The Caro
RPH
RALEIGH, N.C.,
THURSDAY,
JULY 30,1992
VOL. 51, NO. 72
N.C.'s Semi-Wet
DEDICATED TO THE SPIRIT OF JESUS s..
Coretta Scott King To City For
MLK Nat’l. Youth Assembly
BY CASH MICHAELS
Staff Writer
It’s been five years since her last
visit, but the mission and purpose
is still the same: to spread the phi
losophy of non-violence— the phi
losophy of her late husband, Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr..
Coretta Scott King, widow of the
slain civil rights leader, is sched
uled to come to Raleigh on Satur
day, Aug. 8th, to deliver a keynote
address during the fifth annual
MLK “I Have a Dream” National
Youth Assembly. Headquartered
at the Radisson Hotel in down
town Raleigh, the three-day con
ference (Aug. 7-9) is expected to
draw approximately 700 young
people (ages 9-19) from across the
United States.
In a letter about the assembly,
Ms. King says this year’s theme,
“Unity Through the Peaceful Reso
lution of Conflict,” “is designed to
be a seed program for leadership
skills that can be taken back to lo
cal communities.”
The program is sponsored by the
Martin Luther King Jr. Federal
Holiday Commission, the North
Carolina MLK Holiday Commis
sion, the MLK Youth Assembly
Committee and the N.C. Agricul
tural Extension Service.
Ms. King says “the theme sup
ports the Commission’s goal of pro
viding meaningful tools and train
ing for our youth to deal with the
day-to-day problems confronting
them in their homes, schools, play
grounds, and neighborhoods.”
Because of the violent aftermath
MRS. CORETTA S. KING
of the Rodney King verdict in Los
Angeles a few months ago, na
tional and local organizers feel an
urgency to deliver a strong mes
sage that not only reinforces the
non-violent teachings of Dr. King,
but develops an understanding for
multiculturalism and youth em
powerment.
“It is expected that these young
people will in turn be able to help
many more youth on the road to
responsible and productive citizen
ship,” writes Ms. King.
Barbara Robinson, housing dis
crimination specialist with the
N.C. Human Relations Commis
sion and liaison to the N.C. King
Holiday Commission, agrees.
“We have been monitoring a rise
in hate violence incidents in the
state of North Carolina, and I as
sure you that they are still occur
ring even more frequently than
you might imagine,” she said.
“We’ve noticed some unrest in
the schools. The youth attending
this conference are the leaders of
tomorrow. They must learn about
the different types of violence, and
ways to deal with it. Dr. King left
us a way to positively move toward
accomplishing and improving the
social problems that we have with
out causing devastation.”
The conference will include
workshops and speeches focusing
on “Kingsian” principles, as well
as a bus tour of Raleigh.
Mrs. King last came to the capi
tal city in April of 1987 after the
N.C. General Assembly passed a
state paid holiday honoring Dr.
King. Her visit energized Raleigh’s
African-American community, and
inspired the construction and
naming of Martin Luther King
Blvd.
NAACPs Dr. Hooks Says Goodbyes I
BY CHESTER A. HIGGINS
Special to NNPA
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The
NAACFs 83rd annua] convention
in “Music City, USA” was enli
vened by the rousing farewell
speech of Executive Director Ben
jamin L. Hooks, the appearance of
Democratic presidential aspirant
Ark. Gov. Bill Clinton, his newly
selected running mate, Sen. A1
Gore, and independent presiden
tial candidate H. Ross Perot.
It was disheartened by Perot’s
“you” and “your people” remark
that some observers say directly
led to the unraveling of his cam
paign four days later; the failure of
President George Bush to respond'
to an NAACP invitation to address
the assembly, and moviemaker
Spike Lee’s second last-minute
failure to show.
Saying goodbye in his keynote
speech, Dr. Hooks stirred an over
flow, standing-room-only audience
to more than a score of standing,
hooting, foot-stomping, whistling,
hand-clapping, shouting, cheering
ovations as, fighting back tears, he
said, “I have fought the good fight.
I have kept the faith.”
Dr. Hooks does not actually
leave office until April 1993, when
his contract expires, but the
speech in Music City USA, about
200 miles northwest from his na
tive Memphis, Tenn., marks his
final convention appearance in the
present official capacity.
Fisk University has established
a Benjamin Lawson Hooks Chair
on Social Justice to encourage
progress in areas of social justice
and civil rights as well as to pass
the principles of leadership in pub
lic policy to future generations.
Ray Danner, chief executive offi
cer of the Danner Co. and founder
and retired chairman of Shoney’s,
donated the first $100,000 toward
the $1 million chair. “I am here
because of the lifetime leadership
and courage you’ve given to our
nation,” he told Dr. Hooks, who
will be the chair’s first occupant.
