Newspaper Page Text
The Augusta News-Review, April 25 -
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|by Al Irby flMjfliflßl Mil
BLACKS IN THE LAST DECADE HAVE MADE
REMARKABLE ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT TOWARD
MIDDLE-CLASS STATUS. BUT ULTRA-CIVIL RIGHTERS
AND HARD-CORE LIBERALS REFUTE THE RESEARCH OF
SCAMMON AND WATTENBERG TWO NOTED AUTHORS
AND CENSUS STATISTICIANS. BUT IF BLACKS ARE
CONTINUALLY PORTRAYED AS “STEREOTYPED”
SLUGGARDS OF MISERY AND DEGRADATION,
MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE WILL NOT WELCOME THEM INTO
THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ACTIVITIES.
Another controversial bomb has been thrown into the harassed
black community; and the calamity crowd has begun"to howl. It’s
real comical how some of the old Civil Rights gang is adamant in
trying to keep everybody in the black community in dire penury.
The National Magazine, “Ebony” always in its introduction pages
protrays many blacks that have advanced in all facets of the
national economy. That kind of picturesque journalism is
encouraging to aspiring young blacks, who are favorably reconciled
to the fact, that blacks can make it if they try hard enough.
Dr. Daniel Moynihan created a sensation in his article on the
“black family”. He had the courage to point out the strength and
the weakness of the black family unit. He stated that the black
experience is a case of ups and downs. Those blacks who are
advancing are making real progress, in education and earnings.
But those who aren’t going forward are definite ly slipping
down hill. This regress is cause in part to unwed mothers who are
swelling the AFDC wellfare rolls, then there is the drop-outs,
who are in many cases too lazy to enroll in some type of job
training.
The latest data on black progress is made by Ben Wattenberg
and Richard Scammon. In an April article in Commentary
Magazine, they reported that a marginal majority of blacks can be
listed as middle-class in terms of good jobs, adequate education
and income. In the mid-60s blacks broke out of the economic
squeeze and began to catch up in the nation’s statistics of
middle-class economic norms, that spell out social progress.
The black family ratio to white family incomes boosted from
53% in 1962 to 64% in 1971. This is real progress, but leave a
long ways to go yet; but this closing income comparison is
optimistic of where blacks stand at this time. All of the facets of
discrimination have not been wiped out, and it will take some real
doings to attain that goal.
Many of the older Blacks are still handicapped by poor
education and are victims of lack of skill and training. But there is
proof of advancement inspite of what some pessimists say. Outside
of the South the progress is most discernable, as black males and
younger husband-wife advance in better jobs and good pay. In the
North and West black heads of families under 35 years of age earn
97% of their white counterpart s pay. Blacks have reached near
statistical equality. When both husband and wife work their
earnings surpass the whites with a 104% of the similar white
units.
These statistics in life-style and education are proof that
American Blacks are progressing toward the main-stream of
American life. But some blacks and white liberals are violently
iefuting Messrs. Scammon and Wattenberg research. Some of
them are even claiming that blacks are worse off now than they
were ten or twelve years ago. But it’s hard to dispute documented
figures.
Dr. Daniel P. Moynihan presented almost the same statistics in
the Public Interest Quarterly Magazine a year ago and were
refused by the same group of black and white liberals, they also
disregarded Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer, the black governor of the
Federal Reserve System who said, and presented almost identical
statistics showing the economic growth among a large segment of
Blacks two years ago. But when the architects of public opinion
make up their minds to discredit Black progress, evidence to the
contrary will just might get lost.
(THE PROFESSIONAL POVERTY WARRIORS)
The war on poverty has created a phony middle-class elite,
sociological inclined, they are the ones, that elect not to see any
progress in the black community. The number of non-white social
workers increased over the last decade from 16,000 to 41,000,
not counting the droves of whites, with their glamor degrees in
the social sciences. The poor themselves most certainly have been
helped by the booming in businesses in the later part of the 60s
and the early 70s. Even the wartime jobs, and veteran’s benefits
by serving in the armed services.
