Newspaper Page Text
The Augusta News-Review, January 18, 1972
■Walking W
I I
■ Dignity ■
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(A THOUGHT ON THE LOCAL HORIZON)
Isn’t it peculiar, that black politicians in Augusta never bargain
for anything, that will reflect pride and honor upon their group as
a whole. The political pay-offs are always personal. It was
obvious, even to the uninitiated, who firmly believed that the
present mayor would have been defeated, if it was not for the
black vote. Wouldn’t it have been logical for the Recorder’s
Judge-ship to have gone to a black; since the majority of the
Court’s patrons are black.
IRONY OF LIFE
Blacks crawled all over entertainer James Brown for supporting
President Nixon; yet we presevere to send our crack High School
Band to march in his honor. That’s 0.K., life is funny that way. I
still contend, that more Blacks should be in the President’s party.
“MARCH WITH DIGNITY “LANEY,” MARCH.
THE GREAT EFFORT AGAINST SICKLE-CELL
PROGRESSES, BUT IT BRINGS MANY PROBLEMS, BUT
DEDICATED MEDICAL SCIENCE IS MAKING WONDERFUL
PROGRESS IN THE LABOROUS RESEARCH TO ERADICATE
THIS GENETIC KILLER. EXCITING CLUES TO POSSIBLE
PREVENTION AND CURE ARE EMERGING AT SUCH
INSTITUTIONS AS JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL
SCHOOL IN BALTIMORE, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
MEDICAL CENTER IN BOSTON AND ROCKEFELLER
INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK.
The national program intends to capitalize on these clues.
Drugs are being tested that promise to prevent the collapse of red
blood cells by altering their molecular structure. Two leading
drug prospects, cyanate and carbamyl phosphate, which contain
carbon, hydrongen and nitrogen, appear to subtly correct the
inborn error in the red cell. Scientists see the possibility of
remedying other ethnic genetic diseases with drugs.
BLACK MILITANTS ARE MAKING ACCUSATIONS OF
GENOCIDE
The only true safeguard against this inherited killer of many
blacks in the United States, is contraception. Planned families,
which many blacks have not bough ted are the sure salvation. Yet
many blacks, the young militants, especially are convinced the
entire program is the “white man’s” plan to restrain their
population growth.
THE UGLY CRIES OF GENOCIDE COME FROM THE
LEARNED, THE NOT SO-LEARNED AND THE UNCOUTH
A serious precedent is beginning to emerge over the nation.
Virginia, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia have already
enacted laws requiring sickle-cell testing for black school-age
children. These laws may lead to an untenable position of mass
stigmatization of over 50,000 black children.
This fallacious beefing comes from mis-informed community
leaders, Black Panthers and so-called sophisticated black medical
men. There are plenty of inadvertent confusion in this worthy
nrogram. Many experts say there is little medical justification for
'creening youngsters years before marriage, but they contend
there is a substantial risk of needlessly alarming youngsters and
their parents.
HOW ARE THE VARIOUS GROUPS THAT MAKE UP THE
BLACK COMMUNITIES, RELATING TO THE NATIONAL
MEDICAL BATTLE AGAINST SICKLE CELL ANEMIA?
It was hoped that this gigantic medical movement would
become a boon rather than a bane for the black population. In
the metropolitan centers there is a discernible trend, that only the
ultra-militants are taking this effort seriously. In Washington,
D.C. for instance, the green Army fatigues and the black barets of
the Blachman’s Volunteers Army of Liberation have zeroed in on
this project, as if this genetic ailment was a treacherous enemy,
which in truth it is. But what about the top moderate
organizations, such as the NAACP and the Urban League? Little
on this subject is heard from these prestigious groups.
The Black “Talented Tenth” is acting as if this racial genetic
disorder is prevalent only among the poor and uncouth. The
black bourgeoisie educated society matron could be a hard-nose
carrier, if not a victim, as well as the non- de-script ghetto dope
addict.
