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8 January 19, 1995 i s ALTE. o Ny P A “ ((.‘,-,/ ,’.)‘ 1 Woe’ ‘ Q"' A . Y ' ",‘ ' fi,c'/’ ////. 4 :fi?@’* ‘ A ‘ "; t On the road to equality he waning days of 1994 brought T news of the selection of a leading African-American educator, Dr. Ruth Simmons, as the new president of Smith College. Dr. Simmons thus becomes another “first” —the first African American to lead a top-rated, predominantly white private college. Her selection tells us that, while dis crimination is still a strong factor in American life, African Americans with the skills and credentials for success are penetrating the highest levels of many of society’s major institutions. Dr. Simmons certainly has all the req uisites for the job of guiding Smith Col lege into the next century. A graduate of Dillard University, she was a Fulbright scholar and holds master’s and doctorate degrees from Harvard. She’s been an outstanding teacher and an administrator at the his torically black women’s school Spelman College, and elite Ivy League school Princeton University. In order to maintain its position in a diverse, competitive world economy, our society will have to draw its future lead ers from those who, like Dr. Simmons, demonstrate the ability to cross artificial boundaries and be comfortable in a vari ety of cultural settings, whether intragroup institutions or mainstream ones. Small wonder then, that Smith’s trust ees brushed aside the possibility of race based negative backlash from alumni and offered her the job. There’s a similar openness among the best corporations to seek the best people, regardless of race, in fulfilling key posi tions including those at the very top. For example, Time Warner, Inc. recently se lected Richard Parsons, the African- American chief executive officer of The Dime Savings Bank, as its new Presi dent, the second-ranking position in the Fortune 500 company. That appointment broke with two tra ditions — by going outside the company to find the best person, and by going outside the traditional white male mana gerial pool to hire an outstanding black executive. o . . w 0 What gave larriet Tubman , . ;; The inspiration (o (ake the risk Toset b brother man fee T T % What gave Marin 1. King f The energy (o march in Washinglon /7 G Wi sl ad e bear iy L A What gave King the ‘_wll o fight / . To fight for all our rights {”};j ‘ What gives black successors e The will to get up Vs O ENadE The will to go on The will to fight for what's right o . And the will o strive L . Itis simple el E Black Pride i by Evern . Sruggs A o Ms Soruggs is in (he ninth grade at i S % Immaculate Conception School. AUGUSTA FOCUS Hugh B. Price reveals African Americans are a major force in academic institutions and major corporations around America. Various professions in our nation are becoming less discriminating and more objective in terms of skills. Such corporations as Xerox, American Express, GM, Ford, and others also have black executives who run key operations and are in line for future promotion to a corporate presidency or chairmanship. I believe we'’re going to see a lot more of that as major institutions, whether pres tigious colleges or giant corporations, pursue people who can help them meet their goals, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. The name of the game these days is competitiveness,and all institutions need the best people they can get if they are going to be able to compete effectively. Many of those leaders will come from humble backgrounds far removed from the privileged class from which our insti tutional leadership haslong been drawn. Dr. Simmons, forexample, was the young est of the 12 children of a Texas share cropper and attended segregated schools in the Jim Crow South. America has always expanded oppor tunities to bring formerly disadvantaged groups into the mainstream. The system still works, if only fitfully when it comes to African Americans. It has to work better in the future, for if America listens to those who peddle myths about black intelligence deficits, foreclosing opportunities for children in poor families, it will lose the contribu tions oftomorrow’s Ruth Simmonses, with terrible effects on our society and our competitiveness. Before accepting her new post, Dr. Simmons asked the college’s trustees: “Is Smith ready for this?” It was. Now, we have to ask: “Is Americaready for more of this?” It has tobe ifis toretain its world pre-eminence. Editorial Local role models recognized gain, happy Dr. Mar- Atin Luther King Birthday. We have noted good and expanded thrust in the media, elec tronic and printed, all over our nation. And we were glad to see two "sheroes.” During the heavy storm on Jan. 14, 1 p.m., preceding the annual NAACP parade, muchofthe volunteer participants had to“fall by the wayside.” But it was Dedra Griffin who courageously mounted one ofher WJBF Channel 6 pro gram buses, steered it out toward the front of the un certain parade organiza tions and leaders. This ac tion by Ms. Griffin brought cheers and applause from others, thereby encourag ingNAACPleaders tomove the parade forward, down Broad St. Many NAACPers shouted, “Full speed ahead —ahead for M. L. King and the NAACP!” Darn this storm ... Ms. Griffin was thereby able to get her own photographic coverage, highlighting the valuable and skillfui T. V. program action that this veteran has taken on this station since CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL R R . Honor must be restored t was one of my worst I nightmares. Whenlre ceived an envelope with a Las Vegas casino re turn address I thought it strange since I've never been there and have no de sire to go. It was an invita tion to a special Martin Luther King, Jr. week-end. What a way totrivialize the legacy — by gambling in Las Vegas. This time last year I was in South Africa, where a whole nation was focused on rebirth and rebuilding a just and peaceful society despite a terrible history of war and brutality, racism and a governmental system of separation, incredible poverty and unbridled greed. And despite all that, South Africans of all races and classes were proclaim ing a year of jubilee and calling for “Peace in our Land.” As we pause this year to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday, why can’t we do like our South African brothers and sis ters and call for Peace