RALEIGH, N.C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 24,1991 VOL. 50, NO. 18 4 N.C.'s Semi-Week DEDICATED TO THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST not ..viLECOPYQC IN RALEIGH ELSEWHERE 300 African-Americans Top List Of 59 Millionaries In The NFL. SeePage 19 — Fox TVs ‘Fly Girls' Kick To Get | Their Own Show! See Page 8 I Educators Insist Race Should Not Be Factor In Grading N. C. Schools GREENSBORO (AP)-Race should not have been included among the factors used to grade North Carolina’s 134 school systems, some educators say. “Just to put race down with the other variables, and the message you have is that black is a barrier,” Presell Robinson, a member of the state Board of Education, told the Greensboro News and Record. "This is going to irritate and disap point a lot of parents in this state who feel, like me. that they had hoped we had gotten this behind us,” Robinson said. “But once you put race out there, blacks are then not expected to do but so much.” Last week the state Department of Public Instruction released the first state report cards. The department tried to balance the results by measuring actual performance against potential for the final grade. Minority status was one of six fac tors used to size up how well a school system should perform. The other factors were the amount of local spending, parental education, chronic absenteeism, the percentage of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches and the percentage who are in federal educa tion programs for the disadvantaged. Tommie Young, who teaches sociology of education at N.C. A&T State University, said the grading system is biased and suggests black students are inferior. “They have tied expectations together with race,” said Young, education committee chairman for the Greensboro branch of the NAACP. “A black child who has had equal advantages performs as well as a white child,” Young said. “They need to focus on social conditions. All of this is socioeconomic. It just so hap pens that the majority of the people who are economically deprived are ethnic minorities.” Expectation or not, once the six fac tors are made public, they become an excuse for some school systems and schools to think they don’t have to perform, said Donald Pollock, a State Board of Education member. “Being black is no handicap to lear ning,’’ said Pollock. “What we need to do is challenge students to do the work. I remember the cries of racism from Proposition 48 [the National Collegiate Athletic Association rule] that required all athletes to score at least 700 on the SAT, or when we rais ed scores on the National Teacher Exam, or forced all students to pass the high school competency test. "You don’t hear those cries anymore,” he said. “And why? Because we set the standards high, and the students were expected to achieve.” Suzanne Triplett, the assistant state superintendent who led the team that developed the report card, said her department spent two years narrowing a list of 60 variables to those most influential on student achievement. And in North Carolina, black (See EDUCATORS, P. 2) 1 REV. CHARLES T. BULLOCK Charles Bullock New Martin Street Pastor BY ALLIE PEEBLES Cattributing Writer Martin Street* Baptist Church has called the Rev. Dr. Charles T. Bullock of Rockyu Mount to serire as its pastor. The church is located at 1001 E. Martin St. and is one of Raleigh’s oldest churches serving the blade community. Dr. Bullock currently is pastor of St. James Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, where he has served since 1972. He was licensed to preach in 1956 and was ordained in 1959. Before his pastorate in Rocky Mount, he was pastor of Nashville Baptist Church in Laurinburg, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Creed moor, Snow Hill Baptist Church in Warrenton and First Baptist Church in Weldon. Cognizant of the fact that prepara tion was necessary for the ministry, Dr. Bullock received the B.A. degree (See REV. BULLOCK, P. 2) NEWS 1 ANNUAL SKATING PARTY The Wake County Department of Social Services will be pro viding an annual Winter Roller Outing Party fir Wake County children in (cater care. Ike meet will take place at Skate Town on Glen wood Avenue. Jan. M from 11:15-2 p.m. The event ia being sponsored by the Kiwanla Chib of Raleigh. For additional Informa tion, contact Tina Martin, recruiter for the Wake County Department of Social Service*, at 855-7474 or 824-4852. AFRO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY FORUM The North Carolina Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society preoenta a community forum titled “The Ashanti Generation.: 1854-1MS’’ on Sunday. Jan. 87. at 8:35 p.m. at the P.R. Robinson Library Con ference Cotter. St. Augustine’s College. The featured speaker will be Dr. Flaheem C. Ashanti, author, “The Making ef an Ifa Priest: The Ashanti Generations. 