Opinion
Why is the Black Community Avoided
Winston-Salem Chronicle
"7 he Twin City's Award Winiung Weekly"
Established in 1974
Ernest H. Pitt ? Ndubltl Egemonye
Fdilor/PubHsher CoFounder
Member in good standing with :
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Clinton's Delicate Task
President .Clinton will soon have an opportunity to
become the first Democratic president to make an appoint
ment to the Supreme Court since Lyndon B. Johnson
named Thurgood Marshall to the court in 1967. This path
was cleared when Justice Byron White announced Friday
that he will retire this summer after 31 years on the high
court.
White was named to the bench by President John F.
Kennedy in 1962. Although a democrat, White has voted
along conservative lines on several issues. A liberal
appointment by President Clinton could break the grip by
conservatives and move the court toward more guarantees
of individual rights and create access to abortion and con
stitutional protection for homosexuals. Although it was
obvious, past Republican presidents have steered clear of
stating that they would only appoint as justice a jurist who
believed abortion to be unconstitutional. President Clinton,
in what is clearly setting a precedent, has stated that he
would appoint a jurist who is pro-choice.
Hteappointee could also make a difference in the
toughest criminal cases, becoming the swing vote on
defendant's rights.
For Clinton, the stakes are high. He has a delicate task
at hand. He must remember promises of diversity. He must
also remember that he would not be in a position to make
an appointment had it not been for the support of African
Americans last November.
Foundation Issues A Challenge
The Winston-Salem Foundation has issued a challenge
to residents and agencies here who have been for years sit
ting and complaining about poor race relations. The chal
lenge issued this week by the foundation was to coifife up
with ideas to impfove race relations
and the foundation will assist
through fuiffing. A novel challenge?
Indeed. But on the other Ipnd, the
foundation has been wcwking to
improve race relations in this com
munity for the past 75 years. And as
it celebrates its 75th birthday, the
foundation is again leading by exam
ple. Henry M. Carter Jr.
The foundation, the oldest in
North Carolina and with assets totaling $68.5 million, has
earmarked $1 million over the next five years for programs
in three areas they deemed needed addressing: race rela
tions, minority economic development and at-risk children.
Herbert-Brenner,^ice chairman xrf the foundation said
he hopes this unprecedented approach will "stimulate"
thinking and action. The foundation will now begin putting |
out the word to the various charities and other non-profit
organizations that funds are available. The people at the
foundation hope that some good programs will be placed
on the table and the money will be well spent. If responses
are lacking, then the foundation will take a more proactive
role by contacting agencies. Sure, money cannot by ?ood
race relations, but that is not the case here. Money, how
ever, is needed to implement programs that must be out
there in the back of people's minds. Well, now is the time
to bring them to the forefront of your mind.
Credo of the Black Press
The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world
away from antagonisms when It accords to every person ? regard
less of race or creed ? full human and legal rights. Hating no per
son, the Black Press strives to help evetf>perion , in the firm belief
that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.
\
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Chronicle Mailbag
P.O. Box 1636
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27102.
To The Editor:
In reading the February sum
mary of minutes and report of the
Community Appearance Commis
sion, I noted several things of which
I am very concerned about and that
disturb me. First of all. the location
of the next award committee cere
mony ? ever since award programs
have been held ? not once has
there been a time when it was held
in a predominantly black, African
American community or facility.
There are facilities in the black,
African- American community that
can accommodate this kind of cere
mony. As an alderman and a private
citizen, I have attended every one of
these functions and have observed
that they were held on the opposite
side of town in white facilities. I am
sure that we can find a place and or
location that would best accommo
date these award functions.
Some months ago before a
decision was made to have the
upcoming award ceremony at the
Arts Council, I had suggested the
Anderson Center at Winston-Salem
State University as a good facility
and location which provides ameni
ties for parking and security. I do
know that your award function has
been held at Salem College, and it
makes me wonder why couldn't it be
held at Winston-Salem State. Well,
if not at Winston-Salem State, then
there is an auditorium facility at Mt.
Zion Baptist Church. It has a stage
and large meeting room, and park
ing is ample. This facility is very
beautiful and is easily accessible
with all the amenities that would
best suit the need for this kind of
event. If we just look around and
make an earnest effort to include the
African-American communities,
facilities and locations, you would
be able to find them. One gets the
impression that the black commu
. nity and the black citizens are being
ignored in this aspect. I have talked
with other people after reading the
report and they feel the same as I.
