Newspapers / The Charlotte post. / Aug. 2, 1984, edition 1 / Page 2
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
EDITORIALS& COMMENTS Jesse Jackson-Pioneer Pof^zian! • In the spring of 1983, while some pro minent elected black officials and most of the nation’s black civil rights leaders were debating the pros and cons of a black presidential candidate. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of those participating in these debates, had all but announced that he would be the black presidential candidate, - with or without the endorsement of the other black leaders. Avoiding direct answers to news media questions as to whether he would be a -presidential n^ndid-ate threshold the ftlim mer and fall of 1983, Rev. Jackson finally announced in November that “Our time has come” and that therefore he would be a candidate for the presidency of the United States. That announcement, in a rousing, re vivalist, emotion-filled statement from the Washington Convention Center, has led Rev. Jesse Jackson to two appearances on the cover of NEWSWEEK magazine within an unprecedented seven-month period; daring and successful trips to the Middle East and Cuba got the release of U.S. servicemen, political prisoners and others; controversial statements offensive to Jews; - - threate-to divide and upset the unity of the Democratic National Convention; and to be afforded the opportunity to be one of the major speakers of that convention. - To skeptics, Rev. Jackson argued force fully that full-scale get-out-the-vote cam paign could substantially reduce Ronald Reagan’s re-election bid. He argued further that increased black votes could elect hundreds of black candidates for state . and local offices. Jackson said the goal is to achieve “parity” in officeholding equal to the proportion of blacks in the electorate and that the only was to achieve this was to have a black presidential candidacy - his. He added, “Run! If you run* you may lose. But if you don’t run, you are guaranteed to lose.” New Excitement! In the preaching and politicking across America leading up to the National De mocratic Convention, Rev. Jesse Jack son as an orator was unmatched and caused even his strongest opponents to take j._notice. With poetic phraseology, the 42 year old mlhisrer-^ivil rights leader-tumed politician aroused audiences, inspired new voter registration among both blacks and whites and brought a new excitement to national politics. The impact and courage of Rev. Jack son’s oratory was probably best drama tized in his speech-sermon at the Nation al Democratic Convention when he said to a national television audience in eloquently sincere words, "If in my low moments, in word, deed or attitude, through some error of temper, taste or tone, I have caused anyone discomfort^ created poin.-or , — vived someone’s fears, that was not my truest self. "Please forgive me. Charge it to my head and not my heart. As I develop and serve, be patient. God is not finished with me yet.” Yes, it takes courage to admit a mistake, especially to and before millions of people. Yet, the meaning of the courage Jackson showed was not fully appreciateduntil some prominent news commentators noted that Richard Nixon never asked the American people’s forgiveness for his Watergate conspiracy. In spite of these Jackson successes as a crowd pleaser, some political, ob servers claim that Rev. Jackson frightens and “probably scares the hell out of a lot of white people.” Undoubtedly, if this is true, —it is because Rev. Jackson’s nomination seeking style of arousing crowds was not consistent with the white news media consultants’ viewpoint that presidential candidates must convey quiet competence and inspire confidence similar to the drab, conservative unemotional manner of a conservative minister’s sermon. The response to this white political psy chology was put in perspective by another white former media consultant to then presidential hopeful Sen. Alan Cranston, who said, “You cannot apply the white politician’s logic to his (Jackson’s) cam paign. He is not a traditional white po litician running for the nomination. He is a movement politician running in that move ment... to excite under-30-year-old blacks” to vote. — Rev. Jesse Jackson’s address to the National Democratic Convention was not only history setting or a campaign speech, it was the culmination of part one of a crusade. In fact, in the months leading to the convention, Rev. Jackson said, “When history records our deeds, let the record show we arose to the challenge, answered the call, reclaimed our faith and broke down the partitions.” Since then Rev. Jackson has proclaimed, “Our mission is to change the face of American politics. The rainbow coalition is a moral cause, not just a political cam paign.” Platform Demands Rev. Jackson went to the convention with presidential front-runner Walter Mondale staying an arm’s length away and making few concessions to Rev. Jackson’s party platform demands - elimination of run off primaries, endorsing hiring quotavtaying the Democratic Party going on refcord to reduce the defense budget, and pledges 4o never be the first to use nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, the uncertainty of Rev. Jackson’s anticipated convention speech compromising to achieve unity or firm demands leading to possible disunity - caused many politicians to think seriously for the first time about the issues of the poor, political inequality, equality in jobs and housing and defense vs. social spend ing. It was these kinds of concerns tyurt led lie*. Jackson to say In his convention speech-sermon, “Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow - red, yellow, brown, black and white - we’re all precious in God’s sight... (we all) make up the American quilt.” BE A PART OF THE NEW AWARE NE55 BLACK BUSINESS MEN AND POLITICIANS SHOULP BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF LONG - RANGE PLANNING, FOR IT IS ONLY THROUGH ECONOMIC ANP POLITICAL CLOUT THAT ETHNIC GROUPS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO . _ MOVE UP THROUGH