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1^1 ?HE OXR(QCX3\K\. XJKHXUV^fcoifcI? ?, I "Building Communicative Bridges e f" Pembroke? n.c. In A Cri-Racial getting" 1 robeson county #v VOLUME 16 NUMBER W 25$ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 198S TRIBUTES RAID DR. CLI ETON OXEN DINE AS LECTURE MALL I N MIS MONOR IS DEDICATED A T RSU By Gene Warren With the widow of the late Dr. Clifton Oxendine present along with their two children, the "Dr. Clifton Oxendine Memorial Lecture Hall" was dedicated at Pembroke State University on Dec. 7 amidst glowing verbal tributes about the honoree who was an educator for 42 years in the public schools and for PSU. A plaque was unveiled by the family outside the second floor lecture auditorium in PSU's Class room North commemorating that lecture hall in Dr. Oxendine's honor. Oxendine's children present along with his widow, Cora Lee Oxendine of Pembroke, were Betty Oxendine Mangum of Raleigh, director of Indian Education for the State Department of Public Instruction, and Jerry Oxendine, director of Indian Education for Hoke County Schools. Taking part in the program in which accolades were paid to Dr. Oxendine were PSU Chancellor Paul Givens; Dr. Adolph Dial, retired chairman of PSU's American Indian Studies Department; Berteen Prine, administrative assistant to Chancel lor Givens and a long time friend of Dr. Oxendine's; the Rev. Bob Mangum, pastor of Prospect United Methodist Church who gave the invocation and benediction; and Dr. David Eliades, chairman of the PSU History Department who was master of ceremonies. Oxendine served as dean of what is now Pembroke State University from 1939-57 after which he taught history until retiring in 1970. He was PSU professor emeritus of history and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree by PSU in its Centennial Fall Convocation of 1986. Dr. Oxendine, of Pembroke, died July 21, 1987, at the age of 87 . ?.s- ? TO following complications from an automobile accident Chancellor Givens, in his remarks, described Oxendine as "a strong pillar of not only this community but this University." The PSU chancellor told how he used to visit Oxendine's home near Pembroke and chat about the Univer sity. "Dr. Oxendine was keenly interested in what was happening on campus," said Chancellor Givens. "He also showed me pictures of George Peabody College (at Nash ville, TN) which we both attended." Dr. Givens earned both his B.A. and M.A. there, and Dr. Oxendine earned his M.A. there. Dr. Dial, who was a student in both high school and college under Oxendine and shared an office with him for 12 years as a PSU professor, said, "He was an outstanding scholar. He was awarded 'Teacher of the Year' on two different occasions. I never had a professor anywhere whom I enjoyed like Dr. Oxendine." Dial also said, "I believe he was the first Lumbee to receive a graduate degree." (Note: Oxendine earned his M.A. at George Peabody College in 1934). Oxendine served as dean of what is now Pembroke State University from 1939-57 and was instrumental in keeping the school open during World War II, said Dial. "The enrollment got down to 88 students, and Dr. Oxendine would go out into the cotton fields and encourage prospective students to enroll. 'We are not going to have a school if we keep loting students,' he would say," according to Dial. "Dr. Oxendine always called me Mr. He never called any student or faculty member by his first name," said Dial. "He also told his students, ' When you get to class, take plenty of ammunition,' meaning books. He described life as being a series of expanding experiences." Mrs. Prine, who has been secre tary or administrative assistant to every PSU president/chancellor since 1943, told how she and Dr. Oxendine and thpir parents had been life-long friends. When Mrs. Prine was interviewed for the position of secretary to the president, she said, "Mr. Clifton brought me to the campus from my home because I did not have transportation of my own. And on my first day at work, he brought me to work." Prior to that, when she was a freshman at PSU, Mrs. Prine said her college classmates thought Dr. Oxendine was her uncle or a very close relative "because of his kindness to me." In speaking of her many memories of Dr. Oxendine, Mrs. Prine said: "Memory is a wonderful gift. For with it, the best is never past. We carry thoughts of friends in our hearts to live although time has passed." Rev. Mangum, in his invocation, prayed: "We thank you for the memories we share of his (Dr. Oxendine's) devotion to family and educational excellence. We thank you for his friendship to all and his loyalty to school, community and nation. We ask our Father as this dedication is made that the memory of our friend. Dr. Clifton Oxendine. would challenge students and faculty and administration alike--and com munity who pass this way- would challenge us all to be ail we can be." Dr. Eliades said that it was through the requests of the family that each of those on the program was asked to take part in honoring Dr. Oxendine. The family of Dr. Clifton Oxendine stands by the plaque designating the ' 'Dr. Clifton Oxendine Memorial Lecture Hall'' on the second floor of PSITs Classroom North. Left to right are his daughter, Betty Oxendine Mangum of Raleigh; his widow, Cora Lee Oxendine of Pembroke; and his son, Jerry Oxendine of Pembroke. - t k Thoee taking part (n the program tit which the "Dr. Clifton Oxendine Memorial hectare Hall" woe dedicated Wedneeday at PSlTt Ckueroom North are [left to right]: PSU Chancellor Pool Given*. Rev. Bob Man gam, IV. Adotph Dial, Berteen Prme, and Dr. David Flxadet Shown tn the background it the memorial plaque at the entrance to the lecture hail. SAY YOU R EAD IT