Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / July 16, 1981, edition 1 / Page 2
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Editorials & Comments Riots Symptoms Of British Policy? In one of the most bizarre and quickly wide-spread acts of civil disorder, the island nation, En gland, has been hard hit over *he last eleven days with rampaging youth looting and firebombing in more than a dozen cities includ ing London, Manchester, Bir mingham and Liverpool. The riots, which have tarnish ed Britain’s aloof attitude that theirs is the most civilized of the Western societies, are like a television re-run ot what hap pened in America in the 1960s and could happen again, if national economic policy does not begin to reflect a level of reason or balance between in flation and unemployment. The Charlotte News put the issue in clear perspective in an editorial that said, “What many Americans, and too many Bri tians, failed to realize was that there exists in Britain - and has existed for more than a century aqd a half - and ugly underside ,_jal poverty, racism, classism and frustration. It is that side of British society that finally gave v€nt to its rage.” m There is an ironic twist to Britain’s riots in that they start ed almost simultaneously from a Nazi-like band of white youth called skinheads who attacked Asian people in one London com qpinity and policemen accused qf harassing blacks by assuming tttbey drove nice automobiles or aotorcydes they’d been stolen IS a Liverpool community. This fifesulted in the Asians striking Sack at both the skinheads and the police while elsewhere, black, white and mixed race youth burned and looted stores and fought the police in a grow ing sense of frustration over massive unemployment that now exceeds .11 percent in Britain. Britain’s high unemployment, like the persistently high levels in America, are largely the result of deliberate government policies aimed at reducing infla-_ tion. Such policies in both nations, however, place the bur den of sacrifice in terms of fewer jobs on those who need them the most - the poor, who too often for reasons of racism, happen also to be minority group members. Ironically, too, Britain’s re sponse to these outbreaks of civil disorder is to institute a get tough police policy, and ignore urhaiL jlls jmd joblessness be cause>of its alleged inflationary trends. Britain, like America, needs to learn and learn quickly, that free enterprise capitalism has been built on a foundation involuntary servitude -slavery- but that it cannot survive on a new found ation racism and economic denial to the poor. Until the burden of fighting inflation in Western societies can be equitably shared among all income groups; and until we stop arbitrarily forcing minority group peoples to carry on even larger share of this burden, the free enterprise system, to the 'extent "that-it even exists t is-im danger of being destroyed. Britain hasn’t learned this nor has America, yet if a new ism is hot found to deal adequately with the problem of inflation versus unemployment, the impact will be far greater than an H-bomb that our enemies might drop on any major city. The problem of shifting the burdens’ economiCLjiisfiEder to the backs of the poor, the youth and minority groups is not new. What is new and is having a profound affect upon our think ing, our values and even our sense of humanity, is how these groups are reacting to the burdens. Let us, the government, and the people it is supposed to represent, begin a quest for new ways to deal with some old problems because our very sur vival as a society, as a nation, and as members of the human race depend upon it. Baseball - A Love Affair In addition to hundreds of scheduled and lost baseball games, the annual all-star game has become another casualty of the lingering Major League baseball strike. However, these developments are by no means to indicate that Americans have ended their love affair with the national pastime - baseball. Labor disputes in the form of work stopages are as much as part of the American scene as is baseball. Yet, in spite of the continuing quietness in Major League base ball parks, baseball’s love life with the American people goes on. In addition to minor league baseball^ there are thousands of semi-pro teams that play the game at night and on weekends. Little known to many observers of such games is that the players and owners, if any, dig deep into their own pockets to purchase gloves, uniforms and baseballs, as well as to pay for umpires and often to rent baseball fields on which to play. In most cases these expenses are shelled out weekly just for the joy and competitive spirit of playing the game with no compensation, ex cept for the love of baseball. 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 WeatBlvd., Charlotte, N.C "^82wT” I Telephone <704) 37S-S4SS __Cjrcnlatlsw7^St 63 Years of Continuous Service Johnson . Editor, Publisher £ Bernard Reeves.General Manager jHFran Farrer .Advertising Director Dannette Gaither. Office Manager • Second Class Postage No. 965500 Paid At Charlotte, N.C. under the Act of March 3,1878 ,,___..._ . ' , / ^""^TlemberNatlonal Newspaper ** Publishers Association North Carolina Black Publishers Association 4— I ’Deadline for all news copy and photos is 5 p.m. Monday. All photos and copy Mbmltted become the property of the POST J?and will not be returned. National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. . 2MS 8. Michigan Ave. •* w •*•»*«• U*» Oilcago. III. Itsftlfi \ew York. N.Y.ISS3B Cahnwrt SOWS <212) IKS-I22S RETURNING TO BUILD A BETTER BLACK COmUNITY. Blacks9 Destiny In Own Hands.... An Open Forum Jimmy Green Receives Preferential Treatment? Dear Sir: ..Why does Lt. Governor Jimmy Green receive pre ferential treatment? Stephen R. Kelly (Char lotte Observer-Raleigh Bureau) reported a news item to his-employer which was posted in the June 27 issue. 