Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / Jan. 10, 1976, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
2 -T5 CAROLINA TIMES SAT., JANUARY 10. 1976 tf bAww - vl 1 'r ..:!:. Si $ DUTY A$A CHRIST' IAN 0VGHT IF I CAH0RIRG SAL VATION TO A UORL0 ONCBtfROOGHT. MCAN SPRBAO THtF$$A6EA$ THiHASTRTAUGUT. NOTtelNVAIN. 000V JO SAY THAT PAY, THAThARTIH LUTHER KM JR. meoTOWVB somtooy. 1939-068 THE BLACK PRESS OUR FREEDOM DEPENDS ON IT! S)G Three main themes will dominate the course of the new year, and they are all interrelated. How the nation handles them will tell a great deal about what kind of a people we are and what sort of future we'll have. First, 1976 is the Bicentennial Year; After all the hoopla and fanfare over the past several months, the real thing has Finally arrived. It started early with last summer's displays of fake militia battles and wearing revolutionary-era ;, costumes and 'in the coming months we'll be hearing alof about America's struggle for freedom 200 years ago. But if that's all we hear, chalk the Bicentennial down as another commercialized non-event to be yawned at and ignored. If America's birth 200 years ago is taken seriously, the Bicentennial ought to be an occasion of putting our society under the microscope and analyzing our shortcomings as well as our triumphs, the work that still needs to be done to attain our ideals, as well as celebrating the progress we've made. Above all, it should be the occasion to come to grips with the gravity of America's historic racial injustices. The "liberty" the colonists fought for did not include their black slaves and blacks have continued to be excluded from the fruits of this society while being disproportionately included in its dirty work and its poverty statistics. So instead of blind celebration, the Bicentennial ought to be a period of rational discourse, reflection and formulation of action plans to overcome the heritage of racism. The second 1 976 theme ought to reinforce THE YEAR AHEAD that. This is a presidential election year and already we're heavily into political debate with both parties fielding a full slate of contestants for the top prize and more waiting in the wings. Ideally, a presidential election ought also to be an educational experience for the nation, with lines drawn on issues instead of personalities, and an opportunity given for full citizen participation not only in choosing candidates: but also in debating the key issues. TO BE EQUAL ly VERNON L JORDAN Extcilivi Director NoIomI This election looms even more important for the future because of the presence of extremist candidates in both parties whose hidden message is dismantling of social programs and halting black progress at home while pursuing military adventures abroad. 1 have faith though, that the American people are sensible enough to reject demagogues and send them a message of their own, namely that there's no room in a progressive country for dubious leadership devoted to fomenting racial hatred and economic warfare against poor and moderate income people. But it's a long way till election time, and months till the conventions, and there's little evidence to suggest that the coming campaing will be devoted to rational issuc-oricnted polities ' that explains alternative policies and . the reasons for them. Our elections have all too often turned into circus -events dominated by personality and media manipulations. It would be sad if this one too, degenerated into another lost opportunity to build an educated citizenry that understands the complex issues our nation faces.v , The final theme of 1 976 is bound to be a campaign issue itself, and that is the economic Depression that's dogged the country for over a year-and-a-half. Real income is down and unemployment is up and our mismanaged economy hasn't shown any real signs of coming out of the slump. So the time is ripe for candidates to tell us what they plan to do to increase economic opportunities for blacks, minorities and poor whites who have been frozen out of the system. It is clear that the old economic rules don't work any more and that it will take massive job-creation programs to get people back to work again, and 1 predict that candidates honest enough to spell this out will do a lot better than those who keep repeating that everything's all right, it's just that several million people can't find work and maybe they're too la.y too. So it all shapes up as a potentially crucial year for our nation, certainly an interesting one. Which may not be too comforting a thought since "may you have an interesting year." is an old Chinese saying used as a curse! Facts And Figures On Unemployment PUSH FOR MORE MINORITIES IN BROADCAST FIELD The newest facts and figures on unemployment in the nation are most disturbing. More than 18 million Americans were unemployed at some time during 1974. These figures represent almost 4 million more unemployed persons than in 1 973. One third of all construction workers ' and one fifth of all factory workers wer47 unemployed sometime in 1974. Five million, 600 thousand