! EDITORIAL UND OPINION i PAGE w ? ..rhe voce of the drum is on? offering ro rhe Spirir of rhe! World. Ir's sound arouses rhe \ mind ond moKes men feel rhe j mysrery ond power of rhmgs 1 -QLACK ELK' AAA -W L X ^ i 1 1 | t 1 1 1 | Jj innnrwwwwwwwKwwwwwwwwwwi I ,| . AS I SEE IT j: . 1! Druce Darron i > i ? i\ ************* WW Sri CONDESCENSION STALKS THE LAND AS THE ROBESONIAN ENTERS PEMBROKE'S MUNICIPAL ELECTION RACE 1 The story will not win the Robesonian. or the staff writer, a Pulitzer Prize ? not even a free ream of paper It was journalism at its dreary worst Again, Pembroke masochistically washed its dirty linen in public And the Robesonian - deeming it newsworthy - put it on the front paper ? the day before the election. There it was - 'Candidate says Town Official Threatened Resident Eviction 1 - nestled between a story on massive flooding and the demise of Guv Lombardo, fabled band leader I could hardly believe it The story appeared on the front page of the Robesonian Monday, Nov. 7, ? 1977. The Robesonian. seemingly, has a morbid curiosity about happenings in Pembroke, especially our, as they see it; sordid and negative expressions and lurid recountings .of our transgressions. The story was printed.the day before elections. It seemed, as I . see it, to have been a case of much ado about nothing But, as I have noted on previous occasions, Indians, especially . seem to enjoy batterings in print. It is as if they, consida- it expiations for their sins. They cry, loudly, 'punish us,' even 'though they have cogwytted no MMa* ?"C5L. 'S u,H Condescension stalks the land, even on election eve. , Consider Pembroke. Pembroke has always been treated like a step child in Robeson County. Until the 40'$, the governor appointed the mayor and the city council. And most of ? his appointments were non-Indian ~ Thaggards. Brecces, etc. J wouldn't know a Thaggard if one walked up and kissed me. But the governor condescendingly, as if We were savages, illiterate nincompoops appointed Thaggards to govern us. And the town regressed steadily until. . Now. by God, Indians are being elected to public office. They found, immediately upon assuming office, that the town was financially in trouble No services were offered to the - citizenry It was a rude awakening. And many Indians are clamoring - "Let's enter the i*****wwwwwwwwwkm 20th Century!" But some of us do not want to grow, progress, pin the rest of the world. We at* provincial, small minded and backward thinking. We are the ones, when threatened, who run to the Robesonian and cry madly, "save us from ourselves." Remember the Indian maxim. We have met the enemy and it is us!" The Robesonian. my friends, will not savt us. They, as I see it. are not interested in our virtues, our saving graces. They will hang out pur dirty laundry, they will push up our sleeves and expose our wart-ridden elbow Th.ev cannot and will not save us. History will not allow them to champion Indian causes and heroes. It is against their nature. It is sort of like impatiently dragging the hangman to the scaffold so that he may more quickly hang you. As I see it, the Robesonian insists on treating the Indian citizenry with condescension and a lack of respect. ? The story that has provoked this outrage is, as I see it, tasteless and a mere recital of unproven charges. The reprinted ballot means nothing. Any citizen can secure a printed ballot (simply mark it "sample" and remove the name of the chairman of the board) and encourage citizens to vote for their choices. Afiterall, this is America. And registrars are supposed to register voters. Too. intimidation infers that those who live in housing units are inferior, illiterate folk. That is a damnable lie. No one can remove any person from a housing unit for exercising his or her democratic right to vote for whomever they choose. The people know that. One day. Indian people will rise up in anger and demand equality, respect, and a fair representation, even in the pages of the Robesonian That uprising is Jong overdue. I am betting on the people. I do not believe the Robeaonian can effect an election in Pembroke. Let the people speak! Condescension shall not continue to stalk the land unmolested Power to the people! POSTSCRIPT: This column wa* written the day before the ejection. It seems, to me, to be appropriate following the election returns. t . Common Sense