1854-1588,” *»« “Psychotechnology of Brain washing.” For additional Infor mation contact W. Brent Tim mons at (515) 545-0342 or Linda Slmmous-Henry at 828-4451, Ext. 227. NEW APPOINTMENTS Diane Eller and Shannon Reuse recently iolned the certified (See NC.WS BRIEFS, P. 2) From CAROLINIAN 8UH Reports Some Southeast Raleigh residents still voice concerns that the construc tion of Walnut Creek Amphitheater does not enhance the area as a finan cial project within the community, that it will bring unwanted traffic, noise and drunken vandals. The City of Raleigh was granted a permit for the amphitheater project in mid-October 1990 but faced opposi tion from some area residents who asked Judge Howard E. Manning to review the case. Manning said the ci ty had taken the right steps when it granted the permit, paving the way for construction to begin in the park. Ground was officially broken Jan. 23 for the city’s newest entertainment attraction with officials from the City of Raleigh and Sony Music/PACE Partnership joining in the ceremony at the park site where the work has already begun. nodney Eckerman, executive vice president, PACE Entertainment Group, who has already announced staff appointments for theSIS million project, said, “We think the am phitheater is going to be a major leagtie franchise to the entertainment in Raleigh, a valuable opportimlty. “First of all, we are committed to hire locally and have a variety of jobs to offer. Not only that, we will have a variety of entertainment to offer.” Appointments include G. Wilson Rogers, general manager; Robert Klaus, director of marketing; Della Bradley Rowser, director of sales and special events; and Walt Lederle, director of operations. In addition, Knapp Communications has been named public relations firm of record, and contracted as community liaison speciliast is Ed Worth. Mayor Pro Tern Ralph Campbell, CAC chairperson for Southeast Raleigh, and Worth, former Raleigh Wake Citizens Association president, said the amphitheater was a positive move and would prove beneficial to the community. “Based on the commitment by PACE, I feel that the concept will be good for our community,” Worth said. What we really need to do is pay dose attention and participate in the development and implementation stages?' Effective immediately, Rogers will (See AMPHITHEATER, P. 2) NAACP Holds Annual Kelly M. Alexander, Sr. Humanitarian Awards The North Carolina State Con ference of Branchea of the National Aeaodatton for the Advancement of Colored People has selected this year’s recipient of the Kelly M. Alex ander, Sr. Humanitarian Award. The award is presented to a person whose life and work exemplify the type of dedication and commitment to freedom, Justice and equality as epitomised in the life of the former NAACP leader who served as presi dent for more than 90 years. This year’s recipient is Benjamin S. Ruffin, vice president for corporate affairs at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Ruffin has had a distinguished career in public service, working for seven yean as special assistant to former N.C. Gov. James B. Hunt, Jr. and for two yean as vice president and special assistant to the president of North Carolina Mutual Life In surance Co. In his present Job, he is responsible for leading RJR’s local, state and national partnerships with key minority business, civic and pro fessional organisations. The banquet speaker is the celebrated actor, writer, director and humanitarian Ossie Davis. For three decades Davis *“* osrnod the ad miration of America by his perfor mance in plays like “A Raisin in the Sun;” movies, such as Spike Lse's “Do the Eight Thing;’’ and the cur rent ABC-TV series “B.L. Stryker.” A gospel music interlude featuring One Faith Ensemble of the South English Street Church of Christ of Greensboro will precede the banquet OSSIE DAVIS from 7-7:30 p.m. The banquet wui begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel on Feb. 2. Entertainment during the banquet and a one-hour concert after the ban quet will feature Maria Howell, ac claimed Jazz vocalist. Ms. Howell is well noted for her film debut in the movie “The Color Purple" and has been widely acclaimed for her solo singing role in the choir scene of this movie. Honorary chairpersons for this year’s banquet include Robert Albright, president, Johnson C. Smith University; W. Maurice Bridges, director of public attain, Hardee’s; Robert Butler, executive vice presi dent, Durham Life Broadcasting; David Dansby, past president, Greenitoro Branch, NAACP; Dr. Bernard W. Franklin, president, Liv ingstone College; Dr. Lloyd Hackley, chancellor, Fayetteville State Univenity; FloydB. McKissick, Sr.; Dr. Joel 0. Nwagabroacha, chancellor, Barber-Scotia College; Dr. Talbert Shaw, president, Shaw University. Also, George Shinn, owner, Charlotte Hornets; James Andrews, AFL-CIO; Robert Brown, president, (See NAACP AWARDS, P. 2) OUR WAR » AT HOMB-Black Belt YMtk Brigade~tNs Is mw sf tbs May bsnnsrs tlw ysvtli were carrying during Iks Martin Lutlwr Nag Memorial March la RaWgh. demanding an end ta what they describe as a “radar war whRe President Bush vews to destroy hell’s mobile missle launchers and prepare ground troops for a large-scale Invasion. Persian Gulf War Heats Up, Use Of Ground Forces Next Move The war in the Persian Gulf grow: more