Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Nov. 13, 1980, edition 1 / Page 2
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I Editorials & Comments Don't Pre-Judge Reagan! m. t_ a*. *!• . . _ • u«i uie uusi irom tne Republican Party Ronald Rea gan led landslide has begun to settle, speculation has naturally arisen as to what it may all mean for the nation. Furthermore, since the Reagan adminstration will cloak its policies in conser vative ideology, most black Americans have assumed that the next four years will be void of federal laws and programs that aid and support minority needs and concerns. However, before commenting on and speculating on whaT blacks might expect from a Reagan Presidency, it might be helpful to look at some aspects of the election itself. First, to con clude that President-elect Rea gan is ideologically anti-black has no basis in facts. The evi dence shows he appointed many blacks to key policy-making po sitions while serving two terms as Governor of California. It is, therefore, very likely that he will appoint some blacks to either cabinet or sub-cabinet level posts. For example, Dr. Thomas Sowell, a conservative labor eco nomist, who is black, is believed to be under consideration for a seat on the Council of Economic Advisors or he may be asked to take over and begin phasing out the new Education Department. Furthermore, there is a very strong possibility that former U.S. Senator Edward Brooks will be offered a key post in the Reagan administration. In addi tion, Sen. Strom Thurmond, the new Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has indi cated that he would support a qualified black to replace Thur good Marshall on the U.S. Supreme Court if Marshall retires. While some might argue that such appointments are merely tokenism, thev are in fact no more or less than other presi dents have offered and will pro bably be the same for future presidents. Nevertheless, we think such possible appoint ments represent progressive thinking by what we believe are conservative unprogressive people. In a broader sense, the ques tion is being asked what can blacks expect from a Reagan presidency? Frankly, no one knows at this time. However, some general conclusions can be drawn. First, history shows that once in the White House and facing the realities of the office of the Presidency, conservatives tend to shift to a more moderate position on most issues. Second ly, since there was considerable disappointment in Carter by many blacks who still supported the Democratic Party candidate, the Republicans now have an opportunity to win blacks to the GOP. Thirdly, Reagan may dis mantle or alter some social programs such as CETA that have served millions of blacks. If ending such programs means getting blacks into permanent, full-time jobs, so be it. The same could be said about welfare and food stamps. However, because of the negative things Reagan’s Party has said about these pro grams, they’ll have to actually find viable alternatives quickly or keep what we have. Finally, if Reagan can make any progress in improving the performance of the nation’s eco nomy, he will have done much to relieve a great deal of the suffering blacks continue to face. Thus, before writing-off the next four years as total disaster for blacks, let’s give Reagan an opportunity to prove himself. After all, what alternative do we have? Dr. Maxwell Was Wrong! According to reports, Dr. Bertha Maxwell, UNCC profes sor, blamed her loss in seeking a seat in the N.C. House of Repre sentatives on racism and sex ism. She has been quoted as saying, “I lost because I couldn’t get ANY support from the white community. They aren’t ready to elect a black woman to Raleigh.” For a number of reasons Dr. Maxwell’s alleged charges sound like “sour grapes” or the com ments of a poor looser. First, a CHARLOTTE POST study of voter patterns indi cates that Dr. Maxwell received 26 percent of her support or 15,026 • votes, from blade pre cincts and 74 percent, or 42,676 - votes, from white precincts. This amount of support from largely white voter precincts is a direct contradiction to her allegations. More to the point, Dr. Maxwell claims she “couldn’t get ANY” white support when in effect it was substantial. Secondly, Republican State House candidate Joe Beard, who finished in the vote count behind Maxwell, lost in his second state office bid. However, he took his loss in the spirit of a good campaigner and said, “I have lost twice. I will work for others now.” Why should Maxwell as sume she had to win on a first try? Thirdly, Bob Walton defeated white conservative Bill Booe for the fifth seat on the Mecklen burg Board of County Commis sioners. Walton’s victory was made possible in part by white votes from southeast Charlotte. If Dr. Maxwell is such a poor loser that she has to accuse whites of being racists and sex ists as an excuse for her loss, she has shown that voters may have been wise in not electing her to a state office. I THE CHARLOTTE POST Second Class Postage No. 965500 “THE PEOPLE’S NEW8PAPER” Established 1918 Published Every Thursday by The Charlotte Post Publishing Co., Inc. 1524 VVwt Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28208 Telephone (7#4)37«-04M Circulation #,200 62 Years of Continuous Service Bill Johnson...Editor, Publisher Bernard Reeves...General Manager Second Class Postage No. 96550 Paid At Charlotte, N.C. under .the Act of March 3,1878 Alfreds L. Madison Special To The Post The 1980 voter turnout was the lowest in 32 years. Only 52 percent of the American registered voters went to the polls and with no candidate winning a majority but only a plu rality shows that the poli ticians really don’t repre sent the American citizens. Ronald Reagan won only 27 percent of the voting po pulation. Even though the House still has a Democratic majority, the Republicans picked up 33 seats. The Senate has a Republican majority. This means that beside Senate leadership changing hands, chairman- ; ships of all major com- , mittees will change. Senator Strom Tnur mond, who has constantly I objected to not allowing the I “blue slip" as the sole i method of confirmation of . a federal judge will re- | place Senator Kennedy as t chairman of the Judiciary v committee. This is just j about the most important c committee on Capitol Hill. J It has control over the r raemofr national newspaper Publishers Association _ I 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. 