“Captain” Nehesi Sabah, a 26 year old black separatist is an
ex-medical corpsman, who is promoting a city-wide screening
program in the nation’s capital. He is enthusiastic, but amateurish
and uncertain about where he is going to get the money for his
set-up. Young Sabah’s ambitions are one of the reasons the
government’s drive against the racial genetic disease is bogged
down in controversy. -
Disputes are rising over the involvement of eager
non-professionals in the delicate business of detecting genetic
defects. These programs must be kept out of the hands of the
community groups that don’t have adequate medical
consultation.
Also, there are fears that emphasis on this hereditary disease,
which afflicts 50,000 of the nation’s 22 million blacks, will alarm
and stigmatize millions of others who are merely carriers of the
faulty gene. “Screening does more harm than good,” argues one
medical scientist. “It frightens parents and children. You take a
group of people already looked on as inferior and add another
burden.” To him and many others, the focus on this disease
seems to single out one minority group as genetically defective.
The sickle-cell effort, one of the few things, that the President
has elected to do specifically for black people. The emphasis in
the new order must be projects, that will benefit the citizenry.
But sickle-cell fits into President Nixon’s new health programs. It
was warmly received by the medical profession, at the start in
1971. Almost the entire medical community agreed, that
scientific research held the answer to this painful, disabling blood
disease, which affects the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
NOW, SICKLE-CELL ANEMIA’S BIOLOGICAL BASIS IS
CLEARLY ESTABLISHED
A genetic defect causes some red blood cells to become rigid
and collapse, assuming a characteristic sickle-like shape; as a result
body tissues are deprived of life-giving oxygen.
BLACK POWER
is in the voting box this year.
i
Page 2
FROM
THE
PILL BOX
Father David C. Street t v
AUGUSTA AREA PLANNED ?
PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OPENS NEW CLINIC
Research shows us that of the 35,000 women in Richmond
County between 15 and 44, about 20,000 have access to private
practice physicians and another 10,000 have access to Richmond
County Health Department family planning clinics.
But this means that there are some 5,000 women who do not
(or cannot) presently have any place to turn for guidance and
counseling in family planning matters. We call these persons the
other access group - standing between private access and public
access.
So this is why Planned Parenthood now holds a clinic each
Wednesday from 5-9 at 1982 Central Avenue. Appointments may
be made by calling 736-1161 during working hours.
Who’s in this other access group? Teen-agers, college students,
the divorced, separated and single, really, any woman who for
one reason or another doesn’t wish to use either private
physicians or public health clinics. In 1971, approximately 1,000
Richmond County women obtained legal abortions, mostly
out-of-state. More than half of these may be categorized as in the
other access group.
We hope to provide as comprehensive family planning service
as possible. We offer a physical history and examination, methods
of birth control, instruction in breast self-examination, a pap
smear to determine if there is cancer of the cervix, a culture test
for gonorrhea (80% of those females with it don’t know they
have it), a blood test for syphillis (we have the 2nd hightet rate in
the country), if requested a blood test for sickle cell anemia,
urinalysis, preganancy testing, and counseling both in birth
control methods and in problem pregnancies. Also, we’ll make
referrals for problems discovered during the examination.
Our prices are nominal. $5 for high school students, $8 for
college students, and a sliding scale for adults depending upon
circumstances and ability to pay.
We’re proud that our staff are all volunteers, persons deeply
concerned with the need for such services. We have many
community groups represented: physicians, registered nurses,
licensed practical nurses, and interviewers.
Remember the number for an appointment, 736-1161.
' LETTERS TO EDITOR
HRC A SUCCESS OR
FAILURE IN 1972
There are many agencies in
Augusta, whose purpose is to
serve the community at large.
We should not take it for
granted that these agencies in
our community, are
functioning to solve some of
the many problems that exist
in Augusta today. We should
evaluate the contribution that
these agencies are making to
the community if any.
In 1972, Augusta established
the Human Relations
Commission for the purpose of
trying to bridge the gap in the
community race problems,
discrimination, employment
and to develop a place where
the general public could air
their problems, and have them
investigated by a commission
that would not be prejudiced.
