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| Editorials & Comments No Silent Minority Black Middle Class “Black Enterprise Magazine’’ recently polled its readership on a wide range of social, economic and political topics. The results of this poll, the first such com prehensive study of the attitudes of middle-class, college-edu cated blacks, are, sometimes surprising and always illumin ating. Most importantly, the “Black Enterprise’’ poll’s results belie the claims of pundits who have suggested that the black middle class is becoming increasingly conservative, complacent and content and that its interest are somehow at odds with the in terests of working class blacks and the poor. More than nine out of ten of the poll’s respondents indicated that they felt a moral obligation to help those blacks who are educa tionally and-or economically dis advantaged. Moreover, middle class blacks are aware of the debt they owe to the civil rights movement. 91 percent of them agree that the gains they have • made are a product of the ■ movement of the 1960s. This is not, however, to sug gest that all is well or that the war has been wan. 72 percent of the respondents in fact felt that racism is no less prevalent today than it was a decade ago. In addition, virtually all the re spondents (95.6 percent) felt that whites harbor some form of racism toward blacks. And 78 percent admitted to having some negative feelings toward whites. The poll likewise revealed a deep sense of frustration with the political progress of blacks. Over 31 percent of those polled felt that blacks should form then own political party. Such a pre scription, however, is not only unworkable but would spell dis aster for blacks who today are already woefully under-repre sented in government/' The discontents of the black middle class have not made it indifferent to political differ ences between the parties. And this is a healthy sign which flies in the face of the substantial sentiment the poll revealed for a black political party. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents believe there is a difference between the policies of the Democrats and Republicans. Misperceptions Moreover, a similar two-thirds fell that black mayors - elected without benefit of a black party - have produced better govern ment. In addition, nearly 50 percent of those polled stated that blacks would be unable to attain equality without forging an alliance with whites. A heal thy political sense was also re vealed in the poll’s finding that middle class blacks rank the labor movement and white liberals number one and two, respectively, in a list of the most loyal allies of the black com munity. These results appear to sug gest that middle class blacks will continue to take part in the coalitions which are today so vitally necessary. Yet this should not blind us to the poll’s alarming indication that a num ber of misperceptions exist, con cerning economic reality. Over two-thirds of the black middle class may feel that blacks as a group are better off or as well off economically as they were ten years ago. But, alas, this senti ment is not supported by the facts. Clearly those blacks who entered the middle class in the 1960 and 70s are reflecting their own economic progress rather than that of blacks as a whole. Purchasing Power According to recent statistics, since 1970 median black incomes have dropped from 64 percent of white incomes to 59 percent. Moreover, this erosion has oc curred at a time when the purchasing power of the take home pay for all workers has been steadily declining. It is precisely this decline in the standard of living of all working people, black and white, which needs to be addressed. And the goal of educating middle class blacks about cer tain economic realities remain a ntnfi/inl IaaIf Tm«1aaJ 24 1 _ _ —._ _r IUUWU, 10 VI1C UA the central tasks of an effective black leadership. Needless to say, blacks usually do not find a frank discussion of their eco nomic status in the mass media. Many of the uncomfortbale sta tistics remain poorly analyzed and under-reported. We can only hope that when the next “Black Enterprise” survey is held on that magazine’s 20th Annivers ary, the sentiment that blacks as a group are better off than they were ten years ago will be borne out by the facts. But this will only happen if an effective coalition is built for economic democracy and justice. In the final analysis, the poll's results are largely encouraging. Something On Your Mind? “Something on your mind” is the name of a column devoted to you - the young at heart readers of this newspaper - as long as it relates in some way to young people, regardless of age. Or any other subject you want to write about. Remember, it’s your column. Remember, your article should be at least 250 words, type-written and double- spacing preferred. Include your name, age, school and a clear photo and send it to the Editor, Charlotte Post Newspaper P. 0. Box 30144, Charlotte, N.C. 28230. bom able SELVES BEfTEETHAH HE CAft f DEATH IB SMALL BAGS* 9 “"TELSSZ ***** 1 I Our Children Minds Have Been Rendered Useless! —— ■■■■■ II From The White House Blacks Do Their Own Individually Thinking mireoa l. Madison Special To The Post Nigerian President She hu Shagari appears to be a shy person, but that ap pearance is deceiving. Even though his country is America’s second greatest supplier of oil and he needs American food, at least for the present, he did not mince words in letting Pre sident Carter know his stand on South Africa. President Shagari made it crystal clear that if America does not take a strong stand against apar theid in South Africa, Ni geria might use its oil imports as a weapon. He informed the President that America can be a strong voice of reason for a peaceful change in bring ing about majority rule in South Africa. Whenever blacks who are not so widely known come to the White House for whatever purpose, even if there is a small