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Winston-Salem
"Serving the Winston-Salem Community Since 19 74
Vol. Vlll No. 11
U.S.P.S. No. 067910
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
Thursday, November 12, 1981
*25 cents
24 Pages This Week
Brixton
Life Goes On
A.mid Tension
Calvin Lawrence Jr
Special to the Chronicle
)NDON - At first glance, it’s hard to believe Brixton
IS overrun by rampaging youth earlier in the year. The
jne in this southeast London community is now serene
although not picturesque. One can accidentally
iimble on to the notorious “Front Line,” at the heart of
e one-mile-long Railton Road, without even realizing
Ijt Railton Road, along with the Brixton Market area,
IS much more conspicuous during those smoke-filled
lys in April and again in July. Today’s tranquility
inds in contrast to bloodied police and smashed
orefronts at the gathering-place for many Brixton’s
est Indian immigrants. The decaying living conditions
these black Britons appear to be at the root of anger
id frustration that become visible through physical
itbursts. And upon closer observation, parts of Brixton
particularly the Front Line - do take on a seedier
iiracter. The rise, then, of rebellious youth isi not so
itprising.
llthough Brixton ranks as one of the most run-down
nimunities in this , fashionable tourist town, by
nerican standards it is quite fit to live in. Expect for
e obvious predominance of blacks gathered at the
ick-long Front Line, this economically depressed area
nnot be easily equated with a\ slum in Baltimore,
idadelphia or New York City.
W-sized rats aren’t wobbling from one of Brixton’s
imbling, abandoned houses to the next. The people
re have not resorted to eating Alpo - yet. Ant there’re
gun battles behind the eight-foot metal barriers that
iy partially hide garbage-filled land where houses
ce stood.
bwever, when compared with other London communi-
s, this racially-mixed district (24 percent West Indian)
ks in dire need of economic assistance. The only
ractive structure on Railton Road is a brightly, painted
arette advertisement. “Stay longer in Marlboro
untry,” the red and white\ billboard reads. Because
ny unemployed Brixtonians are too busy struggling to
vive, they,probably never notice that billboard,
ieir, struggle sometimes takes unconventional forms.
iile\the government’s comprehensive welfare system
fely prevents starvation, many of the community’s
ist Indian immiagrant population busily and unscu-
iously supplementing that government ration,
n any given day, seven days a week, a casual stroll
ough the Front Line will bring as many as three
ling offers from marijuanapeddlers. They, are of
lious ages, many living in the immediate vicinity, and
iy calmly pull “ganja” from beneath overcoats or out
pants pockets to allow the potential buyer a peek at the
ods for sale. Some choose to be more discreet and
leal only a wrinkled lunch bag. The smell of burning
itijuana pierces the nostrils. It is the lonly drug
minting at the Front Line.
it least another three sellers may attempt to usher
lential buyers into a nearby house. It is one of the most
iaviting on the block. Anyone interested, stranger or
See Page 2
■ I-
, > >
febLi* ' '* ■' * " --"a, ^ ^
Four Black AMermen
PoiKier Challenges
Cite Media Coverage
As Already A Problem
n .• '1' . tJPI Photo
Routine Tension
Two girls walk calmly past police, standing ready with their protective shields in the
Brixton Road district of London, the scene of racial tension violence earlier this
year. Writer Calvin Lawrence examines the situation in Brixton today in the story on
the left.
^ by Yvonne Anderson
Staff Writer
Four black aldermen will be among
those sworn in on Dec. 7 to gegin charting
a course for the city in 1982.
Three of the four are incumbents, with
experience in city government. The
fourth is newly elected, but not new to the
political scene, as this was his second bid
for the seat.
Together they form a potentially power
ful voting vehicle for the black community
and they, all say they recognize the
responsibilities facing them and expect
ations of the community.
Virginia K. Newell, alderman of the
East Ward for her second term, believes
that the year will be a productive one for
the entire city, but said that she will work
hard to continue the advances made in
her ward.
