Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Feb. 12, 1987, edition 1 / Page 2
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Cbttoriate Casting T1 Stone Three important developments occurred last week that appear to put the Bob Walton is sue in an arrested state, at least until the 1988 elections. First, Bob Walton said publicly that he in tends to retain his seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. A post script to that announcement was echoed by Post Co-publisher Gerald O. Johnson last week when he wrote in his column on this page, "There is little that can be done to change the outcome of this decision." More significantly, and this is the second occurrence worthy of note, Mr. Johnson said further, "It would appear that the most ration al thing to do for all concerned is to work with that decision. We must put this episode behind us and focus on the issues facing the community. This means the other commis sioners must do what they were elected to do and allow Bob to do what he was elected to do. It means the Democratic Party, and the Black Political Caucus must alleviate the po litical pressure they have been asserting so that Bob can fiinction. It means District 2 must come to grips with this issue, and put it on the back burner, so that Bob can begin to . resolve community issues instead of person ' al issues." After all, to do anything less . * W ; . would only add to the hurt, division,- and pre occupation that has already cost District 2 a loss of valuable end needed public represen tation. The third occurrence of last week, identi cal to the central issues surrounding Bob Walton, trust and public confidence, was the published reports that Walton’s most vocal, critic, Melvin Whitley, was fired from his job last summer for diverting over $2,600 of his employees' funds to his personal use. Whitley, executive director of the Charlotte Organising Project until his forced resigna tion, reportedly plans to continue to pursue efforts to oust Walton from his Commission seat. With the Charlotte Organising Project be ing a social action agency supported by the Catholic Church, we would assume that Mr. Whitley is familiar with the Bible verse (John 8:7) in which Jesus says, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone... (in this case, at Bob Walton). As we reflect on Gerald Johnson's meaningful statement, we should also remind ourselves about our own sins and shortcomings. In fact, it will only be with such reminders that we can put in proper perspective the ftill value and practicality of Mr. Johnson's words and Bob Walton's decision. Welfare Reform Omits Human Dignity -In nil sixth State of th# Unioh addrggg to the 100th Congress and the American people on January 28, President Reagan began, as might be expected, on foreign affairs. Not unexpectedly, he talked about the failure in the Iran arms initiative, continued aid to the Nicaraguan contras and defense against the Soviet Union. The President then shifted his focus to a "search for excellence” in domestic policy said to be coming from economic prosperity, job formation and training, and competi tiveness. However, while Mr. Reagan's pro posals contained few if any details, he indi cated clearly that inconsistency in com ments on "excellence” and "new domestic frontiers." For example, as part of the goal of making the nation more competitive, Reagan said, "Preparing for the future must begin, as al ways, with our children." He called for more rigorous education and drug-free goals. Nevertheless, heomitfiki any mention of his requests for major cuts in both education and drug abuse funding fo/ states and local gov ernments. Subsequently, while supposedly focusing "new domestic frontiers" in his i address, , Reagan stressed his strong desire fbr major • increases in spending1 far defense and for eign aid which would be financed in part by cuts in all domestic programs. In the President's weekly radio address last Saturday, he talked about his adminis tration's proposed domestic program to allow states to consolidate up to 99 welfare pro grams into local systems of cash grants, vouchers and work requirements. The pro posed consolidation called "demonstration projects," are designed to discover innova tive ways to move people off welfare rolls and into jobs. We find some serious weaknesses in the "demonstration projects" draft, again of fered without details. Nevertheless, the sketchy^details that are known would appear to undercut human dignity for welfare recip ients as well as for those eligible for vete rans' pensions and college student load*. The worst features of the proposed welfare reform legislation are that the recipients' le w* Btate governments to make arbitrary de , !