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ciooA.u ” corami j j Reverse Discrimination, Never! it w_a* —V »v lit Iflul Ull Oi . Post Executive Editor It appears inconceivable that 112 years after the ending of institution alized slavery, ill years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 , 23 years after the Brown decision ended school segregation, and 13 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, many Americans are still debating the merits of equal opportunity, justice and equality for black people. The debate is currently centered around the furor involved in the alleged “reverse discrimination” in the Allan Bakke case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Five years ago, at the age of 32, Allan Bakke applied for admission to the University of California’s medical school on the Davis cam pus. On two occasions Bakke was rejected in spite of the fact that his college grades and aptitute test scores ranked him above many of the students who had been admitted. He learned that among the reasons for his rejection was that 16 of the approximately 100 places in the entering medical program had been reserved for minority candidates selected by a special admissions committee. Bakke filed a lawsuit charging that the university had discriminat ed against him, in direct violation of the equal-protection clause of the 14th Amendment, because he is white. While most of these develop ments have been widely noted by the news media, lfttle attention has been given to the fact that Bakke had been rejected by several other me dical schools, 34 of the whites admitted at Davis had lower en trance test scores than he had, and only three of the 16 minority vacan cies were given to black students. Final Analysis In the final analysis, the Bakke case will probably provide at least a partial answer to the emotionally charged socio-economic and philoso phical concerns carried under the broad heading of “affirmative ac tion” or sometimes thought of in terms of goals and quotas. “The conflict is legally complex,” NEWS WEEK writes, economically perva sive and politically explosive. It feeds on emotional backlash from threatened white males. It angers minorities who believe they are still denied their fare share of the Ame rican dream. Federally enforced paualK)DDortunity regulations touch the livelihood of at least 25 million American workers from steel to mills to corporate boardrooms. They affect admissions procedures for hundreds of colleges and profession al schools.” In spite of all the rhetoric and the justifiable concerns that blacks have about the outcome of the Bakke case, the POST does not agree with those who content that if the court upholds Bakke s suit the civil rights movement will be setback 50 to 100 years. As significant as the Bakke Case is to the struggle for equality and justice, it will be (hopefully) nevertheless just one of the numer ous court decisions. Executive Or ders and laws that have been handed down to aid the quest for equality Unemployment Rate However, in spite of all of these orders, decisions and laws black people must continue their never ending struggle in a quest for a share of the American dream. Our point is clearly demonstrated in a number of recent developments. First, a Presidential Civil Rights Task Force on civil rights reorgani zation told Mr. Carter last week, “It should come as no surprise...that discrimination in employment...is still a pervasive phenomenon in American life.” The seriousness of the problem led the Task Force to recommend the creation of single super agency to enforce equal em ployment laws and regulations. Secondly, the Task Force’s find ing are supported by the continued 14 unemployment rate among bla cks, twice that of whites. Thirdly, recent findings indicate that many minority business firms have been systematically denied « ***** LUlJLitjr tv V1U VII contracts involving federal expendi tures. Lastly, Mecklenburg County Com missioner Bob Walton charged last week that the county government’s personnel office is failing to seek and hire more blacks through its pre sumed affirmative action program. We have made these observations simply to remind blacks that height ened expectations witn regard to the Bakke case can be dangerous. Blacks must hope for the best but be prepared to carry on the struggle for equality regardless of the Bakke case decision because the problem of racism in America will not disappear over night or in the forseeable future. It is for this very reason - continu ed racism - that allegations of reverse discrimination are totally false and unwarren ted. Reverse discrimination has and will never occur by reason of the fact that white males control and dominate American society. The argument against so-called reverse discrimi nation is really an argument for continued discrimination against .blacks and women and the white man’s way of saying, “I don’t intend to share in the burden of such discrimination.” _ Tragically and