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cdiidis t cornu I Urban League And Urban Challenge By Hoyle H. Martin Sr. Post Editorial Writer Last week a study was presented to the Charlotte Chamber of Com merce that showed the overall gap in the quality of life between blacks and whites in Charlotte-Mecklen burg. The presentation was in effect a successful bid to gain Chamber support for the establishment of a local chapter of the National Urban League, a 67-year old organization that seeks to help blacks get more and better jobs in business and industry and aids people in adjusting to urban living. In more recent years the League has put consider able emphasis on job opportunities for college trained minorities. The studv itself is a socio economic needs analysis survey that is a required part of any application to establish a local Urban league Chapter. The 65-page study, pre pared by the Sociology Department of Johnson C. Smith University and _ the Institute for Urban Studies at UNC-Charlotte, relies heavily upon secondary data sources and has little comparative information. The study shows, for example, that 67 percent of all area blacks held low-skill jobs in both 1970 and 1976 but that black males in sucli jobs dropped from 75.8 percent ir 1960 to 64.2 percent in 1970. Futhermore, 46.7 percent of black Charlotteans lived in “low value housing” in 1960 but this fell to 44.J Dercent in 1970. In the area of unemployment, the study revealed the well known fact that blacks continue to have a jobless rate of more than twice that of whites. For blacks the jobless rates is 9.6 percent compared to 4.4 percent for whites. In addition, the study showed that black Chariot teans are far behind whites hi income, home ownership and yean of formal education. While the local needs analysis study of blacks is admittedly lacking in comparative data, a glance at the national scene reveals what is quite apparent in nearly all of the nation’s urban centers. Our point is that ir spite of the civil rights legislatior and improved economic opportuni ties in die 1960s and early 1970s, and some noticeable gains by son* middle-class black families, the harsh reality is that most black families are worse off today thar they were before the “Greal Society” programs of the Kennedy Johnson administrations. as we passed the mid-1970s, un employment among blacks lingers at 12 to 14 percent or twice that of whites, 50 percent of all black births (41.1 percent in Mecklenburg County) are -to unwed mothers, integrated quality education has escaped too many black youths, black family incomes are only 59 percent (slightly better in Charlotte) ot tnat ot wnnes, tne urban environ ment is further destroying black family life and blacks have only a 50-50 chance of living to age 65 while whites have a 3 to 1 chance. This sad state of black affairs began most assuredly in 1970 when former Harvard sociologist and a past assistant secretary of labor Daniel P. Moynihan issued a contro- ( versial call for a period of “benign neglect” of black people’s problems. This “neglect” appears more than , evident today as witnessed by the i National Urban League’s Vernon Jordan and Congressman Parron Mitchell’s comments. In commenting on President ( Carter’s urban policy, Jordan said, ' “If indeed the urban policy commits j no massive infusion of funds and creative innovation, it would amount - to a declaration of defeat; and admission that our cities will be left to die.” More recently, Rep. Parron Mitchell (Dem., Md.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told President Carter that a trend toward right-wing thinking may threaten federal programs aiding the poor. “We’ve seen destructive attacks being mounted against human survival programs...” he said. Black control Yes Urban League, need analysis certainly indicates that Charlotte needs a local branch of the organiza i tiom However, neither the Urban League, nor any other organization, is a pancea to the problems and needs of black Charlotteans. If anything, an Urban League branch Will primarily heighten the challenge we as black people face in our quest for an improved quality of life. We must give more support and recognition to black owned business as the Charlotte LBDO did last week, we must establish credit unions and similar black controlled financial programs fes Friendship Baptist Church has done, we must encourage our youth to prepare for the future in spite of the odds against their chances for success as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Coun cil is attempting to do, we must pool our brain power to develop a local urban strategy that will bring more i and better jobs and housing to blacks and we must believe that with hard work and commitment we can make the system work better for us. Fellow black Charlotteans, we should welcome a branch of the Urban League, but its success in creating more and better opportu nities for us will depend largely upon us. If the League is to help us get better jobs, many of us will have to get better training, a new attitude and prepare to embrace new chal lenges. Are you ready to accept these new challenges, if not why not? WE MUST GIVE OUR CHILDREN A SENSE OF PRIDE IN BEING BLACK. THE GLORY OF OUR FAST AND THE DIGNITY OF OUR PRESENT MUST LEAD THE WAV TO THE POWER OF OUR FUTURE * RtP ADAM CLAYTOti POWTLL 4 HERITA& TO BE PROUD 0^6 Knowing Their History Will Give Them A New Found Sense Of Identity The Meaning Of The Rand Report By Bayard Rustin Special to the Po6t In more than a few respects, the current discussion of rac ial quota systems has acquir ed an almost theological fla vor. Rather than focusing on earthly realities, the debaters prefer to discuss abstractions such as white quilt, the mean ing of equal opportunity, and the legacy of black slavery. As interesting as these sub jects might be, they oversha dow the real questions: Are quotas and other forms of affirmative action really effective means for advancing the economic and social posi tion of minority groups in America? A new report just issued by the Rand Corpora-' tion says No. And its conclu sions are well worth examin ing. Contrary to