Newspapers / The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.) / May 16, 1989, edition 1 / Page 1
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I N.C. STATE LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS DEPT. 109 E. JONES ST. RALEIGH NC 27611 ciacKson Dancing Around Questions About Race For Mayor Of Washington __ - .i ' . K >' 4* REV. JES8E JACKSON [ I Rep. Towns Challenges A&T Grads GREENSBORO—The graduates of North Carolina AJtT State University were challenged Sunday by a former university student to use their educa tion to improve existing conditions. “You must use your education to bolld a better world to live in,” Rep. ■doiphus Towns (D-N.Y.) told the graduates. “You must come up with a pin to turn things around. You must find solutions and you are compelled to make a change.” It was the 96th commencement ex ercise at A&T and Towns, a 1966 alannus, delivered an address which drew thunderous applause from the 910 graduates and a crowd of 12,000 at tbs Greensboro Coliseum. A&T Chancellor Edward B. Fort awarded the degrees with C.D. Spangler, president of the University of North Carolina system, among the honored guests. Lloyd Best, an electrical engineer iig major from Whiteville, was the top honor graduate with a 3.96 grade point average. Tijuana Rountree, an accounting major from Elm City, and Charles Miller, a manufacturing ma jor from Portsmouth, Va., were se cond and third honor graduates, respectively. In addition to conferring degrees to the candidates, Fort awarded the honorary doctor of science to Dr. Benjamin Carson, an acclaimed neurosurgeon who is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. A&T also honored two members of its faculty and staff. Dr. Willie T. wh. associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, was honored as ad ministrator of the year, and Dr. Mark Kiel, chairman of the department of accounting, was recognised as teacher of the year. Towns, a native of Chadbourn, told the graduates to And their place in society and Join an impressie list of A&T graduates, including former presidential candidates Jesse Jackson and North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Henry E. Frye. WASHINGTON, D C. (AP)-Jesse Jackson isn’t ruling out a campaign for mayor of Washington, D.C., but say« he’s “not looking for something to do” and has no current plans to run. Facing persistent questions about reports he is weighing a race for mayor of the nation’s capital, Jackson repeated his pledge not to challenge embattled incumbent Marion S. Barry, Jr. But he declined to say what he would do if Barry steps aside. “I need not deal in the hypothetical,” Jackson said. “I take this process of public service seriously, and I take it one day at a time.” The two-time candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination responded to questions about the mayoral race at a news conference following an appearance before a Senate committee where he called for a federal law mak ing voter registration easier and more accessible. Entering the hearing, Jackson got a taste of the specua tion about his ftiture that has filled political circles. “Should we be saying, ‘Welcome, Mr. Mayor?”’ Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., asked jokingly as Jackson took his seat at the witness table. “I think it’s out of order,”Jackson responded. Jackson dismissed a Washington Post poll showing he would be the runaway leader if he runs for mayor, saying it would not influence his thinking “As a matter of fact, if they conducted a poll on who Democrats would want nationally to be the [presidential] nominee, I’d be number one in that poll as well,” he said. “So I must keep all those polls in focus.” The poll said Jackson would win 68 percent of the vote to 17 percent for Barry. The poll of 1,021 registered voters in the city also found that Barry, facing declining support because of questionable behavior and mounting city pro blems, would lose in one-on-one matchups with four other possible challengers. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. Jackson lives in Chicaao and would have to move to (See JESSE JACKSON. P. 2) White Supremacist Trial Gas Poured OnVictims Three Men Killed In Bookstore SHELBY (AP)—Douglas Sheets, a white supremacist on trial for killing three men at an adult bookstore, said he and a co-defendant poured gasoline on the victims after two other men shot them, a former cellmate testified last week. Bobby Gene Pryor testified that Sheets toki him “Two soldiers went in [the bookstore] and shot them [the victims] while Sheets and [Robot] Jackson poured kerosene and gasoline on them. He said he used a 22 and a .45 Icaliber mins].” fleets is charged with murder, ar son, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy and first-degree kidnapping in the January 1967 execution-style slayings of three men at the Shelby HI adult bookstore. Before fleeing, the assailants tried to burn the bookstore, a hangout for homosexuals. Two men were serious ly wounded in the incident. “[Sheets] told me that he would never be tried because they were go ing to get him out," Pryor testified. “He said they would blow this damn building to hell, that was exactly what he said. “He said if they would not have left those two queers alive, he would not be here [in Jail]. He said two of those queers were still alive. “I said, ‘Would you do that again if you could get out of here?’ and he said, ‘Hell, yes.’ He said they [the vic tims] were supposed to die because (See POURS GAS, P.2) Water, The Fountain Of Life For Africa The National Association of Bench and Bar Spouses, Inc., has embarked on an ambitious program to provide clean and disease-free drinking water to remote villages in the southern African nation of Malawi. In the first year of this program, titled “African Fountains of Life,” NABBS, working through the renowned Washington, O.C.-based African development organization African, will support the construction of so “protected springs” in the heavily populated Ntcheu district in southern Malawi. In the Ntcheu district, an estimated H percent of the population lacks ac cess to clean and safe drinking water. Moot draw their water from a few doteriorating, muddy wells, each of which might serve 1,000 people or more in addition to assorted livestock. Other traditional water sources, such as rivers and streams, an also unsafe. The result of un sanitary drinking sources is that cholera and dysentery, water-borne diseases which an major killers of young children, are rampant in this "ibe “African Fountains of Life” program will make an enormous im provement in the quality of life of of rural Malawians, by helping to Increase the availability of risen water. In the first year of the campaign (1900-90), NABBS through its affiliate chapters will support the contraction of 90 protected springs hi Malawi. Each spring will require Just |700 in funding from NABBS. The benefiting villagers will con tribute unskilled labor to dig trenches and deliver stone and sand for the concrete structures that surround the springs. To ensure long-lasting results, each village will also select three of its people for training in the operation and maintenance of the new protected spring system. As a result of the protection of these springs, rural Malawians will have clean and reliable sources of water for a variety of purposes. They will also realize a great reduc tion in the now frequent incidence of water-borne diseases. Ms. Harriet A. Pitcher, president of the National Association at Bench and Bar Spouses, is encouraging the full participation of the NABBS fami ly in this endeavor. She says, "Ex panding our linkages with our sisters and brothers in Africa can lead to an improvement in the quality of life for (See SENATE'FUNDING, P.2) MRS. HARRIET A. PITCHER KEYS TO SUCCESS-Bronda Rand Davit spoka at the Saint Augusflne’s CoRege’s chaptar at Alpha EptNon Rha national broadcasting honor todoty program. Tho tlwma at the program was "Matlvatlsn, Dotormlnatlon and Proparation: You Mako R Happen,” and was attandad by prominent Mack broadcasters from throughout the Triangle ana. (Photo by TaMi Sabk-Caleway) Dr. Key Feted Folio wing Diatinguiahed Career BY UK. ALBERTJABS Special To The CAROLINIAN The 41 year career of Thomas Key at Shaw University is a role model that contradicts cultural stereotypes and myths. The Moynihan report of the late 1960’s that saw the African-American DR. THOMAS KEY New initlattvee family as weak and unstructured would be demolished by the clear example of the Thoms Key family, which exemplifies loyalty, education, talent, commitment, and vision. For the many who gathered in Spaulding Gymnasium on May 12th to pay tribute to the long tenure of Key as a professor, administrator, and (See CAREER, P. 'l) * What’a In A Name? The Debate Of The African-American BY SAM CAMERON Special 7a NNPA NEW ORLEANS. L«.—The African-American Summit got under way in New Orleans with much an the agenda to he debated as well as the introduction of many new ideas from delegates across the country. The forum for the Introduction of new ideas came in the workshops and plenary sessions and included such diverse topics as education, housing, the African-American family, youth and economic development. However, one of the more lively debates came from the fleer of the African-American Summit, and that was the debate ever the use of the term “African-American” to describe blacks in this country. This topic was not up for the debate according to the agenda put forth by the steering committee, but each delegate that came to the floor microphone to either ask a question or Introduce an anendment had a comment regarding the use of the term. , One young activist from Spelman College In Atlanta felt that blacks In America were merely trying to legitimise the name “African" by adding America to it. She suggested that we drop the “American" part and Just call ourselves African. One brother countered by saying that he liked the term “African" but he was born In America and his ancostors helped build America, so he saw it fitting and proper to say "African-American.” Another older gentlemqu wont to the microphone and Introduced himself as a minister (adding that he did not wish to disclose his long list of other accolades). He said we are not African-Americans but “Nigrecians.” "Brothers and sisters, we are Nlgrecians. We are not African-Americans." He said he had the information to prove it, aad if anyone desired proof of his claims, they could consult him and he would be glad to share his wealth of knowledge about the subject with them. However, no one was observed by this reporter rushing to consult him. On Sunday morning, the final day of the summit, Minister Louis Farrakhan added his comments about what we should call ourselves. He said that he did not mind the use of the term “African American" for our ancestors surely came from Africa aad our ancestors certainly helped build America. But he said we should not forget that long before there was an Africa aad long before there was an America, we were called Mack. That received a great round of ap plause. Other speakers at the podium from the delegates to distinguished guests seated at the dais tried to be consistent with the use of