes away the meaning
all at the selfsame time. How can the congress
name a people and take away the meaning of the
name all at the same time? The bill says, in
essence, that we are Lumbee Indians but that the
name does not afford us any rights as Indian
people. That is ludicrous and demeaning.
Who will raise the constitutional question?
Too, there is an existing Siouan Indian council
still intact from the 30s. Could they not be
activated and serve as a channel for redressing
the wrongs done us as Indian people? Some say
yes! resoundingly.
And, how about the state charter that
established present day Pembroke State
University in 1887? Was not a committee of
Indians originally designated to screen and
determine to their satisfaction who was an
Indian and who was not an Indian? Would the
hundreds of rulings they made stand up in a
court of law? Many say yes! resoundingly.
Others hope fervently that the findings by the
American Indian Policy Review Commission
will clarify our status as Native Americans. One
of the council members is Adolph Dial, an
Indian from Robeson County who is chairman
of the American Indian Studies Department at
Pembroke State University. Two of the task
forces were headed by Indians of Robeson
County. Helen Maynor Schierbeck headed the
task force on education and Betty “Jo Jo” Hunt
headed the task force on terminated and
non-federally recognized Indians.
We will have to wait and see if the U.S.
Congress will accept the profound findings of
the commission they funded and sponsored.
History does not look favorably on their
deliberations.
Will we always be a people with a name
without meaning? The consensus is yes!
resoundingly until brave ones among us take
one of these courses of action (and possibly
there are others) and run the good race, and fight
the good fight until we are a united people with a
universal name with meaning. Being a Lumbee
Indian, at the present time, is like being an
Arnerican without the rights of citizenship.
You look around you. Stop and
look al ihc soil which no lonccr
yields the fruit. Man ha.s sinned
so great against God that Joel said
in the last days, "the seed is
rotten under their clods. The
garners arc laid desola,
lamis are broken down
■■ “""'■'red.-jl;*;
gram
Man now has found k""'
fighiing insccls and™ ‘"X
planes. Poll
and sec, Ihc insect has ““
roots of the plants.
The Bible tells us that Ahah did
more to provokethe Lord God ot
Israel than all the other kings. (I
Kings 16:33). This came about
because Ahab was a weak man.
He was the tool of crafty and he
was an unscrupulous man, I want
you to know that the worse
crimes that have ever been
commited have been wrought by
weak men at the instigation of
worse, but stronger spirits than
themselves. Ahab was this type
man who was Jealous ot his
people. He was scared the people
would find the true God to
worship and in doing so they
might leave his worldly
kingdom. So Ahab placed a
golden calf at each end of his
u-rritonc-. so that the people
might worship the Lord of Israel
to a hay eating calf.
Ooil Slid in Pain, ,,
These Ibings hast ihoudo,;
I kept silence, ThoaihoaZ
was altogether such a
sell; but I will ^
Yousee Godhasbeeasii,*
hcsaidhewot,ldnio,ea,d,
hcdidhcwouldreprorefc,
the 22nd verse he said hew™,
tear you in pieces and there sh
be none to deliver, Whoshall
saved- Those who kno!"
their redeemer liveth, Thoseii
know him as their iniei«ss,
And because he lives, wesh
also live. John 14:19.
So God sent Elijah to Ahah to
warn him, to tell him that there
shall be no rain or dew in these
years I speak. We can imagine
when God told Elijah that he
most warn .Ahab and tell him
•.vlial viotn God. Lliiah
knew JczcIk‘1 hat.1 all live r-rkfeix
of G'.bl slain. \n'i Elijan kn.'A ne
could also be slain. But I believe
Elijah was a very religious man
of God. a man who had read and
remembered that God said,
“Take heed to yourselves that
your heart be not deceived and ye
turn aside and serve other gods,
and worship them; and the Lord’s
wrath be kindled against you.
And he shut up the heavens and
there be no rain, and that the land
yield not her fruit and lest ye
perish quickly from off the good
land which the Lord hath given.”
Det. 11:16-17.