I am even more so disappointed
after informing each and every
member of the Appearance Com
mission about my concerns. The
decision for this, year still ignored
the concerns and feelings of, the
black community. I am voicing this
concern again and I will continue to
voice it until some action is taken. I
would like to strongly urge that you
reconsider your decision to hold the
awards ceremony at lb* Art* Cnun
cil, since it will not take place until
October. IHsTiot^oo late. It seems
as though the black community is
being slapped in the face.
Common Vision mentioned
that Winston-Salem is two cities and
that race is a primary reason why we
have two cities. As a matter of fact.
Common Vision has taken that as
one of their top priorities. Some of
the things that are being done are
furthering that idea of Winston
Salem being two cities, because you
very seldom have any of your meet
ings and none of the award func
tions in the black community.
Secondly, regarding your Feb
ruary report and minutes about
catering ? there are several black
caterers who are very qualified to
offer catering service to this func
tion. I notice that Salem Kitchen
was selected again as the caterer for
this upcoming event. I would like to
know the compelling reasons why
Salem Kitchen was selected rather
than selecting an African-American
caterer. There are many, many good
qualified black professional caterers
in this city and county. A listing of
them is available and describes what
their requirements and responsibili
ties are. Why weren't they consid
ered? I am hoping that it is not too
late to reconsider this decision in
making an African-American selec
tion. Again, this is another example
of ignoring the black community
when opportunities present them
the late Bill East and his family, a
marvelous collection of photographs
from his personal files has been
added to the Frank Jones Room at
the library. The photographs>are a
compilation of scenes of our city .
from days jjone by; vignettes of
streets, tobacco markets, church
events, and views of Old Salem are
but a small pan of the collection. A
note of gratitude is also due to Paul
Marshall, a fnend of the East family
and a student of local history, who
has carefully reviewed the pho
tographs and organized them in sev
eral books. Marshall's work is still
in progress and more additions from
Bill East's treasure -trove are antici
pated.
The East photographs are avail
able by contacting Molly Rawls,
photographic collection librarian at
the Frank Jones Room. Rawls is
currently compiling many of the
Jones photographs in a video format
that can help in locating views of
specific areas of the city. While the
video formatting process is not yet
complete and available to the pub
speak or participate in community
activities.
"Big House" labored for 47
years at WSSU on a limited budget,
but his record speaks for itself.
Most people do not know about this
record in social work at WSSU and
in the Twin City . I was not one of
"Big House's" superstars, just an
average country boy transplanted
from Kelly, N. C to Roanoke, VA.
However, because of Big House's
advice, I gave up football and
worked on the dock for McLean
Trucking Company. When the post
office called, "House" advised me
to finish college, which I did, and I
thank God for the doors that opened
to me.
? My reason for writing is two
fold; to voice my concern for the
way "Big House" was supposedly
forced to resign and to make sug
gestion.
As a forty-seven year fixture at
WSSU, is this the message the
administration and the WSSU fam
CHRONICLE MAILBAG
Our Readers Speak Out
selves to show that Winston-Salem
wants to be one city, that Winston
Salem does care about the black
community and that Winston-Salem
is cooperating with all of its citizens
to show in a very graphic and tangi
ble way that Winston-Salem is dedi
cated to race relations. The opportu
nity was still missed when the same
caterer was selected again for this
event. It is not too late to select
black caterers for the upcoming
event
It is my hope that in the very
near future, the Appearance Com
mission will-reconsider more people
in the black community, locations,
facilities and projects to receive the
honor, awards, certificates and
recognition from this organization.
Larry W. Womble,
Alderman
Southeast Ward
Winston-Salem
Thanks For
The Generosity
To The Editor:
I am writing to make Chronicle
readers aware of a recent addition of
of the main branch of the Winston
Salem/Forsyth County Public
Library. Thanks to the generosity of
lie, the system will ultimately make
access to the collections faster and
easier for the browsers and
researchers alike.
Bill East's photographs are a
special gift that provide a valuable
record of the heritage of our com
munity. I encourage your readers to
visit the North Carolina Room at the
library and to enjoy this extraordi
nary collection.
David E. Gall, A.l.A.