workers were unemployed for 15 weeks or more in 1974 as compared with 4.3 million in 1973. Certainly these figures have increased during 1 975. The in fiation rate from September 1974 to September 1975 was 7.8 per cent and this means that a worker bought more with his average weekly take home pay ten years ago than he does today. From time; to time, we have pointed up the need for public service employment fpr the millions of unemployed Americans at all levels. In addition, rising inflation and accompanying lower loss of capital have played havoc with the fixed income and low levels of income of the elderly and others. - It would seem that the Federal Administration could see the continuing decline at all levels as a sign that the economy will lead us to a major catastrophe in this nation. For some, that catastrophe is already here and for ,t many others, it has been knocking on -4 their doors harder anct harder for syeraj Iry3rs,.as SiirryI?Uiils6rvicfs as, being cut out or substantially reduced. Thoughts of a bicentennial celebration in 1 976 is far from minds of many companies and individuals who struggle for mere existence. Our only recourse seems to be to continue to push and cry out for help to aid the many unemployed persons in our country. And that help and aid must come from government sourEvery citizen should write hisher Congressman about the need for jobs for all. The richest nation in the world must be made to hear the toll of the bell -"ask not for when the bell tolls -it tolls for thee." This nation must never forget that when one among us is diminished, no matter what his status may be, so are we all diminished. The Federal Communications Commission's Equal Employment Opportunity Guidelines are presently being considered for adoption. Last week I discussed a bit of the background of EEO and how the issue has developed since 1 first joined the Commission in 1972. This week.J want to discuss the plan, ;Htsjelf. After miich time, discussion and a change in Chairmen and General Counsels, the industry EEO unit and the Broadcast Bureau recommended a comprehensive EEO Guideline package to the Commission in the form of not one, but two alternative proposals. These were designed to improve our EEO review and enforcement procedures. "Jhe first alternative, which 1 personally favored and recommended would have required all licensees with a number of employes r- the rulemaking suggested ten, 1 personally favored five - to submit a utilization analysis and goals and timetables for the hiring and promotion of women and minorities where such groups were underutilized. Such goals and timetables would have been developed and submitted by the licensee. The second proposal, which the Commission adopted (and i issued a concurring statement) with modifications, would require licensees to Menjamin JL. Moohs FCC Commissioner suomit goais and timetables only as a remedial step after the commission determined that more action was necessary. The document also provided several other recommendations, which 1 shall address momentarily. However, many persons and groups have asked me why 1 did not dissent on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking since it was not what 1 had favored?My answer now, as it was then, is simple - this was a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and not a final order. Therefore, I set out in the concurring statement what 1 thought would be a "roadmap" for citizens groups and others in making their comments. In addition, 1 was able to convince the, Commission that the document .should, provide .for the '"'onsife''' visit investigation, we'll ias set forth the view that a discrimination complaint could initiate a review of the licensee's entire EEO profile. By issuing my concurring statement pointing out where I thought the document could be improved, it was my hope that the Commission, through public comment on the issues 1 had raised, might be persuaded to include or strengthen certain aspects of the program in the final document. At this point, 1 still reserve the right to cast a dissenting vote against the final document if 1 believe it does not go far enough. More next time. EMPLOYING OUR NATION'S YOUTH A Word Of Caution The suggestion that state human resources' seek private food management from California needs to be looked at most carefully and cautiously. This is in relation to nutrition at our youth centers wherbyfqod services will be furnished ityate companies, located in 'wfifcauthorities need only look at the currentfqod and nutrition management by private industries in both state and private educational institutions, it has been found most unsatisfactory. Many of those institutions have been changed or returned to other management types. This suggested change appears to be a costly waste, not only in the economic sense, but in the human sense as well. A word of caution is certainly in order. America's youth, who have been designated as those who must carry forth the w$k and progress of our present generation, are being doomed to an almost hopeless, future. Officially, forty- five