This land of ours will pay
as Ahab and his Ibllowers’,
There was no water and no k
It you will read and study, we
in the same shape. They (cl
we are below 70 percent inw
and the com is spoiling, eve;
the bins. Our food supply jj,
off. Why? Because the pji
choose to serve a heathen
They thought it was bestiha
put It on the shelf and in all
stores because it would be n
convenient for the people 10
and take home. Thai way 1
won’t be on the road. Bulb
blind as we were. Satan dee
care if you walk or run. Al
wants is to get it inyou.Thei
can control you and his dem-
will grow stronger and siroi
to the point thatyou will kill!
your own children.
You see. I believe this is why
there is so much sickness today
on our land. Today many have
turned and arc serving other
gods. Our towns and our
governments arc serving sins. We
are told to vote for the things of
Once it was said to vote beer and
liquor in and it will help share the
load of taxes. My friends, sin
does not lift up burdens, but it
brings them more grieveous than
you can bear. You might as well
get prepared, this country is
going to face a living God’s
wrath.
Elijah knew it was best for God
to shut up the heavens and there
be no more rain, than for the
people to think there was no God.
Elijah knew he had to pray and to
pray the prayer of faith. And he
prayed earnestly. James 5:17,
Elijah knew that if God did not
fulfill Det. 11:16-17 people
would think his words were idle
talcs or that he was a myth of the
past, a dead tradition. Elijah
knew this mu.st not be so. It was
better for the Lord to suffer the
terror of famine and for the
people to experience the bitterest
agonies of thirst and that they be
torn from limb to limb. It would
be better for the people to face the
physical woes than to think
Jehovah of our Fathers is dead as
the heathen. .And so Elijah
set himself to pray and he prayed
earnestly that it would not rain. It
was a terrible prayer, but Elijah
knew it was more terrible for the
people to forget God. God wrote
the Bihle and God put the statues
and God is the lawgiver. Do you
think that God would write the
law and yet not fulfill hj^ word?
God’swrath is comingandte-
is nothing you can do to slops
Jesus said but in that hour
day no man knoweth, noie>;
the angels of heaven
know. But for us to watch as
the days of Noah were so sb
also the coming of the son of®-
be. Matthew 24:38. Forasinik
days that were before the flood,
they were drinking and eaiiis
marry ing and giving in inarrias
until that day. Whaiamigointi
do? 1 am going to wail fords
coming of my Lord Jesus. Ik
lives. I serve a Cod who isloh
feared and loved. The sk
made fearful havoc, bui helim
The grave was fast closed, kill
lives. Men and devils did
worse, but he lives. ThankCx'
for the man who has heard Jei.;
say. ”I am he that liveihajidau
dead; and behold I am alb
forever more.” Who also sail
"I have the keys of hell inl
death.” Revelations 1:18.
Praise God. 1 am going tef
You can go through by IwIJii
his hand and hear him say fa
not. be strong, yea. be siroai
We may have to go as Elijakdiil
by a dying brook. We nia; si
that last drop buiGodhasanriY
place just as he did for Elijali."i
may have to wait on (he raser
feed us. but we can be as i
Psalmist David who said ili
Lord is my .strcnsihandsoneai*
is become my salvation. Psil'
118:14.
"Jehovah
Jehovah i
have I
strenath.’
sirunt*
is my . _
niy God. In the Let
riahteousness
.iciisui. Isa’4.r:-l. Soon
..’ill hear the Lord say rise andi:
because the journey is loo
for thee. But what you will _
is courage, brother, and to
comes from God's son Joif
Before you can go loCanndto
Vineyard of Jesus Chnsi, c'«l
man must go to Cherith. )e®
Chcrith was at Nazareth andaW
at Golgotha and in the Garden?
Gelhse’mane where he prayed'"
'■ Yes. this sameJesii'n
you and I.
aoina to return for those
have continued wiihChrisMiJ’
nave conimucu vim-
trials. Matthew 22: 28.' ■
has your Cherith led yuu’
Yours in Christ.
THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Published Each Thursday by
The Lumbee Publishing Company
Second Gloss Posroge Fold or Pembrote
NC 28372
YOUR PHARMACIST
I all riulti in the end.
-ELECT-
Gus Bullard
to The Board of Directors of
Lumbee River Electric
Membership Corp.
(AT LARGE CANDIDATE)
Annual Mecfing-October 18, 19'
Cumberland Memorial Audiioriuin
Fayetteville, N.C.
"Your Vote & Support
Will Be Appreciated.”
Polilk-iil \(f