Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 22, 1987, edition 1 / Page 7
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Win, Jesse, Win! The Rev. Jane L. Jackson's ded non to onfce again seek the Demo ! cratic nomination for President of | the United,8tates has implications I far b*yond next ystar's Democratic . convention. While listening to > Jackson make his announcement 1 speech at the Raleigh. N.d Civic I Center, I realized that ti^e future of | this nation is contingent upon how i well our national political process l is able to respond to both the chal ! lenge and the opportunity. « Jackson ia now considered by J the established media and profes f Monal pollsters to be not only a sa il nous candidate but the leading t candidate and; as a result, preri r dential politics will never be the [ _ nine, But what is more important I than tta fact that Jaduon is run ■ ning is |the way hs is running and ! the issufea he is raising. c wnyji woulp an African* It f In 1987 risk one's life to > highest political office in |on when it is so obvious L course is fraught with j and sharks out for the |d why are the hopes apd of the millions of African - -T.. . is, Hispanic*Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Ameri cans apd white Americans who make up the National Rainbow Co alition lifted to new heights by this candidacy? In Jackson s own words, he wants'"to serve America.1* Of course this serving the nation also means changing the nation. With new aad bold leadership in the White House, Jackson affirms that it is possible to make the nation and the wotfd more just and more hu mane. It was interesting to listen to white farmers from the Midwest who had come to Raleigh to de Civil I Rights' Journal dare their support for Rev. Jack son. Jackson is the only candidate who offers them hope and a way out of their economic crisis. Jackson is also the only candi date to challenge the economic in justice created by U.S. multi national corporations - corpora tions which have eliminated the jobs of U.S. workers in order to ex ploit the workers of Third World countries. Self-determination, hu man rights and economic justice are the basic principles of Jack son's foreign policy. ine day after Jackson's speech, I travelled by plane from Raleigh to Chicago. While waiting to get my boarding pass, I looked around and noticed a long multi-racial line of people of different ages waiting to board the plane. I soon discov ered they were among the more than 6,000 persons who had at tended the National Rainbow Coa lition Convention. There was a sense of joy and excitement as those in line began to embrace and congratulate each other on their mutual sense of accomplishment. Many of them now realized that the diversity of the Rainbow was more than just theory; it was a liv ing reality. The hope is that this organizing and mobilizing, across racial and eco nomic lines will become the basis of a progressive transformation of this society. For me, there are moral and the ological implication* of the Jack eon candidacy that go beyond poli tic*. In the Black church tradition we affirm that "the Lord sure moves in mysterious ways." At a ( time when there has been a dra matic increase in racially motivat ed violence and other acts of overt racism across the nation, an Afri can American emerges as a major leadership figure for tho whole na tion. At a time when President Reagan and conservative political forces seem determined to contin ue leading the nation toward greater racial and economic divi siveness, Jackson emerges as a vi able alternative who provides a moral vision and a commitment to all people. When Jackson left Raleigh, he left without the protection of the Secret Service. A major candidate for the highest office in tifcji land deserves this federal protection. The officials in Washington'who are responsible for maklngthe de cision about who receives Secret Service protection should expedite this matter as soon as possible. We must not allow Jesse Jackson to take this risk by himself. We must embrace him with our prayers and our support. I am personally com mitted to the National Rainbow Coalition and to the Jackson cam paign. wnat s at stake is not just win ning an election. It is also winning the commitment and energy of millions of people with a new sense of determination to change this na tion for the better. Win, Jesse, win! 1 to* 'fen** o UE tKwt DmaoR. KSAVIN6 TOM TfenN6 TOTIM6 WJCVMD66 C r> ttSNHil Lrl % —. ~4 8YOOPHANT Letters To The Post Goodale's Statement Is Callous i s Dear Editor: I am writing this letter to express my concern regarding Bob Goo dale's statements about black man agers within Harris Teeter. When asked how come Harris Teeter had so few blacks as managers, Mr. Good ale expressed that it was because blacks have a history of compliance and do better behav iorally taking orders versus giving them. It is hard to believe that a man who was considering run ning for mayor could be so insensi tive and callous. Last year, about this time, our church was the victim of defama tion, when our property was van dalized and scarred with a Klan message: "The KKK shall live." As a result of this disgrace, we called the entire community to gether to renounce such foolish ness and overshadow racial ha tred and bigotry with love and community harmony. A year later we find ourselves being scarred again by a respected corporate neighbor who essentially is willing to take money from blacks, but not treat them as equals. Mr. Goodale's expressed insensi tivity reinforces racial stereotypes and belittles the efforts of count less mothers and fathers who are struggling to make more out of their children than they were able to be. Mr. Goodale makes liars out of countless mothers and fathers when he says that black managers can't hack it. There are many par ents encouraging their children to be whatever they want to be and work hard enough to become. Many black parents are inspiring their children not to use history as