“I live in the poorest ward in Winston-
Salem and I need things for my ward,”
said Newell. “That’s what I’m going to
concentrate on. I’ve got to look at home
first and then, when I see that I can serve
the community as a whole, I will.”
Responding to an editorial appearing in
the Nov. 4 Winston-Salem Sentinel in
which Larry Little and Vivian Burke are
described as “disruptive” and “obstrep
erous”, Newell said, “I wouldn’t assess
that., I don’t think anyone down there
(Board of Aldermen) is a trouble-maker.
Each one of us has ,a way of going about
business. There has been a very negative
aspect on the board and that didn’t come
from the black aldermen alone.”
Newell said that ,her priorities He with
the building of an East Winston Shopping
Center and continuing efforts in housing
and employment.
“I want to begin a task force of five
people to research economic development
minority contractors, maintenance and
new construction, and crime preventin
and cure,” said Newell.
Larry Little, representing the North
Ward, is looking forward to the coming
year as a chance to demonstrate unity to
the youth of the black community.
“The key to this term is for us to work
together. and unify without letting any
thing split us up,” said Little emphatical
ly. “This is a golden opportunity to
demonstrate to the youth who have no
interest or faith in politics, the import
ance of voting and what voting can
accomplish. We had the chance before
and didn’t utilize the opportunity. We
can’t let that happen again.”
Id that end. Little said he will work hard
despite what he considers as an effort to
divide the black aldermen by the Sentinal
editorial.
“There is a paranoia setting in and the
same old tactics of divide and conquer are
being used against black folk,” he said.
“But I’m not going to let it have an effect
on me. I’m a student of politics, so I
expect it.”
Vivian Burke, alderman of the Northeast
Ward, refuses to acknowledge the edito
rial. “I really don’t know who they’re
talking about because they can’t be
talking about me,” said Burke, “I’ve
always conducted myself in a ladylike and
mannerly way.”
Burke said that she didn’t forsee any
problems of cohesiveness among the
board members. “I see the media trying
to make problems,” she said.
Her priorities lie with unemployment,
housing, community development and
crime, but Burke also said that she will
make a strenuous effort to maintain close
ties with the “grassroots”.
“I basically want to make sure our city
moves ahead. I’ve always worked for
peace and harmony,” she said.
Larry Womble, the newly elected board
member, said he remains un-affected by
the editorial and the racial commitments
See Page 20
Community Optimism On Aldermen Guarded
By Yvonne Anderson
and
Beverly McCarthy
With the votes counted
and the last of the cam-
rest, the city has concluded
its 1981 elections. Their
results could have signi
ficant effects on city politics
when the new Board of
Aldermen comprised of five
paign memorabilia laid to women, one Republican
and four blacks, takes office
on Dec. 7.
Many black view the pro
spect of four black aider-
men - Larry Little; North
Ward; Vivian Burke, North
east Ward; Virginia
Newell, East Ward, and
Larry Womble, Southeast
Ward - as a sign of hope
for a balance of power that
will in some way benefit
their communities.
“If what they said is true.
then it will make a signi
ficant differenc in Winston-
Salem,” said Woodrow
Johnson. “I’ve got confi
dence in at least one
brother down there and
that’s Larry (Little), but if
they (all) get together and
are serious I think that
some good will come out of
it for black people.
But Luqman Abdul-Jami
said he has no confidence in
See Page 2
Black Firms: Growth, Growing Pains
By Yvonne Anderson
Staff Writer
First in a two-part series
"None of us are really going to get rich out here, but if
'■can open the doors and keep them open for the
derations coming behind us, then we wilt have done
Kthing. ”
The words of James Carter, owner of Cartwood Con-
fction Co., espouse the ideals of many black en-
ipreneurs in Winston-Salem. But turning those ideals
into a tangible reality is routinely a long, uphill climb.
