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The Aittwta News-Review - July 25,1974 -1
■Walking
■ With
h|f Dignity
11 by Al Irby
THE CURRENT SUCCESS OF BLACK POLITICIANS IS
BEGINNING TO GET THE COOL SHRUGS FROM MEMBERS
OF THEIR RACE, WITH THE GLIB REPORT, SO WHAT?
SOME OF THE REASONS ARE THAT BLACK
OFFICE-HOLDERS HAVE FAILED TO LEARN THE BASIC
RUDIMENTS OF THE WAYS POLITICS ARE APPLIED LN
AMERICA. WHEELING AND DEALING INSTEAD OF
SULKING IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. BLACK
POLITICIANS ACT AS IF THEY ARE ENTRUSTED WITH A
SACRED DESTINY TO SAVE HUMANITY.
The Black Congressional Caucus is politically bankrupt as far as
meaningful action is concerned. The parliamentary gymnastics,
horse swapping, bargaining and dealing, that are integral parts of
Anglo-Saxon legislative process must be mastered. Political
scientist William A. Gamson calls the American political hassle a
system of pluralistic democracy. If that is true, the Congressional
Black Caucus made its first tactical error when it made the Nixon
regime a permanent enemy; because today’s adversary just might
be your friend next time around. Politics is a tug-of-war for
power and favors. If there are problems, and Blacks have gangs of
them, get organized, play the establishment’s game, and bargain
for change. Don’t be greedy and try to win every time or grab for
the whole hog, compromise is the gut-life of pluralistic politics.
One is bound to find some friends who are willing to help you,
because they believe you can help them farther down the road.
Os course this reciprocal stance does not work every time,
because human nature can’t always be depended upon. For
example the Republican Party sold the Southern Black
Republicans out to the Ku Klux Klan in reconstruction days.
Nevertheless “give and take” is the basic rule of workable politics.
Some, like old-time Soufhem politicians, shoved and swindled
their way into powerful committee chairmanships, yelling and
hollering Nigger! Nigger!
MANY CRITICS REFUTE THE PLURALIST CONCEPT, BUT
IT EXISTS JUST THE SAME - C. Wright Mills, whose book
“The Powar Elite”, attacked a pluralist theory vigorously, trying
to deny the pluralist premise, and arguing that America has no
single center of power. Political Scientist E.E. Schattschneider
expanded upon the pluralistic controversy:” The heavenly chorus
sings with a strong upper-class accent in the pluralist firmament.
Ninety percent of the people are barred from the pressure
system.”
A vigorous group like the American Blacks face two problems
at the same time. They are different from a well organized group
like the American Jewry. An aspiring group cannot send out calls
for help and expect most of its loyal members to follow into
action, this kind of ethnic loyalty must be developed. Secondly,
an aspiring group like Blacks in the U.S. must demand for some
things its members cannot provide, The Blacks are basicly
religious, therefore, they want changes in laws and social
institutions as well. As much as the average Black detests
violence, he has learned the Hard way that America pays more
attention to violence than moral persuasion. For example, A.
Philip Randolph’s March on WashingtorCommitteethreatened a
mass march on the Capitol in 1941 to pressure President
Roosevelt into a more active role in ending racial discrimination
in employment. The Government was creating a war climate with
Natzi Germany’s racism, so such a march at that time would have
been very embarrassing to the American image. Because of this
determined stand by Blacks, the President promised a policy of
nondiscrimination in all federal hiring, and by executive order
created a Fair Employment Practices Co (nm it tee to carry out this
policy.
BLACK CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS’ INEPTNESS IS THE
“HALL MARK” OF ALL BLACK POLITICIANS IN AMERICA.
Political maneuvering was shown in all of its shrewd expertise by
the Southern bloc in Congress. In its action on import of chrome
from racist Rhodesia, which was a blatant violation of the United
Nations’ sanctions. The Dixie-crats found out that chrome comes
from Russia as well as Rhodesia. With this knowledge in their
hands, and pressured by two giant American firms holding fat
contracts for Rhodesian chrome, they began to do their thing,
politically.
