Newspapers / The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.) / Dec. 22, 1988, edition 1 / Page 4
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None Of The Above a iew months ago, a public opi nion survey found that people had changed their views since Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980. In those days, people said they wanted less government. A more recent survey said they wanted more services from government. What about the other two choices? We could have a larger and more expensive government providing less service. Some peo ple would say this is what we have seen for the past generation at least. Couldn’t we also have less government and more services? Do you remember the first calculators? They cost $100 or more. Now you can get much smaller, better models for less than one-tenth the price. What is the secret? Why are we getting better service for much less money? We are often told that more government is needed because our world is so much more com plicated. Computers are also com plex. Why are they getting cheaper? Costs have come down and ser vices have gone up in the com puter industry because a great deal of talent has been applied to finding a better way of getting the job done. When a better way was found it was applied as quickly as possi ble. More people were served, the service was better, and costs were lower. Next time if we are asked if we want more government or less service, perhaps we should answer, “none of the above.” The Christmas Spirit “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Em manuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. The Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:23-25). The Christmas season being shared now by thousands find many appreciating the joys and the sorrows of the past 12 months and eagerly awaiting the challenges of the New Year. Glory be to the One who guides the affairs of men. The favorable and unfavorable, the highs and lows, the tears and the laughter are all reconciled in the hope and good will of the Son born to man. Many are joyous during this season because the Christmas spirit permeates beyond earthly concerns and problems and br ings glad tidings and cheer. Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; in the manger born a king, while adoring angels sing, “Peace on earth, to men goodwill; bid the trembling soul be still, Christ on earth has come to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel!” As families and friends enjoy happiness and good will, may they also remember those who may not be as fortunate to experience the same. Let the community reach out and extend hands of love and care to those who share the city with us and whose birthday will not be merry and happy—except we make it so. The children should all know the meaning of this time of the year—that it is the season of love above all else. ‘‘Hark, the herald angels sing ‘Glory to the newborn King!’ Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim, ‘God is bom in Bethlehem!’” The elderly must be assured that the faces they see daily and the hundreds of others that know of their plight do possess the spirit of the One whose birth we celebrate. Anyone who faces uncertainty and without faith may find the peace and comfort of our hearts—sharing in love and faith. Hail! The heaven-bom Prince of Peace. The Sun of Righteousness! Life and light to all He brings! Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, bom that man/no’more to die. Bom to raise the sons of the earth, Bom to give them a second birth. Go in peace with goodwill toward all. Helping The Poor According to an anti-poverty group that interviewed people in North Carolina and elsewhere, government should do more to create jobs and provide job train ing in depressed areas. Ever since the Reagan administration came to power, the government has been oblivious and rejective to the poor and underprivileged. Overall findings of the study issued by the Washington-based Coalition on Human Needs found that poor people think the govern ment should be more active in creating jobs and job-training, and in changing the welfare guidelines to help those who work but still live in poverty. There are many people who do not choose to live in poverty, and they deserve all the assistance they can receive so they can escape from their situation. One woman interviewed said that although she worked full time she sometimes thought about quitting her job so she could col lect food stamps and Medicaid for her disabled husband and three children. If industry and govern ment will play a greater role in assisting poor and impoverished people, this kind of attitude would not be as prevalent as it is. It is common knowledge that most people want to be productive, but when they live below standards, they often are forced to take desparate measures. As the woman stated, ‘ ‘A family is struggling to have the basic things. Sometimes you are work ing and you end up worse off. You wonder why you work.” Because unemployment is high and wages are low for most of those who work, North Carolina’s tradition of low wages, plentiful labor and. relatively low welfare benefits makes life difficult for many people. Immediate action should be taken to help eliminate this pathetic plight of the poor in America. What action will President-Elect George Bush take? The poor and homeless are waiting. ayatollah JSHBRe.10.SBE. NEWS (TEMURS DCAMNM MWBKT P» BACK J BY UR. CHARLES W. FAULKNER DON'T BE BRAINWASHED INTO HOLIDAY DEPRESSION Those nice people who own those nice stores that sell such expensive merchan dise are out to get you. They want you to buy expensive gifts for your family, friends, or for anyone. However, the tricks of the trade that they use could get you into emotional trouble. They could even cause you to become terribly depressed. Mer chants simply want you to spend money. If you spend money, it’s good for them. If you get depressed in the process, it’s tough luck for you. Why do millions of people become depressed immediately after Christmas? What can you do to avoid post-holiday depression? Immediately after Thanksgi ving, you hear Christmas carols everywhere you go. Shopping malls, Mc