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The Augusta News-Review, January 18, 1972 ■Walking W I I ■ Dignity ■ II by Al * rb y (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 THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY Mallory K. Millender Editor and Publisher Mailing Address: Box 953 Augusta, Ga. Phone 722-4555 Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30901 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Payable in Advance One Year in Richmond County $5:00 tax incl. 6 Months $2.50 tax incl. Ohe Year elsewhere $6.00 tax incl. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Classified Advertising Deadline 12 noon on Tuesday Display Advertising Deadline 12 noon On Tuesday News Items Printed Free 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 I q g advert is nig pays I I] "GOING f ’ Wl ■i JESS jwß II PLACES” W| II MI 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. ■Register ■ ■ A™* ■ ■ Vote ■ WANTED NEWS BOYS Good Pay CALL News—Review Office 722-4555 | SUBSCRIBE | TODAY |!1 THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW P.O. BOX 953 AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30903 Ej SUBCRI BE R ||j| ADDRESS—— CITY One year (in county)ss.oo One year (out of county) $6.00 • k 5 years (in County)s2o.oo 5 years (out of county)s2s.oo TO BE EQUAL /jSV ] 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.