an excuse for mediocrity, but a stepping stone unto excellence. Mr. Goodale calls the black preacher a liar, who proclaims to their congregations that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us — preachers who lead hundreds of people every day from the clutches of fear and fail ure to purposeful lives and victori ous attitudes. Week after week, these men and women lead their flock as managers (many times with limited resources and capital) to depend on a God of the Exodus who not only frees the Jew, but frees all who are downtrodden and allows them to be resurrected above their circumstances and his tory. in as mucn as we nave come a long way as a nation and people, there are still many injustices and discriminatory practices to rectify. Wherein there still lies many bar riers to equal opportunity. Howev er, where we spend our money is of the few opportunities all have to manage (particularly in Harris Teeter). It is my desire and objective to encourage as many persons as possible to manage to shop some where other than Harris Teeter. Finally, I thank God that Bob Goodale did not decide to run for mayor. Who knows, he might have won and we would be ar guing about the road to equal op portunity instead of the one lead ing in and out of town. Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun Pastor Signs Of Support For Gantt Dear Editor: East Saturday I put a support Gantt sign in my yard. I was shocked to know that so many people thought I was against Mayor Gantt because of the TV station of which he was part own er. As I have stated to the Mayor, I felthfe was wrong and he still feels that he was right. All in all, he is still my brother. When this issue was in the news, many in the community were against me for my stand. I feel that we as a people must learn that we can disagree and still love. I look at Mr. Gantt’s record and the other persons, and it is clear that Mr. Gantt is the better. While Mr. Gantt and I disagree on one issue , there is still the issue of the better ment of the city. After I put up my sign, I went around the city to see who had signs up. Out of all those who said I was wrong for the stand I took on the TV issue, only one had a sign in their yard. Also as of this letter, there is only one yard in my community and that one is in my yard. My supporters will all be out working for Gantt. Let me go on record now as a Gantt supporter. Where are all those who said to me I was wrong and they support the Mayor? Why are there so few yard signs? What kind of support are you giving? I support Gantt. Black communi ty, where do you stand? James E. Barnette Minority Outreach Coordinator Club Enhances Cultural Knowledge Dear Editor: Hello, the Afro-American Cul tural Club are the one organiza tion at Central Piedmont Com munity College that strives to en hance o«r knowledge on Black Heritage. r We are under the leadership of Carolyn Pitts, Advisor and Ed die Foxworth III President. Pres ently, we are planning for the Annual Fall Fest held at Central Piedmont Community College, where wo will hold our first membership drive of the 1987 1988 school year. Some future plans consists of a memorial programs in honor as the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a series of events planned for February, during the College's observance of Black History Month. In closing, we would like to in elude the community, in anyway possible. Our goal is to involve as well as to educate our Youth on today’s Black Heritage. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me, Adrian Stowe, Journalist at 342 6751, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sincerely Yours, Adrian Stowe Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On... JNO: Wonder We Are Discouraged "American ship attacked in the Persian Gulf." "Stock: market drop is new record." These twin headlines that shared the front pages of last Week's neWs left me cold. They seemed calcu lated tof frighten. They worked. But I was more than frightened. I was angry and discouraged. Why? Peace and prosperity. Those are what we hope for, pray for, and, sometimes, work for. The headlines frightened me be cause &ey reminded me how fra gile those hopes are. The headlines put them totally out of my coritrol -and out of anyone's control. ' The stock market. Will it rebound and reach new highs? Will it' con tinue to fall? Will it crash and bring recession or depression to the economy? Liiaten to tne experts and you get a thousand different answers. No i 4 r V D.G. Martin I > One On One | body really knows what is going to happen or why. Can our prosperity and econom ic security really be at the mercy of a stock market that is controlled by forces that we do not understand and cannot influence? No wonder we are discouraged by the headline* about the market Th* Persian Gulf. Tho new* from then may be wors*. We have given up the choice of war or peace-and put it in the hands of the Iranians. It is now up to them. We have laid down the challenge to them. "Back down, don't confront us or we will retaliate," we say firmly and give them the power to choose peace or conflict. Maybe we had to do it, but that does not keep me from being chilled by Iran having control over my peace. Iran holds us hostage again. - Can we really out-re taliate them? Should we surrender or with draw? How can we "win" without fighting? There are no good answers to thoee questions. Each day every thing seems more and more out of control. t fl Our peace and our prosperity hostages top an insane country and an insane stock market ,, 0 No wonder I am discouraged. Dear Editor: As a thinking person, I am amazed at the flavor of politics currently being acted out in Dis trict 3. One one hand, we have ELLA SCARBOROUGH, a tradi tional Democrat. On the other, we have ROOSEVELT GARDNER, JR., a Republican. The irony is that both are black and for the first time in 120 years Black voters must choose, eliminating race as a factor. I think this is good and healthy for the the entire