the dominant _1—1__a|_I___ a«_rt_a lll/kuvivgj! UIC IMUIU report concludes that affirma tive action programs have been“a relatively minor con tributor” in raising black in come relative to white in come. “Our results,” the re report states, “suggest that the effect of Government on the aggregate black-white wage ratio is quite small and that the popular nod on that these recent changes are being driven by Government pressure has little empirical support” What then accounts for the gradual narrowing of the black-white income gap? “Blacks and whites," accord long to the study, “are simply becoming more alike in those attributes producing higher wages.” Specifically, blacks have made significant gains in the area of education, in prov ing their competitive position in the labor market. In 1930 the average black worker had nearly 4 fewer years of formal education compared to white workers. By 1970, the gap had dropped to a little over 1 year. Another major factor, the report points out, has been the steady industrialization of the South. The transformation of the south from a backward, tradition-bound province into a modern industrial region has produced steadily increas ing wage rates for blacks who were once confined to the fringes of the southern eco nomy. “There is no question,” the researchers said," that blacks are at least equal par ticipants with whites in the recent economic resurgence' in .the; - '■'south.’': While the renort contains some good news for blacks, it also describes some persistent problems, especially econo mic inequality. Even with steady economic gains, the Incomes of black males are still only three-fourths of those earned by white majes. And, even worse, the report pre dicts that white-black income will not approach full equality during the current century. Like all statistical reports, the RAND study should be treated with a fair amount of skepticism. But, the report even with all its flaws-deser ves thoughtful consideration within the black community. It should not be dismissed automatically as another “est tabiishment” attempt to ig nore the problems of black Americans. As I see it, the RAND study offers the black community an opportunity to reexamine old strategies and preconcept ions. Most importantly, the report strongly suggests that a civ*g rights movement con cerned exclusively with racial issues will soon become obso lete. While few will deny that racial discrimination stub bornly persists in certain in dustries and regions, it is no longer the major determinant of black economic well-being. Rather than concentrating on issues like the Bakke case, and the further advancement of quota-oriented affirmative action plans, the Rand study suggests another, more promising strategy for the civil rights movement-that gratedpwliticalcoafitim around the issues of full em ployment, improved educa tion, and expanded social services. As we all know, there are dangerous political forces in America that thrive on racial conflict. For many of the more doctrinaire conserva tives, racial issues serve as a convenient cover for their dis astrous economic policies. Unable to win on a platform promising high unemploy ment, unfair tax policies, and cutbacks in social services, conservatives can frequently win votes by appealing to widespread opposition against quotas and other devices per ceived as instruments of “per ferential treatment.” Now, with the needless re emergence of racial issues in the form of a bitter and highly divisive debate on quotas, the progressive political coalition is once again endangered. Washing I on RefiecTIo^ CONGRESSMAN JIM MARTIN 1978 Questionnaire i Results Released For the sixth consecutive year, people in Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties have responded to my annual questionnaire, to speak ^out for themselves on issues of the day. Once | again, over 20,000 individuals responded to the I questions in the poll. Over 350 included their additional comments about the issues in sepa rate letters or on the questionnaire itself. As expected, the selection of controversial topics encouraged people to express themselves on the issues. ^ Some respondents commented that the sub- • jects were too complex to answer with a “yes” or “no”; while others protested that the questions were too simple. I fried to bend in the direction of simplicity in order to get a wider rang* of participation. Complex or simple, a “yes” or “no” is the only option I have when casting a vote in Congress. Thq Panama Canal elicited comments from s respondents who thought the wording of the question “too biased” or inaccurately stated. It ’ boils down to an individual’s interpretation of the : issue. The vital canal, with its locks and controls, is just as much U.S'. “property” as my • mortgaged house is my property. To dispose of it ; without compensation is to “give” it away. More " important than the wording is that the people in the 9th District were given a chance to express ; themselves on the issue. Who else in Washington - has asked their opinion? On Saturday mail delivery, a surprising 61 percent majority favors discontinuing the ser- I vice in order to forego a postage increase. The . Postal Rate Commission should look at this - sentiment and give the matter further airing - before increasing first-class mail rates. • fi Strong opposition was expressed against the i government banning saccharin and hair djflK, h ’and a8ainst Paying the costs of Congres- 3 elections froM, taxes Dr^jbi'tiM!o supporter contributions (8?l6T; against creating - jobs to put welfare recipients and unemployed to l work (60-37); against compensation victims of s crimes. Respondents also rejected a cut-back in enacted social security tax increase. ' - Energy questions offered interesting and gratifying results. By a margin of nearly 4-to-l ’ respondents favored development of nuclear .1 power to generate electricity. On a close call of “ 46-to-47, they barely divided against lifting » government price controls on oil and gas wells 6 ^though that’s a virtual tie, it appears the:: public is getting the message about the effect of price controls on our energy supplies. v ^ The complete results of the questionnaire will , be made available to the Congress and the President so they may have a better understand- 7 ing of how the people of North Carolina feel about 3 a few of the major issues. Copies of the report : will be mailed to each home in the 9th l Congressional District. Thanks for sending in vour views THE CHARLOTTE POST “THE PEOPLES NEWSPAPER” Established 1918 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 1 2606-B West Blvd. - Charlotte, N.C. 28208 Telephones (704) 376-0496, 376-0497 Circulation, 9,915 ' 60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE Bill Johnson.Editor-Publisher Bernard Reeves.General Manager Hoyle H. Martin Sr.Executive Editor Julius Watson.