1 am shocked! For months I have read witlT Consternation of the many paving contractors convicted of bid rigging. Some of the individuals involved have served pri son terms, their family corporations have been re quired to pay heavy fines. This affair has created a bad image for North Caro -lina—and integrity in general. Reporter Kelly reported that state officials have decided not to press crim inal charges. Green said he would not take a prayer’s gift. Green told a packed room of reporters that he arranged for Crowell Construction Company to have parking lots at his tobacco ware houses and also to do some paving at a home he owned. It seemed - according to Kelly - that Crowell gave Green $5,000. When asked by reporters "Green—re sponded that he knows "slightly.” How naive can one be? According to Kelly, Green stated he would not accept a gift from Crowell now "because I do not need it.” Terry Cloth. .... Terry cloth is one of the oldest fabric constructions around. Cloth towels with a looped pile surface, such as today’s terry, have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2000 B.C. When asked by reporters why he accepted the gift, he reported, “because they gave it to me.” Incredulous! - In the beginning I used the word "shocked.” A more appropriate word would be "flabbergasted.” by: Richard T. Elmore Green Made A Mistake! __July 3,1981 the General Assembly to Dear Editor: Jimmy Green made a mistake; Jimmy Green ad mitted his mistake. We would not presume to-say that your publication ever made a mistake, but all of us and perhaps other citi zens of North Carolina have made mistakes in our lives. People who make mistakes also make mate rial and substantial contri butions to our State and to -their communities._ We know that Jimmy Green has made material and substantial contribu tions to his State - North Carolina - and to his com munity - Bladen County. We have served with and known Jimmy Green in his service as a representative from Bladen County from 1961 to l976.Juring which time he served as chair man of many important committees and as Speaker of the House from 1975 to 1977. We have served with and known Jimmy Green in -jm-pervire tn Nnrth Caro lina as its Lieutenant Go vernor from 1976 until the present. During these years he has listened to the people of North Carolina and has exerted his efforts and influence to bring about a better North Caro lina for all of its citizens. As an example of his leadership qualities, in 1975 when our State was facing a $300 million shortfall, it was Speaker Jimmy Green who appointed the first Base Budget Committee which ultimately enabled balance the budget without any tax increases. His record reveals his compassion for the elderly and for the very young, for [he handicapped and for the disadvantaged. In conclusion, we want to take this opportunity to emphasize that, despite his mistakes, Jimmy Green is a dedicated and capable public servant, and, in our opinion, on with much to offer the State of Nortn -Carolina and its citizens. Senator M.A. Rauch Senator K. C. Royall Jr. Senator R. S. Swain Senator Ollle Harris Senator J.B. Garrison Senator C.R. Duncan Jr. Senator H. W. Hardison Senator R. B. Jordan III Senator W. C. Lawing — • ANTIOCH Antioch Baptist Church will present its Annual Men’s Day Sunday, July 19, at the church, located at 232 Skyland Ave. The men of the church will take care of services beginning with Sunday Church School at 9:45 a.m.. continuing with the Tl a.m. service and closing with the 3:30 p.m. service. The 11 a.m. service will feature Rev. Dr. Franklin C. Colclough Sr., pastor of the Goodwill United Pres byterian Church, Mayes ville, S.C., since 1972. Rev.- Dr. Colclough re ceived his Doctor of Min istry from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1981. He is now stated Clerk of the Presbytery of At lantic. From Capitol Hul Fairness In Black Grants Must Not Be Left To States Alfreds L. Madison Special To The Post President Reagan made a campaign promise not to turn back the clock on civil rights. The Congressional Black Caucus says for the Presi dent to turn block grants programs over to the states without any guidelines is a set back to civil rights gains for which blacks have fought hard and long. The Civil Rights Com mission has recently cited cases that show disparity in the dispersing of funds between blacks and whites by some states. There are, at present, cases before the courts because some states are giving less money to comparable black state colleges than whites. Concerning discrimin ation in block grant dis persing of funds between blacks and whites by some states. There are, at pre ■ sent, cases before the courts because some states are giving less money to comparable black state colleges than whites. Concerning discrimin ation in block grants dls persements, Mr, Rea Ban Alfred* I.. Madison slated that he felt the state leaders were honorable men and that they will do the right thing. Just recently, he had a comparable example of the way the state leaders ex pressed their honorable ness. Senator John Warner of Virginia had the duty of presenting names for federal positions in Vir ginia. For the three Fe deral Judgship positions, he presented 13 names, all white males, for the two federal attorney positions, 10 white males; and for the two federal marshalls, he named 6 white males and two black males. Mr. Warner stated that he traveled over 3,000 miles around the state talking with blacks asking them to list names of eligible blocks for the positions. On March 6, the Senator sent a letter to Gammiel Poindexter, President of the Old Dominion Bar Association (black bar association), asking that the organization to respond to his request for federal judges accompanying this leUer, Mr. Warner stated how that judges would be chosen on “merit and quality." Attorney Poindexter, on May 8, responded to the .Senator's request by sub mitting for federal judge ships the names of William T. Mason, who has been a federal prosecutor for around 10 years, Thomas Monroe, Judge, General Court of Arlington and James Sheffiels, Judge, Circuit Court. For federal attorney, Larry Shelton. Esquire