efiiiûïiûb (L cimcnn Black Caucus Seeks New Directions by Hoy le H. Martin Sr. Poet Editorial Writer We suggested in the column foll owing the general elections last month that there is a great need for a new political strategy. Our sugges tion was not new nor unique because those of you who read this column regularly know that we have made many observations about a greater need for blacks to become more actively involved in the commun ity's affairs. Our latest call for a new political strategy carries with it a renewed sense of urgency because of the set-backs that black voters and citizens suffered with the defeats of Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.), California Lt. Gov. Mervyn Dymally (D) and Fayette, Miss. Mayor and U.S. Senate candi» date Charles Ε vers. And at the local level, Mecklenburg County Com missioner Bob Walton lost his bid for a second term. However, all has not been lost, because with a few new faces, the number of blacks in the U.S. House of Representatives remains at 16 and incumbent Democrat Richard Erwin became the first black to win a statewide election in North Caro lina. Erwin won a judgeship on the N.C. Court of Appeals. We noted too, that these mixed results in the elections indicate a need for blacks to pause from the hustle and bustle of life long enough to assess our political strengths, weaknesses and to determine the need for some new directions. In this regard, we are plèased to learn that the local Black Political Caucus has set up a committee to assess options for new directions. Caucus dhfilrman. Bob Davis said, "I think we have done some good work in this community, but times are changing and we must change with them if we want to continue to be effective." Caucus9 Quest The Poet applauds the Caucus' quest for some new direction, some thing we believe is long past due. The Caucus has, in our opinion, made a number of mistakes and bad decisions over the past few years, Including premature endorsements of questionable candidates, failing to recognize the scope of their strength or weakness and the inability to attract young adults into political activity. So much for the past, our concern for a new direction-a new political strategy-focuses on the future. In this regard, we wish to offer some suggestions on the new directions the Black Political Caucus should consider. These observations can be summed up in Ave words: nonpartis anship, resources, organization, education and money. If the Caucus, as chairman Davis said, "wants to continue to be effective," It must begin with a serious look at these five words and their meaning. For example, the Caucus needs to abandon its original purpose of organizing black Democratic pre cinct workers in favor of nonparti san political endeavors. This is significant for enabling blacks to use political bargaining power and to be better able to accommodate the needs of the growing number of independent voters, Republican Party blacks. tyêtrPeopte^hit Secondly, if the Caucus can attract black political forces from a broad sector of the community - Demo crats, Republicans and Indepen dent-they will have significantly larger resources and a think tank from which all can benefit. Furth ermore, such resources can offer the talent necessary to create the kind of organizational forces that will get people out to register and vote. This should mean getting black neighbor hoods organized on a block-by-block basis. Bringing together the potential resources noted here would enable the Caucus to institute a meaningful political education program for their active members as well as others with the cooperation of many area churches. Lastly, it is important that the Caucus raise its own political money war chest. Politically active groups that expect to have a true voice be what affects their welfare must be independent enough to make demands without accepting money handouts. To do the latter means to give up some of your political demands and organizational independence. in summary , we are saying tbe 1980 elections are upon us now, thus a new political strategy, a new political direction needs to be deve loped now. This strategy must include (1) long-term planning, (2) an investment of money and time, (3) the greater involvement of black business peoglein politics, (4) mak ing demandsupon elected officials both black and white, (5) an aware ness of the need to institute an on-going black political education program and (6) the creation of a network of neighborhoods and block organizations that can encourage large voter turnouts. Finally, if there is to be a new political freedom, a new political force, for blacks it must be blacks who will create it. Thus, if change is to occur in the political, economic or social arena, it is black people through their political organizations who must institute such changes. We trust then that the Black Political Caucus will recognize that the challenge is theirs to take the initiative in offering a degree of political leadership by first recogni zing that they must change their situation so they can help change the overall local political situation. v BLACKS WHO WANT TO FIGHT CRthE BY BLACKS AGAINST BLACKS MUST NOT BE INTIMI DATED," DR. CHARLES COBB DIRECTOR. COMMISSION FOR EQUAL JUSTICE jriou£| Missouri: An Unnoticed Victory by Baynard Rustin Special To The Post With all the chatter about the right-ward drift of Ameri can politics, blacks and other liberal forces occasionally fall prey to what might be called a psychology of defeat. Every day the press heralds new victories for the conservatives such as defeated school bonds, new assaults on the minimum wage, anti-bussing crusades, and the like. Considering all these so-called stunning set backs, we soon begin to think of the New Right and tradit ional conservative forces as virtually invincible; we think of ourselves and our allies as a bungling group of incompe tents.. Because of this dëfeafisT mentality, we overlook our own strengths and possibili ties. And we fail to take full account of our own victories, victories which are rather impressive in light of current political realities. As an ex ample of an impressive and highly significant victory, I have in ϊηίϊκΐ tfteTecent Miss