Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 12, 1978, edition 1 / Page 2
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ailTcillT] Voter Apathy Aids “New Negativism” by Hoyle H. Martin Sr. Post Editorial Writer Vernon E. Jordan JrM executive director of th National Urban League, has referred to what many black leaders consider to be white America'a shift to the right as' an attitude of “new negativism,” that is, a “basic reneging on the promises of the 1960s.” Much of this attitude, the black leadership con tends, is characterized by allegat ions of “reverse discrimination” against whites, the abandoning, of <xlr nation’s urban centers by indus try, thus fewer jobs for blacks, and the declining political potential of the black electorate. At a recent gathering of the National Urban League’s annual conference in Los Angeles, many black leaders blamed this sad state /Vf KIoaW A ttrx i am (La nation’s political leaders and what was referred to as the “do-nothing” Congress. This indifference by the largely white political leadership arises from the illusion that black people have made great progress when in fact they have not. Ironic ally, much of this illusion has been created by black people themselves. Bayard Rus tin’s article, “Black Votes Vs. Political Money,” which appeared in the POST last week, tells us how Blades have contributed to the illusion of progress. Rustin points out that in the last . ten years, the black vote has “de clined at an alarming rate.” In 1968, Presidential Election, Rustin re minds us, 58 percental all eligible - Hacks voted. In 1973, only 52 percent *ed and in 1976 only 50 percent ed. The voting figures for state , ^ local elections were reportedly eypn lower. At the same time, many conservative groups, aided by some business interests, have been able to take advantage of the nation’s con servative mood. Rustin then notes that “Aside formidable financial resourc usinesB and conservative inte have another strategic advant age- mass apathy, especially among minorities...” This apathy is obviously reflected in the declining voter activity among blacks which in turn reflects the President and local elected officials across the nation. . -- - Furthermore, as R us tin concludes “politicians must count votes as well as dollar bills.” Thus, since blacks are giving few votes to our politic ians and even fewer dollars, is there any wonder that a “new negati vism” exist? These observations clearly indi cate that the gains that blacks have made with the passage of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Act of the early 1960s are being lost as much by black apathy as might be expected by any other source. It is therefore time, as we have noted frequently before, for Char lotte’s black leadership to put aside their ideological differences and work to educate people and get them to vote and to vote for their eonvie tions. If there is one thing blacks in Charlotte need, it is a higher degree of political commitment, awareness and voting power. If we seriously want the vital issues of crime -control, education, health, recrea tion and public services improved, we must demonstrate this by voting our concerns on election day, each and every election day. Thus, blacks cannot blame the white politicians, or racist or the business community for all of the gains they have lost. They must assume that by their own inaction voter apathy-political sources found no need to respond to black de mands, concerns or specific interests. To not vote is to lose what you have and to abandon your potential for the future. Let’s let Charlotte and America know we are here by voting on electiopday in November. This is the only way tb4aM the tide of the “new negativism." Postal Alert: A Worthwhile Project The marriage between the Meck lenburg Council on Aging and the U.S. Postal Service to aid the elderly and handicapped people in what might be life and death matters is a true expression of community spirit and goodwill. The Postal Alert program, as it is called, requests that elderly and handicapped people fill out a card giving their names and addresses, and the names and addresses of two people who could be contacted in case of an emergency. The cards would be turned over to the Council on Aging and kept in a confidential file. Furthermore, such persons would place a round orange sticker inside their mail box to notify the Post office mailman that an elderly or handicapped person lives at the address. If a carrier notices any thing unusual-mail not taken in, house unusually quiet etc.-he would notify the Council on Aging. The Post applauds this humanitar ian move with one note of caution, that is. if the wrong people become aware of the orange stickers in the mail boxes it might invite harm to the very persons they are design ed to help. We are pleased to hear something about the Postal Services other than labor disputes and allegation of poor service. Let’s all encourage and aid the success of the Postal Alert program. LETTERS TO THE ED ITO R To The Public An Open Letter Dear Sir: It seems as though the few Black persons presently employed as media personalities would be 'more responsive to the Black community. - It is understood that each one could not possibly answer all the letters written to him-her, but if each person paid enough attention to the writers’ names and found that one or two particular persons have attempted to make contact through letters three or four times, they could assume that those persist ent writers are in need of their services. Media persons surely don’t respond to mess ages _ But now they’re in the limelight-their faces appear on the 'television, their voices oo^ttfH " . radio and their names in the paper and they feel they are superstars...without a free moment to spare or share. This is what they’d have you think