The Federal Bureau of Investi
gation cited the departing official,
Crowd Of Nearly 350
Take Part In Chavis
Park Family Day Fete
BY CASH MICHAELS
Staff Writer
“You are my favorite people in
the whole wide world. You are the
future!”
Most of the children sitting
down really didn’t know what
James “Twiggy” Sanders was talk
ing about, or even who Twiggy
Sanders, or his world-famous bas
ketball team the Harlem Globe
trotters was. But after telling
them he cared, he then did some
basketball tricks, which etched
smiles on their young faces. Sand
ers knew he had them then.
“Youngsters, they’re about feel
ings. They don’t care about phi
losophy. That’s why I just try to
them that they’re important to me
and the world,” said the 40-year
old Raleigh native.
Whether he knew it or not,
Sanders was speaking for the
many celebrities, community activ
ists and public officials who came ,
together last Saturday in Chavis
Park for the third annual African- ,
American Family Day Celebration. j
Sponsored by the Friends Commit- (
tee Against Drugs and AIDS, Inc.,
the day-long event focused on sav- ,
ing youth from the perils of drug ,
usage and the transmission of HIV \
virus that is usually associated
with it in the black community.
It all started with a parade of 35
marchers from Moore Square Park
downtown to Chavis Heights.
Some of the marchers were former
drug and alcohol addicts, and for
them, marching and shouting
proudly was a way reinforcing
their independence from the de
mons that submerged their lives
inly recently.
Once at Chavis Park where
tables from such organizations as
Drug Action Inc., the Wake
Dounty Health Department, and
reens Against AIDS were set up,
the attention turned immediately
to youth with a series of track and
ield events.
With parents watching on, the
tompetitive spirit of kids, ages 9 to
L9, only helped to reinforce the
nission of the day.
“We have to go an extra mile for
these kids," said Mrs. Jessie
Dopeland. As an activist and head
>f the Chavis Heights Community
\ssociation, Ms. Copeland has led
the way for residents in housing
>rojects to reclaim their communi
ies from drug dealers.
For that, she was honored at a
ipedal ceremony later in the day
vith a plaque noting her contribu
ions. Raleigh Police Chief Freder
(See FRIENDS, P. 2)
as did Anheuser-Busch, the giant
brewing company. A star-studded
tribute was held in honor of Hooks
and his wife of 41 years, Prances.
It was headed by singer Dionne
Warwick, and included the legend
Rosa Parks, who said, “The
struggle continues, and as it con
tinues, we will always remember
the dedication of Dr. Hooks.”
Also taking part in the tribute
Black Democratic Leaders Urge:
‘Get Bush Out Of White House’
BY VINCENT THOMPSON
An Analysis
NEW YORK, N.Y.—The more
than 760 black delegates to the
Democratic National Convention
left the Big Apple after the four
day convention willing to sit on the
sidelines while the ticket of Bill
Clinton and A1 Gore goes courting
the nation’s white suburban vot
ers.
Black delegates and politicians
agree that they are moving to the
side for one reason: to get George
Bush out of the White House. The
leaders say they are willing to
forego their traditional liberal
agenda to elect a president they
could talk to and influence later.
“I get a lot of questions from
people who are looking for the
promised land to be hand deliv
CRIME BEAT
Editor’s Note: This column, a fixture of The CAROLINIAN in
years past, has returned to our pages in hopes of deterring crime
in our community. The information contained herein is taken
from public arrest records and does not necessarily mean those
mentioned are guilty of crimes.
ALLEGED DRUG DEALER
Ernest Derrick Artis, Jr. (no age) of 1755 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx,
N.Y., was charged with possession with intent to sell and distribute and
maintaining a vehicle for drug sales. Police say Artis was arrested on the
comer of Bloodworth Street and New Bern Avenue, allegedly with 20
baggies, $121 in U.S. currency, a 1985 Chevrolet Cavalier and mari
juana.
ASSAULT ON A CHILD
Eighteen-year-old Gerald Lee Mitchell of 452 Dorothea Drive was
charged with assault on a child under 12 years old. Police say Mitchell
was arrested in a playground on the 500 block of Dorothea Drive.
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
Roy Rogers, 35, of 591 Lake Wheeler Road, was charged with dam
age to property. Police say Rogers allegedly shattered a front window at
801 Sardis Drive.
CRACK COCAINE
Seventeen-year-old Bobby Myers Jr. of 1505-B Raleigh Blvd. was
charged with possession of crack cocaine and resisting/delaying a law
enforcement officer. Police claim Myers was arrested with six rocks of
crack valued at $120, $50 in U.S. currency, one pager valued at $200,
and one pocket knife. He was arrested on the 700 block of Haywood
Street.