2400 8. Michigan Ave. 45 W. 45th St.. Suite 1403 Chicago. III. 00010 New York, N.Y. 10030 Calumet 5-0200 _(21*) 489 1220 l==By Vernon E. Jordan. Jr.ssass <*a\ f . To t' ' Be Equal Vernon F Jordan Jr.| Hack Buanesses Under Pressure Black-owned and operated businesses managed to proliferate throughout the economic adversities of the 1370s, but the Credit crunch and the recession could put those gains under severe pressure. The annual Black Enterprise survey of Jt>lack businesses reports that the number of black businesses with paid-employees grew |>y almost fifty percent during most of the Seventies. Gross receipts of all black businesses grew by 47.5 percent since 1972, but that impressive gain masks a real decline, sihce inflation ran even higher. The magazine reports that the greatest growth took place in companies with nine workers or less, indicating the importance of small growing companies in job creation. All in all, given the continuing discrim ination, the poor business climate, and the newness of many bladk businesses, their continued survival and growth reflects hard work, perserverance, and continued belief in the American dream of successful entrepreneurship. That belief will be sorely tested in 1980. Small business is especially vulnerable to the kind of credit crunch we’re experienc ing, and recession hits hardest at small businesses that don’t have the capital, es tablished markets, and long-term customer relationships to weather the storm. The sharp downturn in the auto industry has the potential to drastically alter the black business picture. The Black Enter prise Top 100 Firms include 32 automobile dealerships. Auto dealers and service sta tions account for the largest chunk of gross receipts among black business., With massive layoffs in the industry and a bleak outlook for auto sales this year, this vital sector of the black economy will be "We Must Stop Finding Excuses For Criminality And Not Allow It To Mask Itself By Any Other Name." Black’s Destiny In Own Hands_ Letters To The Editor People's Platform Equal Rights Amendment Discussed In its I960 session, the General Assembly of North Carolina will consider again the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. We North Carolina mem bers of the American Asso ciation of University Wo men believe it to be the most important issue which will come before the legislature of our great state, and we reaffirm, more strongly than ever, our support for ratification of that amendment. The Equal Rights Amendment will guarantee to all citizens of this coun try that most basic of all American rights, equal jus tice under the law. It will not affect private rights, personal relationships, nor individuals’ and families’ rights to choose whatever lifestyles :are right and comfortable and fulfilling for them, -for tho^e are decisions in which the law plays no part. AAUW calls upon the legislature and the people of North Carolina to focus upon the law and its ef feet on individuals and families. When we consider the effects of North Caro lina and federal laws upon the family, we can come to no other conclusion than that the Equal Rights Amendment is a necessity for the equitable treatment of all citizens of this nation. In North Carolina, for example, as in some other states, the homemaker’s nonfinancial contribution to the family at home or in a family business is not recognized by state law. Further, N.C. law does not recognize the principle of equitable distribution of property when a marriage is dissolved. The experience of 16 states which now have Equal Rights Amendments as part of their state con stitutions-Illinois, Penn sylvania, Washington, Vir ginia, and a dozen more has not produced any of the dire effects? predicted by the opponents of the ERA. In fact those states which have produced a larae number of court decisions affirming what supporters have said all along, that the ERA has nothing to do with abortion, homosexuality, nor who chooses to work outside the home and who chooses to care for and nurture the home and children. In those states, where ERA has been a reality for as many as 8 years, a growing body of law defining government action makes it clear that the ERA will not affect private conduct that the government does not normally regulate. Citizens of those states where the ERA is a fact are often amused by the horrible visions conjured up by those who attempt to de feat ratification of the amendment in North Caro lina and in other states. The visions simply do not hold with the facts. We must ajfjrm the be lief of all North Carolin ians in equal justice under the law. The nation’s eyes are upon us. Ratification of the Equal Rights Amend ment by the North Caro lina legislature will be a major contribution of this state to the rest of the country. Ann W. Chipley. president N.C. State Division American Assoc, of University Women Rockv Mount. NC 27801 Doomed Man'fe Flea Dear Editor: My name is Johnny Har ris and I am currently incarcerated on death row. At this time, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for all the sup port I have received from people all over the country as well as from people in many countries all over the world. I submit to you my plea for your continued support. Johnny Harris Holman Prison, Alabama unaer tremendous pressure. The personal care and cosmetics industry has long been a mainstay of black business, but despite the product and marketing excellence of many such firms they have become vulnerable to the inroads establish ed giants in the field (lave been making among black