I N . <? ? ? THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE E THE OPTIMISTIC CYN I CS BY KAREN CORONADO 5 WM. RICHARD MATHIS THE CORRUPTION CONTINUUM: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING ROBESON COUNTY The essential element of corruption is hypocrisy. We define hypocrisy as pretending to be what one is not or to feel something one does not feel or claim a virture one does not have. It is saying one thing while doing another and acting morally justified while maintaining the charade of integrity. Classical examples of corruption are the law officer who accepts a bribe to provide protection for criminals or the corporation which pushes a product as safe when it is known that it is deadly. It is also the government which denounces terrorism while engaging in terrorism. Most of us assume that this is the type of corruption which is meant ..hen someone argues about corruption in Robeson County. However, to limit conceptualization of corruption to such classical examples is likely to prevent us from seeing "the full picture" and ever gaining a fuller understanding of the nature of corruption in Robeson County. The classical conceptualization of corruption places primary blame on the individual. The corrupt individual is considered to be debased, morally bankrupt, perverted by power, or just plain evil. Remove the corrupted and the system will work fine. Such a classical model holds that corruption has to be limited to individuals or to conspiracy of individuals. Consequently, critics, investigators and reporters have sought to explain the problems in Robeson County by emphasizing a conspiracy of elected officials, racist institutions and dope dealers. While this conjecture may very well be true, it is a hil-or miss approach to our problems. Frequently, reporters will made a 3 to 7 day tour of Robeson County. Allured by tantalizing headlines and talk of rampant corruption, they eagerly make a pilgramage to Robeson County with their eyes on a Plitizer prize for investigative reporting. When they don't find the "smoking gun"' conclusively proving there is corruption (in the classical sense), they pack their carpetbags with notes saying the critics in Robeson County are not credible and that we aremaking a big ado about nothing. This is because they are not thinking comprehensively about corruption. Unless we learn to think about corruption in a more comprehensive manner, Robeson County will become like a commercial for Lite beer. One side will shout "is corrupt" while the other side will shout "is not." Back and forth it will go, "is corrupt," "is not," "is too," "is not." Sometimes it will appear as if both sides believes whoever shouts loudest and longest will win the argument. However, whoever gains the clearest understanding of the problem and is able to present the most rational and logical analysis will be the winner. As we all want to be winners, we would like to offer our conceptual model of corruption for your critical examination and subsequent use if you, in anyway, find it to be of value. Corruption exists on a continuum composed of four stages: 1) complacency, 2). condonation, 3). collusion, and 4). collaboration. Using Nazi Germany as an example, the first stage, complacency, occured when good, decent, church-going citizens suspected something might be wrong with the treatment of Jews but decided not to1* investigate because to do so might have adversely impacted their lives. The second stage, condonaton, took place when the same citizens realized that Jews were being mistreated but chose to hide their heads in the sand. The third stage, collusion, happened when the good citizens knew what was happening to Jews, did not want to bloody their own hands but helped the SS do its butchery. The final stage, collaboration, is when the good citizen picked-up the gun and participated fully in murdering Jews. The continuum extends from acts of omission to acts of commission. No acts of commission can occur without acts of omission. In other words, no corrupt actions can y happen unless someone has not been held responsibl J Corruption can only thrive in a climate of complacent} I For example in Robeson County, people have bitten '.J complained over the years about District Attorney Ja | Freeman Britt. Yet, in failing to run a candidate agains him for DA during his 14 year tenure, people have chosel not to hold Britt responsible. It should be no shock tA discover he feels that he can do what he likes as DA. When we are complacent in our lives and do not want to rock the boat, we are extending an open invitation to corruption. As for some of us, we have chosen not to rock the boat even when we have seen evidence of wrongdoing. Instead of dealing with poor, malnourished children in the county, some os us chose to pig-out with a hog named Norma Jean over in Lumberton. Some of us said the controversial d death of Jimmy Earl Cummings didn't concern us J because he was an alleged dope-dealer. ^ Others have chosen not only to turn their heads on the - problems in Robeson County, but seemingly acted \J protect those who appear to have committed wronfc^ doing. DA Britt's handling of the coroner's inquest of the shooting of Cummings by Deputy Sheriff Kevin Stone appears to be a prime example. Sheriff Hubert Stone's testimony and letter of support for major drug dealers could also be construed as corruption at the third level of collusion. But then again, N.C. Attorney General Lacy Thombucg and Governor James Martin didn't find anything wrong with Britt's handling of the inquest although numerous newspapers editorialized about the inquest's apparent corruption. Their response seems much the same of former Governor Hunt's when he chose to ignore a report