North Carolina has a history, however small, of pro-
/ feel I’m successful because I’m not greedy, I
set my prices low and work with the customers.
pagating minority-owned businesses. From the early
1900s, which marked the beginning of two black institu
tions, Mechanics and Farmers Bank and Winston Mutual
Life Insurance Company, to the 1980s, black businesses
have had a steady, if uncertain, struggle for existence. In
observance of Minority Business Week, the Chronicle
takes a look at the status of black-owned businesses, both
large and small. One of the most visible black firms in
North Carolina and Winston is Mechanics and Farmers
Bank.
Mel White, president of Mechanics and Farmers Bank,
which had its grand opening in the city last September,
said that the responsibilities of a black-owned bank are
twofold.
“The primary role is to help stimulate total economic
See Page 2
iethlehem’s Funds Reduced
By Yvonne Anderson
Staff Writer
'Jministrators at the Bethlehem Com-
•ity Center, Inc., are scrambling to
alternate funding for its Food Ser-
* Program. The agency anticipates a
I of $22,000 from its 1982 budget
luse of a reduction in Title XX funds
feg from Washington. To complicate
^lers, the cuts in Title XX will also
I* far-reaching effects on the other pro-
*"5 ruh by the agency.
'Ve just keep thinking of things that
possibly could try,” said Ad-
'strative Director Brenda Lomax.
* are also reaching out to the com
ity, the churches and civic organiza-
' for assistance.”
fie center also is considering soliciting
aid from the corporate sector, Lomax
said. Lomax added that although
Bethlehem knows the cuts are coming, it
cannot estimate the effect the cuts will
have until July of 1982, when the new
fiscal year begins for the federal govern
ment.
“We know the funds will be cut 20 per
cent but we don’t know how it’s going to
affect us countwise,” said Nancy Wilkes,
executive director of the centers.
Bethlehem Community Center, Inc.,
operates three day care centers in the area:
Kimberly Park, Happy Hill and
Bethlehem. In addition, the agency pro
vides senior citizen, girl scouting and 4-H
programs, as well as adult continuing
education, a reading is fundamental (RIF)
See Page 20
To Subscribers
Beginning Nov. 15,
1981, the Chronicle will
be delivered to you twice
weekly with our regular
Thursday and new Sun
day editions.
Your current expira
tion date has been ad
justed to reflect 2 issues
per week. This way your
subscription will expire
sooner.
At that time you will
receive a renewal notice
with our new rate
changes. If you have any
questions, our Circula
tion Dept, will be happy
to answer them.
Liberty-Patterson
Reynolds Nixes Proposal
By Beverly McCarthy
Staff Writer
R. J. Reynolds Inc. last
week declined requests by
residents in the Liberty-
Patterson neighborhood for
priority on new Reynolds’
jobs and relocation counsel
ing.
Residents and Alderman
Larry Little discussed the
situation at a Thrusday
night meeting of the
Liberty-Patterson Neigh
borhood Association at
Lloyd Presbyterian Chruch.
Earlier last week, the ex
ecutive board of the group
sent a letter to J. Paul
Sticht, chief executive of
ficer of Reynolds request-
in-depth counseling
services for residents re
located due to the firm’s
expansion, and top priority
on jobs that may become
available in the future at
Reynolds.
In a written, but anonym
ous statement of reply de
livered by Virgil McBride,
public relations officer whih
Reynolds, residents were
told that Reynolds officials
would leave the reloca
tion counseling and negoti
ations to governmental
agencies which have al
ready been set up for such
matters.
“We would not object
should city officials deter
mine that a certain portion
of funds allocated by R. J.
Reynolds Tobacco Com
pany be used for special
approaches in counseling
for persons in the project
area,” the letter added.
The letter also said that
the employment proce
dures at the firm would
remain as they are and that
the residents would receive
no special consideration in
employment with the com
pany.
‘‘Future employment-
ices will continue to follow
the long-standing position
of the Company,” the letter
read, “which is to offer
employment opportunities
to all applicants on a non-
preferential basis.”
In addition to discussion of
See Page 9