consumers. > At the same time, those companies have experienced frustration in breaking into the general cosmetic market as many down town stores place all their products, even those for white consumers, in the “ethnic sections.” Restructured federal minority business programs may be more effective than in the past, but no one knows if they can supply the safety net that keeps those businesses alive in a deep recession. It is an important national objective to nurture the tenuous foothold blacks have achieved in the business sector. The reces sion should not be permitted to send black businesses back to square one by wiping out the limited gains they’ve made in recent years. A government that rushes to the rescue of giant corporations that find themselves in trouble can’t deny positive steps that keep alive a struggling and important part of its urban business sector. Government and corporate strategies to preserve struggling minority firms during the downturn are essential. Reagan Could Be - * J Blessing In Disguise? t • To The Editor: The election of Ronald Reagan as president may be exactly what we deserve and need to unite us in a collective effort to fight against the forces that keep us divided and desire to return us to slavery. One thing we failed to Jive Frank L. Rizzo credit for was uniting us in an unprecedented manner against the Charter change amendment that would fiave given him the option of a third term in office. It seems that only a person of Mr. Rizzo’s ilk, and I place tar. Reagan in that same class, is negative enough to make us mad enough to do more than complain about unrespon sive politicians who want to turn the clock back on social programs and laws designed to’give us free dom, justice and equality. If the election of Mr. Reagan brings us back to gether and keeps us to gether as wi need to be in time like tlese,, it could well be a blessing in dis guise. Rev. Robert E. Glover Sr. From Capitol Hill Present Election Results Outlook Dim For Minorities be replaced by Mark Hat field. Jesse Helios, about whom it is rumored that he wants to be Chairman of Foreign Relations will most likely become Chair man of Agriculture, the seat left vacant by Tal .madge and Senator Orren Hatch, a conservative, will be Chairman of the com mitee that is over the Civil Rights Commission. In assessing the recent election with its highly con servative Congress, Arthur Fleming, Executive Direc tor of Civil Rights Com mission, expressed the hope that both Reagan and the Senate will give care ful consideration to civil righto issues. He stated that President Carter has had a better record than any of his predecessors in appointment of women and minorities to federal judge ships and other federal positions. Since President Carter set up a civil righto commission in the Office of Management and Budget for the purpose of enforcing fairness in jobs in federal agencies and departments, Mr. Fleming expressed the hope that Ronald Reagan will continue that office. The civil rights director stated that he hopes the lame duck congress will defeat four anti-civil rights amendments that have passed the Housing Act, Youth Act and Criminal Act before it adjourns. This landslide election has evoked various reac tions from ordinary people. I questioned an executive and a receptionist of a big company and they both said they really felt sick over the thoughts of what this new conservative turn will do to the country. One bus driver said, “Carter was far from being what I wanted, but Reagan and the conservative Re publicans have always shown that they have no concern for minorities and the poor at all.” Two black domestic workers said, “minimum 1 wages will be reduced, s prices will get higher, f blacks will get fewer Jobs, < t while whites will get ( more.” One said, “The ti Moral Majority and Ku o Klux Klan both have s claimed Reagan as their candidate, so there is no May he can be for us.” Walter Brown a black truck driver said, “Presi dent Carter brought all of this on himself. After the ninorities put him in of ice, he turned his back on hem by not getting them obs, housing, lower nedical care and means or educating their child en.” A prominent black law yer, stated that President barter’s economic propo sals were so close to the :onservative Republicans hat he failed to provide the >eople a real choice. He aid that after blacks put barter into office he only ewarded them with a few ppointments 01 me upper chelon blacks, while ig oring the large number of lacks who voted for him. One old black lafty, who ves on a small social ecurity check, resorted to er strong religious views y saying, "the right-wing hristian organisations uit are putting people out f office because they show >me consideration for the unfortunate and calling their actions Christian, are going to be crushed like Sodom and Gomorrah.’’ A taxi driver said, "Rea gan has been campaigning for six years, Carter for two years and members of congress campaigning for at least two years. That requires money and only big business can provide the finance, so this is not a democracy, but a big busi ness dictatorship. The little man’s welfare is not con sidered. He is used as a voter.’’ Job Training; Are you between the ages of 16-21 and looking for a Job or skill training? If you live outside the Charlotte city limits but in Mecklen burg County, call the Youth Employment Training Pro gram at 372-3434 for the inside scoop. It could be the start of something great. I ’ 11 ■ 1 Alfreds L. Madison selection of all federal judges, the courts system, ustice Department, FBI, :opy rights and patents, 'egulatory system and inti-trust laws. Russell Long, who has >een Chairman of the finance Committe for nany years will be re placed by boo Doles, Church of Foreign Reta ins by Percy, Arms Ser ices new chairman will be ohn Towers, who will re lace Stennis. Senator barren Magnuson, Chair »an of Appropriations will
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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