Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / June 24, 1972, edition 1 / Page 2
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—THE CARLOXA TIES Saturday, Jun» 24, JJ7I 2A EDITORIALS & COMMENT I—COMMENTS ON 60ALS OF BLACK —i STUDIES COURSES I Novelist Austin Clarke, a teacher in the fledgling Black Studies pro gram at Duke University for the past year reveals some interesting insights as the goals of Black Studies courses. Clarke has also had the experience of teaching such courses at Yale, Brandeis and Williams Universities. It is his feeling that the goals of any Black Studies course is to further give students, both blacks and whites, some ideas as to what blackness is all about and not to necessarily immerse them with, or into ideological rhetorics. Further, Clarke believes that typical black studies courses often fail in their mission due to satu rated ideology and not enough crit ical comment and analysis. In stead black students must study themselves through the works of their black predecessors. Such readings might include literature of the Caribbeans, of Africa and of black America to help them get an idea of the area representative of the "Third World, Africa and Asia as opposed to North America and Europe. The Trial News Magazine made some interesting observations on the "law and order" bent of the Nixon Court whereby they sided with the prosecution. It is sup posed then that this return to strict constitutional emphasis may mean a return to traditional thinking on some issues. In a sensitive 5-4 ruling, the Court said unanimous jury verdicts are no longer necessary to convict an accused in state criminal courts. Writing for the majority, Mr. Justice Byron White noted that a 1970 Supreme Court decision made convictions by juries of less than 12 members constitutional; the Con stitution does not give minority groups the right to block convic tions, but only to be on the jury and to "be heard". A heavy majority is similar to a unanimous vote of a smaller jury," he concluded. The subtle racial overtones of this decision must be watched care fully. In most jury panels when two or three of the members are black or of other origin, then the 9 SHAPE UP ACADEMICALLY 1 Higher education may be "reach ing a ceiling in the amount of money it can expect from society" says the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. U. S. Colleges and universities were urged to slim down financially and shape up aca demically to avoid a crunch should soaring campus needs outstrip even "vast increases in support." While discussing the several areas for improvement, a special mention was made to those stu dents who are so unmotivated and also those who are reluctant class attenders. With so much emphasis on motivation and the opportunity to either attend classes or not at tend classes should bear special at tention for many minority students. Students should be so motivated to feel that regular class attend ance is a must. One misses a lot of normal give and take, an essential ingredient, for one's educational advancement if regular class at tendance is not followed. Such discipline for the task ahead is often lost when class attendance is left to the discretion of the student. In many instances, regular class at tendance has not been an important part of their daily pursuits. tilings Yog Shodd hoy TERENCE flji PUBLIUS TERENTIUS AFER % UNEQUALLED AMONG LATIN POETS, HE WAS M3O ONE OFTHE GREATEST HUMANISTS W OF ALL TME/BROUOHT TO ROME A 8 AN AFRICAN SLAVE, HE WAS SO LEARNED THAT HIS MASTER J| W FREED HIM/HE LEFT SIX MAJOR PLAYS - C PUB- LTSHED COUNTLESS TIMEB IN ALL LANGUAGES)— WHK3H SERVED AS MODELS OF FLAWLESS STYLE FOR STUDENT PUWWRITES MCUXXNO JULIUS CAESAR, CICERO A HORACE / JT / /' Further, readings by southern white writers as well should be in cluded to be able to formulate a critical assessment of the similari ties and differences for a total analysis of the black experiences. Finally Clarke admits to being a bit wary of the future of Black Studies programs without staff, projection or relevance in its theo retical framework. The lack of en rollment in such classes by many black students also poses some problems. It is certainly hoped that the investment by other blacks and whites for Black Studies Courses will not go down the drain so to speak. All students must continue to learn of the many contributions of blacks in the total development of this land. It is only through the many required readings of earlier black predecessors and contempo rary writers on the black exper ience can many students come to recognize and know the unique con tributions made by blacks and other minorities in America. LAW AND ORDER or 10 of other majority could well convict in such a case, despite the objections of the two or three mi nority votes. The six concurring and dissent ing opinions attached to the ma jority view on split jury verdicts indicated the divergence of the justices on the issues. In dissent, Mr. Justice W. O. Douglas charged that the majority had succumbed to a "law and or der judicial mood" to make a radi cal departure from American tradi tions." The minority—Justices Douglas, Brennan, Potter Stewart and Thur good Marshall argued that the rul ing would upset the dynamics of jury decision making that requires the panel to go slow, consider every juror's view and sometimes com promise on the severity of the con victions to reach a verdict. ~ It was also asserted that the es sence of a jury trial by one's peers is undercut when the minority, who may represent the race or class of the defendant is ignored. The less advantaged or cultural ly deprived student suffers a spe cial disadvantage by not regularly attending classes in most schools. Whenever new areas of study and thought are developed by the class room exchanges of information, it is impossible to recoup all of it if you