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' , I ' v?4 i Yours Truly by Lew Barton Knight of Mark Twain It seems a long time ago since I received my Mark Twain award. Nobody paid it much attention. It was as though one of those was re ceived every day of the week. Well, they aren't And I'm one of the moetappreciative guys you might expect to find. It's just that way out here in the sticks is one of the most unlikely places you'd go in search of literary wotth. But Mark Twain's ideas of a real writer weren't necessarily attached to some particular geographical lo cation. You may find writing talent anywhere. The way I figure it, my talent is nothing to brag about. But you would he surprised at the number of unsolicited telephone calls I get on any day. 1 probably wouldn't be able to do anything other than answer the phone if I had a public telephone number. Sometimes people are shocked to learn of my connection. They want to know how one comes into posses sion of such a treasure All 1 can say is I have been actively engaged in one way or another since I was 9.1 am now 74. Enough said. Questions choice of entertainment at Miss Lumbee pageant Dear Mr. Executive Director of LRDA, Let me first state that I am a Lambee Indian and proud to be one. Although 1 have not lived in Robe son County far fifteen years my roots are here, as is my heart. The people here are, and will always be, my people. For that reason I feel compelled to write this letter to you It is my sincere hope that you are able to accept this letter as a plea for uplifting our own people, not as a put down ofother races. As a Lumbee I have experienced discrimination. This has made me more sensitive to the discrimination against others. This letter is not against any race, it is to express my dismay at our own peoples discrimination against our own race. I come borne frequently to celebrate the Lumbee Homecoming with family and friends. I always enjoy the celebration and renewal of identity that comes from being with others of my race. The Miss Lunbee pageant is always a highlight during my visit This year, although the pageant was well directed and pro duced. I was disappointed and dis mayed by some of the so called entertainment. The complaints and negative comments that I overheard con cerned the band and the Michael Jackson impersonator The band did not play well, many people won dered where they came from, how much money was wasted paying them, and why they were mostly *" white,'KM*Ah Indian pageant. Mhny people couM not toierate the poor playing and left theraoditonumjust to get away form the music. The older people in the audience were offended by the antics of the young black man who imitated Michael Jackson. Only the very young people enjoyed he vulgarity that was dis played. This was not appropriate entertainment for a pageant celebrat ing the selection of a young "Lady" to represent the best of the Lumbee 1 have to question the decision to include talent from other races during a pageant that is for the Lum bees. Do we Lumbees not have talented young people? Are we so lacking in performing ability that we must have vulgarity and poor music from other races to empha size our own lack of talent? I was impressed by the singing of the three Lumbee gentlemen who did perform The Carter Man sang the old standards beautifully. The Hunt Boys, obviously twins, sang country and modem equally well. Junior Miss Lumbee performed her tap routine exceptionally well. To me this shows our people are tal ented and professional caliber per formers I missed the talents of Brenda Williams and the Lowery girl, both of whom have performed at past pageants. I know that there are sev eral bands in the area which consist of Lumbee members. Why could one of those bands not been selected to play? It is true that it is important not to discriminate against otber races but, especially during an all Indian pageant, Lumbees know Lumbees We also know what die heart of our owa people needs during our own celebration. It is true that the audi ence consisted of people from all races. This would have been a per fect time to show the talents our people possess, not to prove we are so lacking in talent that people from other races must be hired to perform to conceal our shame. The contestants for Miss Lumbee were all lovely and talented. The winner of die tide seems to be an exceptional young lady and should serve honorably as Miss Lumbee. If we are to show the world that we Lumbees are worth the effort that has gone into trying to achieve fed eral recognition, all I can say is that we must begin here at home by em phasizing the talent and ability our own people have. 1 was told, many times, by my mother that the Lumbee people were the major force behind keeping our people down. Although 1 listened to what she had to say I was hesitant to really believe that we were our own worst enemies. After the pageant performances I now understand ex actly what she meant We as Lumbee must utilize our talented young people during our celebrations, not turn to those outside of our race to compensate for our own laziness in seeking out local, Lumbee talent. W& must give ourselves a break before anyone else will! If we are not praUd of ourselves, and respect our selves, bow can we expect anyone else to give us the respect we have struggled to earn? One last thing I noticed was that the audience seemed to be smaller than in past years. We must promote ourselves, not turn our celebration into a generic display like most other pageants are. Sir help us all be proud of who we are and what we are, the Lumbee people. Thank you for taking the time to read the concerns of one Lumbee person. I am praying that our tribe will soon achieve the