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I ▼OUR HIT ADVERTISING MEDIA IN TNI LUCRATIVE SLACK MARKET “The Voice Of The Mach (mamunity " “lt THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, July 31. 1986 Number 9 Vinroot Richard Vinroot: Profile Of The Week See Story On Page 5A Churchworker Banquet Was A Night Of Winners Story And Pictures On Page 10A Target '86 To Increase Black Political Operatives See Story On Page 9A Robinson Donna Dowdy ....JCSU Student Donna Dowdy Likes * To Help Those In Need By Jalyne Strong Poat Staff Writer While she’s waiting to begin her junior year at Johnson C. Smith University, Donna Dowdy is work ing this summer at NCftB, uptown, in the bank’s financial service and collections department. At Smith, Donna is an early child hood education major. She’s taken this course of study following in the footsteps of her mother. "My mother is an elementary school teacher at Hidden Valley Elementary School” relates Donna. "And she’s thsptred me to become s teacher. I enjoy watching her with the kids. Plus 1 ,/ like children anywfy.” However, on secoad thought Donna also admits sha thoroughly enjoys working at the bank. "It’s really a pleasure talking to the clients and the people at the bank are very nice,” she explains. "Sometimes I think I may change my major to business administration," she , IF At iO-yeer* of age, this week’s beauty confesses she’s a little indecisive shout her ultimate career goal so she’s leaving bar options opea What she is sure about is bar enjoyment of attending JC8U "It's great meeting students from dif ferent states,’’ she says of the college experience. Pretty popular on campus, Donna was second The greater the obstacle the more glory In overcoming attendant to Mias Freshman Class in her freshman year and she was a . Golden Girl for the university’s marching band her sophomore year. This coed’s preferred extra curricula activities include swimming, meetiiy new people, dandng, and playing the piano Donna’s been playing for U years and she’s skilled at both modern and dassicial music. Classical music, especially the compositions of Bach and Beethoven, she likes best. She describes herself as a “very warm-hearted person.’’ “I like to help anyone in need,” Donna elaborates, "I’m also open-minded and an easy person to talk to.” The eldest child in her family, this week’s beauty has one yotn«er sister, Sherron, 10-years-old. Donna enjoys being the older sister in this relationship. "Sherron looks up to me," Donna smiles. Donna also agrees that, being eldest, she’s responsible for setting a good example for her sister. Donna’s parents have set an excellent example for her, the points out and she’s picked them as the people she most admires. “My mom and dad are always there when I need them and I can always talk to them whenever I have a problem.” Donna’s parents are Lewis and Patricia Dowdy. There was a time Donna reveals, whan she thought having such understanding parants as support was net very Important. “When I first came to school, I was Ifvtaw on campus and I thought I could make It m my own. But I’ve learned, i'll always need my parents," she admits. These days, Donna contends she gives a lot of thought to bar future prospects. "I often think about whet I want to be In Hfe," she relates Whether to be a teacher or a business person, this week’s beauty says tiie decision is difficult But that’s life. £ ; If Donna follows her own advice though, ahe’ll probably be all right Ghu llgflriafg "Ba -a j ■um**1*. “ youmi. Ana don’t let anyone try to bring you down^when you’re out to achieve Does Upward Mobility Mean Forgetting Black Roots? By Audrey C. Lodato Post Staff Writer .Does upward mobility mean for getting black roots? Have middle class African-Americans fled from their poor neighbors? Syndicated columnist and television host Tony Brown stated earlier this year, “We ran away from them because we thought that’s what integration was about—moving up, getting away from other black people.” What about in Charlotte? Sallmah Ma jeed is a sociology and ' social work professor at UNCC. _ What she sees la that many African-Americans who benefitted from the civil rights movement have realized that their children “are not in tune with their own black ~ ' culture and heritage.” They haven’t been taught, she says, what the sixties was all about. “Parents are now having to decide how they can have both—how can they raise their children to be in touch with the black community and culture and still have the benefits” of their success, she states. Majeed stresses the importance of staying in touch with one’s heritage. “Your cultural heritage is an important part of who you are,” she comments. In addition, she says, “No matter how far you go economically, as long as the majority are still poor, you can't escape those people. You have a responsibility.” She points out that those who have succeeded have done so because of the help of others. “No one has made it totally on his own,” she reflects. Social responsibility is not just a matter of altruism, either. “Either we raise people through education, or we pay through the criminal justice or social welfare systems,” she remarks. Also, Majeed adds, “Society sees us as one. In many instances when we come in contact with people who may not know your degrees, where nr. Spurgeon Webber ....Not necessarily true you live, they may see you as a stereotypical African-American “As long as the masses see African-Americans as underclass, that affects us all,’’ and is one reason why those who are succeed ing have a responsibility to help those left behind, she says. Dr. Spurgeon Webber, dentist, believes it’s not