Wins Out Pembroke is growing up. In spite of a story appearing in the Robesonian the day before the election, seeming to wash out dirty linen in public, Pembroke has decided to elect Reggie Strickland as Mayor; and * Larry Brooks, Milton Hunt, Bob Brewington, and Sam Dial, as Town Councilmen. Ahem, someone took down the clothes line. Common sense has won out. Pembroke has spoken out decidedly against the mud slingers, the wild eyed ones. Tbt Carolina Indian Voice is proud of Pembroke. We wish our eluded officials well. Common sense is the real winner. Now, watch rwwwwwwwwwwwww*** ?HNWHM LETTERS TO *** THE EDITOR tnHr*W*WWWWWKW*I< RT1 Initiates Illiteracy Effort and Says 4'Thanks" Dear Mr. Barton: We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the agency you represent for your efforts in assisting Robeson Technical Institute' with the proposal to secure funds to offer a Comprehensive Project in Functional Literacy Education for Robeson County citizens. ? Your cooperation and willingness - to give time and energy so unselfishly was noted and appreciated As you are aware. I am sure, this county received the funding. We are very excited over this special funding, and consider the task not as a burden, but as an opportunity to advance the progress of past and present endeavors in Adult Basic Education. The program, as it is written, lists a broad spectrum of activities of educational significance. The project will be evaluated in its entirety. We certainly hope that the measures will indicate growth of the people we serve, and activities that will continue to be funded to improve our high poverty rate. Please remember, everyone's help will continue to be needed in .this effot to improve the education of our adults. Even though Robeson Technical Institute received the funding, we view the program as one in which all citizens must take part to make the advances that we all hope to accomplish. Thanks again for your expressions of concern. Visit us when you can. Sincerely, Fred Williams, Vice-President for Educational Services Eugene Mercer Director of Basic Education ROBESON TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN MEMORY OF CHARLES OXENDINE CHARLES OXENDINE Born June 7, 1940 Died Nov. 8. 1972 Charles, we missed vou, although five years have passed and the children are almost grown now. We loved vou very much, but you see. God Iqvcs 1 you most. Many times we shed tears because we love and miss you. But darling when we meet just inside of that beautiful gate. I won't shed no mote tears. I won't say good-byeno more. But it will be peace forever more. Just knowing you are by my side and hearing God say "well done." We'll be at home at last. I will see you darling in heaven some sweet day. Your wife, * Fannie Oxendine Children: Linda, Ginger. Belinda. Nelson & Jimmy Earl Hughe* Oaendtue. principal of Hoke County High Schoo< Oxendine, also a member of the state board of education and a member of the advisory council on Indian education, ii shown at hi* de*k. I I Brace Barton photo \ Thanks To All Those Who | Supported and Voted For Me. Larry T. J Brooks ' Pembroke Councilman "T ? ? ? Veteran's Day Speaker Confirmed Mr. Simeon Oiendine Chairman. Pembroke Veterans . Day Celebration: ' Dear Mr. Oxeridine ? This (letter) confirms your h request for Colonel Hubetl M *? Leonard. Deputy Adiutant General. North Carolina Army -sxxAA t i a a A a a A ate National Guard, to be the principal speaker during your Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 io Pembroke 1 am enclosing a biographical sketch on Col Leonard for jour use as'you desfre. Than! you for remembering the North Carolina National Guard . on an occasion such as Veterans Day. and please don't hesitate to call on us in the future when "vour" Guard may be of assistance. Sincerely, Earl B. Huic Colonel. GS, NCARNG Chief of Staff Fulfillment in Hoke County Schools i -Cont'd From Page 1 ? ? ? Earlier thia year when Hoke County Superintendent of Schools, Raz Autry, decided to move the then principal of Hoke County High, he called upon Oxendine. Says Oxendine, "I was happy at Upchurch Junior High School. I got along well with the students, parents, and teachers, but I was not afraid of the challenge. Probably I would have rather remained where I was but one must be ready to accept challenges in life and this was no exception. I decided that I