in our Land, Peacein our Com munities, Peace in our Homes? On that one day, why can’t the brothers and sisters put down the guns to honor one of the greatest African Americans, one of the greatest spiritual and moral leaders of all time? Why can’t the drug dealers, J. Philip Waring commends the heroines of last week's Martin Luther King day parade . Ms. Dedra Griffin's and Mrs. Lessie Price's actions were inspiring to many who participated in the festivities. Mr. Nelson B. Rivers 111, a well known speaker, gave Q speech at the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner which was truly enlightening. returning to her native Augusta. And may Going Places also congratulate Channel 6 on being selected as state TV station of the year! Another “shero” was our Mrs. Lessie B. Price, presi dent of the CSRA Classic. She heard of the disap pointments expressed by hundreds of people who called arrangements forthe Dr. M. L. King annual holi day leaves as shoddy and irregular compared with many other states and re gions. Whena TV reporter asked Mrs. Price about this widespread public com plaint, she courageously said it should be reviewed, discussed and changed for a better stance. Well done! Bernice Powell Jackson challenges the entire nation to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's holiday with a decree of honor peace and understanding of our racial and social diversities. Jackson stresses that Martin Luther King did not die for racial justice so blacks could commit cultural and social genocide. the bullies, the neighbor hood terrorists drop the AK -47s and uzis for just 24 hours? And on that one day, as we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in our churches and mosques, why can’t we open their doors and go get these young people and bring them in and really talk with them about their lives and about Dr. King and non-violence? Why can't we listen to their pleas for help and caring in a world that, too often, is deaf? Why can’t we start recreational and tutoring and after-school programs for our children? Why can’t wemaketheworld Dr. King dreamed of for his children a reality for all our chil dren? Why can’t we adopt parents who need help in learning how tobe parents? And on that day, as we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in our schools across the country, why can’t we do the maxi A Walker Group Publication Established 1981 1143 Laney-Walker Blvd. Augusta, GA 30901 It’s easy to subscribe to the Augusta Focus Just call 724-7855 An adventure with Nelson B. Rivers 111 Those who attended Monday night’s annual Augusta NAACP Freedom Fund dinner at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel found themselves in for a rare treat. This 47-year-old South east Regional Director is dynamic, well-experienced in the life and times of the NAACP movement, with a proven and successful track record therein, coupled with being an excellent speaker. Here were some of his highlights. Myth: A group of promi nent large American cor porations and foundations holds internal power over mum for each child? Why can’teducators and admin istrators re-commit them selves to save every child, not just a precious few? Why can’t parents become involved in their children’s education? Why can’t the rest of us do something to make our schools centers oflearning and excellence? And on that day, as we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in our fra ternities and sororities and ourservice and social clubs, why can’t every single member commit them selves to finding one child to mentor — one child to call or visit every week so that they might not be lost to the gangs or to the hope lessness that stalks our children and our future? Young black men were almost 14 times more likely than any other group in this nation to be murdered during 1992. Martin Luther King spent his en tire career and ultimately Sugen (JeYdIS Charles W. Walker, CEO and Publisher Frederick J. Benjamin, Sr, Editor-in-Chief Dot Ealy, Director of Marketing Sheila Jones, Account Representative Rhonda Jones, Copy Editor, Reporter Rhonda Y. Maree, Reporter Derick Wells, Art Director Joseph L. Smith, Layout/Graphics, Distribution Emma Russ, Layout/Graphics Jimmy Carter, Photographer, Distribution Xavier Jones, Distribution Faye Davis, Office Manager . the NAACP. “The latter is in their hip pockets,” it is said. Please discard this myth and unfair rumor. The total national operating budget is $9.7 million. Some sll.B million comes from founda tions, large corporation gifts, etc. Eighty-two per cent of the NAACP’s finan cial base comes from within the Black Community, said Mr. Rivers. There’s always been scores of resources on this, such as annual mem bership dues; life member ship programs; fund-rais ing activities from local and state branches; churches and many, many self-help and grass roots NAACP sources. “Does that 82 per cent look like the NAACP is in anyone's hip pocket?" asked Mr. Rivers. Another myth: The NAACPis about toroll over and die. The associationis over 84 years old. Despite the prob lems we had last year, the audits have been com pleted; new regulations and business controls, new over all operational procedures are in place. lost his life so that our chil dren might be free to reach their god-given potential. He could not have imag ined a world where an 11- year-old would kill a 14- year-old and then be killed by two other teenagers. He could not have imagined a world where a 5-year-old gets pushed out of a win dow by two teens when he refused to steal. He could not have imagined a world where children plan their own funerals because they do not expect even to live. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not die for us to cel ebrate his birthday gam bling in Las Vegas. His legacy calls for us all — children, teenagers, “buppies,” baby boomers, senior citizens, Christians, Muslims, Jews, sorors and brothers, rich and middle class and poor, and African Americans, white Ameri cans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans — to make his dream more than a beauti ful speech. A beautiful real ity. Gambling on our future by not getting involved per sonally is no better than gambling in Las Vegas on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. We know that old African proverb about it taking an entire village to raise a child. Let’s start liv ing it.