significantly, if we awake tomorrow to find ourselves all with green skin, would racial discrimination cease? Yes it would, blit then we’d pick on the bald or short or fat persons so as to discrim inate against someone. Let’s at least try to end the racial part now. '_ ymrey could, for all INTENTS, AND PURPOSES PUT HtS SUNS AWAY. W*\E ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO MU OUR— f* SELVES BETTER THAN HE CAN ] NOW WE SEND EACH OTHER DEATH IN SHALL BASS. CLAYTON BILEY u»e BATOR NtTStt' t »• XWWW Our Children Minds Have Been Rendered Useless _ ^^—■—^a—«————^^ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Young Republicans Oppose Succession Amendment Dear Sir: The North Carolina Federa tion of Young Republicans has gone on record as opposing gubernatorial succession. “The basic issue is clean government,” said YR Chair man Richard Levy of Greens boro. “We have never had scandals here like those in Maryland and Illinois. What do you tell your children about government when they ask why Gov. Mandel is going tc jail?” “What amazes me," Levy continued, “is that in an era ol excessive government power, we would be thinking about giving our governor or anyone more power.” Levy stated that the YRs were influenced by a variety of factors in coming out again st succession despite the sup port of former Gov. Jim Hoi shouser. Among these factors are: —The possibility of corrupt political machines. Eight years of one governor would give him a chance to learn tc use government for his own benefit rather than for the state. —The end to citizen-governors and their replacement by pro fessional politicians. “Eight years as lieutenant governor and eight years as governor is a career, not a service,” Levy asserted. "Then the guy would probably top it off by wanting a huge pension.” —Consolidation of power. —Demagoguery aimed simply at getting re-elected rather than serving the state. —Dirtier campaigns due U be higher. —Widespread political patron age throughout state govern ment, leading to more ineffi ciency and chaos. —Capricious use of the bu reaucracy to get back at poli tical opponents. “This amend ment would make a Watergate possible in North Carolina," said Levy. , “Why anyone would want to change our state is beyond me. If they think another state has better government, let them move to Maryland or New York.” Levy also stated his skepti cism about arguments ad vanced by supporters of suc cession. “You can use all of their own arguments against them,” he said. For example supporters talk about our governor get ting more recognition at na tional governors’ meetings. “Who cares if other governors recognize him? Our governor ought to be spending his time running North Carolina, not running for most popular gov ernor.” As for the argument that those who have served in government are in favor of succession. Levy scoffed “Of course they are. They want to perpetuate themselves in of fice. They could care less about what the people really want.” Levy said that the YRs, who have 50 clubs statewide, will be glad to pass out literature on election day for any anti succession group. “Republicans are overwhel mingly against this amend ment. Many Democrats join them. Together, we can keep government in North Carolina clean.”—Jim Busick Getting Things In Perspective Dear Sir: Everyone has had their say about the high Divorce Rate. In my opinion: No one has really hit on the cause. I am not against women working, but women should learn to work. But do not let your white friends instill in your mind that you belong to a different society from the man that get s his hands dirty. Such as The White Collar worker. If you don’t wear a suit and carry a briefcase, you don’t count in the White Collar class. When you go out with your friend or husband he must not say that he works getting his hands dirty. You must say that you are a supervisor or what-not on your job. You must spend your hard earned money, being a big shot, pay a big price for a big class apt., a new car every year. Most middle class people that work have little problems in this matter. Unless one of them tries to be young again. Which happens to the man most of the time. When in Africa in 1943, I heard a African tell a Black from America that he was not part of them. Because he was too white orientated. And it is becoming more and more to day. The blacks can not be blacks, within their own mind. The blacks of today are so mixed-up in their mind and ways until their own represen tative can not represent them. Blacks should learn about each other before they even think about being in a mixed school. Those that live toge ther learn to understand and love together. Pinkney has been builded up, brain wash ed, until he don’t know what goes on around him. Henry Williams ——■ By Vernon E. Jordan Jr. »SSSSSS TO BE EQUAL Vernon E. Jordan Jr. BAKKE Case Up For Decision If there’s any single fact about America’s history that is beyond dispute it is that blacks and other minorities have been the victims