have missed the class. Such a valuable experience may never be shared by the student. Another factor is that often times the ex periences of many of the less ad vantaged students may be limited and the assigning of vicarious read ings will do much to help bridge the gap. The regular pursuit of such readings will also build up a reservoir of knowledge for future use. We urge most black youth to work even more diligently as they seek to shape up academically in institutions of higher learning. For the survival of the fittest is rapidly becoming a signpost as we look to jobs during the 70's. These are critical times and if blacks and other minorities are to rise to positions of leadership and remain in such leadership roles, then diligence to disciplined study is a must at the college level. FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS..? THE TAX PAYERS ARE IN REVOLT MINORITY UPLIFT WILL JUSTtf4IV STATED ANEW YORK LIBERAL POLITICIAN. —LETTER TO THE EDITOR — HOUSING COMMISSIONERS DECISION POSITIVE The Durham Housing Auth ority Board of Commissioners recently approved a new policy that empowers it to hire and fire personnel in positions pay ing annual salaries of 10,000 Dollars or more. This action also included the abolishment of the position of Director of Management. On the heels of this decision came the resignation of five administrative employes. The resignees charged the Commis ioners with "underhanded prac tices," "conspiracy," and "lack of integrity." On the other hand, the Tenant Steering Committee hailed the decision as a "mile stone in the history of Durham Public Housing" and further stated that it "stands ready to assist in the immediate recruit ment for the recent vacancies." In retrospect, the Durham Housing Authority has been plagued by charges of faulty administration, inept manage ment and insensitivity to the problems of tenants. It was during the mid-sixties through the infamous Joyce Thorpe case which struck down eviction-without-cause, that charges of racism and injustices in the Housing Authority was brought to the attention of the Durham public. The struggle WOMAN POWER-A POLITICAL FORCE IN 1972 The pollsters as well as recent political elections are showing the potential force of women in 1972. Women compose and constitute a potential 61 per cent of the elec torate and appear to becoming more highly politicized than ever. Pollster Louis Harris says that "the day is passing when the vote of women could be taken for granted as reflecting the prevail ing male sentiment in the family." It is important that that 2/3 of the women surveyed told Harris that they develop their political beliefs independently of their husbands'. In 1968, for example, women voted 46-43 percent for Humphrey over Nixon, while men voted 44-40 percent for Nixon over Humphrey. But only 58 percent of the women registered to vote actually did vote, compared with a turnout of 63 per cent for men. If more women had voted, the polls show, Hubert Hum phrey might be President today. Nixon continues to run stronger among men than women this year. Women rate him 10 points lower than men on his efforts to wind down the war. Two-thirds of the women question the way he is han dling taxes, spending, unemploy ment and inflation; three-fifths are negative about his approach to crime, civil rights and ecology. It would seem in general, that women are significantly more com passionate than men are about such social issues as hunger, poverty problems of the aged and racial discrimination. HOT human dignity constantly confronted the Authority. Its inhumane tactics have been protested both violently and non-violently. Reports of re prisals and intimidations taken against Black tenants became the rule rather than the ex ception. An official study sponsored by the Gty Govern ment substantiated inefficien cies in the Authority's adminis tration and management. The mysterious theft of $27,000 in 1968 which has yet to be ex plained to the public remains questionable in the minds of many. Even more questionable is how and why the chief ad ministrator failed to have the Authority properly covered for such a loss. It is no secret that for too long the Durham Hous ing Authority has been domi nated by a brick-and-mortar machinery rather than effecting a viable vehicle responsive to the needs of the people it is designed to serve. The fact that inadequate recreation and child care facilities were omitted in the planning and construction of the Housing Projects is indi cative of the administration's insensitivity to human needs. The "Carvie Oldham dynasty" has attributed to tenant unrest and frustration for almost two decades. This "dynasty" liter ally controlling the lives of a tenant population of over 90% Black has strangled attempts for progressive modification Women are now an independent political force and are standing squarely on their own feet. Wo men are voting differently from men. The considerations are dif ferent. Women are more inclined now to vote and to become active not only for their own self-interest, but for the interest of society, the world and most of all, out of com passion for humanity. For black women, the oustand ing feats accomplished by Mrs. Ruth Harvey Charity and Mrs. Jessie Rattley in the (Virginia) Roanoke Democratic convention points up how women are politically active to bring about changes within the system. The recent election by these two black women political leaders, both members of the City Councils of their respective cities, Danville and Newport News, shows that changes can and are being made as we work within the system. Atty. Charity was unanimously elected Virginia* Democratic Na tional Committee woman and Mrs. Jessie M. Rattley was elected the first vice chairman of the party. The liberal-progressive coalition now has swept away the vestiges of the old "massive resistance" ideology. It