Donald’s, record stores. Everywhere! You begin to feel sentimental, almost guilty, for having neglected certain family members. You begin to feel nostalgic. You think. “How much I miss the wonderful old days at home with Mom and Dad.” You begin to feel sad. “Why has life been so unpleasant?” Did you say something bad to someone last year? You begin to seek forgiveness. Everytime you hear a Christmas carol, it causes your emotions to rise. Over and over you hear the Christmas music, until you can no longer resist the motivation (need) to buy “soul-saving” gifts. How can you atone for your mistakes? Buy a gift. That’s how. So, you buy a present for those whom you have neglected. It makes you feel good inside. Everytime you hear Christmas music, you think about your good deed. If you can’t afford to buy a gift or if someone won’t accept a gift from you, your feeling of guilt, nostalgia, or sadness builds up and up and up. And you get sad der and sadder and sadder. Well, at least you have Christmas music to constantly remind you of the fact that others are using this grand occasion for joy and happiness. Just listening to the Christmas music makes you feel joyful. It’s an aid. A savior. A crutch to carry you through your day. Thirty-six days of lovely Christmas music. Maybe there’s hope for you, after all. Then Christmas comes and as suddenly as it started, it stops. Abruptly and without warning. Your emotional crutch is kicked out from under you. You have nothing to hold onto. Unhappiness returns. If you’re not careful, you could fall down, down, down into long-lasting depression. What can be done to avoid it? I’ll tell you in my next column. Vantage Point BY EON D. DANIELS viable force in presidential politics. For the record, till. Jesse'Jackson poll- A ed nearly seven million votes in his V primary presiden- 'Wy r< . J| tial election bid. Al . That’s more votes aBE**'’ w than any runner-up in the history of the Democratic Party. Til Jesse Jackson won BBB 13 states, 100 con- DANIELS gressional districts, and captured more than 1,200 delegates at the Democratic Na tional Convention. Of equal importance, Jesse Jackson kept critical issues on the table. These are issues of importance to black and Third World people—drugs, housing, health care, education, jobs, peace, justice. These historic ac complishments have propelled Jackson in to the leadership of the liberal-progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Never one to rest on his laurels, Jesse Jackson realizes that given the panic which the conservative tide has created among Democrats, the liberal-progressive forces will have to fight hard to keep the party from stampeding to the right and self-destructing. He has issued a major challenge to his supporters to participate in and transform the Democratic Party from the precinct to the presidency. The fact is black people have yet to really master and fully exploit the benefits of “traditional" electoral politics. African Americans need to press the two tradi tional parties to produce every gain and benefit possible in the interest of the masses of black people, other minorities, poor working people and the struggling middle class. Though the vast majority of black people vote Democratic, we are really not in the Democratic Party. Black people seldom seek positions on the policy-making bodies within the party at the state, local and na JACKSON ACTION: THE INSIDE STRATEGY Jesse Jackson has become a formidable fact of life inside the Democratic Party. The liberal/progressive Rainbow electoral coalition which he forged in 1988 demonstrated that with the right message, and the right strategy, the Democratic Party can expand its base and remain a «i _ '4’v, black people and progressives who vote Democratic to fight for full representation and an equitable share of everything within the Democratic Party. If the truth be told African-Americans have never really systematically fought to make the Democratic Party responsive and accoun table to black people at all levels. The time has come to take our vote and participa tion seriously or to s'top complaining about others taking advantage of us. The black vote must be used around a progressive agenda for change and benefit for the masses of black people, minorities, poor and working people. In that regard we must fearlessly reward our friends and punish our enemies (elect and de-elect). Understanding this, Jesse Jackson con tinues to place a premium on voter registration. Of the seven million votes which Jackson won in 1968, about 4.S million were black votes. But guess what? There were 14 million black registered voters eligible and available to vote in 1966 and another seven to eight million blacks unregistered. Remember, Mondale won the Democratic nomination in 1964 with 6.7 million votes and Dukakis won in 1968 with about nine million votes. The black vote potential is 22 million votes. The Jackson agenda inside the Democratic Party calls for a major effort to liberalize voter registration laws to make it easier for potential voters to register and remain on the books. The Con yers Bill which promotes same-day, same site election day registration is the center piece of the Jackson registration program. Other components of the Jackson agenda include 0.C. statehood, minority and women’s set-aside programs for business and support for the Dellums Bill for tougher sanctions against South Africa. Needless to say. expanded aid for housing, health care, education, Jobs, and a sane foreign policy will continue to be integral to Jackson’s efforts to restore sanity to the Democratic Party. That’s essentially the strategy which Jesse Jackson will be harnessing his sup porters to fight for Inside the Democratic Party. The next four years with critical mayoral and gubernatorial elections in 1989. the Census in 1990. r©apportionment in 1991 and presidential elections in 1998 will proviode ample time to test the possibilities of the inside strategy. Mean while, those who would seek to deny Jesse Jackson his just do as the leader of the liberal progressive wing of the party need to rethink their position. Another debacle like 1988 and even Jesse Jackson will not be able to stem the flood