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EDITORIALS & COMMENTS Our Priorities Need To Be Reset Twenty years ago, massive peaceful marching demonstrations were an effective technique blacks used to dramatize to white America the many injustices imposed mi the nation’s largest minority group. The marches were often interrupted by angry white mobs that physically attacked the marchers while white policemen often looked on and did little to stop the bloodshed. Embarrassed by such scenes flashed on television screens across America and around the world, Presidents John F. motion a series of laws and ordinances dealing with housing, jobs, and judicial equality that brought about new laws and government programs to help the nation’s poor, most of whom were black. As the hew laws and programs accelerated, demon stration marches all but disappeared as a civil-rights technique._ It was in fact the marches inspired initially by the Montgomery (Ala.) bus boycott (Hi behalf of Ms. Rosa Parks and the massive March on Washington in 1964, both spearheaded by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that led to marches beconring-a ,, major civil rights strategy. Continued through the late 1960s, the marches pierced the moral consciousness of white Ameri cans and, along with new and revised laws, came an all-important change in attitudes both toward and between Blacks and whites. People In Streets Included on the agenda of the recent annual meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference held in Charlotte were two marches, neither of which ap peared to be more than symbolic in nature. In commenting on the marches, SCLC • member, The Rev. Fred Shuttiesworth, said, “People in the streets - that’s what makes changes, not talking.” As the NAACP was approaching its plans to picket Food Lion stores, we reflected on The Rev. Shuttlesworth’s comment »nH began to wonder whether marches and picketing as civil rights strategies or techniques have lost their value and . impact. Our concern arises from two aspects. First, if Food Lion stores have not complied with the NAACP’s request for increased minority hiring and promotions and greater business with minority sup pliers following two years of talks, it appears quite doubtful that pickets are an adequate substitute, especially in this age of rapid communication. Quite to the con trary, efforts should be to renew the talks or the issue might better be abandoned in order to focus the energies of the NAACP and similar organizations oh the issue of today, not 20 years ago! This, of course, relates to our second point, that is, the need for organizations like SCLC and the NAACP to redirect their concerns to the somewhat new issues that confront black Americans. Of course, jobs, better housing and equal justice in the courts continue to be issues of vital concern. However, in the 1980s there are new issues confronting black Americans that are more basic than even overt racial discrimination. These issues strike at the very heart of the foundation of black society, culture and the survival of the black family as an institution are die ever increasing number of female-headed households, black teenage —out-of-wedlock pregnancy rates, out-of wedlock births of well over 50 percent of all black babies since 1980, drug abuse, high black youth crime rates, the relatively poor state of the health of blacks, and the apparent continuing low level of self esteem that far too many black men have of themselves. Contribuf" jg Factors There is no doubt that racial discri mination within the larger American white society 'is a contributing factor to some of these issues confronting black „. Americans. However, black births out of-wedlock and drug abuse'are certainly hot caused by nor the result of racial dis crimination. Thus, while black organiza tions are selectively picketing against business firms that allegedly are discri minating in their hiring and promoting practices and not doing business with black firms or suppliers, basic needs of blacks — ^hat could hinder their accepting jobs or " promoting are not being adequately addressed. For example, teenage preg nancies, youth crime problems, and drug abuse would prevent many younger blacks ra tion needed to accept jobs or promotions - or from having the incentive to go into business for themselves. Therefore, we believe that marching picketing in that absence of dialogue are useless and unproductive. More important —lyvwo believe that the hlseft that heads up organizations like SCLC and theNAACP need to reassess the basic issues and needs of blhck Americans and then ' refocus their time and their talent *^white firms like Food Lira may need to be dealt with to advance the cause of econbmic justice!) irect confrontation with such firms on an individual basis appears to be a misuse of priorities in terms of the heeds of the larger black American community. Thus, let us broaden our focus and use our energies to begin finding solutions to those problems that threaten the very existence of black America. Failure to do so will prevent blacks from being able to respond to any opportunities that a Food Lion or similar firm might make available to blacks. More talk and less marching might be a better solution. 