of pervasive, unrelenting discrimination. So there’s something strange about claims that affirmative action programs designed to remedy the effects of discrimination are actually in stances of ‘‘reverse discrimination” that limit the aspirations of white males. Yet the Alice-in-Wonderland argument is behind the Bakke Case, now being considered by the Supreme Court. A decision is expected in several months and it could have a strong effect * on black and minority access to universities and ^ jobs. The Bakke Case, for all its complexity, boils down to one basic question the Court will have to answer: It is constitutionally permissible for a uxuvcioujr w uac uitc a crucnun ior admissions? Bakke says the Fourteenth Amendment, which grants equal protection of the laws to all, means that institutions must be “color blind” and that race is not an acceptable or constitutionally valid factor in a university’s admissions policy. But previous Court decisions have establish ed the constitutional principle that race may indeed be a factor in institutional policies if the intent is to redress the effects of past negative discrimination that excluded minorities. It is inconceivable that the Court will readily abandon that principle, thus raising the fiction of a “color blind” society to the level of constitu tional law. Discrimination against minorities still exists, still penetrates every sector of our society, still operates to exclude blacks from their fair share of the rewards and responsibilities of our society. If Bakke actually lost his chance to enter medical school because a mere 16 places had been set aside for minority entrants - and that’s doubtful since he’d been rejected by 11 other medical schools as well - then the damage done him has to be weighed against the benefits to society of increasing the numbers of minority doctors. And Bakke’s whole case rests on the fact that his test scores were higher than those of minorities admitted to the University. But since when have test scores been the only determi nants? Here we run smack up against the myth of the merit system, a fictional device many Americans believe exists. There is no merit system, and there never has been. Criteria other than test scores have always been used. Money, influence, political connec tions, geography, excellence in sports, and many other factors have resulted in people being admitted to universities while those with higher test scores have been rejected. Those who worship at the altar of “Qualifica tions” have to realize their idol has feet of clay. Qualifications have never been objective and unchanging. Even those tests so many people place such faith in change from year to year, becoming more or less difficult depending on circumstance — whether the university wants to include more students, or exclude them. THE CHARLOTTE POST “THE PEOPLES NEWSPAPER” Established 1918 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 2606-B West Blvd.-Charlotte, N.C. 28208 Telephones (704) 392-1306, 392-1307 Circulation, 7,185 58 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE Bill Johnson.Editor-Publisher Hoyle H. Martin Sr.Executive Editor Bernard Reeves.General Manager Ronnie Sadler .Circulation Director Albert Campbell..Advertising Director Second Class Postage No. 965500 Paid At Charlotte, N.C. under the Act of March 3,1878 Member National Newspaper Publishers Association North Carolina Black Publishers Association Deadline for all news copy and photos is 5 p.m. Monday. All photos and copy submitted becomes the property of the Post, and will not be returned. National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. 45 W. 5th Suite 1403 2400 S. Michigan Ave. New York, N Y. 10036 Chicago. 111. 60616 (212 ) 489-1220 Calumet 5-0200 I I Black Football - A Thing Of The Past? *. By Gerald O. Johnson It is a known fact that time changes everything. With the passing of time those who are able to adapt survive, those who aren’t able to adapt fall by the wayside. One need only look at a few examples to elucidate the point. Cowboys used to drive cattle cross country to be marketed for the rest of the U.S.A. The railroad came into existence and eventually the cattle were shipped cross country by train. Consequent ly, the cowboys became ex tinct as far as cattle driving wll rnnrprnrH Aa (imp mar ched on the railroads were replaced by airplanes. Though the railroads are fighting for there lives during this current era, it is definite that they will become extinct within the next 2 decades. Without a doubt time will replace the airplane i with something. Time has seen us go through a period when news was un heard of unless it happened to you up to the newspaper and pony express These things became obsolete as the rail road served as a communica tion lines from coast to coast. The railroads became obso lete to the radio and now television can bring you news from anywhere in the world almost as soon as it happens. With this it is easily seen that time waits for no man. Those