i utsonr Black Lorraine weekly WSHA program committed to commentary and analysis >f international, national, state am? local issues. The consensus of the discussion was that a time-out period is necessary, a comprehensive solution is possible, and that Americans must move out of their provincialism to understand Middle East issues. Peace is a hope and not an assurance. The General Secretary of the United Nations, at this writing, is attempting another mission of peace to the Middle East. Congress—at this writing—is debating whether to sup port the president. The debate is heating up throughout the land. Life without hope is not life at all. Perhaps the message from the Mid dle East is to do Justice, mercy and peace. These realty are tough issues. Saddam and others muist attempt to solve issues without taking over the neighbor’s land. An even-handed Middle East policy must involve the issues of the Palestinians and the security of Israel. Frankly, both groups should work to solve problems of the environment, stop the growth of deserts, and increase fresh water supplies. Professors Mustafa and Hussaini recognised that problems of the poor Araos must pe recognized and that stereotypes of others must be ex amined. Arabs look to the past, Americans look to the future. More Americans should try to understand the Arab mindset about their sense of despair in terms of an even-handed Middle East foreign policy. (See PEACE PUSH. P.2) In a policy statement, accuruiiig Dr. William F. Gibson, chairman of the board, the NAACP has declared: “This unacceptable low participa tion rate adversely affects black in terests in the governance of this na tion, and deprives senators and members of Congress of critical in formation concerning and sensitivity to the interests, needs and concerns of black Americans among their con stituency and nationally. “While the NAACP respects the re quirements of compatibility and loyaltv. we exDect that all elected of ficials will retain qualified black pro fessional and policy-level staff reflec tive and proportional to the black con stituent base which they represent, and reflective of blacks as part of i (See INVESTIGATION, P. 2) state Of "Black America Gloomy," Plan To Rebuild Community, Government Cooperation The state of black America is ex remely bleak, according to National Jrban League President and Chief Executive Officer John G. Jacob, who nade the statement during a Washington, D.C. press conference to release his State of Black America 1991 Report recently, “We are not in a recession. We are in a conti nuing depression,’’ he said. The National Urban League report called for steps to alleviate the per manent recession that exists within the African-American community. The passage of a 1991 Civil Righti Bill, an urban Marshall plan to rebuild America’s workforce, and :loser cooperation between govem nent organizations and the com nunity were recommended by the •eport, which is the most authorative locument on the status of African Imericans in the United States. According to the report, which in dudes 10 scholarly papers on various ispects of black America, the threat >f war in the Middle East and the cur •ent slowdown in the national economy pose grave problems to the tfrican-American community. After i decade in which job training, lealth, housing, and other domestic irograms suffered under the Reagan idministration, 1990 signified the end if a decade where African-American memployment rates were in double ligits and the beginning of a decade ull of hope for world peace. Nevertheless, the report stated, acial inequality was higher in 1990 han it has been at any time in the last 20 years. African-Americans mrrently have higher unemployment ates, lower earning rates, and ligher poverty rates than whites in he United States, and there is no •vidence of the gap closing. David H. iwinton, dean and professor of ■conomics at Jackson State Universi y, said the black economic disparity ‘appears to be a permanent feature if the American economy.” Swinton (SeeCOOPERATION. P. 2) Justice Tells Caucus Save Afro-America BY LARRY A. STILL Capitol News Service “Let’s get busy,” Supreme Co, Justice Thurgood Marshall to! a Congressional Black Caucus m many words in urging them to a, reverse the current counter-ci rights movement during a color : mass swearing-in ceremony oi h\ new members on Capitol Hill. Just, Marshall joined Speaker of the Hc» Thomas Foley (D-Wash.) and K, Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), new Ca chairman, in confirming that a , version of the 1990 Civil Rights Bi/. recently vetoed by President Geo. Bush, would be the No. 1 lcgis!' bill to be introduced in Congre:: month. “So many people don t believe what happened us in the past...if we dot watch out, we may have go through it again Thurgood Marshall New Democratic House Representatives members Bar Rose Collins, Detroit; William J, son, New Orleans; Eleanor Ho Norton, District of Columbia; Ma Waters, Los Angeles; and Repub Gary Franks, Connecticut, join African-Americans in the 101st gress to establish a record-bre. 26 CBCers in the 102nd Congi which began Jan. 3. Approxim; six percent of the 435 members r House are CBC members with than 50 white and Hispanic legisla. s listed as associate members bee-.; , they serve predominantly or he;;, populated African-Ames districts. During the festive activities a reopening of Congress, many o representatives were solemn o possible action on the threat of wa • the Middle East Persian Gull and pending legislative demand (See JUSTICE TELLS, P 2) SEARCHING FOR FINGERPRINTS - Jims* Hardy, of the City - County Bureau of MontlRcation Is soon Investigating and searching for Rngerprints In an apparent break-in at a local pizza restaurant In Southeast Raleigh recently, ho suspects have been apprehended In the case. (Photo By Apple 1-Hour)