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. .. 'T 1 Published Every Thursday By The Charlotte Post Publishing Company, Inc. _Main 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 Court Moving From Protecting f-^Tvirhiol Freedom By Alfreds L. Madison Special To The Pest The Reagsn-Nlxon Supreme Court, in one year’s time,has sapped the individual American citizen of many of his freedoms. If Ronald Reagan is reelected, the present trend will most likely continue, and by 1969, individual freedom will be completely obliterated. While this Administration extols the evils of communism which places the state above the individual, It is rapidly moving this country in the same direction, under the guise of pro moting democratic principles. The American Civil Liberties Union recently made a critical analysis of the Supreme Court’s decision for the past year which shows that Americans are far less - flee today than they were a year ago. ACLU stated that in case after case a majority of the Supreme Court has chosen to resolve con flicts between the individual and the government in favor of the state. It saya, “Although many will be tempted to characterize the Court’s decisions as conservative, it is far more accurate to describe them as statist.” If this trend continues there will be a fundamental alteration in the relationship of the Individual and the state. ACLU says, “Under our system - at least until very recent ly • s vigilant Judiciary is our onlv formal guarantee of individual free dom When as has occurred this term, the Supreme Court functions, not as a vigorous guardian of the indivi dual but as a cheerleader for the government.’’ This past Supreme Court’s deci sions make it very easy to believe that First Amendment protection depends on the size of your pocket , % Alfred* L. Madison book. As proof of this, the Union cited several cases. The Court re versed the lower courts and voted to uphold a ban on placing election tatW 6ft fr^ncpoBa hefcaiiae the posters created “visual clutter." Poor and disadvantaged use this means as an effective way to par ticipate in the electoral process, since they are unable to gain access to expensive forms of political speech making. The Court reversed a lower court decision permitting homeless persons to conduct a "sleep-in" in Lafayette Park across from the White House to dramatise the fact that they had no where else to sleep. Justice Marshs 11 writing a dissenting opinion, chastised the Court for failing to take seriously the attempt by the weakest among us to express themselves effectively in further First Amendment destruc tion, the Court prohibits the repro ducing of a color picture of United States currency. This permitted the currency to be depicted in a news worthy setting The Court forbade the distinction between the content based discrimination newsworthy and non newsworthy, snd instead BE A PART OF THE NEW AWARE NESS WE SHAU OVERCOME Minorities With A Minority! Scenario: A room full of well dressed, articulate and self assured middle class people. Icy cocktails flow freely and imported foods are plentiful. If is a wel coming party at the Hyatt regency Hotel in Dallas during the Republican Con vention. There is only one difference, instead of these . people being white they are black: black Republicans. “Ain’t that nothing!” m tms nation most black voters are overwhelmingly Democrats. However, black Republicans are a political minority within a minority/ group. Black Republicans made up less than four percent of the delegates at the Repu blican National Convention, and under one million voters nationally. This group of special people are more conserva tive than many blacks, they oppose government job sub sidies and favor military spending over domestic so cial programs. Despite their small num ber and limited influence, black Republicans have been warmly and well received. Black Republicans are sending out a strong mes sage. The message being sent is a “hand up instead of a handout.” Millions of blacks are unemployed and thousands of young people -are stressing self-help. The basic philosophy of the Party members is that bia^k folks have to stop being allergic to making “real big bucks.” Handouts over the years have ruined black minds - blacks must convene like the Jews and other whites - we must make money - big money to sur vive and make a strong point. “Blacks must learn that we can earn for ourselves.” A phrase used often by black Republicans. No long er can blacks let people give, the Democrats have given out this rhetoric - and this has left blacks in the same * ' - i substituted a complete ban. The Court upheld the President’s power Urban tourist-travel to Cuba under the Trading With the Enemy Act. The overturn at the First Circuit Court’s careful and narrow opinion was a disappointment ACLU states that thl Terra’s First Amendment opinions restriction