ouri referendum on a favorite proposal of the New Right, a so-called "right to work" law. Even though the Missouri referendum was billed as a great battle between organiz ed labor and organized eonser vativism, the election involv ed much more. In a very real sense, the "right to work" question was a referendum on the program, priorities and attitudes of the New Right and its frequently covert allies in the business community. The outcome was, quite frankly, a surprise: conservatives were decisively rejected by Missou ri's voters, and by especially large margins among working people and blacks, the very groups which are supposedly at each other throats. Several other aspects of the referendum deserve careful attention. For example, at a time when we are supposed to believe that "special interest" issues for blacks and labor are doomed to certain defeat, the Missouri proposition was a perfect example of a "special interest" proposal. Yet, it pro duced widespread interest, and an amazing large voter turnout. Over 45 percent of the Missouri electorate voted even though there were no statewide races whatsoever. In fact, Missouri's turnout was far higher than the national average of 39 percent, and much higher than many states which had widely-publicized and controversial races for Governor and Senator. A look at Missouri's political traditions further emphasizes the significance of this vict -ory. If "right to wnrk" went down to defeat in Mass&dhu setts, New York, New Jersey, or some other liberal, industr ialized state, the defeat would be hardly worth mentioning. But Missouri is not a-notably liberal state. Instead, it is a border state with a moderate to conservative political tradi tion. Moreover, some elect ions in recentyeafeseemedto indicate that Missouri was also experiencing the general right-ward drift of the nation. But the black-labor victory contradicts all that. The old liberal-labor allia nee-if we can still use that phrase triumphed in the face of tre mendous odds. All this, I think, teaches us some worthwhile lessons. First, and moet important, we should never underestimate our own strength and support in the broader community. If anything, the Missouri refer endum proved that when giv en a clear, simple choice, voters will overwhelmingly line up with the forces of social progress and decency. More over, Missouri demonstrated that such support will emerge in even the most unexpected places, such as rural commun ities; and even among grnrr . ally conservative white-collar, suburbanites. But we also, lçaraed that this nascent sup port must be effectively mobi lized and educated. And these crucial tasks can only be accomplished if the black community is united and or ganized, and willing to coope rate with othergroups, such as trade unions, religious or ganizations and community groups. Accessories Boost Fireplace Efficiency . .Your fireplace probably has an operating effiency of 10 to 12 percent, but there are accessories that can be added to make it do a better job. One of the most common devices is the tube grate-a set of C-shaped pipes that allows air to circulate through it as it holds the burning logs. ' North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service housing en gineers point out that tube grates add heat to a room when they are equipped with a fan to force the air through the tubes and into the room. Placing extenders on the tubes will allow air to be pushed even further into the room, adding a little more efficiency. Tube grates operated with out fans and without extenders offer little additional beat. Another fireplace accessory that's very popular is the glass door. According to research, glass doors are useful only if they are closed while the fire is dying down. Keeping glass doors closed at all times restricts the amount of heat you get from the fireplace. There's one excepUoo-and that is using glass doors with a metal circulating fireplace. If you have a metal circulating fireplace, check with the manufacturer to see if there is a recommendation regarding the use of glass doors. ι By Vernon ET. Jordan, TO BE EQUAL Jobe Still Top Priority Some people think that the nation's high unemployment rates are distorted; that they just reflect larger numbers of young people and women who are suppoeed to have only marginal attachments to work. That view is based on serious misconceptions of today's society. A significant segment of the nation's young people, and the great majority of minority youth, work because their wages are necessary for family support and to continue their education. Denying them jobs means not only economic hardship, but also a loss of work experience and skills training that will hurt them for the rest of their lives. With true black youth unemployment above 60 percent, we face the loss of a generation of young people afflicted with permanent economic dis abilities. Nearly three-fourths of the female labor force is single, widowed, divorced, or married to husbands earning less than $10, 000 a year. A third of black families are headed by women, and job opportunities for them represent a survival issue. In two-earner black families, working wives earn a third of the family's income. Some female and youth unemployment cannot be ignored as inconsequential. They reflect profound human needs. Blacks, His panics, other minorities, women and young people, cannot be denied the right to earn a living. Their needs cannot be subordinated to those of white males who get the first call on our society's jobs. The same groups that stand condemned today as lacking qualifications for jobs, were fully employed during World War II. Roeie the Riveter was unskilled in 1941, but by 1943, she was trained and employed in a booming defense industry. So too were many black workers with few skills and less education. People were trained to fill jobs in factories that wouldn't let th»m ïhrmigh the doorbefore the War So I cannot accept the explanations of high unemployment as the result of a labor marfet flooded wftt* people who lack skills andi^ucat ion. The labor market has elwayfe bfeeir made up of people who lacked skills and education, people who were then trained to do the jobs that needed doing. We did it in