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The Augusta News-Review, April 25 - ■Walking 111 111 with t m| Dignity |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 | TODAY ' ™ E AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW flu P. O. 80X953 AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30903 name ADDRESS CITY J One year (in county) 55.00 One year (out of county) $6.00 " A 5 years (in County) $20.00 5 years (out of county) $25.00 ’ LETTERS TO EDITOR | I Dear Editor: * On May 2, The Pilgrim > Health and Life Insurance Company will observe it’s Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. ! Our thanks to thousands of > Americans for giving us the opportunity to serve you and your families in so many ways. 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 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. One 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 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