per cent ofthe unemployed in this country today are under age 25. In an almost mindless flouting of immoral and irresponsible proposals, the Ford Administration has embarked upon an economic course wfcich will permanently relegate an entire generation of young people to an unproductive life of misery and poverty. of age (19.8) per cent) were unemployed during third quarter 1975. Black teenagers during the same period recorded a staggering 36 per cent unemployment rate. We even doubt the authenticity of these figures because the Labor Department grossly undercounts the unemployed, leaving out thousands of discouraged workers and part-time workers. Numerous barriers such as hiring Review Of Public Personnel 0"- An assessment or suggested review of certain public officials' performance is interesting. . . Most personnel, private or governmental, are evaluated and rated as to their' general performance in most employment areas. In fact, management at i most levels, evaluate employees at various stages as they look to the cooperative growth and development of their corporate structure. However, there should be devised necessary and appropriate guidelines for possible goals within the particular offices. Otherwise, review for review's sake is meaningless. Congressman Hawkins "If there is no struggle thert i no progress. Those who propose to favor freedom and yet! depredate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want' rain without thunder and lightning. They want the oceans' majestic waves without the awful roar of Hs waters." Frederick Douglass i A recent Washington Post editorial stated that "in bad times as in good, unemployment is most heavily concentrated among the young"; For young blacks this is particularly true. "Unlike the gentle rain, Michigan Congressman John Conyers tells us, unemployment doesn't fall on everyone equally. It falls first on the poor, longest on the Black and hardest on Black youth.' Since the mid 1 950's, the gap between unemployment rates for non-white and white teenagers has been greater than the gap between . white and non-white adult males or females and has widened steadily over time. The gap is about 18 percentage points today. Officially, J ,745,000 youth, 16-19 years '" THE CAROLINA TIMES L E.AUSTIN Editor-Publisher 1927-1971 Published every Saturday at Durham, N.C. by United Publishers, Inc. Mailing Addrety P. 0. Box 3825 Durham, North Carolina 27702 Second Oast Postage Paid at Durham, North Carolina 27702 SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year $8.50 Sales Tax .34 r TOTAL 8.84 Two Years 17.0C Sales Tax 68 TOTAL. 17.68 Single Copy. : 20 Payable in advance. Address alf communications and make all checks and money orders payable to THE CAROLINA TIMES. Amalgamated Publishers, Inc.; 810 Madison Avenue. New York. N.Y., 10017, National Advertising Representative. Member of the United Press International Photo Service. The Publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited news,' pictures, or advertising cop (unless necessary postage accompanies the copy. ' Opinion expressed by 1 columnists in this newspaper do' not necessarily represent the policy of this newspaper. Principal office located at 436" East Pettigrew Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701. .4 ! 1 Jji . Ml traditions and in some cases discriminatory employment practic es confront young jobseekers. The consequences of these obstacles are devastating for young 'people and particularly for Blacks. Unable to find work. Black teenagers turn increasingly to crime (mostly property crimes), drug abuse and addiction. Many drop out of school because they feel the education they receive seeks to prepare them for something that won be available upon graduation - a decent job. Our jails and prisons are overflowing with young blacks processed through a court system steeped in institutional racism. This year, about 4.1 million young Americans will turn 2 1 with most of those looking for permanent and rewarding employment: their employment future looks pretty discouraging, however. The present state of our economy simply does not appear that it will be able to offer them any opportunity for sustained work. Even college graduates, especially those with liberal arts degrees, are finding it increasingly difficult to secure gainful employment. And so because of Nixonomicsand now Fordonomics millions of useful yoimg citizens will be cast into the unproductive junkyards of the unemployed where they will stay in disproportionate numbers. But we can help to save them and our economy through speedy enactment of my full employment legislation pending in the Congress t(H.R. 50) which would legally guarantee every American able and willing to work the right to a decent job. We would thus put our youth and the unemployed back to work, revitalize our idle factories and make better use of our natural and human resources. Nothing less than this can accomplish this enormous task. '
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 10, 1976, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75