of speech is not compelling interest in suppression. The Court requires a substantial interest - which is as weak as avoiding visual clutter. The power of the government to suppress speech - especially poor people’s speech - in the guise of neutral regulation Is now greater than it has been for a generation. ACLU cited the Grove City case Court decision as disastrous. It construed Title TX g> mesrfliy that colleges receiving federal funds may engage in sex discrimination everywhere but the specific de partment receiving funds. It also said that the Memphis Court de cision rejecting the remedy to racial discrimination in the "last hired, first fired" treatment when lay offs were required results in rese gregatkm as threatens hundreds of existing Title VII decisions. The Court disregarded the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment when it authorized pre trial detention of juveniles, who are determined as persons who will commit future crimes. This ruling ignored the appalling conditions under which such juveniles are held and disregarded uncontradicted evidence that judges were totally unable to accurately predict which juveniles might commit crimes if released on bail. The Union states that a damaging blow to the Fourth Amendment was the decision weakening of the ex clusionary rule, but holding that ev+denc» unconstitutionally obtained may be used in court, so long as it is a local magistrate,.and not a policeman who made the constitutional error. Yet, the Court held that even this exclusionary right does not apply to immigra tion proceedings of aliens. This year’s Court eroded the right to remain silent, by holding that police officers need no longer always issue Miranda warnings to those held in custody. The Court declared that there were times when “public safety” required that police officers ask questions of accused persons first and inform them of their rights afterwards. The Supreme Court .Interpreted the Sixth Amendment as meaning that only in extreme oases could defendants make out claims of in effective assistance of counsel and that the defendant has to overcome presumption that the counsel had been effective. The Court held that only specific errors, and not the (C'^ral circumstances surrounding the defendant’s representation, such as counsel's lack of experience as a criminal defense attorney, short period of preparation were rele vant in the defendant’s accusations against his counsel. ACLU concludes that this Supreme Court’s decisions have made individual freedoms the ex ception. Liberty is an endan gered species which is kept alive only by imposing effective Institu tional checks on the government’s Inevitable attempt to expand its power to control the individual. position - missing the boat. There is an important need for blacks to become wage earners. The one major concern of some Republicans-black and white - is that some black Republicans are ignoring social issues such as civil rights. The main worry on this point is that fflfcagan is reelected he can fill as many " as five seats on the Su » preme Court with political conservatives - that could put blacks 15 to 20 years back into the past. Although there - are a greet many Republi cans fighting to get political liberals on the Supreme Court, blacks do not consti tute enough in numbers and power to sufficiently and substantially influence de cisions made on the matter. On the flip side of the black Republican philosophy - not c all Republicans believe whole heartedly in Reagan and his methods of running the government. For ex ample, not all black or white Republicans believe in defi cit spending. In fact, many Republicans, black and white, admit to voting for Democratic candidates due to their campaign proposals and plans to implement the proposals. Black Republicans are not trying to be white, they are merely exercising their constitutional rights. Just because one is black does not mean he can only be active in the Democratic Party. Party choices are individualized, persona] and professional. Party selection should be based on what works best for ' one and what feels most comfortable. Yes, the Democrats have done a few things for Ame rica ; however, limiting one-’s self to one idea without efc ploring other avenues is child like. Take a look, evaluate and make a wise deeisioitr Blacks are a rare bird in the Republican Party! Per haps now is the time lie •become active in either party or concentrate on gaining ' Republican strength and changing Reagan politics. A new leader is not always the solution but Party satura tion and internal pressure can be the solution. Party decision is a one - but remembd more than one Part Graves Worn: Black* $ Continued From Page IA kept Intact, and parent* must take I an active role in their children*! J education. Two article* in the Sep- < tember issue of Black Enterprise I focus on these key issues. "We can get what Wfc want," J Graves assures. "We can get what ; we need , M
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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