of disaffectiona nd defections from the Democratic Party. Indeed, what African-Americans and the progressive movement really need is an inside-outside strategy. i v BMBILB ?8Q®5J®EI¥ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; end when ye have found him, bring word again, that I may come and worship him also. And when they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they were come Into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and wor shipped him; when they had opened their treasures,, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense' and myrrh. Matthew 1:8-1,1 UJIZWm'S (Minanpi YOUNG GIRL 8HOW8 OUR FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS “Bubblin’ over with the newt,” Portia Webb wrote across the top of her letter. She identified herself as “• girl of 11” who had atteoded a special antidrug screening of "The White Girl” at Penn sylvania State University at University Part. Pa. (she lives in nearby College Park). Her grammar and punctuation I were as precise and free-flowing as her youthful exuberance as she explained that she had spent her I time going to see my movie (and I getting my message) and she I hoped that I would extend tbe| same courtesy to her letter. “I got your strong message and I I hope my opinion makes a <Mf-| ference,” she said. “I respect; and your opinions, so I hope ; won’t disrespect mine.” At that moment, I wished I BROWN were near her so I could give her a big hug and th^nk her for even having an opinion. After all, the movie was eon oeived and produced to reach people-eepecially young, impressionable people-with a self-love and anti-drug message. Portia Webb’s letter means a number of things to me. It means that movies can make a difference—a positive dif ference—In the lives of young people. It also means that they are eager to identify with constructive role models. And black children have been particularly deprived by the usual Hollywood productions with emphasis on sex, violence and white role models. But Portia Webb says it best. “I happen to live in a town where the majority of people are white, and black actors and actresses in movies are definitely what we need more of! So that’s why when I see gobs of blacks in my town filling the theaters to see great movies like yours, I get extremely excited! “When the gorgeous Talmak appeared on the scene, there was a great roar of ‘uhs’ and ’aha.’ Boy, I tell you, Teresa Farley, Troy Beyer and Taimak have all got the fine look. And when you said that Joan Collins could learn a thing or two from Teresa, you weren’t kidding!!! “Now, back to my original point! Movies are rated R for many reasons, such as swearing, sex or violence. There Is no reason that ‘White Girl’ should not stay rated PG-13. ‘White Girl’ did not project any swearing, sex—and the on ly violence it showed was a little karate from the martial arts—but that’s about it! You’re right, how could we tell Kim’s story without seeing her snort cocaine? “Oh yeah, you could pretend she took drugs. But that would be very unrealistic. I mean, you didn’t even have to attempt to make the movie for that matter!!! The purpose for the movie was to give a strong anti-drug message, and what better way to do it than show someone in action? “Take ‘Miami Vice,' for example. I’m sure we’ve seen, somewhere along the line, someone smuggling drugs or snorting drugs! What’s the point? You don’t have to be ac companied by an adult to watch the destructive ‘Miami Vice!!’ At least ‘White Girl’ gives a positive message. In 'Miami Vice,’ there Is always something negative going on, with plenty of sex and violence.’’ “God bleu you," she concluded. God bleu you, Portia Webb. And thank you for making all of the frustrations and problems in making “The White Girl” worthwhile. Your insights are indispensable to the future of our country. “Tony Brown’s Journal” TV serin can be seen eo public television Saturday on Channel 4 at1:30 p.m. Please consult listings. From My Corner BY ADRIAN KING Riding the Lincoln City Expreu or any other locally conceived alias for the bus to the blue collar, generally black area of the town one can usually enjoy or at lent be exposed to a variety of musical sourcu. Already Chartas Brown had pleaded with someone to “Please Come Home for Christinas." But it wu not until Donnie Hathaway started reminiscing that the Christmas spirit really hit him. This had been a short year, but good years always are. Never mind that the car wu due for a safety inspection and there wu no money to replace thou bald tires with some that might pau inspection. Overlook the fact that lately the meals had been lean, repetitive portions of the very basic stables. He had a job or a poor excuse for one. The rent wu paid, the flat was not coid and there wu no reason to suffer the humiliation dished out at the welfare office. Although everything wu going well, he could not ignore reality. Christmu wu near and the kids’ expectations grew u Christmas aDoroiched. What would he do? Last year the kids were told that the meager gifts were a result of Santa getting loot. The gifts under the tree were from Mom, Dad and the grandparents. This year on Christmu morn when the kids discover the absence of many gifts he would uy, “That must have been Santa I scared away last night. I thought it wu Just a wino in the alley.” Searching for a solution his personal wish list wu unlushed. Sure, he wanted his sons to be clones of Michael Jackson, Jabaar, Donald Trump and Lee Iacocca with PuliUer Prize writing talents. His prime wishes were more self-centered. Deep Inside he wished for the ability to pro vide not only the needs, be they spiritual, mental, economic or social, but also the wants his family desired. His most firmly rooted wish wu to be at least half the man his father ' obstacles he overcame and by thou standards his I wu a giant, a Mg one. It wasn’t Christmu yet. He still had time to find the solution to his problem and he would, for someone was depending on him being the giant. Like I Mmabs luaeu lamet m ns«4u^ ^4, J voBW ® Bum pwl»y CP friction bat
The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Dec. 22, 1988, edition 1
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