by the Indian Commission in 1982 which discussed unfair treatmentof Indians in Robeson County's judicial system. So instead of simply determining if Britt and the Stones and the County Commissioners are corrupt, we must look at the whole system, from ourselves on up to the Governor, Congress, and President, to determine how we could let the problems in Robeson County grow to their present magnitude. For example, if we remove the Stones from office, we must still face the likelihood that any law officer will be tempted by big money from drug dealers. We must look at out hypocritical drug policies which minimizes prevention and rehabilitation, maximizes punishment for the user, and allows the large international dealers free rein when it is "national security interests." We must realize that all the corruption and violence associated with drugs could only occur when there is complacency and hypocrisy. Since there is an abundance of complacency and hypocrisy in Robeson County, it also stands to reason that lere might be a healthy amount of classical corruption in Robeson County. Even if it can't be proved presently, we know anyplace where people are as complacent as they are here, corruption will always be waiting to bloom. 6 CAMPBEH SOUP COMPANY IS ORGANIZING POP UNION EIECTION by Connee Brayboy The morp than 560 hourly em ployees of Campbell Soup Company will be making a decision that will effect their lives for the duration of their employment. At some point in the future, these employees will decide whether or not to unionize. To help them make the right decision. Leonard W. Reeder, business agent for Local Union No. 391, is available to answer questions about the union and keep the employees much needed information. The Union Hall is set up in Maxton at the former offices of CP &L A Committee of 25 employees has been formed and meetings are held each Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The plans are to educate the people to the benefits of a union. Adrian Ransom is one of the committeemen. The committee appears to be dedicated to the idea of a union at Campbell's Soup Co. Most other Campbell South plants are already unionised. The Sacramento, California plant belongs to Local 228 and there is a significant difference in the houny wages there. That plant pays $10.85 per hour as compared to the $8.11 per hour paid at the non-union plant in Maxton. This bothers Ransom. "A ear in California costs the same as a car in North Carolina. We are paying the same price for commodities hers in Robeson." Ransom said, "But w*. are not recteving the same wages for the same work." Ransom, however, is i?M fir cou raged. "I believe Campbell . will be the first to ..rionise in the area. I'm excited jout It." Reader also sees the union effort as a challenge. He is not discouraged by the failure of LOF and the House of Raeford to unionize. "We are not going to hold an election at Campbell Soup until we are sure we can win it," he said. An election does not make a union, Reeder stated. "People make a union." He said there was plenty of time and he is busy answering questions, organi zing and distributing information. Reeder has much knowledge of the unique situation in Robeson. He was bom one of six children on a farm in Kentucky so he is familiar with rural farming veas. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg and later accepted employment with UPS in Fayetteville. He was employ ed by the unionized UPS from 1967-76. During this time he made trips to Robeson and became ac quainted with many local people. He has been an officer with Local Union 391 for 12 years. Along with his seal and determination, he brings some knowledge and understanding of the area. He is not only hopeful, but confident that the Maxton plant will be unionized before he leaves the area. Anyone who speaks with him comes away with the same convic tion that the union is definitely coming to Cam pell Soup. Employees are encouraged to stop by the union headquarters tor any information they need. Local 891 is a part of the Teamsters Union. Hie Teamsters are 8 million strong and represent diversified employees from accountants to boo keepers. They represent employees in almost every Job classification in North American. \ JACOBS A R R ESTED I N N EW YOR K Timothy Jacobs has been arrested in New York. As of Tuesday night he was being held on a fugitive warrant and traffic charges are pending. Jacobs is wanted in Robeson on state kidnapping charges stemming from the Feb. 1 takeover of the Robesoni an. A U.S. District Court jury acquit ted Jacobs and Eddie Hatcher of hostage-taking and weapons viola tions in October. They were indicted again last week by a state grand jury on 14 counts of second-degree kidnapping. Hatcher was arrested the same day. Authorities have been looking for Jacobs. Lewis Pitts, Jacobs' lawyer, flew to New York Wednesday. Pitts said that they will fight extradition "tooth and nail." Pitts, executive director of the Christie Institute South in Carrbono said he will make an "official objection to extradition." He hopes to get Jacobs released on bail and returned to the Six Nations territory. He said that Jacobs "was planning to refuse to come to Robeson County because of his fear of what would have happened to him, but was planning on, with help from the Sb Nations, to seek resolve of the indictments throught the United Nations." Pitts said that a United Nations re pe tentative has already met with tribal leaders on the territory and have^discussed the plight of the Hatcher and Jacobs in Robeson.
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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Dec. 15, 1988, edition 1
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