recep tion, I get several calls from the White House press office asking that I cover it. Yet, when foreign digni taries and more nationally known blacks come to the White House for a state dinner the black White House correspondents get no calls. The state dinner for Pre sident Shagari was listed for pool coverage. That means that certain press people sign up for it. Since Jody Powell, White House press secretary now only announces his infrequent press briefings a few minutes ahead of time, those of us who work for the black press, which • be casue of the shortage of money - have to cover other places, we can’t hang around the White House waiting for a briefing. We’ve discussed this mat ter with Jody, but nothing has changed. Since the White House press office is there only because of the press, it should operate for the convenient of all the press members - not just for the big money white press. The little Mack press influences just about all of the black people. The guest list at the Shagari dinner, as usual included John Johnson, Publisher of Ebony, who seems to be a permanent black guest. The White House staff being com posed of so many people from Georgia is often spoken of as the “Georgia mafia.” The frequent black guest list just about always contains Coretta King, Andy Young, Maynard Jackson, and Jesse Hill. Maybe these can be con sidered the Black Georgia mafia guests. Since only a limited number can be in vited, maybe the President could replace at time, some of his Georgia friends with other people from across the country. A recent invited guest to the White House was Clarence Murphy, from Detroit who is in the truck ing business, at the Detroit Town Meeting, Clarence explained how he had lost his home because of busi nesses losses, and he want ed to know why his indus . try wasn’t eligible for as sistance. The President said he wanted to talk with Mr. Murphy about the mat ter. Clarence Murphy did receive a call from Mr. Carter who invited "Him to the White House. Murphy accepted the invitation, had his picture taken with the President in the oval office, but upon emerging from the White House, he made it known that he’s received no encourage ment. _ This is a good example of the intelligent thinking of the black voters. They are not swayed by white media designated black leaders, who themselves are often looking for some personal recognition or by idle rhetoric. Their voting will reflect their own living con ditions. Freedom Awards Dinner Sneaker Charles H. Smith, De puty Executive Director of the NAACP will be the guest speaker at the An nual Freedom Awards Din ner of the 37th Annual Convention of the North Carolina NAACP meeting in Asheville, N.C., October 23-26. Smith will speak Saturday evening, 7:30 p m., October 25, at Con vention Headquarters, Smoky Mountain’s INN ON THE PLAZA. He served on the NAACP National Board of Direc tors and was Executive Director of the Tri-State Opportunity Industrializa tion center (OIC) in Hunt ington, West Virginia and pastor of the First Bap tist Church there. Smith is recognized nationally as a management consultant. Raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Smith received his B.A. degree from Vir ginia Union University in Kichmind, Va., where he was a member of the Dean’s list tor all four years. He also earned his Masters of Divinity at Vir ginia Union, where he again finished first in his class. He also has degrees in Epidemiology and Hu man Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and Clinical Psychology, Universitv nf Kmhvtu ==a^= By VernonE.Jordan, Jr.SSSSSSj To Be Equal Vernon E. Jordan Jr. [ Violence Cannot Stop Ideas This is my first column since someone shot me in the back on May 29. The past three months have been spent in hospitals - not my idea of the ideal summer vacation. My enforced absence from speaking and writing was temporary, despite the inten tions of the twisted mind that pulled the trig ger of a deer rifle loaded with dum-dum bul lets. In the coming weeks I’ll be back to deal ing with the issues that affect all Ameri cans, and especially with those of vital con cern to America’s poor people, black peo ple, and deprived people. Violence can never win in the battle of ideas. All people in leadership positions know that someone, deformed by racism, irrational hatred, and contempt for the humanity of those who hold different views, may be lurking in the bushes. But ideas and movements will never be stopped with bullets. The civil rights movement went on after Martin Luthtf King, Jr. was murdereW. And shotting me didn’t' stop the Urban League Movement. If anything, the staff and volunteers of the Urban League re doubled their efforts to provide services and advocacy for the people who count on them. The civil rights movement will go on with full Vl a nr until annalihr ic rnnn via matisr what happens to any of the individuals who occupy leadership positions. My own experience has left me with renewed commitment to speak out and to fight against violence, oppression and racism in our society. When your life is miraculously spared, you have a heightened sense themeaning of your work and beliefs, a conviction that you must make the best possible use of your remaining days. And when you find literally thousands of ' people demonstrating their concern about you and believe in your ideas, that is added incentive to go on fighting the good fight. I was moved by the outpouring of concern for me by so many people J had never met, but who cared. Their cards and letters, wires, thoughts and prayers helped me pull through. Readers of this column know I have ofte£ condemned the selfishness of so many people in our society. But I always believed in the core of decency that pervades our society, side by side with the selfishness. I saw a lot of that decency in my hospital stay. I was cheered by the kindness of so many people who wrote to tell of how their lives had been changed by something the Urban