the term "African-American." However, because of the newness of the term and because of the multiple syllables it contains, some speakers lapsed back to the old term Mack Americans. AssemMywoman Maxine Waters of California got so emotional in the delivery of her speech that she almost always used the term black American. IMs was not out of protest over the use of the term. However, it seemed that she was better able to make her point by us ing the shorter term. Regardless of the opinions expressed from the floor about the use of the term “African-American,” the summit closed with the consen sus that African-American Is what we should call ourselves, and that we should not get so caught up in labels. Rather, we should eoaceu trate on the urgent Issues that so much affect the African-American communities In this country. Ms. King Hails Senate 90-7 Commission Vote WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Senate, beating back a determined bid by Sen. Jesse Helms (D-N.C.) to scuttle the measure, extended the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for five years by an overwhelming 90-7 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), also includes for the first time funding in the amount of $1.5 million, to be allocated in $300,000 yearly increments. The Senate must now work out a compromise in conference with the House which passed a much more liberal bill that would make the com mission permanent and provide $500,000 a year. The widow of the slain martyr, Bis. Coretta Scott King, sat in the gallery watching the debate and hailed the vote as a victory for King’s legacy. Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.) rushed over to congratulate her on the bill’s passage. Until now, the King Holiday Commission fan* operated without federal fund*. The Department of Homing and Urban Development, under Secretary Samuel Pierce, however, lent the organization key staff people and of fice space. Helms, a bitter foe of King’s in general, and of civil rights for blacks in particular, offered a series qf amendments designed to gut the bill. All were beaten back. The bill, with the approval of Nunn and other spon sors, however, bars the commission from engaging in training for social protest or civil disobedience, an ob vious concession to the implacably racist Helms. Sen. Nunn, with the backing of a number of other white Southern Democrats, pushed the bill through to a one-sided victory. He said the federal government funds several other commissions ranging from the (See DR.TCING, P. 2)_ Education Key To Competent Work Force, Leaders, Officials Warn “Has the meltdown of American education started?” That was the key question posed by E. Michael Latta, executive director of the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education, at the fifth an nual Andrew Johnson Memorial Ap prenticeship Forum held May 4 in Raleigh. Business leaders, employers, worker representatives, educators, and state officials gathered at the forum to discuss ways to improve the education and jobs training delivery systems in North Carolina. Latta said, “Warnings come from across a wide spectrum... What we are seeing is a widespread consensus that we are in deep trouble, perhaps more seriously than most of us realize.” Latta warned that good, quality education and Jobs training and a healthy economy are inextricably linked. To maintain America’s economic muscle and strength, both must be improved. He presented the following points to buttress his argument: •Approximately 25 million American adults read below fifth grade level. Another 35 to 40 million can only read between the fifth and eighth-grade level. • North Carolina ranks 37th among the states in high school graduates, with an annual dropout rate of 33,000 to 27,000. (See EDUCATION, P.2) Sullivan Appoints Health Director U.s. Heaitn and Human Services ■ Secretary Dr. Louis W. Sullivan has appointed Dr. William A. Robinson to be director of the Office of Minority Health and Dr. Audrey F. Manley deputy assistant secretary for health. “I place special importance on the mission of the Office of Minority Health, and I will look to Dr. Robin son to coordinate all the initiatives within HHS to help eliminate the disparity in health status between minority and non-minority. Americans,” Secretary Sullivan said. The Office oI Minority Health was created In 18188 as part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, following a report by a special HHS task force on minority health. The task force Investigated the dif ferences in health status between minority “^and non-minority Americans and made recommenda tions for improving minority health status. “A longstanding and persistent gap has existed in the United States in the health status of minorities as com pared with the non-minority popula tion,” Dr. Sullivan said. “We must dedicate our best efforts to ensure op timum health for all Americans regardless of race or ethnic background." Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. James 0. Mason said, “I am delighted to have Dr. Robinson assume this extremely important position. I am confident that he will work tirelessly with Dr. Sullivan and me to achieve parity in health be tween minority and non-minority Americans.” Dr. Robinson comes to his new posi tion from the Health Resources and Services Administration, where he most recently held the post of chief (See HEALTH SERVICES, P. 2) DR. AUDREY F. MANLEY
The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.)
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May 16, 1989, edition 1
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