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etiiMlS <L COIMMJ | Districting Is The American Way After months of hiding his identity as the leader of the anti-district re presentation movement, County Commissioner Bill Booe has emerg ed as the force behind the drive to re turn to a full at-large City Council At a news conference last Friday' Mr. Booe presented the names of the 45 member committee and noted that while none of the members are black,"blacks are welcome to join the committee. Regardless of the reason Mr. Booe made his remark about the absence of blacks on the anti-district committee, the ultimate result is to convince some narrowminded white people that black elected officials arp in snmo u/nv a throat to tiu>i> well-being, mis, Booe’s remark is characteristic of the new racism that has emerged in America. 1 Disclaiming that the committee’s intent is to eliminate black repre sentation on the City Council, Booe said “It’s simply what form of government is best for the people.” Booe and his committee therefore are contending that they know what form of government is best for the people. Carrying the anti-districting ar gument to it’s logical conclusion, we should eliminate city, county and state governments and reduce the number of national elected officials 'to, lets sayx25 Senators, elected at large. In this way, according to Mr. Booe and his followers, we would not have a large governing body or bodies unable to function in the citizen’s best interest. Undoubtedly, tnat would not sat isfy Mr. Booe either because it would mean too much government which he’s consistently complaining about all the time. If our assumption here is right, and Booe’s actions appear to indicate that we are, then his real argument is not with district representation but rather with the fact that he is personally in disa greement with the actions of those on the present ll member City Council. While a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board, and now a County Commissioner, Mr. Booe has constantly been in disagreement with his colleagues. In fact, some have referred to the County Com mission as the 4-1 Commission - the four commissioners and Bill Booe - because he is usually in disagree ment with whatever his colleagues decide to do regardless of whether they are Republicans or Democrats.' Therefore, any ritiTens whn od- 1 pose district representation is really opposed to democratic government, that is, the kind of government that offers the greatest opportunity for participation in the elective process under which they are governed. Think about it, for only you can preserve your freedom. The Image Dilemma Hand Parks, former chairman of the Roots of Charlotte Committee and past director of Project Meet, a federally funded high school comp letion and job training program, recently criticized radio station WGIV for neglecting to provide cultural enrichment programs foi the black community and for its in adequate news coverage. Specifically, Parks say “All they play is disco music...(and) their news format...doesn’t touch on any thing in depth.” As might be expect-, ed, WGIV has attempted to defend itself against these allegations. From our view point, Mr. Parks’ charges are valid and the station is simply a part of the entire electronic media’s tendency, whether intent 1 4. .L._ 12441.__142. _ Wl W 011VTT UiUC O^IIOlUVlVJf to the needs and concerns of black Americans. The September issue of “Black Enterprise” magazine stated the problem in these words, “The image of blacks in television is as object ionable today as was once its ab sence. Now ‘The Jeffersons’ have found that ‘Good Times’ is ‘What’s Happening’, the new challenge is to redefine the manner in which blacks are portrayed.” The image dilemma that blacks face is in the quest for writing, directing and acting roles in a jnedium_thatjg_controlled by whites that too often wants to maintain the stereotype of blacks whether in radio, television or newsprint. For example, other than being protrayed as a super-cop or as a character actor in a situation com modity, blacks get few, if any, major roles in television programming. Furthermore, the few blacks who are writers, directors or producers of TV shows too often must operate under the same black sterotype policies. Tony Brown, host and producer of “Tony Brown’s Journal,” puts the issue in clear perspective on one of his weelly shows that examined the image of blacks on television. He -_11 4AA 1-1_1 uvvw Midi, vi a vi iw viav.n leaders, 94 of them expressed the feeling that black situation comedies have a negative impact on black family life. Mr. Brown himself said it clearly, “I wouldn’t want a black bigot like George Jefferson for a neighbor.” , ' Therefore, while a people with a specific characteristic show a sense of maturity when they’re able to laugh at themselves, black stereo typing is requiring too much laugh ing. What we need to do is stop sitting down confortably week after week in front of the TV set and It’s our image, if we don’t demand a positive, more real-life change, no body will. THE CHARLOTTE POST Second Class Postage No 965500 “THE PEOPLES NEWSPAPER” Established 1918 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 1524 West Blvd.