would, like 1 have done at every school I have been assigned to, do the very best I am capable of doing...this is usually sufficient. Besides, " he added, "I have had most of these students at one time or another since they began elementary school. I know them and they know me. That helps tremendously. I have never really had a student to challenge my authority as principal. That has helped the most in making the transition from junior high to the high school level." Hoke County High is a big school, classified as 4-A. There are some 140 students assigned with a faculty of 75 and a maintenance crew of some I2S. The student racial breakdown is approximately 200 Indians, 700 Blacks, and 500 Whites. According to Oxendine, the Indian students compete well. The students are proud of their Indian heritage and do not seem to suffer the pervasive lack of self esteem that has been evident in the Robeson County Schools. DEVELOPING YEARS Oxendine believes strongly in education. He remembers his own four year gap between high school and college, including a brief stint in the armed forces. "I realized then the need for an Education." He was strongly influenced by his mother and father, both educators. He estimates that there is some 250 years of teaching experence in his parents' families. He comes from a family of educators. Six of his eight brothers and sisters hold at least a college degree. His brother Joe heads the school of health and physical education at Temple University in Pennsylvania and is a doctor. A holder of an M.A. degree himself, his brothers, Tom and Ray and his sisters. Maggie and Ruth also hold M.A. degrees. His brother, Tom, heads the Office of Information injhe Bureau of Indian Affiars in Washington and is a retired commander in the Navy. Mkny readers remember the days when Tom buzzed Pembroke on one of his many aireal plights as'a Navy pilot. His brother. Bob, is a* truck driver with McLean Trucking. Another brother, Lewis, is in Inventory Control with Chrysler in Detroit, Mich. His sister,. Maggie, teaches at PSU. Ruth and Ray, twins, are both educators. Ray is principal of East Montgomery High School in Montogemerv County, and Ruth teaches in Michigan. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Oxendine, who resides near Pembroke, Oxendine says, "I was influenced most by the late Mrs Ruby C. Dial and Joe Sampson who is now r principal in Cleveland, Ohio. Both were conscientious and concerned." Oxendine also respects Brantley Blue, a member of the U.S. Indian Claims Commission in Washington and Jim Oxendine, an attorney in Georgia and Chairman of the Georgia Commission on Indian Affairs. "I guess I admire these people so much because they left Robeson County and made their own way." He also professes admiration and respect for Lonnie Revels, Jr. and John Robert Jones, "for their accomplishments." Oxendine, who lived in Michigan and taught for nine years before reluming to North Carolina, lives in Raeford with his wife, the former Betty Hammonds. They are the proud parents of five children. One daughter is a junior at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill; two daughters are a senior and sophomore at Hoke High respectively; a son is an eight grader and they also have a daughter who is in the third grade. Oxendine says, "I have learned a lot living in working in Hoke County. The most important lesson I have learned is that color does not have to be a deterrent. I have been judged strictly on my ability since I have been in Hoke County. I am most proud of that." Oxendine also praises the former Superintendents he has served under, W.T. . Gibson and Donald Abernathy, "one of the finest men I have ever known," and the present superintendent, Raz Autry, "who has supported me fully." Oxendine remembers his father teaching him "that a man can be whatever he wants to be in life if he is witling to work at it 100%. And that is what I try to do: give 100% all the time at whatever I am doing. When a man does that...well, things just seem to work out for the best in the end." Oxendine is also a member of the N.C. State Board of Education. His primary interest has been getting Indians and Blacks on the many commissions named by the state board, and involving his people in the educational "experience fully. He also serves on the national Advisory Council on Indian Education. He is supervising a