THEFT OF PAINKILLERS
Kimberly Hahn Dillon, 27, of 1501 Heron Pond Drive in Chapel Hill
was charged with misdemeanor larceny. Police say Dillon allegedly stole
seven boxes of Advil ibuprofen, 12 boxes of Tylenol caplets, two boxes of
Tylenol tablets and one Comsil)t facial powder, total value $170.43.
ered to them on a silver platter. It
does not happen that way... We
can either do something or do
nothing. If we as black people
choose nothing, we know we’re
gonna go down the drain. We can
either vote for the Democratic
ticket or the Republican ticket or
we can stay at home. We know
Republicans have made black
people poorer, more babies dying,
fewer of us educated, more living
on the streets... This ticket is a
chance of change for the better
with a program and a plan that I
believe is a good plan,” Atlanta
Mayor Maynard Jackson said.
Jackson called for black voters
nationwide “to turn out in larger
numbers than at any other time in
our history to take back the politi
cal process and will give us a
chance for a far better... way of life
in this country.”
Although a few notable black
leaders were slow to back Clin
ton—the Rev. Jesse Jackson
backed the ticket the day before
the start of the convention an Vir
ginia Gov. Douglas Wilder at the
mid-point of the convention—most
blacks in the party pledged their
unqualified support.
Philadelphia Mayor Wilson
Goode called Clinton and Gore, the
first presidential ticket made up of
Baby Boomers, “practical realists.
I think they have the vision and I
think they will do something to
turn this country around.”
At past conventions, Democratic
presidential candidates have spent
considerable time wooing black
delegates and, through them, vot
ers. The Clinton campaign admits
that one of the reasons the Arkan
sas governor became the Demo
cratic Party nominee is due to the
support he garnered in the
nation’s black communities. Clin
ton has now made it clear he will
not come close to the level of court
ing of blacks that Democrats have
(See WILL BLACKS, P. 2)
Upper Room Dedicates New Church Home
DEDICATORIAL SERVICE-“Go up to the mountain, and
bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in
it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." Haggai 1:8
(Top Photo) Hundreds of Upper Room Church of God in
Christ members spanning across State lines gathered here
Saturday for the official opening service of Upper Room’s
new edifice at 2901 Sanderford Road.
(Bottom Photo) After prayer and words of thanksgiving
(l.-r.) minister William Cooper HI, Senior Assistant Pastor
Elder Patrick L. Wooden, Sr., Pastor and wHe Pamela
eagerly and joyfully perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Bishop LeRoy J. Woolard, Jurisdictional Bishop Greater
North Carolina, delivered the message. (Photo by James
Giles)
were entertainers Ossie Davis and
Ruby Dee, Malcolm Jamal
Warner, Dawnn Lewis, Tony
Brown, BeBe Winans, A1 Jarreau,
Isaac Hayes and gospel singer
SVhitney Phipps, and actor Fred
Vlorsel. The tribute was taped for
ater broadcast by FOX.
Prizewinning artist Ernie Bar
les autographed one of his famous
lain tings as a gift to Hooks. Rec
ord company executive Buddy
Killen presented him a giant gold
record.
Board Chairman William Gi
bson has named Ernie Green, of
the Little Rock Nine fame, to lead
a 21-member search committee for
Dr. Hooks’ successor. An October
deadline has been set. An ob
(See NAACP ROUNDUP, P. 2)
NEWS BRIEFS
FREE SPEECH BILL
DIES
A proposal to wipe out
prohibitions against politi
cal activity by city employ
ees in dozens of cities died
in the General Assembly. A
conference committee of
House and Senate negotia
tors recommended that the
political activity provision
be dropped from a bill that
prohibits discrimination
against employees for their
off-duty activities. Both
House and Senate adopted
the recommendation.
ROBBER FORGETS
GUN
A young woman tried to
rob the State Employees
Credit Union near N.C.
State University, but forgot
one thing: a gun. The
empty-handed robber,
thought to be about 20, en
tered the credit union and
handed a note to the teller
demanding money. The
teller wouldn’t give it to
her. She said, “I can’t do
this.” The woman, appar
ently frustrated by the de
lay, briskly walked to the
door and broke into a trot
once she reached Hillsbor
ough Street.
OPEN HOUSE
There will be a dedica
tion and open house service
for the Dorothy Nixon Allen
Manor on Sunday, Aug. 2, at
4 p.m. in Holly Springs. This
facility is a 17-unit apart
ment complex built on New
Hill Street for the elderly
and handicapped.
GROUNDBREAKING
The Postal Service held a
groundbreaking ceremony
for a new $56 million
Raleigh General Mail Facil
ity, designed to be one of
the most advanced mail
processing operations in
the nation, sectional center
manager /postmaster
Floretta E. Reed of Raleigh,
said. The ceremony was
held last Friday on
Westgate Road, north of
Hwy. 70. The GMF is sched
uled for completion in early
1994.
(See NEWS BRIEFS, P. 2)