League accomplished, or of how they were praying for my recovery. Often, people wrote to say they strongly disagreed with my views but were horrified by the attack on me and hoped I would soon be differing with them again. The day doesn’t have enough minutes for me to personally thank all of those many well-wishers. But I hope some at least, are reading this column and will accept my published thanks for their thoughts and their thoughtfulness. And this column is far too short to thank the many people directly involved in enabling me to survive, and to recover my THE CHARLOTTE POST Second Class Postage No. 965500 “THE PEOPLE’S NEWSPAPER’’ Established 1918 Published Every Thursday by The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 1524 Wftt Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 282S8 Telephone <794)374-0494 Circulation 9.200 62 Years of Continuous Service Bill Johnson...Editor, Publisher Bernard Reeves...General Manager -1-—— - Second Class Postage No. 96550 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 P08T and will not be returned. National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc:—— - 24M S. Michigan Ave. 45 W. 45th St., Suite 1493 dhicagu. III. 99S1S New York, N.Y. 1993S Calumet 5-9299 (212) 499-1229 Alfreds L. Madison Special To The Post Representative Robert Bauman a six year con gressman from the First Congressional District of Maryland, has been charged with homosexual soliciting from a sixteen year old boy. It has been alleged that Mr. Bauman was a frequent visitor at "gay bars.” The congress man has attributed his ac tions to alcohol. Because of plea-bargaining, he has been granted enrollment in a court-sponsored rehabili tation program. Mr. Bauman appeared on television with a some what subdued, pleading for mercy look - a great switch from his confident some what arrogance on the floor of the House of Repre sentatives. He admitted that he has both a drinking and homosexual problem. However, he is still plan ning to campaign for main tenance of his congression al seat. Bob Bauman is President of the Conservative Union afid he aligned with the new Christian right - Moral Ma From Capitol Hill U. S.Cannot Be Run By Drunks And Uncontrolled Sex Halits’ ciples which are certainly concerned about the per sonal Uvea of people? How can Jerry Falwell de nounce extra-marital af fairs, support the value of family life and endorse Mr. Bauman for one of the highest offices in the land, when he admits to extra marital affairs, even though they are with other males? Such acts are bound to have some af fect on Mr. Bauman’s family. Representative Bauman is a right-to-Ufer. He voted against federaUy-funded abortions, the D.C. Voting Rights Act, the 1975 ex tension of Voting Rights Act, making Martin Luther King’s birthday a holiday, school busing and consider ing himself a master par liamentarian, he used every tactic possible to gut the Humphrey-Hawkins Bill. He voted for cutting appropriations for social programs and against in creased aid for developing countries. He voted for a huge defense budget. He voted against just about everything that rally benefits the poor and minorities. Bauman’s con gressional actions can cer tainly be termed as a “tun the clock back on the blaci civil rights gains." The Republican Chair man Bill Brock seems to bt somewhat vacilating in hii financial support. One da] • he says the newspaper re port that the party is goinj to give money to Bauman’i campaign is wrong be cause no decision had been made and then the next day the paper reports that the i Republican Party will give him financial aid. The last statement is that Bauman will not be supported by the 1 Republican National Com 1 mittee. Bill Brock stated that bauman was a very able and concientious con I greesman. 1 Even though Bauman’s onnonent in a rWmnrral if is hard to see how the Republicans and conserva tives can support a can didate, even if they do want one of their own party in office who is now under going rehabilitation fftat ment because he has two serious social habits that he is unable to control. ~ Surely, one sympathizes with Mr. Bauman and is glsd he Is seeking help. Blacks To Develop New Techniaues continued rrom Page » resolving economic de velopment issues of na tional importance. Curtis K. Kodgers, Na tional NAACP Director, Economic Development Department will direct a workshop at the Conven tion on Saturday, October 35, 1950. Mr. Rogers assumed his duties as Director of Economic Development for the NAACP June 4, 19k Before coming to the NAACP, Mr. Rogers was in the position on the General Counsel’s staff of Western Union International, Inc. where he served as at torney engaged in the prac tice of general corporate, telecommunications, equal employment opportunity and tax law. Mr. Rogers resided In Detroit, Mich, before coming to New York In 1971. He was employed as a trial lawyer in private practice and also on the staff of the Legal Aid and Defender Association. Mr. Roger* was born in/ Little Rock, Arkansas. He received his B.A degree in Political Science from the ] University of Michigan in troit Law School in 19M He , abo received the LLM de gree from New York Uni versity School of Law in 1W4. He is admitted to practice law in the states of Michigan and New York Mr. Rogers is a writer •bo. In 117s, he wrote film and theatrioal reviews for tne ‘Amsterdam News.” SUBSCRIBE TO THE POST —T-Tr' , m v mi Eknwleti uta* . W Alfreds L Msdfaoa jority and Christian Round table. All of these are against homosexuality and they are for such mea sures as the "Family Pro tection Act,” which pro motes the value of family life. Rev. Jerry FalweU stated in an article that it is wrong to misappropriate money and to have extra marital affairs. He still supports Bauman for con gress, stating that he is not concerned about Bauman’s personal life but his voting record. Has FalweU changed Christian prin
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