#*»* shout the type or form of benefits, with the recipient having no voice in the matter. This means too that a recipient would not be able to appeal a state's decision in any state i, or federal court. Furthermore, the proposed bill would give states and the federal Low Income Opportu nity Office freedom to disregard program laws in implementing the demonstration projects. i& As / See It: “....And They Are Off!” By Gerald O. Johnson:*.. ; On February 9, 1986 one hundred seventy State Legis lators were sworn in office to begin the long session of the 1987-88 General Assembly. Among those sworn in were Jim Richardson, C. E. Bard hill, and "Pete" Cunning ham. These three gentlemen represent predominantly Blade Districts in Mecklenburg County. Mecklenburg Coun ty has twelve representatives in all serving our local needs at the State level. February 9th also marked a new direction for the Char lotte Post It was the Idckoff ©f our commitment to bring you more of the political news that will direodyaffect your lives. I intend to high light political issues both from the local and state levels. I will let you know about those issues that are hot and those representatives who are ; hot. f will show you hoW your representative voted on issues and how his vote may impact your life. I Will on oc casion compare the voting patterns of the legislators from the predominantly Black districts with those from the \ We } SlPa 5 > Gerald total Mecklenburg delegation. I will let you hear firsthand from your representative on 'why,they voted the way they did. Finally, I will use the Post to communicate your concerns back to your repre sentatives. l I feel that dlls type of cover age^* important'for several reasons. First, it will allow -yotf losee what these people you have elected afe doing. Moreover, it will tell you why they are doing it Moreover, it will help educate you to the political process. Finally, it is qut hope that it will make you get more involved with, the political process. 4-'• ■ ’■■■■■ X - Gerald Johnson Boh Johnson Bernard Reeves Loretta Manage Jackie Carr Fran Farrer-Bradley Dnnnette Gaither Copy E4Ker A#». Mgr. Office Mgr. PaMlahtng Company, lac. Main Office: 1U1S. Camdea Road Charlotte, N.C. 2S203 - ■ ■ - Second Clan Footage Paid At Charlotte One Year ' #be Year-f IT.N Payable Ip Advance USP8 Ne. MSN POSTMARtER "^ClWRlIoTTE PO«f ^ Black By Hharssan N. Miller M*4 ■ Special To The Poet Black History Month becomes a time for Black Americana to take prida in their successes. Every one takes great prida in pointing out the significant inventions fay Macks, or they call attention to ones who broke racial barriers. Yst ws hear very little of the trials and tribulations these black pio neers had to endure. I ones had an opportunity to tote the pioneer's burden. I was the fir* Mack graduate student in the Department of Physies at the Uni versity of Delaware. I later learned that I was also the first Mack physics major at the uni versity. This added burden meant 1 had to succeed. I quickly learned that the University of Delaware was also vary interested in my suc cess. My professors were always very willing to offer their help. Although the physics graduate courses and research work were challenging, I also found the psy chological stress from racial iso lation to be comparable in diffi culty. Since there were some extreme ly gifted black undergraduate science and pre-medical students at the University of Delaware, I often discussed science issues with them. One of theee chape is currently our fkmlly physician. All the black graduate students 1. had met at the university were in business, history or education. I felt a need to make friends among* my peers in the Physics Department. My guest to gain ac ceptance wae aldn to re- pledging into the undergraduate chapter of the Omega P* Phi Fraternity at Delaware State Collage. Once I demonstrated to everyone that I was willing to work hard they let • " Sherman ; • me become.one of the "good ol' boys." 1 also became doae friend* with eorae profeeaora one of whom I lat er helped to become the first Chi nes* American Lt. Governor In the history of the U.8. Another chap currently reviews many of my national columns. My experience at the University of Delaware trained me to func tion .freely In predominantly white settings. Most predomi nantly white universities are mi crocosms of Mainstream Ameri ca. Thus this type association would allow Mack American at tendee* to become educated in the modus operand! of the economic mainstream. I left the University of Delaware hoping someday to walk ipto a room frill of black scientists who used their skills to run their own business. I was lost for words when my dream was finally real ised. Communications Electronic International, Inc. (OEI) of Or lando, PL, is owned and operated by a group of black, young acian- tiata and angineara. The Invisible Marchers Dear Editor A* we observe Black History Month, our attention often focuses on news clips of those who marched and thoee who wield power from the podium. Truly the clock of progress would have been turned