cowboys with a little foresight used the changing times to their advantage in stead of trying to fight the change. They became million aires. If railroad people had been concerned with transpor tation in general Instead of the railroad in particular then they would have been in with the development of the air planes instead of being oppos ed to it. Most companies today try not to tie down their business es with specific commodities or services. This affords them the opportunity to expand and diversify as the time dictates. Most companies learned this at the expense of the rail roads. So we have a clastic analogy that can be related to iporta in black colleges Coach Eddie Robinson and Coach John Merritt of Grambling and Ten nessee State, two of the win ingest coaches in football, both spelled out the trials and tribulations facing an athle tic program at a black institu tion. They both realized that rising cost and integration plague the black institutions. Both men are trying to combat the problems. However, the needs of the institutions out weigh the income the athletic program can muster up and the vicious cycle continues. In hindsight, which is al ways 20-20, black institutions should have realized in 1904 after the Swann Vs. Browns ville decision was made that the current collision course was inevitable. It was then that the right steps shoud have been made to insure that the equitability of these institu tions would remain in tact. Today, however, whatever di rection is taken to keep equita bility will only be like healing first degree burns with a band aid. Obviously what should have taken place is of no help now. What is of help will be some direction for black institutions to go In order to make the best of an impossible situa tion. The first problem is integra tion. The better athletes are being wined and dined, carred and monied right into the white schools. To this end black schools can not com pete. As Coach Robinson said "The white schools spend more recruiting one athlete than we have in our whole operating budget. " But I feel black schools aren’t doirg with what they have. It re minds me of the take rJ the man telling hie girlfriend that he wished he was an pctupus so he could have eight arms to squeeze her tight. His girl friend said “you are lying." When the man replied why she called him a lie, she said, “you aren’t even useing the two you got.” Because the athletes are inferior is no reason for hav ing a poor team or a poor turnout to a game. Winston Salem State University has one of the finest football teams I have seen in a good many years. Their athletes come from the same places all other black schools get their athle tea from. It ia really a treat to *ee the Rama play. However, there are only a few people that know how great thia team ia. Winaton-Salem ia not publi cizing thia team aa they ahou Id. It appear* that Winaton-Sa lem and South Carolina State will meet in the Gold Bowl in Richmond on December 3. Neither conference haa gone out of ita way to publicize thia fact. With the proper aeUing of the black inatltutiona, the be ing coet will take care of itaelf. People can only get excited about your program if you v^asiiii wm u you leu them about the program. The ACC uaed to bo a run of the mill conference until they hired a managerial firm to handle promotion. The ACC is considered to be the finest conference in basketball and rapidly gaining in football. Think back to 1900 thru 1906 and tell me about the ACC. You can’t because there Isn’t that much to tell. You didn’t hear that much about them. But look at them now! Moat black conferences and black Institutions do not un derstand the promotion aspect of the institutions. Conse quently, most public relations offices are improperly man aged and sun. In conclusion what can a black institution offer a ath lete? This has to be studied carefully. Why should a boy come to your school to play a •port and receive work aid compensation for it. He could get money from work aid without getting his head torn off every week. Give Urn •om®*hing. Find some money •ome where. What time has really done in «a«nce is expose black Insti tutions to the inadequacies of poor management. What has happen is the guarantees have gone and we are left with our ■Duuy or inability whatever U» ct»* might be. Before integration no one really cared that much about black institutions. What you did, when you did it, and how you did it waa of no concern to anybody. Black students were forced to go to the black institutions. Became the cre am of the crop was forced into predominately black instltu Uons inadequate or non-exist ing programs surflced to get the job done. But now that government plays a major role in funding black institutions and became the elite of the black society are shuffled off to white schools, accountability is the rule instead of the exception.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 27, 1977, edition 1
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