All of this howling about abolishing some of these
staff-heavy poverty programs is just a bunch of poppy-cock. This
new middle-class black group is certainly not strong as its white
counterpart, lacking in accumulated capital, and business
connections and professional expertise. These successful young
blacks will need some sensible help, such as recruiting for college
matriculations or scholarship grants. But this group is emphaticly
not welfare proned; the seeds of progress are theirs, and they
should be praised, rather than ridiculed as “white niggers”.
OUR RESTLESS GENERATION DEMANDS REFORM AND
PROGRESS AT ONCE, THE PHENOMENON OF NOW HAS
BECOME A BURNING OBSESSION, ESPECIALLY AMONG
YOUNG BLACKS A || success f u | reforms and progress is slow,
and must be given much thought and planning. But these
obstacles are surmountable, if the progress or advancments
accomplish their ends. Such insistence is itself a rush
phenomenon, one of the feverish symptoms of the hectic 60s.
The public school system, at all levels, was the hard work over
a century; and Social Security was gradually phased into its
current strength over the course of the last 30 years. Had any
group demanded “public education now”, or “Social Security
now” would have most certainly defeated these worth-while
social advancments. Fortunately very few pressure groups were so
peremptory, and government was able to institute these reforms
in an orderly, gradual, and ultimately successful way.
(ALL ETHNIC PROGRESS, UNFORTUNATELY IS SLOW)
The reforming spirit of the 60s is less patient, more
impassioned. It cannot bear the prospect of gradual movement,
and at times its seems to get a kick out of setting Americans
against Americans-class against class, race against race, ethnic
group against ethnic group. That’s the reason most “Great
Society” programs have failed. Inspite of all of these impediments
prepared young blacks are insistencely telling their white
counterparts to get over, and make room for them, and that s
good.
A THOUGHT ON THE LOCAL HORIZON
All of Augusta will remember May 10th. 7:30 PM. at
Tabernacle Bapt. Church.
(FREEDOM FUND RALLY)
Sponsored by the Augusta Chapter of the NAACP.
Page 4
<1 TO BE
1 EQUAL /fWI
11—Z— >
< * >/ )
Verno'* E. Jordan, Jr. K b
LEGAL SERVICES AT A CROSSROAD
The argument made against a number of Federal social service
programs -- that they do not work - cannot be raised against the
Legal Services Program by even its most vocal critic. If anything,
Legal Services has worked too well and inso doing, hasincurred
the enmity of powerful forces that would like to see it either
killed or made weak and ineffective.
Should such efforts succeed, and they are already underway, it
will be an unmitigated disaster for millions of poor people and for
the concept that equality before the law is the right of every man.
It was this concept that led to the establishment of the Legal
Services Program within the Office of Economic Opportunity
in 1965. Without adequate legal counsel, the poor often find
themselves trapped in a bewildering array of problems they
simply cannot cope with. Unscrupulous landlords take advantage
of them, insensitive government agencies violate their rights with
impunity, and dishonest merchants rob them of hard-earned
dollars.
Through Legal Services, the scales of justice have been brought
a little more into balance. Full-time lawyers staff some 900
offices in poverty areas across the country providing competent
and committed counsel to millions of clients. (
Most of the cases involve domestic matters, consumer and job j
problems, and juvenil offenses, and arouse little controversy.
However, the Legal Services lawyers have all challenged existing
laws and governmental actions. (
In Mississippi, as an example, communities have been ordered
to provide the same facilities for black neighborhoods as for (
white. Construction of a super highway in the State of ,
Washington was suspended until arrangements had been made for
the housing of poor persons displaced by the construction, ]
Pennsylvania was forced to make room in the State’s public
schools for mentally retarded children. (
It is activities of this nature, more than anything else, that have s
earned the wrath of those who believe government-supported j
lawyers have no business fighting government decisions. j
This view is not only short-sighted, but in effect, tells the poor ,
that as long as they cannot pay their won lawyers to argue their ]
case in court, unjust and illegal actions that harm them will be (
allowed to stand. j
Could anything be more destructive to efforts to instill respect (
for the law among those who have little reason to believe that the (
law can ever by anything but an enemy? I doubt it!