federal recog nition we have fought for these many decades. The work your organiza tion has done to promote our people has not gone unnoticed but can eas ily be negated if fiascoes like the pageant entertainment are allowed to continue. Sincerely, Evelyn Locklear Carder 'tb wise To Advhitbe ^992 State ? I4-H Electrics I Congress 1 I Wilmington ] Robttis Coooty 4-H m.mberi KJw Hoot (tecMd front left) of Route 2, Pembroke; Amy Tippet* (third from left) of Lumbrrtoa; sod Joho Wilms Jr of Shssson were detentea to the dStfr Aoassl State 4-H Electric Coogreta July 13-15 at the University of North Cirtliu at Wilmington. Carolyn Marfan (left) mar keting represen tative far Caroliiia Power and Light Company, and Vivian B. Wilson of LamDortoa, a valnateer 4-H tender, accompanied thedelef ales. TKpv mmi for IfhifYf meat intbeir 4-H electric projects. CP&L provided the trip tad helped sponsor the congress. The event was conducted by the North Carolina Cooperatve Extension Service. Responds to criticism of J.J. Johnson Dear Sir. As a long-time friend and sup porter of Dr. Joy J. Johnson, I must respond to the editorial in the 25 June 1992 edition of the St Pauls Review. I feel that the editor does not know the same person that I know and respect. Dr. Johnson has always been concerned with doing what was best for the county, not what was best for himself, as an individual. As a leg islator he introduced a bill, over the strong objection of the other local legislators, to end the double-voting method of electing the former county school board. He helped the Cummings family seek justice when Jimmy Eari Cummings was killed by Deputy Kevin Stone. He supported school merger in the referendum of 1988, not because he would profit as an individual (he very obviously has not) but because it was the right thing In do As a member of the Board of Education of the Public Schools of Robeson County, and its first elected chairman, I would be the first to say that, in my opinion, lesser qualified whites have been hired over more qualified blacks and Native Ameri cans. I challenge anyone to examine the facts, including the racial makeup of the staff and hirings over the past several years, and then make a rea sonable argument that no such racial discrimination has taken nlace Dr. Johnson was not asking that lesser qualified blacks be hired. 1 very clearly heard him say that qualified blacks were being denied equal employment opportunity. When one lodes at the racial makeup of the school system staff, I believe that he had a duty to speak out. It certainly is fair for a citizen to chal lenge the actions of a public board and a public official if the citizen reasonably believes that unlawful discrimination is taking place. The editorial also complained that the people of the county were being portrayed as "loud, ignorant stocks" because of the actions of Dr. Johnson and the "demands of the Indian community" to keep open a golf course. I find it strange that the editor seems to have a problem with Indians or Blacks going public with their grievances while never condemning whites, such as Sheriff Hubert Stone and his minions, for similar such actions. In closing, let me say that my friend is considered a radical in some quarters simply bepause^he demands jvitice rather than sitting back and j;; waking for the powerful ? few to j, move with "all deliberate speed" to accord such to all persons, regard less of race or wealth. One does not build a sturdy "bridge" by allowing a racist contractorto refuse to hire the best qualified bridge builders be cause of their race. Sincerely, Dalton P. Brooks Route 2 Pembroke, NC Gala celebration planned A Gala Celebration to celebrate ten years of service is being spon sored by the Southeastern Family Violence Center on August 29,1992 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Lum berton. The guest speaker will be Marjorie Judith Vincent, Miss America, 1991. Dignitaries from around the state will be in attendance and the public is invited to join the celebration. For more information or to request invitations call 739 8622 or 277-2936. Cong ^ykc. 0/7 Lion UtaiH ESy 2>*. D(*ut, !&a??i?i CP^Il <A??vi <^A mt\U*.m. <R ItOHlM Out of the era of failed federal policies of compensation, termina tion and relocation grew a sense among many Native Americans that they must take the matter of their sovereignty and protection into their own hands The federal government had in many ways proved ineffective in its attempts to deal with the prob lems of Indian people. Thus Indian people began, again, to organize themselves for their own welfare. Several organizations sprang up from the dissatisfaction felt in Indian communitites, including the National Congress of American In dians (1944) and the National Indian Youth Council (1961); the mid 1960's saw numerous other groups formed, such as the American Indian Civil Rights Council, the Indian Land Rights Association and the Alaskan Federation of Natives. One of the most militant of these new organizations was AIM, the American Indian Movement. AIM itself grew out of the efforts of a mostly-Chippewa (Anishinabe) group in Minneapolis, which had formed "patrols" to keep track of how Minneapolis police were treat ing Native Americans. Two of the principal leadersofthe "patrols" were George Mitchell and Dennis Banks, and in 1968 they formally estab lished the American Indian Move ment AIM quickly became involved in Indian issues outside Minneapo lis, and just as quickly was joined by Indian people firom all overthe coun try. In 1969 AIM was involved (with other organizations) in a move to impeach Secretary of the Interim Walter Hickel, for what they saw as his pro-termination attitude and poli cies. The next year the government