As an Urban League
Representative, I am happy to
see a HRC in Augusta, Georgia.
I would like to congratulate
them on the many
contributions they have made
to alleviate some of the
problems that are facing
Richmond County. I think it is
an easy task for one to evaluate
HRC, because you the people
have involved more with HRC
in 1972 than any other
organization in Augusta.
I am not going to ask you
that you take it for granted
about the accomplishments of
the Human Relations
Commission in 1972, so I will
briefly list a few.
Formed a Chamber of
Commerce Task Force on
Employment.
Averted and resolved an
economical boycott on Broad
Street.
Hired an Executive Director
and Secretary and set up an
office.
Organized and operated
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several committees.
Formed an Advisory Board,
currently comprised of fifty
citizens.
Held community meeting.
Held a Film screening
session on the film, “Black,
White and Uptight.”
Attempted to form a Junior
Human Relations Commission
in the local schools.
Formed an Inter-Collegiate
Human Relations Commission.
Contacted thirty-seven firms
and solicited their assistance in
job placement.
Conducted an investigation
in the following areas: Police
Brutality, Employer
Discrimination, Nursing Home
inequities or malpractice,
Treatment of inmates at local
jails, Housing, Admission
requirements at Augusta Area
Tech, Voting irregularities,
Illegal drug distribution
locations.
The Columbia Urban League
congratulates the HRC
Commission and their
Executive Director, Charles W.
Walker for an outstanding job
in 1972, and we hope that we
will continue to see these same
functions carried out in 1973.
Joseph C. Jones
Field Representation
Labor Education and
Advancement Program
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HIGH HONORS FOR DR. CARTER
Congratulations to long-time friend, Dr. James E. Carter, Jr.,
on the high professional honors in dentistry recently accorded
him. I shall never forget the great honor brought to Augusta when
Jimmy was elected president of the National Dental Association.
Dr. Carter and his late beloved father, Dr. J.E. Carter, Sr. (also a
topflight dentist), have contributed almost eighty years of
continuous professional health service to the people of the
Augusta community!
BLACKS WHO HELPED BUILD AUGUSTA
Just like the Dent Brothers, who’ve served outstandingly in
business and politics, the saga of the J.E. Carter Family in health
service is another good example of “Blacks Who Helped Build
Augusta.”
So often our people fail to recognize, remember and record the
leadership and services so faithfully given by their neighbors and
friends. These contributions are lost to the succeeding generations
of young people. And frankly, this has been one of the problems
of young Blacks, who complain of the need to know more about
their past, to seek identity. White America does not provide this
information and we Blacks must get about the business of
recording and writing our own histories.
Just as I mentioned the Carters and Dents, there are scores of
other individuals, families, organizations, churches, schools,
businesses, firms, etc. whose histories should be gathered and
written. Just look at the rich history of Paine College and the
Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, just to mention two.
They are “Blacks Who Helped Build Augusta.”
As a boy in Augusta, many of the aforementioned greatly
influenced my life. As examples, it was Bethlehem Center which
sold me on professional social service work. It was the late and
beloved Dr. T. Walter Josey who helped develop my interest in
writing and communications.
HISTORY ON BLACKS IN AUGUSTA
I am very much interested in seeing that some sort of history
be written prior to the forthcoming Bicentennial. The history
should include achievements as well as unsolved problems in race
relations. Augusta Blacks have served their hometown well, and
also gone out into the nation. Forget not: Lucy C. Laney, Dr.
C.T. Walker, Dr. Channing H. Tobias, Frank Yerby, Walter
Hornsby, Sr., Rev. James Hinton, Sr., and others.
COLUMNIST THANKS FRIENDS
We in the Urban League are a close-knit group and when an
honor or an anniversary comes around for a friend, we tell others
about it. My good friend and colleague, John W. Johnson,
president of the Council of Executive Directors of the National
Urban League, wrote a little salute highlighting three anniversaries
in my professional career during 1972. From his writing, one of
which was featured in this column, came several cards and letters
from friends congratulating me. May I take this opportunity of
thanking them for their thoughtfulness.