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 Failure Is A Package Deal By Gerald Johnson When I graduated from high school in 1965, there were few colleges in North Carolina I could attend. These colleges were predominately Black. White universities had Just begun to opeq their doors to Black students. A recruiter from N.C. State came to West Charlotte and told us that the school was being forced to recruit Blacks and didn’t much care for the idea. I’ve hated that school ever since. Even David Thompson couldn’t erase the malice I hold for that school. But now after a dozen or so years have passed schools are opened to all. A Black student coming out of high school today can attend any school he so desires. When I graduated from high school West Charlotte was considered the finest Black High School in the state, yet the facilities at West Char lotte couldn't hold a candle to any white high school in Char lotte. Science lab equipment, physical ed equipment, books, and what have you were all inferior to the white schools. When I graduated from high school I had 1001 reasons I could have used to become a failure. But when I graduated irom nign i aian i Know mat i was underprivileged Nobody told me that I had 1001 reasons to fall. It wasn’t instilled in me that I was deprived. But now after a dozen years failure is a package deal. If you are black, poor, and underprivileged, you are suppose to fail. Even Blacks in education have excuses. If you are Black and dumb pass him on because the little nigger is underprivileged. If you hold him back a couple of years then somebody Is discri minating. In twelve short years with integration thrown in our emphasis has shifted from achievement to appeasement. Today there can be no ex cuses for failing. The facili ties in all schools are ap proaching equality. The doors of opportunity are opening wider and wider and the majority of Black youth aren't taking advantage of it. Needless to say that a lot of blood has been shed, people have given their lives just to provide Black people the opportunity to participate. I find It appalling to say the least that such sacrifices were made in vain. On The Road With Bob Walton The Reverend Bob Walton is a man of many hats. He is a banker. He is a Reverend. He serves on various community boards. He is a county commissioner. Recently Bob Walton has been criticized, victimized, and ostracized by the Meck lenburg Public and the Meck lenburg County Board for abusing Public Funds. Brother Bob has been dragged through the coals and has been likened to the likes of Richard Tricky Dick’ Nixon. Many have implied that this is cause enough to have Bob Walton’s seat filled by a Republican. Pop 'e' cock! I must say that I didn’t condone either trip Bob Walton took, but it wasn’t a big enough deal to try to discredit the man. I think the problem stem med from what is legally acceptable and what is princi pally acceptable. Thoigpi the money allocated was meager it is without question that Mecklenburg County could have survived had not Mr. Walton gone on the trips. In spite of this error in Judgment Bob Walton has served his constituency well. He speaks his mind and stands by his convictions. He is his own man. He is open about his mistakes and Lord knows he is open when he is right. Casein point, Bob Walton still de serves your support for a second bid for a county com missioner seat. INGRAM DEFEATS HODGES In a surprising victory Insu rance Commissioner John In gram defeated heavily favo red Luther Hodges for the U S. Senate. The surprise was even more emphatic since John Ingram reportedly spent far less money. But rest assured that John Ingram can and will prve the state of North Carolina well. He has political experience and a proven record of work ing for the people. The man has a great ability for organi zing things. I was hoping he would lose because I fear who might take over as Insurance Commis I sioner. Anyway, primary elections! for the U.S. Senate were such ; that both candidates were jj good men and even though one S of them had to lose the public £ could not have lost. Task F«ce Seda Public Comment j mm wun com menu ana suggestions on the operations of the Charlotte Animal Con trol Department will have an opportunity to speak at a public making scheduled for 7:30p.m. on Thursday, June • in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 600 East Trade Street. The meeting is being held by a three member Task Force appointed by Charlotte Mayor Kenneth R. Harris to study the operations of the City Animal Shelter. Persons who wish to speak need only to attend. There la no preregistration require ment. Comments may be made orally or submitted in writing. Task force members are Chairman Laura Freeh, Char lotte City Council; Dr. Law rence H. Dewhurst, Greater Charlotte Veterinary Medical Association; and Thelma Kel ler, Mecklenburg County Humane Society. In appointing the Task f orce, Mayor Harris gave the 2 following charge: "Toinvesti- ; Sate the operating procedures 2 at the Charlotte Animal Shel ter; to consider any need for, capital improvements at the^ Charlotte Animal Shelter; to ‘ consider the need for an advi sory body to the Charlotte Animal Shelter; and, to report to the Mayor and City Council with Its findings." The next regular business meeting of the Task Force is
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 1, 1978, edition 1
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