Winston-Salem
'Bighouse'
To The Editor
Twenty-nine years ago, I
entered Winston-Salem State Uni
versity and met the legendary C. E.
"Big House" Gaines. He was my
football coach, my professor, my
counselor and my friend. Because
of our relationship, I also sent tWo
of my three children to WSSU, as I
knew "Big House" would be their
-guiding angel.
Since my graduation, I have
sent a number of students and stu
dent athletes to WSSU, all in care of
"Big House." My son is there now
and when I need a report, we simply
call the "Big House."
"Big House" visited our home,
spoke at my church and for the
AAU here in Roanoke. He never
took one dime when he came to
ily wants to send? Personally, I
know the administration cares, as
they have shown this to me on many
personal issues I have brought to
their attention since graduation.
Finally, let's retract and send .
"Big House" packing in Ram style,
at the 1994 CIAA Tournament
before his peers, co-workers, friends
and the hometown of Winston
Salem, before 15,000 fans and Ram
supporters, visiting the ail-American
city of Winston-Salem, North Car
olina.
I am not so naive as to believe
there is not more to this situation
I than what is aired in the paper. I
further know no decisions, except
the Ten Commandments, that are
etched in concrete.
This is not a face-saving recom
mendation. Let the administration
go forward, hire a new coach, but
keep "Big House" as the interim
coach through the 1994 CIAA Tour
nament. Let the new coach get his
indoctrination from "Big House."
then take over next season, 1994-95.
Since recruitment may be one
of the concerns, let's dig deep in our
pockets, then raise some money to
assist in having a great team and
1994 CIAA Tournament.
James P. Beatty
Roanoke, Va.
Investing in the Black Community
In the debate over how to
strengthen the weak black economy,
I sometimes hear people say African
Americans should go it alone, and
not look to government for the pro
grams our communities need or to
majority-owned financial institu
tions for the resources our busi
nesses need.
Listening to that rhetoric, you
get the impression that it is a mili
tant expression of belief in the
power black people can muster to
improve their lot
But the more I think about it,
the more I'm convinced it reflects
fear of white rejection and a self
defeating refusal to claim our due as
citizens of the society we helped
build.
And it plays into the hands of
those who want us to think that
national and urban problems are
"black problems" to be solved by
blacks alone, even though white
society created and perpetuates
those problems.
Sure, African Americans do
have tremendous power to change
our condition. But enough to let
white society off the hook.
Some items on the agenda, only
we can do ourselves ? using our
political power to improve schools
and public services, pooling our
resources to help finance commu
nity development and housing, and,
above all, helping all of our children
and families develop the values and
attitudes needed to prosper in a
chang4&world.
But those efforts don't take
place in a vacuum. We are a part of
the larger societv and have as much
of a claim on its resources as other
citizens, who don't hesitate to
expect benefits.
Developing wealth- and -job cre
ating black businesses is an impor
tant goal that can serve as an exam
ple of both what we must do for
ourselves and what we should right
fully expect society to do.
An African American commu
nity committed to self-development
can overcome the internalized
stereotypes that prevent so many tal
ented people from taking the rea
soned risks that lead to entrepre
neurial success.
And developing a strong com
munity spirit can foster young busi
ness through customer support and
financial investments.
But along with that, those busi
nesses can and should expect what
white-owned businesses expect ?
fair opportunities for government
and corporate contracts and subcon
from financial institutions and the
government which command hun
dreds of billions. Why limit our
selves to the millions that might be
TONY BROWN
Syndicated Columnist
tracts, loans from banks and finan
cial institutions, and a level compet
itive field.
African Americans have long
been at a business disadvantage
because they have been denied those
opportunities. Discrimination in
lending and in other factors affect
ing business success have been
amply documented.
But instead of demanding our
fair share of government and private
sector resources, some say the capi
tal needs a black businesses should
be met by a black investment fund
financed by affluent African Ameri
cans.
Such a fund is a good idea, but
it is no substitute for equal treatment
raised within the community?
We need to light a fire under
public and private sector institutions
to make those resources as available
to blacks as to whites. African
Americans have as much right to
them as anyone in the land.
Wc can say we can do it all by
ourselves, but it is more realistic to
do it all by ourselves with whatever
resources are available from any
source.
And it makes sense for society,
too. For by developing the vast
potential of African Americans and
their businesses, America's econ
omy becomes stronger and more
competitive.
T