SOCIETY. > A .. , ■ warn amowcLe . ^ & JfjL Political Potpourri Martin And Mondale Share Ideologies? By Karen Parker Post Staff Writer Whether congressional candidate D.G. Martin and presidential candidate Walter Mondale have ever discussed politics together is uncertain. Nevertheless both Democrats seem to share ideologies when it comes to cutting the national deficit. When Martin began campaigning several months ago he was about the first ninth district candidate talking about pay as you go. “The cold truth is we are under mining the financial viability of our country and we will ultimately destroy It if we do not insist that the Congress and the President implement pay as you go principles,” Martin once stated. At the Democratic National Convention^ Mondale firmly declared, the Congreks, my message is we must cut spending i and pay as we go. If you don’t hold , the line, I will. That’s what the veto is for." The pay as you go plan seems to be the most feasible solution offered for the Economical mess America suffer. The plan isn’t the prettiest one that could be painted but it’s certainly the most realistic. It will mean tax increases. Frequently, Martin and Mondale have stressed they will support tax increases. That frightens people. But what citizens need to realize is the tax trend wonrt -ehaage? increases are inevitable. The congressional and presidential candidates are merely being honest as opposed to the present administration which tends to spring such news suddenly. “Let’s tell the truth...Mr. Reagan will raise taxes and so will I,” D.G. Martin . ....Mil District candidate Monaaie delivered in his acceptance speech; He claimed the Reagan administration will place the burden of taxes on average-income families. Mondale stated the concept is unfair, believing corporations and wealthy families should pay more taxes and “avoid playing the loop holes.” Martin, who supports an evenly distributed tax increase, admitted it’s not a popular deal to lean toward, but noted he’s doing so because he’s not willing "for our legacy to our children to include an obligation to pay for all the programs we wanted but would not payioc.” -Tomustratej^ssripu^ ness 'of avoiding immediate payment for programs, Martin calculated a $200 billion deficit this year creates an automatic $20 billion increase in the budget for the next year just to pay the interest on the increased debt. Asking Congress to establish terms of immediate payment when they propose to create programs is in complete order. As elected state representatives, they should have the necessary intelligence and resources to meet such a require ment. Since a strong defense, social service programs, education, etc. are pertinent to our nation’s survival, decision-makers in Washington had better iwpntato less on voting themselves pay raises and maneuver that money into a viable system that will keep the bills at a minimum. President Reagan recently ad dressed the black appointees in his Administration. He laid out a review of how the Administration has improved eco nomics nationwide. Now, less than a month since the President an nounced he fuM his forces are act- - log "with energy and determina tion," the 1964 Democratic platform is naturally displeased with the way which the Reagan Administration has handled economical affairs. Provided below is the information which Reagan announced to black appointees and information which ; the Democratic Party had on its agenda at the Democratic National Convention. REAGAN: One change our Ad ministration has brought about is doing more to help Mack Americans than all of the programs put to gether, and I’m talking about eco homlc expansion Today, inflation is less than half. Asa matter of fact, it’s down to about a third of what it was when we took office. Retail sales and factory orders are up. Since the expansion began, the un employment rate has shown the steepest drop in 30 years, and over 6 million Americans have found Jobe. And more Americans are working now than ever before in our his tory, and more Jobs are being cre ated at a faster rate here than in any other major industrializediiatioR. DNC: The government must Im plement policies that will keep peo ple working, bring interest rates down, free savings for private in vestment, prevent another explo sion of inflation...We must have an economic policy which includes a commitment to employ all Ame ricans who want a job in our country. Over the last three years, 1.8 million men and women have be come discouraged workers and more than eight million have fallen into poverty. Over SO percent of all minority youth are unemployed, and black males have effectively lost 13 percent of their labor force parti cipation. Investment in Jobe for all vestment for the future of the nation Reagan and the Convention sug gested more employment training for teenagers. While the President concentrated on primarily the teens, the convention took its steps further noting housewives and riis Ideated workers have need for s retraining program. REAGAN: To reduce teenage un employment, especially black teen age unemployment which is the highest segment of unemployment m the country, we’ve proponed a Youth Employment Opportunity Wage for the summer months. ...I’m convinced that it’s only oommon **nse to enact this Opportunity Wage and help young people get summer Jobs, needed discipline and experience. They won’t be taking Jobe away from permanent worker? But they will be, as unskilled and new in the Job market, working at a rate that I think would be^emn mwwrate and fair for thrtr posi tion In the work force The Charlotte Post North Carolina’s —_Fastest Growing Weekly 704-376-0496 “The People’s Newspaper’ 106 Years Of Continuous Service Bill Johnson Editor, Pub. Bernard Reeves Gen. Mgr. Fran Bradley Adv. Mgr. Dannette Gaither Of. Mgr. Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Company, Inc. Mam Office: - 1531S. Camden Road Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Second Class Postage Paid at Charlotte Member, National Newspaper Publishers’ Association North Carolina Black Publishers Association National Advertising Representative: Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. One Year Subscription Rate One Year $17,76 Payable In Advance from Capitol Hill xSiacks relayed Important Role In Convention By Alfreds L. Madison Special To The Post The 1984 Democratic Convention is different from any ever held in the history of this country. While the City of San Francisco has gone all out for making the convention people comfortable and happy, one of the greatest entertainment features of the convention was the party given by Speaker of the California Assembly, Willie Brown, who is Black. Brown said, he was giving a party for ten thousand of his , close friends. This party was held at Pier 45 on the Fisherman’s Wharf. The huge building which was a huge warehouse was beautifully decorated with miniature reproductions of known places in the Otty. There were two bends, when one took a break, the other would play. There was plenty of different ethnic foods and the free drinks never even got low. The crowd dined, wined and danced until the wee hburs.' -- There were 936 Black delegates and alternates. Never before have so many Blacks been of such great importance at a Democratic Convention. These delegates have not been idle, but they have been very busy trying to get issues relevant to Blacks before the traditional leaders of the Party. They were not able to get a strong affirmative action plank in the platform. Their nuclear freeze plank has been included in the platform. Eradication of the second primaries was not accepted by the platform committee, so it was brought to the convention floor. One of the opponents who spoke against erad ication of the second primaries was Atlanta Mayor Andrew Voting. H* was greatly booed. The next day in Alfreds L. Madison me mack elected officials meeting. Coretta King stood up before U* audience and said her heart was heavy, because Andy Young was her, she cried. Mrs. King should realize that politics ns are often booed, that is a price they have to pay, and if they can’t stand it they should not accept a political position. Coretta stepped into some thing that she should have stayed out. She portrayed her Mayor as someone who is so weak that she has to protect him. She needed to realize that Jesde’s people had gotten more Blacks registered than any other group and that he had gotten more attention focused on the importance of Democrats not taking Blacks for granted than anyone else, and that she was one of three persons who tried to organize Blacks against Rev. Jackson, but with no avail, and the Jackson people Just responded as human beings usually do. In her statement she said that Blacks must not divide themselves. Rev. Jackson had the majority of Blacks who were for doing away with second primartes TTien who was instrumental in the division, since Mrs. King represented the minority Black opinion. She even went so far as to say that Blacks should apologize to Andy. Kepresentative Mikey Leland presided over a meeting held by Blacks. He said, "We are not here just to make decisions on issues that are relative to Blacks, but we are the conscience ot tne Democratic Party. We are the greatest Democratic block We have come to assume our rightful place, if we fall, the party will fall. Let us exorcise our country of the evil person called Ronald Reagan. Let us make sure he never has a reason to visit Washington again. Reagan is a ,‘B" actor and an x>rated President." __ Mayty Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana In introducing K997~ Jackson, said, "I want to introduce a President whom some say is too aggressive. We were considered too agreftsive when we decided that we weren’t going to lay down any more, were too aggressive when we said, we’d rather be dead and in our grave before we’d be a slave. I'm glad he didn’t listen when they said he shouldn't go to foreign countries, or liberate prisoners and dissidents, or didn’t listen when they said he was too aggressive in trying to form a rainbow coalition, or didn't listen when they said he shouldn’t bring the left-outs into the Democratic Party.” When Jackson entered the crowd went wild with applause and cries of "win, Jesse, win." Jackson said Carter in 1900 got 37 million votes, 19 million were Black. In Texas Carter got 33 percent of the votes, 11 percent was Balck. He said, "the only thing you can show for your ticket stub, is the right to be wrong." He spoke of the Democratic platform calls ...for an increased military budget, while we already have enough power to destroy the entire world over 60 times. He compared this action with a person shooting at a tombstone, because he doesn’t like the person who is buried in the grave. We'd call such a person insane. While some Blacks had endorsed Mondale-Representative Charles Rangel, Mayor Andv Young - they all praised him highly before the Blacks assembled in the Black caucus meetings. Evidently they realized that they probably got some white votes for their present positions, it dawned upon them that there will be a next time and that they could have not won this time but for some Black votes; that those same BlkCki 4T6 supporting Jackson's positions, and they might not suffer from amnesia when these elected officials come up for reelection Thus far Blacks have only gotten high visibility, which shows to Democrats that there is no win without their support and Blacks have shown that their votes are not for sale for a deceitful smile. They met Thursday morning to plan their family agenda. Andy told the press that we may have been on different sidea of different issues but now we have come together. Jackson outlined several objectives: State Democratic Parties must see that at least one Black member Is sent to Congress from the Southern states, • Blacks mint be la all state and local official positions, in some instances second primaries must be eradicated, we expect new relations between Blacks, Hispanics, women and Other minorities in the Democratic Party
Aug. 2, 1984, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75