JUIH. Graham Ryan Elliott Lock!ear Local students named Chancellor's Scholars Two graduates of Pumell Swett High School have been named Chancellor's Scholars at Pembroke State University for the 1992-93 aca demic year. They are Jennifer Lynn Graham, the daughter of Jill H. Graham, and Ryan Elliot Locldear, the son of Alex C. Locklear III. As Chancellor's Scholars, they will have their full tuition and fees paid to PSU. They will take special courses, do a Master's type thesis, 'and receive special honors at com mencement. Graham has been a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club and "Who's Who Among American High School Students She has also been co-editor of her school yearbook. A member of the French Club and Drama Club, she was also an outstanding athlete in high school. She captained her var sity basketball team and played var sity softball and tennis teams, being chosen the most important in the latter. Locldear was a member of the national Honor Society and Beta Club , French Club, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Club and Outdoor Club and attended summer science programs at Appala chian State University and East Caro lina University. He was also a Quiz Bowl participant. He played varsity baseball in high school and was also a member of the football team and school band. He was accepted to the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics at Durham 0 announced that termination would not continue asafederal policy. In 1972 armed AIM members blocked access to the convention center in Cass Lake, Minnesota to emphasize their wish for the Chippewa Tribal Council to take an active standon Indian fishing rights. In the same year, AIM was directly in volved in protests in Nebraska (follow ing the murder of Raymond Yellow Thunder by a group of whites) and in California (following the killing ofln dian leader Richard Oakes by a prison guard). Also in 1972, AIM and other groups formed the "Trail of Broken Treaties" caravan, to bring national attention to the need for Indian self determination and tribal sovereignty Among their demands were a re view of all broken treaties, the end of state jurisdiction over Indian matters, an) the provision of all government ser vices to the as-yet-unrecognized tribes and nations in the eastern U.S. When the caravan got to Washington,D.C., most participants went to the Bureau of Indian Amirs wmmmammmmmrnr building to bold a demonstration. Ac cording to Olson and Wilson fNative Amarirana in th* ?ftth OntnrvV "When federal guards in the building tried to push some of the demonstrators out side, the affair quickly became violent - the Native Americans seized the BJLA building, blockading all the doors and windows with office furniture For six days they occupied the building, de manding amnesty and a return to tribal sovereignty Files woe seized and some BIA property was damaged Caravan leaders claimed that federal agents had infiltrated the movement and had done most of the damage." When federal authorities finally offered amnesty (and $66,000for trans portation home for the demonstrators), the BIA siege was ended on 8 Novem ber 1972. But AIM did not simply disappear into the sunset the way some people obviously hoped they would. In the next segment of Along the Robeson Trail, find out more about the history of the American Indian Move ment. For more information, visit the Native American Resource Center in Old Main Building, cm the campus of Pembroke State University. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Mrs. Anita S. Lowry, a teacher at Green Grove School was recently appointed to the Professional Prac tices Commission. The Professional Practices Com mission advises the State Board of Education on the preparation and certification of public school profes sional personnel. The Commission solicits the recommendations to the SBE. SERVING ROBESON LOUNIY *tr BECK 0VER15 yEARS f CHIROPRACTIC SPECIALIZING IN CENTER I AUTO ACCIDENT INJURIES MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED q "APPOINTMENT PLEASE" I EMERGENCY HOME NUMKR OR. WOOOROW W BECK, JR. 7M-312* I OFFICE 739-5751 CONSULTATION ROTATE A COMPUTER WHEEL BALANCING !?^obeson ip ? TIRE AND AUTO CENTER 508 EAST THIRD STREET - PEMBROKE, N.C. 28372 BESIDE PROGRESSIVE ft LOAN (919)521-8674 -WO??, $ CHAMOI If RAY INVITES ALL OF HIS FORMER CUSTOMERS TO HIS NEW PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR THE BEST CLEAN USED CARS & THE BEST PRICE ON TIRES IN THE COUNTY! GOOD USED CARS! INSTANT CREDIT AVAILABLE! COMPLETE GARAGE SERVICE ? Brake Service ? Transmission Service ? TuneUps ? Oi, Lube, Fitters ? Suspension Work ? Drivetrain Work ? Computer Wheel Balancing TIRES ? Daytona ? MicheKn ? Uniroyals ? Goodyears ? B.F. Goodrich ? Performance G.T. ? Road Hugger RIMS ? Progressive ? Eagies ? Rocket Free Brake Check tTtfylli igj?til t I'a J yi1 ? r?tntl Dn|CnW.(MM airf *. M ISatraki. NC. DM IIMIM | Pharmacist tfov*2T(i 1 tailJjaiiSHSl " Garlic for the heart? jj Medical folklore has long said that consuming garlic is good for the heart And studies show that ! garlic does, indeed, lower blood cholesterol levels. ' In six months, volunteers who consumed 1,900 ' mg. a day of deodorized gailk saw a drop of as much 'i as 7S points in their blood cholesterol levels, while j subjects who consumed no supplements had a j three-point drop at best. No one knows how, but j garlk may either slow the body's natural production ! of cholesterol or increase the amount excreted. i As your Personal Pharmacists, we can help you l sort through the facts and fables of folk remedies. I Wnkhl^n-BA^toWto lij IfovtTKatmAey jj
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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