-Charlotte. N.C. 28208 Telephones 1704)376-0496-376-0497 Circulation, 9,915 60 YEARS OF CONTINOUS SERVICE BILL JOHNSON...Editor Publisher BERNARD REEVES...General Manager LAWRENCE ROBINSON...Advertising Director BOMER SADLER...Circulation Director '•cond 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 become the property of the POST, and will not be returned. National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc 45 W. 5th Suite 1401 2400 S. Michigan Ave New York. N Y 10016 Chicago. Ill 60616 (212) 1220 Calumet 5 0200 PRESIDENT CARTER STATED IN ACCEPTING AMBASSADOR YOUNGS RESIG NATION.HE PRAISED HIM FOR: 'MAYING EARNED FOR THE UNITED STATES THE FRIENDSHIP, TRUST, AMD RE - SPECT OF MANY NATIONS WHICH HAVE PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED THE UNITED STATES SUSPECT AND UIMX THT OP SUCH A RELATION SHIP* AMBASSADOR FOUND CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR THE AGREE MENT WITH NIGER: A TO PRO VIDE SOU OF IT'S EXPORTED OIL AT FAVORABLE RATES TO THE UNITED STATES.ALSO, THEAGREEMENT FOR NIGERIA TO SEND 1000 YOUNG NIGERIANS TO THE UNITED STATES FOR TECHNICAL TRAINING. “I Hate To See Him Go” President Carter| Black Male-Female Controversy The on going saga of the rift in black male female rela tionships is being publicized more and more. The black female has become quite vocal on Bow insecure and intolerable black males have become since the women Have become economically independent. Ironically, as blacks become more economically stable, the more socially unstable in terms of marital relationships they become. The reason for this instability according to black females is the inability of the black male to accept her new role in the relationship. That role is one where the black female is aggressively persu ing a career, a role she ax quired out of necessity to wwwiivuuv. aiauimy . The seriousness of this situation can be demonstrated by the high divorce rate among black couples and the increasing interracial marriages. Though this problem is not unique to blacks, its recent impact has made it a topic of conversation in most circles. The problem is (1) women refuse to be career people, aousewives, mistresses,'and mothers. (2) men refuse to understand why women refuse to be career people, housewives, mistresses, and mothers. Men have allowed Gerald 0. Jatafcoo women to accept this addi tional role as wage earners without accepting the addi tional responsibility of household help. Until both parties can sit down and work out a schedule of responsibilities, then the pro blem will persist. Why, just the othe day my wile said •Gerald I am getting ready to do dishes , why don’t you give me a hand?” So I got up and gave her a standing ovation. I even threw in a few hur rahs for the heck of it. What are husband’s for? Seriously though, it is dif-' ficult for black males to be domesticated in the home. Historically, the black male has been this societies whip ping board. By not being allowed to feel like a man but being forced to be the head of the household the black male has lived a life of ^ confusion. ) Being forced to do menial labor for little or no money and having to come home a face a family trying to hold your head high has put un due pressure on black males. But suddenly civil rights lifted some blacks out of the doldrums of oppression and suddenly it looked like the black man was going to feel like a man. But unfortunate ly civil rights boosted the black female out* cdF'-tfe doldrums with as much if not more impetus. So, in-; stead of the black male being made ruler of his house hold he is just an equal partner. Consequently, the black male has never been able to be the sole bread winner. He hasn’t had the pleasure of being the Robert Young of “Father Knows Best”. He has never been the ruler of his own castle, Instead of his wife meeting him at the door with a beer asklng ^how was your day dear,” she is dragg ing in behind him telling him she is too tired to fix dinner. The women are not to blame for the problem. They are to blame for not helping to cure it. Abuse, name call ing, and harassment is not the approach. Understan ding is. see Blacks on page 11 .by Vernon BE EQUAL i Young Served UJS. Well Andrew Young’s resignation as U.S. Ambass a dor to the United Nations is a blow to America ’sW diplomatic efforts and-a bitter shock to black people, whose respect and admiration Ambas sador Young will always enjoy. A lot has been written and said about the immediate circumstances surrounding his re1 signation. Regardless of the wisdom of the “no-PLO contact” policy of^ our government, Ambassador Young felt he could no longer follow formal government procedures at the expense of his effectiveness. Therefore, his resignation was an act of conscience. His actions were motivated by his intense desire to implement the broad principles of American policy. The meeting with the PLO representative that led to the State Department reprimand, for example, was designed fo delay a' Security Council vote that would have embar-. rassed the United States and its allies. Ambassador Young’s transgression-if that’s what it was- has been in context. Other American diplomats have conferred with PLO representives- and not just about UN procedural matters either. Andy Young wasn’t the target of responsible protests surrounding the meeting the U.S. policy and the mistrust of America’s real intentions were. Andy Young was caught in the The Ambassador admits he did not reveal the entire truth of the meeting to State Department officials. The first rule of diplomacy is not to embarrass your government, and by keeping the meeting somewhat under wraps, Ambassador Young said, he was hoping to protect the State Department in case of a leak. But that is water under the bridge now. Andy Young is gone. He leaves an outstanding record compiled during his term in office. Almost single-handedly Andy Young reversed America’s low standing among the nations of the Third World, including resource-rich nations - whose friendship is important to the United * States. He helped shape and implement a new, more ..