necessarily true that upward mobility means forgetting one’s roots. Upward mobility, he says, “places one in a position of more respon sibility. You’re more capable of doing more for black people.” He echoes Majeed’s belief that today’s success is dependent on others who came before. “The blacks I know are aware of all of this,” he says. “They involve themselves politically.” They’re also aware of economic power and use it to benefit the larger black community, he says The organiza tions he belongs to emphasis the value of education. Webber believes upwardly mobile blacks should help others because Beatrice Thompson .Because of circumstances “We’re responsible for helping our own.” That responsibility includes helping youth become capable of carrying on the responsibility in future years, he says. Duke Power’s media representa tive, Beatrice Thompson, believes some blacks “forget” because of circumstances. She likens it to being a peninsula that gets cut off at the top. “Young blacks become strand ed in the business environment,” she says. The balance between business and “who you are as a black person" can be precarious, she remarks “We need to remember where we came from, but we shouldn’t feel guilty about trying to succeed,” Thompson adds She says there’s always an obli gation to help others because ‘‘you didn’t get there by yourself ” Even if you cannot help financially, you have a mind and a voice and no excuse, she states. Darryl Lloyd, WBTV’s weather reporter, believes forgetting one’s roots may sometimes happen with Darryl Lloyd .Not just blacks upwardly mobile blacks, but he adds that's true of people in general and not a problem peculiar to blacks The obligation to help the less fortunate is there, he says, but "the responsibility should be left to the individual to do in whatever way they choose " People in general, he says, have a responsibility to help each other “If I'm in a good position, I’m in a position to help someone else pro fessionally," he comments. All four respondents agree that where one chooses to live is no reflection on how that person feels about his or her heritage. “People should live where they choose," Webber states. “It doesn’t mean you forget your roots. You can involve yourself through your fraternity, sorority, or church." Majeed adds that while living in non-black communities doesn’t mean African-Americans have for gotten their roots, it is important that they make a conscious effort to expose their children to their cultural heritage “South Africa Women’s Day” Program Planned By Janice Davidson Special To The Post On Saturday, August 9, women in South Africa will stage rallies and demonstrations to show their opposition to apartheid. , Here in Charlotte, local groups will sponsor a brunch and program to commemorate the 90th anniver sary of South African Women’s Day, to be held at McDonald’s Cafeteria, *19 Beatties Ford Rd, from 11 a m to 1 p.m. Charlottes ns for a Free South Africa, along with the local chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Chib and other comm uni ty. civic, and religious organisa tions, win sponsor the event. Featured speaker will be Veronica Motsepe Alexander of South Africa. The program will include a film about women in South Africa, "South Africa Belongs to Ust", and musical selections by Sandra Jem* and Deborah Brewer. Dr. Bertha Maxwell will emcee the program Mrs. Alexander grew up In South Africa. She met her future huabaiA North Carolina NAACP leader KeUy Alexander Jr ., when he visited South Africa on a fact-finding mission in 1977. She is currently studying at Queens CdBage, and serves on the board of WomanReach and as vice chairman of the local NAACP Woman’s Auxiliary The Alexanders are Veronica Motsepe Alexander ....South Africa native members of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The program win benefit the hundreds of men, women, and children who are political prisoners and detainees in South Africa, with proceeds designated far Inter- ' national Defense and Aid frund for South Africa. South Africa is a land abundant In natural resources and riches, yet marred by constant struggle and turmoil, with a growing rebellion against the stronghold of an apartheid-ruled government On August t, IMS, over 90,000 South African women of all racial groups assembled in the capital of Pretoria to protest against the extension of the hated "pass laws" to women The pass laws were designed to keep blacks segregated, to separate black families, and to restrict blacks' movement and labor within certain confined areas. August 9, designated Women’s Day in South Africa, marks an important event in the history of the struggle for justice, freedom and democracy in that country "We hope that you will join us on that day to express your solidarity," said Stella Nkomo, chair of the planning committee Tickets are $10 and $15 (patrons), with reservations due by August 4. Tickets are available at Under Cover BookSource, 115 East Blvd., Park Road and Uptown YWCA, or by calling Cindy Patton at 507-7467 from 10 a m. to 10 p m OinelVemenlkn The Mecklenburg County Crime Prevention Association will be hold ing its quarterly meeting Thursday, August 14, ait the First Baptist Church educational buHdli*. locat ed at 901 South Davidson St , Charlotte, 7:90. All Interested citizens are In vited to attend! Prison Inmates from the N.C. Department of Correction, which participates in the ‘ Think Smart” program, will be sharing with us their views on "The life of a cri minal and how he sese our correc tional institutes."
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 31, 1986, edition 1
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