Despite the proven record of Legal Services, it apparently has ]
very few friends at OEO, which still retains control of the
program. Programs are being hampered by unreasonable ‘
restricitions dictated from Washington, funds for various local ,
offices are being delayed for no apparent reason, and morale ,
among the poverty lawyers has declined to an all-time low.
As disturbing and as unfair as these actions are, they would not
appear to be apable of producing more than a short-range effect,
if there were any clear indications of the future of Legal Services
after OEO goes out of business on June 30th.
At this point, the future is cloudy. The Administration is on
record as favoring the creation of an independent Legal Services
Corporation, but the legislation has not been introduced at this
session. The possibility has also been raised that when such
legislation is introduced, it may call for Legal Services to be
funded through revenue - sharing on a state-by-state basis. Such an
action, 1 believe, would subject Legal Services to political control
and would not be in the best interests of the poor.
Supporters within Congress are reluctant to introduce their
own bill, fearing that if such a measure passes, it faces a
Presidential veto.
This present state of uncertainly is damaging to a valuable
program and should be brought to an end at once. Legal Services
has clearly demonstrated its value and deserves much better
treatment that it is receiving.
K SUBSCRIBE
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’ LETTERS TO EDITOR |
I Dear Editor:
* On May 2, The Pilgrim
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! Our thanks to thousands of
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I From $25.00 in. 1898 to 14
Million Dollars today. Thanks
to you we have really made
history and today we have
every reason to be proud.
Because we have enjoyed
such a wonderful relationship
with you, we invite you to
share in our Birthday
Celebration by attending the
Company’s Open House on
May 2 from 9:30 a.m. until
2:00 p.m.
There will be gifts and
refreshments for all.
Sincerely yours,
W. S. Hornsby, Jr., President
Dear Editor:
Congratulations on the
second anniversary of the
News-Review. I read carefully
every issue.
You will not be surprised
that I now take issue. Please
note carefully the point at
issue.
I refer to Volume 3, Number
4 of April 12,1973. Your
editorial on the inauguration of
Dr. Pitts is in quite good form,
encouraging, positive and
supportive. With its general
position I raise no question.
My statement of resignation
was to the same purpose,
though, I think, somewhat
stronger in language and tone.
One sentence I question,“lt is
important that Blacks and
whites understand that the
Black man is equally capable of
effectively operating academic
institutions of the highest
order.” “Please note my point
of disagreement.”
To try to prove that by one
more instance is like building
another wheel to prove it is
functional. Granted, there are
fellows of ours, Black and
white, for whom this is an
unlikely thesis. Given the
overwhelming weight of
evidence, one more instance
will not likely convince.
Interestingly Lucius Holsey
Pitts has already demonstrated
this precise point in at least
three major fields, more
recently at Miles College.
(1.E.D.)
In 1956 I asked a
distinguished Black colleague
whether I should consider the
invitation to become president
of Paine College. His answer,
“It has already been
demonstrated that Blacks can
manage their own institutions.
What still must be
demonstrated is that Blacks
and whites can work together
in unity. Paine College is the
best demonstration of that I
know. Go.”
At your graduation or some
other I borrowed fro the
Gettsburg Address, asking
whether this institution or any
institution “so conceived and
so dedicated, can long endure.”
one focal aim of my years at
Paine within the common task
of educational development
was the Paine ttheme:
“...our nation’s woeful lack,
True union of the heart be
brought and differences be set
at nought, Between the white
and Black.”