even slower were it not for thoee who stood on the frontline, a group of people brave enough to be seen end heard. The Jacksons and Kings have another groOp of people who didn't lead in front of cameras and microphones. In stead, this group of people stood in the shadows and trudged! onward without any thailks or pats on the > back. This group of peopls worked in the fields, mopped flocfrs, and got an education when they could. At my ags, i really can t say I've experienced the back of the bus, "Colored Only," of days miased from school because I had to work. I thank Rosa Pafks for not giving up her seat on th* bu*, but I also thank those blacks who never got to ride the hue. I’m thankful for th* law* that got rid of "Colored Only," but I'm also thankfUl t*ithose who had th* pa tience to endure such humiliating treatment. Along thee* same-' Hn**, a minister's wife once told me how they drove ell night through southern states on thoir way to Texas, simply< because it wasn't safe to stop. I certainly thank thorn, because I can check in wherever I please. But probably th* ones 1 thank the moat are thods Macks, living and passed on, who worked in the fields and honies while being deprived of an edues tion. Black youths of e bygone ere didn't labor because they needed the extra money to buy a few luxu ries. No, they worked to provide the luxuries of food and clothing. Black education wad forced tabs secondary. All these people were the Invisible marchers; the ones who didn't make the news. With the observance of Black History Month there will be a number of television shows reflecting our past Recently, I came across a pro gram on the history of the early Civil Rights Movement. At first glance, I found it sad and changed the channel. However, I was drawn back and endured the entire program. Again I became depressed and than I became an gry. I was sad because people 1 never knew died so that 1 could have a fair chance in Hfe. I was angry because people had to for feit their education ao they could eat. My sadness and anger forced me to think about things I have be gun to take for granted. I’ll be certain to get a videotape on the Civil Rights Movement and show it to my children as soon as they can understand. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with being sad or being angry. W ■ Thank you, JaARP To Meet S Tha MacklanbuTg Chapter #197 of tha American Aaeociatlon of Retired Paraona will have ite reg ular monthly meeting at 9:80 a.m. Thursday, February 19, in tha Fellowship Hall of tha Little Church on tha Lane, 828 Moravi an Lana. r*-' f ' The three State representa tives that I talked to agreed wholeheartedly to help us with this process. They all seemed eager to do whatever is necessary to get more peo ple involved. Jim Richardson pointed out the difficulty in getting legislation passed that will help Black people, when Blacks rarely cojne out in numbers to show their sup port. The accountability of our elected officials is only as good as the accountability of the electorate. The electorate is accountable for making these officials answer to you. Write them, call them, go visit them, they work for you. But they can’t be effective if they don't know what you want. The Charlotte Post will do its part in providing the vehi cle for communication between the elected and the electorate. I feel Richardson, Barnhill, apd Cunningham will do their part ip responding effectively to the issues facing the community. The question is, will you do your part by getting involved? After all, the life you help may be your own. > / ' ' V y\ ‘ Statement by John E. Jacob, president, National Urban "The National Urban League is relocating iu Western Regional Assembly meeting, planned for Phoenix, Ariiona, to Denver, Col orado. We’ will not hold any National Urban League meetings in Ari to ns until the state decides to return to the.Union by restoring recogni tion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. "By rescinding the state’s ob servance of that important holi day, the Governor has insulted black Americans end all people who balievs in racial equality. Hi* action etokas the fires of ra cism and erects a high barrier be tween his state and the rest of the nation. W# strongly urge all na tional and rational groups to re fuse td hold conferences, meet ings, and other activities in Ari sons until such time as Martin Luther King Jr. Day is honored there. - Om- quarrel la not with the peo ple and fasinesltta in Aritona, but with * governor whose action haa stained the reputation of the fins citizens of Me state.” A statement hy Herman Bolton, oonvwtor of the Western Region aTAeaewifely, National Urban "We etrengly support the deci sion to move the National Urban League's Western Regional As sembly meeting out of «gr state * , l .
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 12, 1987, edition 1
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