commu nity. Mrs. SCARBOROUGH, is a fine housewife and works in a supervi sory position for Duke Power Company. Mr. GARDNER, is a man who has served his country and faced combat in Vietnam. His credentials include a host of com munity activities such as the P.T.A., Chairman, Republican Pre cinct #53, and most recently, ap pointed by Governor Martin to the Human Relations Council. With out a doubt, he is a man of fine character. When you have two fine candidates running, how can you choose between them without considering character? Isn't it strange how the local elec tion can have national implica tions, because race is eliminated as a pertinent factor? On the national scene, we see Jesse Jackson leading the polls ahead of the other Democratic contenders. This is ironic because racial voting has characterized American politics; the greater iro ny may be that he causes tradition al white Democrats to bolt the par ty en-mass because they con sciously cannot conceive the idea of a black man becoming the Com mander-in-Chief and Head of the First Family in America living in the White House. American voters are faced with a paradox. Are we Democrats on the national scene when a black man heads the ticket? Can we vote Republican in District 3 when a black man of fine character and experience is determined to make a difference? And how do we re spond as black people when a black Republican speaks through out our churches and communities about the danger of being a cap tured vote, so often taken for granted? What are we to say when the entire city is looking at us to see if we are ready for a change since crime, drugs and prostitution infest our communi ties? Are we going to say we are satisfied and blindly pull the Dem ocratic lever? It seems to me that we are at a cross-road in America. We must re-define our bearings as a De mocracy and Republic. It would be so good if we can eliminate race for character and return to that principle that made ancient Rome so great, that is, choose the first among equals. Sincerely, Paul L. Moore In a recant letter to George Kart, the Police Chief of Oakland, Cali fornia (455 - 7th Street, Oakland, GA 94604), a desperate citizen, and 1 mean desperate, pleaded for help. l nm latter la not unlike the one you might write if you Hve in New „ York. Chicago, Detroit,. Philadel phia or almoet any major city in America. lhe> letter, the writer aaid, ”ia a loud ary for help from a neigh bor ; hood’ that ia being (haa been) de atroyed by ’eevage drug deal era." On Bancroft Avenue,ian accom *■ ponying petition told bhlef Hart, the “vulgar and loud’ drug deal era move about aa armed marauding ; banda. The dtiaena malice they are no match for theee thuya. "Thia let ter ie a ^ry for help!" »a*m*t Avenue k mgni is a uv-: lag gall. Drug dealer* control tha/ ' *tro#to. ^darting out to car* aad | willing fuetomer* and hawking guage and music are their trade mark. "Every night, they put on a show to tel] us, the lawabiding citizens, that it is they, the dope dealers, who are in charge," the plea says. A car flrebombed, a man found dead in a car, families cannot .sleep, young children cannot play -day after day, night after night. The stress is compounded by the reality that they cannot afford to move. Like most of us, they are trapppd where they live-in this case on Bancroft Avenue in Oak- * Jifetd. inereiore, we do what all dis troesed humane do: We cry for help! We, the law-abiding dtitena of thie neighborhood, are asking you, Mr. Qeorge Hart, Polka Chief of Oakland, to give os, the law abiding citixena of this neighbor hood, real and immediate helpr It is obvious that the police no longer control the urban areas, the thugs do. It is also obvious that If decent people do not band togeth I Tony Brawn's frontline for the police, the police win not regain control. * Bugg.il mac me people on Ban croft Avenue who contacted me, alao contact the Black newapaper in which this column appeara and Within You (Just Say No), a local drug-prevention group in their city at 8101-A Sacramento Street, Berkeley, CA. 94702, (418) 848 0846. Collectively, they can orga niso a "Walk Against Drugs” on Bancroft Avenue. MVjfJ'r- ! oiutfftr »> i They should also writ* for tech nic*!-assistance from th* National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5600 Fishers Lane (Room lOA-54), Rockville, Maryland 20857 and make sure they send you a dyna mite pamphlet: "A Guide to Mobi lising Ethnic Communities for Drug Abuse Prevention.'* Within you grew out of the same neighborhood turmoil that we now ss« on Bancroft Avenue. BUMte in Actipn (later to be come within You) and was joined by Linda Wilts, an experienced Bay Area Activist. Together they convinced the citizens in that area that something can be done. Soifuddin Ali, you and the decent people on Bancroft Avenue and around this country can do the same. We can stop drugs. Togeth er. Go to the Western Black Publish ers Association and the Black Press individually; call Delvin Wil liams at Pros for Kids (1710 S. Amphlett Blvd., Suite 300,8an Ma teo, CA. 94402, (416) 671-6726). Contact Rev. Amo* Brown, the Buy Freedom expert In the Bay Area, at Third Baptist Church, 1899 McAllister Street, San Fran ciseo, CA. 94118, (418) 846-4426 for help.I'm speaking for there for him on November 14th. He'e my main man. And don t forget Within You, the Police Chief and all of the good people who will join our fight for survival against drugs. Seifuddin Ali and the decent peo ple on a drug-infested street in Oakland, California, need our help. Call Seifiiddin at (416) 632-7418. And As-Salaatn-Alaikum to you, Seifuddin Ali. TONY BROWN’S JOURNAL TV series can be seen on public tel evision Sunday on Channel 42 at 6 p.m. It can also be seen on Chennai 58 Saturday at 1:80 p.m. Pleeas consult listings. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? lb.SZfSZL&Sfjg!?
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 22, 1987, edition 1
7
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75