Senator Byrd got a bill passed prohibiting the United States
from barring the imports of any strategic material from a free
world country, as long as the same items are being imported from
a Commui st country. Since Russian chromium is the world's
best, the intent was clear and smart politics. .This type of political
stratagem is what Black politicians must learn to be effective.
American affairs could be manipulated more expertly if Rep.
Chargles Diggs, Democrat of Michigan applied his talent to
African affairs rather than domestic Civil Rights. Mr. Diggs has
the big chance to become a power in the activities of Black
Africa, if he develops the political skill to play smart legeslative
gymnastics of give and take. His efforts to date Bhve been isolated
and racially rhetorical.
Congressman Diggs is not to be played short, he is a talented
lawmaker and has made some enormous contributions in many
domestic areas. But on broader grounds where knowledge is
required in ethnic foreign policy, lawmaking expertise in electoral
threats,lobbying style and bargaining leverage, there is much to be
desired. For example the Poles, Italians, etc. flex their
political muscles at the right time, but American Blacks, the
largest minority, have not learned its ABCs in the in-fighting ways
politics are played in America.
The successful groups in American politics are not the
one-track petitioners, who carefully avoid lending their support
to associates, so as to draw upon them when in need. Don’t be
habitually moody, but rambunctious with well laid out A
challenging group must be able to fight, if need be, but above all
things it needs organization and discipline. Black political groups
do not have strong committed memberships, they also are lacking
in unity and loyalty. It is not enough to have followers, if they
have no direction. Blacks cannot expect much more in politics
than they have acquired already, unless they learn fast.
THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW
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Page 4
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/ Speaking I
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I Xi JF By
V Roosevelt Green, Jr. <
Violence on television and movies is bound to have a very
harmful effect on children as well as emotionally unstable adults.
I am sure many of my readers will join me in expressing alarm at
the increasing rate of violence on TV and in movies.
Having just observed another so-called blaxploitation film
which portrayed a high degree of violence by Blacks against
Blacks as well as whites, I came away with disgust and dismay.
Movies showing Blacks ripping off the man are making a fortune
for greedy Black and white movie makers. Perhaps Blacks will get
tired of that garbage and boycott those movies that not only
glorify violence but portray the Black woman as a mindless sexual
toy.
Children are quite prone to imitate the violence they see on TV
and parents should be particular about the programs their
children watch. 1 strongly believe that current crop of
“handkerchief head” “Blagk” movies with their dehumanizing and
depersonalizing of “the man” will have a very negative effect in
the national Black community. “The man”, in case some persons
do not understand that terminology, refers to white people.
Quality Black movies and television specials like “The
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “Sounder” are needed
by Black and white citizens. Drug pushers and pimps should not
be glorified and .ield up as successful models for Black in general
and especially our young people. There is a need for Black movies
that show the strength of Black men and women in away that
positive aspects of the Black experience can be highlighted.
Issac Hayes was a sad disappointment in his new movie entitled
“Tuck Turner” is so many ways, especially citing the pathological
violence. The “Super-Fly” film has probably had the most
negative effect in the Black community in terms of the Black
identity movement. Young Blacks are once again straightening
and processing their hair to look like so-called “white hair.”
Black and white movie goers are subjected to new violence and
sex without any quality acting in movies or TV, sex and violence
as ends in themselves have no redeeming social value nor do they
portray the best in human nature. Sex is a beautiful experience
when it expresses the commitment and love of two human beings.
Violence as an end in itself is commited only by sick people.
May I suggest that you begin to examine the violence on
television police or law enforcement programs, western movies,
Saturday morning kiddie cartoon shows, and in popular movies
and form an opinion for yourself about its influence on the
general public. No human being has the right to take the life of
another human being except in rare cases of self-defense or for
protection of innocent victims, whose lives are at stake.
Human life is a precious possession and it should not be played
so cheap in this country. Only God has the right to control life
and death. Capital punishment should be forever outlawed with
the necessary emphasis being shifted to the rehabilitation of
criminal offenders.