How well is not mine to
judge. It did become my
judgement in long and repeated
consultation with many
colleagues, you among them,
that with all the overwhelming
reasons for Paine to have a
Black president I should make
room in complete confidence
that unity and brotherhood
could be fully his purpose and
concern.
White or Black what,
shamefully, after so long a
time, remains to be
demonstrated is that there are
places where both would set
sych differences at naught,
living in them and beyond
them, gladly, proudly and
effectively. This will happen at
Paine and it will cost Lucius
Pitts and any who share such
conception and such
dedication, much abuse. If
unity of heart and intelligence
cannot be achieved at Paine,
where is there hope?
Hopefully,
Clayton Calhoun
Black College Fund
P.O. Box 871 / NashviUe, Tenn.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Calhoun served
as president of Paine College from
1956-1970.
CALLS FOR ATTICA
MEMORIAL SUPPORT
Dear Editor:
THE NATION’S DISGRACE
(The “Forgotten men &
women in U.S. Prisons” The
most savage, primitive,
disgraceful, institutional failure
in American society is our
prison system.
PRESIDENT NIXON states:
“No institution within our
society has a record which
presents such a conclusive case
of failure as does our prison
system.”
NORMAN CARLSON,
Director of the U.S. Buteau of
Prisons, states: “Anyone not a
criminal will be one when he
gets out of jail.”
BEN BAGDIKIAN, formerly
of the WASHINGTON POST
states: “Approximately 8000
Americans are sent to jails and
prisons every day. Ninety-seven
percent of them eventually
return to society, and from 40
to 70 percent of them commit
new crimes ... If theirs is an
average experience, they will,
in addition to any genuine
justice received, be forced into
programs of psychological
destruction; If they serve a
sentence, most of it will not be
by decision of a judge acting
under the Constutition, but by
a casual bureaucrat acting
under no rules whatever; and
they will emerge from this
experience a greater threat to
society than when they went
in.”
The American prison system
does not rehabilitate criminals;
it makes them.
Despite Attica and an
increasing number of prison
riots, Congress seems in no
hurry to reform the system.
Senators Bellmon of
Oklahoma, Saxbe of Ohio,
Burdick of North Dakota,
Bayh of Indiana, McClellan of
Arkansas, Javits of New York
and Percy of Illinois have all
introduced bills designed to
develop new correctional
systems. But as Bellmon
recently pointed out in
Congress, “I am sorry to say
that these 12 months (Sept.
1971 - Sept. 1972) have been
largely non-productive so far as
new legislation is concerned.
Prison reform still seems to
have a low priority with
Congress... How many more
riots must occur and how many
more percentage points must
our crime rate increase to
motivate Congress into
action?”
ATTICA MEMORIAL needs
your Support!!!
AIMS:
J To assist in the care,
support ana well being of the
dependents of the incarcerated.
2. To assist in maintaining
the “family” status.
3. To assist in
the offering of higher
'fl J I ‘ ■
I ’’GOING Z : Ifcl I
I PLACES” .R--WI I
I I I
■ With Philip Waring ./
“G"ing Places” salutes with keen pleasure the recent ■
inauguration of Dr. Lucius Holsey Pitts as president of Paine
College. I’ 11 always remember how he rebuilt and expanded Miles I
College, against great odds which at one time includedan unfriendly
municipal governemnt in Birmingham. One year in the
mid-sixities Dr. Pitts appeared to come from out of the sky into
the St. Louis Community. There suddenly appeared on scene a '
special citizens committee to raise funds and give support for ■
Miles. Bishop George Cadigan, Episcopal Bishop of Missouri and
Dr. John Erving, Black dean of Washingtion University and a
leading Baptist layman, mobilized the St. Louis Community for
Miles College. A unique dinner meeting put the affair over the
top. I’ll always remember the smooth planning which went into
this program. Much could be written about how the American
Black college president has had to build bricks without straw and H
few resources - and did a good job.