pilot program at Hoke County High School closely. The pilot program offers a free lunch to any child who asks for it, no questions asked. He believes the program will eventually j become a part of the total educational L package in North Carolina. Hoke High offers a snack bar to give the students a choice. Oxendine says, "I am happy doing what I am doing. I believe education is the most important thing we can give our children. I am proud to be a part of the educational experience in Hoke County." PEMBROKE HARDWARE Your Hardware & Houseware Center Special Oster Kitchen Center tfjQQ AA ?Blender ?Mixer ?Grinder Tonka Toys .10% Off Eureka Vacuum Cleaners An Ideal Gift For Mon For Xmas! Pots Ceramic Interior 7 Piece Set W9.95 ?$5.00 Lay Away for Christmas! Robeson Farm Services Honors The Late Rev. Roy Maynor ? At their recent grand nprnlng, Jim Oxendioe, left, and BUI Cannical, owners of Robeson Farm Services, donated a <25.00 check to the Indian Memorial Cottage on the Odum Home Campus in honor of the late and beloved Rev. Roy W. Mayoor who was serving as construction foreman on the project at his death. Accepting the check in honor of his fhther was Freddie Maynor, center. (Braca Barton photo) ? ? Green Grove-Hilly Branch Square Dance Club wins in State Competition The Green Grow- Hilly Branch Square Dance Club b composed of students framthe 4th through the 8th grades. They do western-style dancing. Recently they participated in th Folk Festival at the State Fair. This was the third time they had entered the contest and they were state champions once and second place winners twice. They won again this year. The students who participated this year are ihown above: Cheryl Sawyer; Bobbie Jacob*; Ilene Oxendine; Anita Ratley; Michael Hunt; Ricky L. LockJear; Willie Von Brooks; ind Timothy Scott. The iirector is Mrs. Laraine Leggette. Mr. Howard D. Davis, Sr. is principal. (Bruce tart on photo) Robeson County Board of + Education Accepts Uniform * School Fees Policy J * ? The Robeson County Board of Education J met Tuesday evening and approved bids for ^ the Green Grove Media Center. The v heard a report on the Exceptional Children ^ Program from Mrs. Gladys Sawyer and set November 15, at 6:30 p.m. for the annual 3^ Advisory Council fishfirv. Appearing before the board were approximately 25 parents from the Prospect community who were there in opposition to ^ the "Policy for Collection and Exemption from Payment of Robeson County Local ^ School Fees at Prospect School" under J consideration by the board. The policy ^ being considered contained a income schedule which would be used to exempt , ^ children in lower income families from the ^ payment of fees. The proposed policy ^ stated that a child who had not paid his fees 3^ and was not exempted under the income scale, could be denied extra-curricular ^ activities at the school. Jr * Speaking on behalf of the parents was ^ Ms. Annie J. McGirt who voiced the ^ parents'opposition by saving,"...May we 3^ suggest that our school be brought into ^ compliance with what ever policy, either written or unwritten, governs the other 3^ schools in the county." She stressed their oppostion to their children being singled out in a pilot program. After her 3^ presentation, the group was questioned by board members. ^ The board then went into executive session ^ to discuss the pending litigation (The ^ proposed policy came about as a result of a j lawsuit which had been entered by a parent * of a Prospect student. The suit alleged that 3^ children at Prospect School were ^ discriminated against by denying them participation in extra-curricular activities ]? because of nonpayment of local school ^2 After a lenghtv executive session, yL Superintendent Purnell Swett T recommended that the board reject the * proposed policy and accept a couniv-wide ^ policy which had been basically written 3 during executive session ^ The county-wide policy adopted by the 7 board Males that school personnel "encourage" the payment of local school 3r fees. And that a record of how money flrom J fees are used . is kept that the communities may become aware of the ? use of auch monies The policy further ' sA. staled that no child would be denied participetion la extra-cumcular activities ? because of nonpayment of toes jA Mrs Dorothy Lowry thanked the bored W ffMflllWfl 0* |j|g dumre fof ' 'tllf MMMfR ywi ifcwen