and federal magis trates, George Harris and Louis Barnes. Out of the entire group Louis Barnes name was submitted. In questioning Senator Warner about the compa rative qualifications of whites and blacks for judges, he stated that all the white names had a long history, as an attorney, in trying federal cases. When he was informed that cer tainly none could have had more experience than Mason who had been a federal prosecutor, he re plied that Mason had only prosecuted federal crimin al cases and asked if I had checked Mason’s age, since he wanted judges who could at least serve 10 years. The reply way that I had not checked his age but since judges did not have to retire before age 70, I felt that Mason certainly met require rrfhnt. In a convers ation with Mason he in formed me that he was 54 years old; that Senator Warner had not talked with him at all about his quali fications. He said that when Mr Warner was ask ing for suggested probable black candidates, he was one of the persons who sug gested some names; no thing was said about his own candidacy. That talk took place around the mid dle of April. Mr. Warner, according to Mason, never contacted him after his name was submitted by the Bar Association. Judge Monroe was called at 7 p.m. June 2 and they met at 8 p.m. Mr. Warner made his announcement to the press around 9 a.m. June 4. The Senator said that since Virginia has a fine crop of young black lawyers, in the future blacks will be quali fied. These young lawyers stand the same chance of being denied judge posi tions by the sons of the present Virginia leaders as the present black lawyers have met lacing the present sons of past lead ers. The Old Dominion Bar Association answered ' Warner’s action with a letter calling his attention to the fact that black Virginia lawyers have show^ exceptional ability and longevity in the prac tice of law. In the last two years, Virginia has had five fe deral judge positions and between the two Senators, Byrd and Warner, they have presented 23 names, all white males. Since all Southern states except three, each df which had only one position with black fedora) Judges and Virginia with five posi tions, then the Senators are saying that blacks In Vir ginia are inferior to blacks in other states. That being the case then whites in Virginia are; inflHr to whites in other states since they have failed to equally qualify blacks The action of these Vir ginia Sena toes is a very good reason why President Reagan cst)'t fely on the honorable action bf many state officials. The actions of Senators Warner and Byrd in the federal Judge selections, In fairness to blacks, certainly do appear to be dishonorable Read The Poat! By Gerald C. Horne, ESQ. -".I Affirmative \ f Action A Call To Action! u How To Fight The Reaganauts Unlike most subjects, not enough can be said about President Reagain’s economic game plan. He claims to be cutting go vernment spending but what he is actually doing is snatching dollars from social programs and glad-handing them over to the Pentagon. This policy is so bizarre and murderous that even other members in good standing of the United States power structure have begun to raise tentative^ voices in opposition. Witness the recent documentary on CBS-TV broadcast for a precedent shattering five evenings in a row. This graphic portrayal, entitled “The Defense of the United States,” helped to put the lie to the false clamor about the so-called “Soviet Threat” that is the main rationale of Reagan and Secretary of State A1 Haig and the main grease that skids mega-bucks to all those Fortune 500 Penta gon contractors. But it takes more than word to pin the Reaganauts to the mat and no organization realizes this more than the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Their Spring 1981 “Report to the People” is available from their office in Washington, D.C., and needs to be read by every churchgoer, every trade umonist. everv studont.-^very: thinking person. In great detail it adheres to Ossie Davis’ admonition that “It’s not the man, it’s the plan—It’s not the rap, it’s the map.” And map out they do a vigorous counter offensive against Reagan, that if followed will send the “republo-crats” into a scatter ed retreat that they may never recover from,__' They outline a lengthy 10 point program that, unfortunately, can only be briefly summarized here: They call for conducting ‘teach-ins” and-or scheduling appearances at community organization meetings; initiating contacts with your Congressional representatives - "request appointments, send letters, make phone calls. Particular attention is paid to organizing "phone bank programs” in targeted Congressional Districts. Voter registration and reverse print out telephone directories can be obtainedr-Voters in your district can be alerted; they can be asked to phone friends and family about mobilizing against the budget. The unemployed, senior citizenh^ housewives and others can be recruited to make calls during the day. Youth can be organized for door-to-door distribution of information and recruitment of other volunteers. Letter-writing cam paigns can be organized in churchy, clubs, fraternities, sororities, colleges, schools, and labor unions. Public service announce ments about your organizing efforts can be prepared for radio arid' television. The Congressional Black Caucus in a typically smart move advises that the clergy should be urged to address the question of budget cuts from the pulpit. Rallies can be convened in support of the Congressional Black Caucus: "Constructive Alternative” budget. Letters can be written to local newspapers and appearances on the many radio and TV talk shows can be hooked up. A visit to your Congressional represent ative is a must. You don’t have to trek to Washington for this since he or she has an office in your vicinity. A sizeable, repre sentative delegation can be brotght togeth er for this.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 16, 1981, edition 1
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