•reah^ttc au^l«ffectivepalicj£< toward Africa. His patient and creative diplomacy paved the way for present efforts to end the bloodshed in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Through his warmth, his personal style and his diplomatic acumen, Andy Young became a symbol of America’s concern for human rights and for the aspirations of the poorer nations of the world There’s no doubt about it - Andy Young has served his country honorably and well, and his . accomplishments will be remembered long after his critics crawl back into oblivion. What about critics? It’s'lmportant that Andy Young’s effectiveness was not fatally harmed by - the State Department’s reprimand, or by critics of American policy in the Middle East. What made Andy Young believe his presence at the UN was hurting an Administration he strongly supports is the longstanding campaign of unfair criticism he has been subjected to from the dav he became Ambassador. It’s sometimes said thi at the measure of a man is who his enemies are. ~ The Black Bent State Of Florida Appears To Be Having Serious Problems? BY MILTON IORDAN Special to the Poet It seems reasonably easy to understand that If you put people In prison for a crime they didn’t commit, and kc'-p them there 12 years, 9 of them on death row, that when you discover the mistake, you should pay , them for the injustice. But in at least one case, the state of Florida appears to be having serious pro blems with that premise. Freddie Pitts and Wilbert Lee, two black men, were convicted in 1963 and again in 19/2, and sentenced to death both times for murder ing two while gas station at tendants in Port St Joe, r lonaa. Following a Pulitzer Prize winning investigation by Gene Miller, a Miami Herald reporter, and a subse quent 18-month investiga tion by the governor’s office, then Florida governor Reubin Askey pardoned the two men. But since 1976 when Florida Senator Jack Gor don introduced a bill to com pensate Pitts and Lee SI00,000 each for their time in prison, Florida lawmakers have danced around the issue, now saying they need to retry the case over the summer to determine the men’s guilt or innocence. This latest shuffle around the question caused Pitts to blast the legislators during a May press conference, say ing: “I cannot keep taking time off from work to play the song and dance of a nice guy trying to get a bunch of backwoods’ bigoted rednecks to do what they know they’re supposed to do I’m fed up with pan han dle redneck politics.” My own review of the facts in this case leads me to the same frustrated conclu sion Pitts and Lee have ob viously drawn: Florida icgjMmiM> uun i want 10 pay these two black men because it would be an admission that the state put these two men on death row for nothing greater than being black. So it seems that to avoid that admission, Florida legislators are willing to deny these men just compensation for unjust imprisonment, also because they are black The two men have said they will sue the state in federal court on grounds that their constitutional Milton Jordan rights to due process have been violated by the three year denial of compensation. Florida legislators who don’t openly support the compensation bill, also don’t say directly they’re opposed to it. Most of them refuse to comment on the issue at all, referring all questions to the “select committee” that will study the case this summer. The select committee has clamped a gag rule on the proceedings, refusing to comment on the case, and their positions. They also have barred Pitts-Lee sup porters from lobbying in behalf of the bill. It sure sounds like racism to me, but then racism has been a cornerstone of this case from the very beginn ing. On August 15, 1963 Pitts and Lee were indicted by the 'Gulf County (Fla.) Grand Jury on two first degree murder charges. The two men faced the Florida elec tric chair despite the fact that the state produced no physical evidence to link them with the double murder. According to state allegations, the two black men robbed the attendants, forced them into their car and drove the victims several miles from the sta tion to a wooded area where mcy snoi me iwo wmie men to death. But no fingerprints of the two dead men were ever found in Pitts’ car. Neither Pitts’or Lee’s finger prints were found on the cash register or in the service station. No weapons, or money were found in Pitts’ or Lee’s possession, and no blood stains or soil samples were found on their clothing. But they indicted the two men. Then they assigned the two defendants a court appointed lawyer who was family attorney of one of the murder victims. This lawyer urged, and the police coerc ed Pitts and Lee to plead guilty. Presumably to save their lives, the two black men pled ed guilty, and an all-white Jury sentenced them to the death chamber. The state’s chief witness against the two men, Willie Mae Lee, told several con flicting stories about the inci dent, finally admitting that she knew nothing about the case, and agreed to testify out of fear that she would be Implicated In the case. She worked in the home of one of the deputies assigned to the case. Then, in 1965, while Pitts and Lee waited to die, just steps from the death chamber, a white man, Cur tis Adams admitted that he killed the two men in the ser vice station robbery. On August 29, 1969, the Florida Circuit Court set aside the convictions of Pitts and Lee, and two years later the same court dismissed the 1963 indictments because they had been issued by a Grand Jury from which blacks were systematically excluded. In January, 197'* mother grand jury again indicted Pitts and Lee in the murders, and in March that year a jury convicted them and they were again sentenced to die. At the second trial, none of the information concern ing the chief state witness’s \ denial of knowledge in the case, or the confession of Adams, or the corroboration of that confession by Mary Jean Adkins, with whom Adams lived at the time he said the killed the two white men, was presented to the jury. _ Qn June 29, 1972 the two men got a reprieve from the electric chair when the US. Supreme Court ruled Florida’s death penalty un constitutional. Pitts and Lee’s sentences were chang jdjcHifejnjgison^^^^^ Subscribe to the Charlotte j^oat. Your support helpal
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