intense and fierce as Alliec troops advance toward the horde) posing a direct ground confronts tior with Saddam Hussein's elite troops the Republican Guard, who are dug it and waiting for a ground war U begin. By now, much of the world hai heard mention of the elite corps, Sad dam’s finest, battle-hardened, letha shock troops. And Indeed, there ii reason for fear: the Republicai Guards know the sting of battle and have endured massive casualties and pushed on. They are desert fighters positioned to defend home ground, but according to military authorities, they may be as equal in training and motivation to U.S. combat troops, but no better. With the U.S. Air Force trying to destroy Iraq’s military abilities, a debate continues in Washington whether the United States should i resort to ground war to drive the Ira qis from Kuwait, considering the large number of U.S. casualties that could result. Originally, the guards all came from Saddam’s home village of Uja, not far from Takrit. Authoritative news accounts put the core number of divisions at six, with up to five new divisions added recently. The actual number of men in the guards is thought to be about 190,000, although some estimates say the force is larger, perhaps 290,000 to 390,000. In total, Iraq is thought to have about one million men under arms, backed by a militia of about 090,000. Trained by the Soviets and equipped with Soviet-made T-72 tanks and other desert-proven armor, the guards usually are in the vanguard of important military strikes. For now, this debate appears to be confined to members of Congress and experts outside the Bush administra tion. The administration itself seems committed to a strategy of using air power first to destroy as much ol Iraq’s military potential as possible, to weaken the Iraqi army in Kuwait and to sever its communications links with Baghdad, and then to use U.S., Arab and European ground troops to drive the Iraqis out of Kuwait. But this approach is being criticiz ed in two different arguments, and the criticism is mounting each day. One argument against a ground war in Kuwait is purely military. II contends that over time, air powei can force an Iraqi withdrawal Iron Kuwait—even though no war has evei been won from air alone. For instance, Edward N. Luttwak a military historian at the Center fa Strategic and International Studies h Washington, argues that the ail forces should focus on bombing al roads, supply lines and supply truck that connect southern Iraq with tin 900,000-strong Iraqi garrison ii Kuwait. Eventually, Luttwak says, the Ira (See PERSIAN GULF, P. 2) Dr. King ■ Cultural Fest To NC State From CAROLINIAN SUtt Reports The award-winning Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Festival brings to a close a week-long celebration honor ing the slain civil rights leader. The six-year-old festival is sponsored by the University Extension and Public Servide, North Carolina State Univer sity, in cooperation with St. Augustine's College and Shaw University. The festival, featuring workshops, seminars, oratorical contests and a dinner buffet promotes the theme, “Living the Dream: Let Freedom Ring." Developed in 1986 by Dr. Bruce Winston, professional develop ment specialist, NCSU, the celebra tion commemorates the birthday of Dr. King and provides educational activities of interest to the communi ty, particularly the African American community. The workshops are planned and presented in collaboration with St. Augustine's College and Shaw University. The sixth presentation will include seminars for adults in the areas of music, drama, economic develop ment and education. Dr. Winston, the developer, and NCSU continue to “en vision the festival as a day of cultural and educational activities for the en tire family.” The festival begins Jan. 26 at 12:30 p.m. with registration and seminars at 1 p.m. at the Jane S. McKimmon Center, NCSU, Western Boulevard and Gorman Street. Horace Canle, DR. BRENDA ALLEN theatrical director, 8haw University, at 1 p.m. will explore “Influences of African Culture and Cosmology in (See DR. KING, P. 2) BTC Workshop Opportunity For Minorities Success or taiiure lies In the (in ference between seizing opportunities or allowing them to pass you by. With the recent crisis of the savings and loan failures across the country comes opportunities for some as the government legislation has set up the Resolution Trust Corporation to sell the assets of the failed institutions and clean up their debts. The govern ment is looking to contract with minority and women professionals and businesses to help them with the awesome task of resolving this finan cial mishap. Last fall, the Rev. Jesse Jackson met with RTC officials along with a coalition of African-American and other minority business owners and professionals from across the country who frit that the corporation had been hiding the opportunities available to them through the RTC. As a result of their complaints and recommenda tions, a one-day seminar in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the RTC will tell hundreds of minority (See RTC, P. 2)