is hoped that such coalitions will continue to be even more ef fective as the power of women moves out to make this land of ours truly a land of equality for all persons. and change. It was no small wonder that the Durham Black community welcomed last year the on coming of a Public Housing Commission more representa tive of the Black community and one that indicated the de sire to work in the interest of moving the Authority in a posi tive direction. It has been under this new leadership that Public Housing began to address itself to its weakness and to strengthen its character. The Commissions' recent policy change clearly exemplifies its sincerity in taking care of mat ters that have for too long gone unattended. The accusations of the re signees are somewhat ironic considering that for years these employes were victims of the same charges. Perhaps these claims were overshadowed andJ or influenced by the close fam ily ties and comradeship. These relationships have a tendency to preclude objectivity which is often more appropriate and necessary. The policy actions taken by the Housing Commission de monstrates than an honest ef fort is being made to ratify old line authoritarianism and to create an apparatus that can function ki a manner conducive to meeting human needs and developing a sound adminis tration. To Be wmam Equal ' URBAN GROWTH V AGENCY NEEDED by Vernon E. Jordan, If there's one thing that's obvious about the housing situ ation it is that the demand for housing that low and middle income people can afford will not be met unless there are some drastic departures from past policies. Some 60 percent of all Americans are unable to afford the price of a new home, and conditions seem bound to get worse, not better. When you deduct the num bers of sound housing units lost each year through abandon ment, which is an increasing problem in many cities, and through urban renewal projects, highway construction and other reasons, there is probably a net loss of available housing units. The half-million subsidized units built per year then, don't even balknce the numbers of houses and apartments lost, much less add to the supply of needed housing. When we see that 70 percent of the population lives on one percent of the land, that the nation'B population will prob ably grow to some 300 million people in the next 30 years, and that sky-rocketing land costs are making housing for all but the favored few too expen sive, the case becomes strong for a national urban growth policy and a federal National Urban Growth Agency to im plement such a policy. Such a national agency could help to counter the efforts of a .fractured society which finds it difficult to solve its housing problems because of the con flicting claims and jurisdictions of local governments and local zoning laws. Taken together this patchwork of locally formu lated policies and programs amounts to no national policy at all. One of the first tasks of a National Urban Growth Agency would be to acquire land and "bank" it for future urban development. By taking some land—and it needn't amount to very much—off the speculative market, one of the prime fact ors in controlling spinding costs would be neutralized. The Agency could then make ra tional plans for future develop ment, with the opportunity to help create sound, balanced Do's And Don'ts X WIiwtKTAl. ♦ j.* . " 1 Editor-Publiaher, 1027-1871 - ) 1 Lx.\ A'v .«• • -»• •' 'l' ..M -.•» "»■ \ij' ' ' " • # r* i'[ Published every Saturday at Durham, N. C. - i Ji • by United Publisher*, Inc. f [ MRS. VIVIAN AUSTIN EDMONDS, Publisher f. ' "®i ' VV. «' -fCLARENCE BONNETTE... Business Utmag^t' i J. BLWOOD CARTER Advertising MaMgtr | . Second Class Postage Paid at Durham, N. C. 17702 jj SUBSCRIPTION RATES i f United State* and Canada 1 Tttr *4* • i United States and Canada 3 Yean ||lM I Foreign Countries 1 Tear $7.00 1 Single ,Copy , >....10 Owti 8 Principal Office Located at 436 Bart Pettlgrew Street ! - Durham, North Carolina 37703 . fcr communities. The Agency could also act AH | "houser of last resort, assuring an adequate supply of decent housing for low and moderate income families that can't be served by the private market. It would also be mandated to plan, and to build where local governmental units refuse to develop fair and rational plans. A National Urban Growth AGency, financed as other government units and with the power to sell bonds and to build directly could well become the means by which chaos is replaced by fair, ra tional planning and use of our national resources. There are ample models for such an agency. European and other countries have had excel lent experience with planned communities and New York State has a state agency that is somewhat similar to what I've suggested. There is no alternative to development. Our only choice lies in the nature of that de velopment; whether it will con tinue to be haphazard and un planned, leading to urban and suburban blight and the exclu sion of lower income families, or whether it will be orderly, plained development that solves problems and doesn't, as our present lack of a system does, create them. We are too far behind in the national promise to provide decent housing for all to be able to avoid the issue for much longer. We know what the problem is, we know past efforts have failed dismally, and now we need the courage to create the tools that will finally get the job done. Moore's Sculpture On Display In Italy FLORENCE, Italy American* who viatt#Florenc« this aumner will have the op portunity to enjoy a view of the moat comprehensive over staged oi the works of Henry Moore, widely regarded as the world's (reateet living sculptor.
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
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June 24, 1972, edition 1
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