anyway. They have time to sip cocktails with big executives or with their co-workers but not five minutes to return a phone call or to answer a letter. I wonder if they ever stop to think who’s supporting them. They fail to imagine what they’d be doing if all Black persons would boycott the programs they appear on. What would their ratings be? Black television newscasters and talk show hosts, newspaper reporters and radio person alities alike should be responsive to the Black community. They have roles to play and they owe some allegiance to the black community - they have certain duties and obligations. They are in the public view as representatives of the Black community, yet they have no Spare moments to share with us. What do we have to be proud of?...A lot of pretty or handsome faces on the screen?... sexy voices on the radio? Popular in bylines?...or dedicated, concerned Black role models?. - Persons respected and always a] “■1 iflggjie it’s up*o tfie doonneW another pretty __ one to prove that Blacks are capable oi fulfilling their Jobs... someone to pave the way for me and the children of the future. I need someone to demonstrate diligence and suc cess, quality and responsiveness. So to those Blacks whose foot fits this shoe-wear it and then pass it around, let your co-workers try it on. i am sure many of you will find that you wear the same size. - Mary Smith This Reader Enjoys The Charlotte Post I read “The Charlotte Post” each week and enjoy being able to keep in touch with Charlotte and other places featured. Particularly, Those by your son, Mr. Gerald John son, Mr. Martin’s and Mr Jordan’s Articles. The September 14, I97f printing contains an article about my work. There are parts in the article which an misleading. The following is s correction which should be printed. Recently, Captain Ronale Kent Gray began a two year Obligated Volunteer Army Commitment at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Mary land. He is Chief of the Mental Hygiene Clinic, where he also functions as the Clinical Con sultant to the Alcohol and Drug Program. Dr. Gray also works as a part time Psychiatric Consul i tant to the Physician Assistant Program, in which he teaches P.A. students at Howard Uni versity. He holds memberships in the American Medical Associ ation and The American Psy chiatric Association. Thank you for making these clarifications in “THE CHAR LOTTE POST”. North PTA The North Mecklenburg P.T.A. is sponsoring a barbe cue on Friday, Oct. 1$, in the school cafeteria from 11 a m. til 8 p.m. The cost will be $2.75 for a plate and $.85 for a sandwich. — By Vernon E. Jordan Jr^————_ TO r be EQUAL . ... ■ » ■ V I New “Bakke" Cases Coming Up The Bakke case, as most people now realize, was just the first major challenge to affirmative action programs on the grounds they represent unconstitutional “reverse discrimination.” In contrast to the Bakke case, which was limited to college admissions programs, there are a number of major cases working their way through the courts dealing with economic opportunity. These cases are more important for the future of affirmative action man was the Bakke case. The Court will soon decide whether to accept the crucial case of Weber v. Kaiser in the current term. Its decision will have a major impact on voluntary affirmative action programs. Weber, a white employee of Kaiser Aluminum - & Chemical Corporation’s Gramercy, Louisiana plant, charges he is the victim of reverse discrimination. The company set up a training program, in agreement with the local union, that admitted blacks and women to half the available slots. Weber charges that since blacks with less seniority than he had won entry into the program, he was being discriminated against. He sued the company and the union and won in lower court. A federal appeals court upheld that ruling by a 2-1 margin. Now it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide the issue. The reason for establishment of racial goals in the training program is clear. Blacks in Gramercy made up almost half the population and 39 percent of the town’s work force. But at me Kaiser plant, only two percent of skilled workers were black. To counter this, the company and the union voluntarily agreed to accelerate "movement of blacks into the skills training program, even though some white applicants had greater seniority. White males occupied half the training slots, even with affirmative action. The company itself does not admit to discrimi nation. Rather, it claims few blacks are in skilled trades os a result of general region-wide and the results of a disad lpoip or federal agencies have determined that company has a history of discrin na : m, even racial qauotas are acceptable constitutional remedies. But companies don’t wa* t to admit to discrimination since they may be lnerable to lawsuits demanding Compensation. And the govemmeUt can’t police every i. o’ ory in the country, documenting discriminatory practices. It counts on a few test cases to ii. luce oluntary affirmative action. So if the Court decides as the lower >urtc have, that Weber is right, voluntary com* .>ance with executive orders mandating affirmative action will be in jeopardy. Without official findings of pasUhscriir: ation . at die plant, there is a danger the affii. .ative action program will be overthrown. In the Bakke case,, the Court seemed to put great weight on the general denials that the university has a history of discrimination. It ignored the fact that the effects of general societal discrimination will not be overcome * unless all aspects of our society take steps to broaden opportunities for people once denied them. v •• .. ..*> THE CHARLOTTE POST “THE PEOPLES NEWSPAPER” Established 1918 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 1524 West Blvd.