On a sad note, however, comes news of the recent passing of
Mrs. Lavozier (Hattie Walton) LaMarr in Brooklyn on December
27. This came just prior to a projected retirement dinner for
Lavozier, as he steps down after more than 25 years as an
executive with the Newark, N.J. YMCA.
AMIMDIS
A TERRIBLE THING
TO WASTE.
There are people born
every day who could cure
disease, make peace, create
art, abolish injustice, end
hunger.
But they’ll probably
never get a chance to do
those things if they don’t
get an education.
We’re educating over
45,000 students at 40
private, four-year colleges
every year.
Most of these young
people would never get to
college on their own. Three
quarters need some kind of
financial aid. Well over
half come from families
earning less than $5,000
a year.
You can help us help
more. By sending a check.
ToUNCF, 55 East 52nd
Street, New York, N.Y.
10022. Whatever you can
afford.
Because we can’t
afford to waste anybody.
GIVE TO THE
DNITED NEGRO
COLLEGE FIND.
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By F
Verno” E. Jordan, Jr. b
THE COOLING OF THE PRESS
by
Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.
A number of recent events indicate that the precious right of
freedom of the press is undergoing a slow but steady erosion. As a
result, the amount and availability of information and differing
viewpoints could be lessened. This is a dangerous situation, yet it
has been met without the public indignation it deserves.
The first blow was struck by the Supreme Court last June
when it ruled that reporters could be made to disclose their
confidential sources, and had to testify about acts they had
witnessed while sworn to secrecy. This was the landmark Caldwell
case, which went to the High Court after a black reporter refused
to give up his confidential notes on the Black Panthers.
Many people reacted to this with an attitude of “sure, why
shouldn’t reporters have to testify just like the rest of us?” But
the issue is much bigger.
If an informant believes that a reporter won’t keep his
confidences and may reveal his name to a grand jury or a
prosecutor, he won’t talk. As a result, the public will be denied
facts and information it needs. A government official may, for
example, leak news about corruption to a reporter. But if he feels
that the reporter may have to expose the source of his story, he’ll
clam up.
The chilling effect of the Caldwell decision on the media is
readily apparent. Prosecutors and grand juries have indulged in
“fishing expeditions,” asking for reporters’ notebooks in the
hopes that they’ll find some information they can use. Reporters
in Newark and Los Angeles have been jailed for refusing to release
confidential information and reporters elsewhere are under
indictments for the same reason. Still other newspapers and
broadcast journalists have dropped stories they might otherwise
have done because of fear that they’d have to break confidence
with their informants.
This kind of press muzzling is especially dangerous for blacks
and other minorities who depend on a free and vigorous press to
expose unfair and illegal discrimination. At least one network
documentary on poverty has been called off because a lady
willing to expose welfare department practices could not be
assured her name would be kept secret thus protecting her from
angry officials.
The broadcasting industry, too, in under attacks that could
result in lessened news and public affairs programs that take a
hard look at controversial subjects.
A federal official warned that network news was too liberal
and that local stations would have to take full responsibility for
such news programs. Since the stations are licensed by the federal
government, you can see what a powerful weapon of fear is
available to keep controversial broadcasting at a minimum.
At the same time, it was suggested -- if they watch their step on
the news front - local stations might be rewarded by longer term
licenses, looser requirements for public interest broadcasts, and
relative freedom from license challenges.
This last is especially threatening to black people since recent
years have seen a rising number of black and interracial groups
competing for licenses already held by stations that have been
unresponsive to the needs of the community.
Add to this the proposed gutting of public television’s public
affairs programs, especially those that offer controversial subject
matter, ranging from William Buckley’s Firing Line to Tony
Brown’s Black Journal, and it looks like the airways may be
stripped of provocative views. The very idea that Black Journal
may be dropped is an insult to black people, whose interests have
generally been ignored by public television.
Some people may think that this cooling of the press by
government officials and the courts is all right, but the rest of us
know that the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of the
press are too valuable to a free society to be trampled on.