the past; we should be doing it -today One route is the public job system, which should serve as the guarantor of jobs for all of the unemployed and which should have training and career education components built into its operations. The public job program can no longer be seen as a temporary counter-cyclical phenomenon. It is here to stay in the foreseeable future, at least until the private sector can provide jobs for all. And the private sector needs to be helped to that goal through appropriate incentives, and through federal programs that make labor-inten sive production as attractive to employers as are capital intensive projects that create fewer jobs per dollar. Job creation efforts should be concentrated where the people in need of work live, in the urban and rural ppverty areas. Job creation efforts should be targeted to the groups most vulnerable to joblessness. THE CHARLOTTE POST •THE PEOPLES NEWSPAPER" Established 1918 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Poet Publishing Co., Inc. 1524 West Blvd.-Charlotte. N.C. 28206 Telephones (704)376-0498-37*4497 Circulation, 9,915 60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BILL JOHNSON...Editor Publisher BERNARD REEVES ...General Manager SHIRLEY HARVEY...Advertising Director HENRYALAKSA^usinwj^^^^^ Second Class Postage No. 966500 Paid At Charlotte, N.C. under the Act of March 3,1&78 Member National Newspaper Publishers Association North Carolina Black Publishers Association Deadline for all news copy and photos is S p.m. I 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,*J.V, aooae Chicago, 111. βοβίβ (212) 480-1220 Calumet Γ-"02σπ Our New Day Begun Monument To Selma uy Benjamin l·. hooks Special To The Pott One of the most troubling aspects of the education of black youth· today la the yawning gap in their know ledge about their history That our youth· so often are ignor ant of great contribution· that such people aa Rom Parka made in bringing down the walla of segregation in the south and elsewhere in Ameri ca is not only an awkward but a dangerous reality that must promptly be corrected. This fault resta not only with the public school system, which by and large continues to neglect the teaching of black history but also with black elders, parente, aunts, uncles, in-laws and friends. Rarely in human society has uwre been a case in which people have not developed structure· for passing along through succeeding generat ion· happening* of earlier years. Without this fundamen tal structure of conditioning, which is required for survival as well as for group progress, future black generation· are truly threatened. So every black child should have some knowledge today of people like Mrs Parks who. wMry of the humiliations of a Jim Crow South, alone braved the unbelievably oppressive forces in 1996. She refused to rise snd move to the back of a city bus in Montgomery so that a white man could have her seat. How soon we forget. As a result, these youths are hardly prepared to meet the increas ingly complex soda! challen ges today. Also, blacks as a whole too often neglect to support the institutions that were crucial to their survival ths black church, black coll eges, the black press-end the NAACP. Taking a. very commend able step In creating a remin der of one phase of this recent, epic struggle, the National Funeral Directors and Mortic ians Association Is about to construct a permanent tribute to the epic Selma to Montgom ery march. The monument will be built outside Brown's Memorial Chapel In Selma, ι Ala., where the march began. Pew endeavors are more worthy of support. To launch the project, NFDMA provided the first It,000 toward the ISO,000 that they are raising. They are requesting that don ations be sent jo Robert H. Miller, 734 Weet 7»th St., Chic ago. Ill , «0890, or Frixxette D. Lee, director, Memorial Fund Campaign at 2620 Weet Jeff Benjamin L Hook· —— ... Executive Director Devi· Ave., Montgomery, Ala., 36106. Led by the late Dr. Mutin Luther King, Jr., tMa phaae at the monumental crusade for voting rlghta legislation In the '60a arouaee poignant memor iae of one of the moat aavage phaaea of the civil rights struggle. Few Americana who watch ed the attack* thai Sheriff Jamea O. Clark and Ida deput ise, reinforced by state troop er·, led upon tha peaceful marchers can forget the shameful diaplay of brutality. Yet, there it waa, the acenaa of demonatrators being tear gassed, beaten with riot sticks, torn by police dogs and «ublected to other feroea of merciless savagery. The marcher* were turned back the first time. But, hav ing witnessed uus violence, America was aroused. Contri butions then powad into Sei ma to support uw oemunatra tors. Whan the march again began at Brown'e Chapel Methodist Church on March n, it waa now, more than ever, a national endeavor. Some 3,200 launched what waa to be the final peak of the civil righta demonatrationa. By the time it ended, four day· later at the atate capitol, the demonstrators' ranks^ad swelled to more than 30,000 Five month· later, on Aug ust 7, President Johnson sign ed the Voting Rights Act, which waa to arm America's black masses with new politi cal might. CSA Spearheads Anti-Poverty Program Special To The Poet WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Community Servie·· Admini stration (CSA), the federal agency that ipearhaad· thé nation'· anti-poverty pro gram, ia charged with cootin waata, mlirrnnagaroent corruption that director Graciala Oltvares haa dona littla to correct. According te an article In the December'· Reeder'· Digeat, "Tan· of million· of dollar· earmarked for the needy have bean atolen or frittered away". Soma ex ample· cited by author Donald Robinson: Ronnie M. Moore, director of the anti-poverty agency, Scholarahip, Education and Defenae Fund for Racial Kquality, in New Yprfc City, embealed anti-poverty fund· to buy diamond·. Invest in real eetate and travel to Europe and the Caribbean; . Wilbert C. Ruaaell, head of a community-action agency In New Jersey, took M children on a grand tour of Europe, using *M,aeo tn CSA funis Seven were children of staff or board workers, many others came from families above the poverty level. Rep. Daniel J. Flood » told aavaral Cangraeamen