-Charlotte, N.C. 28208 Telephones (704) 376-0496, 376-0497 60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BiU Johnson...Editor-Publisher • Bernard Reeves.General Manager Hovle 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 I New York, N.Y. 10036 Chicago, 111. 60616 (212) 48P-1220 Calumet 5-0200 Our New Day Begun ( , Irrelevancy As School Doctrine by Benjamin L. Hooks Special To The Post Here we go again. That much heralded sociologist James A. Coleman, who auth ored a report in 1906 that said black children learned better in integrated settings, has again turned against his earl ier findings. It is a “Mistaken belief." he said, that black children learn better in inte grated schools.-— For research over the post decade has shown that “it is not the case that school deseg gregation as it has been carr ied out in American school generally brings achievement benefits to disadvantaged (translate Mack) children." Integration, he has found, does not work. "Thus what once appeared to be fact is now known to be fiction," Anyone who has seen, much less waded through, Mr. Cole man’s volumninous report en titled, “Equality of Educatio nal Opportunity," must there fore wonder what has happen ed between the period in which that research was done and the past decade on which the present study is based. Have the basic foundations and attitudes on which Ameri can society is built changed so radically as to impel Mr. Coleman to reject the conclu sions of his earlier studies’’ We suspect not. Or, was the University of Chicago sociologist merely riding the crest of national self-guilt when he conducted the study that Congress autho rized under the 1964 Civil Rights Act and which was sponsored by the U.S. Office of Education? To understand Mr. Cole man’s new wisdom, we must recognise that in recent years “ the segregation target has not been primarily the South but the North. South segregation, we should recall, was an easy and very profitable target for many northern liberals such as Mr. Coleman. But now that the civil rights struggle has been carried into the North, we find that many of our former allies are acting no differently than southern red-necks of yester-year who bitterly opposed integration. So, as with an earlier reject ion of northern school desegre gation that was voiced in 1979, the sociologist is now riding the conservative, racist crest that is no different in the North from the South. It is not surprising, therefore, that he finds that court-ordered schooj busing is "counter-pro ductive " In 1979, he charged that school busing had proved counter-productive because it caused whites to flee the cit ies. Mr. Coleman, however, admitted then that his studies were not supported by-data. The NAACf* also showed that 20 of the largest cities he cited as having suffered from white flight had no court-ordered busing. * What is overlooked in the attacks by white as well as some blacks On northern school desegregation efforts, are the reasons that led the Supreme Court to issue its 19M Brown desegregation. At that time, the decision was regard ed as truly revolutionary. Indeed, it was - and still is. The court not only overturned the historic “separate but equal” doctrine of Pleasy v. Ferguson, but as a result of volumnious studies and evi dence that NAACP Special Counsel Thurgood Marshall amassed, it was able to find that segregated schools were inherently unequal. ’ This conclusion was based not on the belief that the schools were infe*w merely becuase they were Mack. Instead, the NAACP demon strated that schools attendee primarily by black, childret ware willfully starved of equa funding, and adequate resour ces. Furthermore, by 6einJ singled out for segregation black children were deli be rateiy made to feel kaferior-i psychological damage the was self-fulfilling. Although he might still make The Washington Po£« front page, or generate sonw > following among die-hard seg regationista, Mr. Coleman’s I influence fortunately has run Its course He'is generally considered irrelevant by his academic peers, not to men tion lawyers. Business Activity Rose Modestly The level of business activi ty in North Carolina rose modestly during August, according to the Wachovia Business Index. The Index registered 152.4 for the month, a percentage gain of 0.1 per cent above the reviaed July level. The business activity level was 3.3 percent above the level of August 1977. Non-farm employment was down marginally from July, reflecting slight employment declines in both the manufac turing and non-manufacturing sectors. Durable goods employment rose 0.5 percent in August, while non-dura Me goods industries dipped 0.8 percent. A gain in the average workweek offhet the loss in manufacturing employment to keep manufacturing man hours stable for the month. Average hourly earnings in manufacturing industries were up l.l percent In non-manufacturing sect ors, employment in trade, services and construction showed gains, while govern ment employment decreased slightly during August. The gain in construction employ ment stood out at 7.1 percent above the year ago level. The seasonally adjusted un employment rate was 4.] per cent In August compered to 4.1 percent In July. The rational rate for August was $ • per cent, compared to 1.1 percent In July. The unadjusted un employment rate for North Carolina wag 3.7 percent in August. Car and truck sales both rose in August. Year to date 133,741 can have been sold, • e e • while trucx um have totaled •2,185 for the first eight months of 187* The Wachovia North Caro lina Business Index measures the level of activity ia North Carolina on a moodily basis Using 1*87 as the bass of 180, it reflects Indicators of employ ment, production and ingin the state's eoesi
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 12, 1978, edition 1
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