Augusta and Paine College should feel proud indeed to have
this gifted and dynamic Christian educator heading this interracial
institution which has made its own splendid mark for neatly one
hundred years. Let’s get behind Dr. Pitts with full support and
cooperation as Paine moves onto another era of greatness/suring
the seventies. Right On!
The second section of this column has to do with
discrimination:
U.S. CHARGES DISCRIMINATION BY 2 BIG AIRLINES AND ■
5 UNIONS
WASHINGTON, April 16 —The Justice Department accused
United and Delta Air Lines and five labor unions today of ■
discrimination against black and women employees and job
applicants.
In the Delta Air Lines case, however, the carrier and the
Department of Labor jointly filed a proposed consent decree ■
designed to eliminate discriminatory applicants. :
The two civil suits, announced in Washington at Attorney
General Richard G. Kleindienst, were filed against United it ■
Chicago and against Delta in Atlanta.
The United States District Court in Atlanta took under
advisement the proposed consent settlement in that case. Unde
its terms, Delta would allow blacks and women hired before July ■
1, 1971, and assigned to low-opportunity jobs, to transfer t<
higher opportunity or pay, with the first 1,000 transferred ti 1
recieve S2OO to $ 1,000 in back pay. I
In the suit against United, the Justice Department asked ti ,u |
the airline and the unions be ordered to halt discrimatory j
practices and to “compensate black and women employees and |
applicants for any economic losses they may have suffered as a I
result.” I
United was accused.of maintaining a system of transfers and I
promotions and using standardized tests for hiring, promotion and |
transfers that are discriminatory. I
In the complaint, the Government contended that ot 49,393 ■
persons now employed by the airline, 30 percent were women u|
and 7 percent were black.
The five labor unions—The International Association of I
Machinists and Aerospace Workers, The Air Line Pilots |
Association, the Communications Workers of America, the I
Transport Workers’ Union of America and the Airline Employees’
Association, International--were charged with negotiating
contracts with both United and Delta that perpetuated I
discriminatory practices. j
The Justice Department also asked the court to order United |
to do the following: • |
Hire and recruit black applicants in sufficient numbers <o
overcome the effects of past discrimination in hiring.
Assign black and women applicants to better-paying jobs with
more opportunity.
Halt the use of standardized test for hiring and promotion
when such tests operate disproportionately to exclude blacksand
do not demonstrablly indicate successful job performance
The department also asked that black and women employees
and applicants be compensated for any economic losses they may
have suffered as a result of previous employment practices.
education to the children of
the incarcerated and to
ATTICA MEMORIAL staff.
4. To assist and train in
employemnt, the spouse and
the children of the
incarcerated.
5. To assist in transportation
and lodging of the loved ones
when they visit the prisons.
6. To assist in a better
understanding by the public of
prevailing prison conditions,
via., speaking engagements,
ATTICA MEMORIAL
members, work shops, the
news media and the ATTICA
MEMORIAL Newsletter.
7. To assist the discharged
prisoner in gaining worthwhile
employment and living
quarters.
8. To assist in the implanting
of “desire” in the confined
person, to help themselves
while in prison by taking
advantage of the opportunities
offered in areas of academic
and vocational betterment.
9. To assist in getting
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members of the legal
profession to render their
service to those confined who
are unable to pay for necessaiy
litigations.
10. To assist in the various
communities, the youth, in the
formation of ASSIST groups.
Sports, assignments,
sissions, membership drives,
talent shows, togetherness, etc.
11. To assist in helping others
help themselves.
NEEDS:
(a) Office space. Office
supplies, (desks, chairs,
typewriters, memeo-graph
machine, filing cabinets,
stationery, adding machine).
(b) Transportation to the
prisons. (bus-van-station
wagon)
' (c) Clothing for the children
of the confined.
(d) Postage, donations,
information, advice, criticism,
encouragement and whatevei.
ATTICA MEMORIAL
NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!
Luther