I will hasten to say that I do not by any means approve of
censorship of movies or television except by the individual
viewer. No group, religious or otherwise, has the right to dictate
what other people will see or read. The R ancTX rating of movies
only serve to promote those films that might otherwise be
ignored by movie goers. The jumping up and down by religious
groups also serves to promote movies’ garbage and make the film
maker richer. When will we ever learn to think and make mature
judgments for ourselves?
I will give a brief overview of violence in this country next
week while describing the implications for the future of our
country. We would all do well to study this issue thoroughly and
with wisdom and love.
HARAMBEE!!!!!!!
The Essence Os Augusta
by Augustus Miller
The campaign trail is again open for present office holders and,
those seeking public office. There is a wave of negative criticism
going on throughout our community. Mainly concerning some of
the present office holders.
The most common negative expression is “He or she isn’t doing
anything.” Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. However,
that opinion should not always be in the negative. Those persons
making such a statement should ask themselves several questions.
When was the last time I went to a city council or county
commissioners’ meeting?
What democratic procedures are used to pass a city or county
proposal? How many times have I voted, and especially for
whom?
• Answers to these questions will show if there is a need for
negative criticism. Any voter should know that one man or one
woman cannot change the present system in city or county
government. Neither can one or two people fulfill some of the
promises or dreams they would like to see come true.
The support of other responsible elected officials is greatly
needed. If those already serving, for the benefit of the
community, and those seeking to serve, present a sound program,
then it’s up to the voters to give them a chance to make progress.
We may then see how much negative criticism follows our
elected officials. “Together We Build”!!!!!
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LETTER™ EDITOR
Dear Editor:
In assessing the many gains
we, Blacks, have achieved,
through bitter fight, I have
found, in most cases, we have
been totally unprepared to
capitalize on such. There are
far too many Blacks, this day,
who view gains thus achieved
in the past decade, as events
outside their frame of
reference. There are too many
of us who, just ten years ago,
could not have visualized
Blacks entering certain schools,
living in certain neighborhoods,
holding certain jobs, occupying
important public and private
offices, serving on important
governmental committees, and
belonging .to certain
organizations. How then can
the masses of us expect to take
advantage of opportunities
and accomplishments we, ten
years ago, could not have
imagined? Too much of our
time was spent achieving goals,
and not enough time, if any,
preparing us to live in a society
free, of, to some extent,
economic, social, political and
religious barriers.
Our very survival will
depend on how much
knowledge we, as a race of
people, can secure about our
possible status next year and
years to come. The lack of
such knowledge could prove to
be the surest way to complete
genocide of our race. It is no
wonder that today, with all of
the accomplishments in civil
and human rights and
technological changes, millions
of Blacks have become
“human scraps”, alienated
from the mainstream of society,
instead of being integrated into
it.
It is no longer sufficient for
Blacks to understand the past.
The Black man must learn to
make repeated, probabilistic,
increasingly long-range
assumptions about his future.
It is only by generating such
assumptions, defining,
debating, systematizing and
“WHERE THERE IS INJUSTICE, WE SHOULD CORRECT IT”
continually updating them,
that we can deduce the nature
of knowledge that. Black '
people of tomorrow will need
in order to survive.
Grady Abrams '
1216 10th St. .
“A RAP FOR TAP”
Dear Editor:
Your article on the
misfortunes (?) of City
Councilman Aaron Tappan
raises a number of questions
concerning the administration
of local government. Foremost
among these questions is the
motives for seeking public
office.
Councilman Tappan stated,
“Why have an office if you’re
not going to use it for your
own benefit?” Speaking as a
layman, I could think of
several reasons why one would
seek public office for
someone’s benefit other than
his own.
A great deal of work needs
to be done in this city,
particularly in low income and
Black communities. A number
of streets need paving and
resurfacing and several
communities have empty lots
that are ill-kept by property
owners who more often than
not live in some other
community. Hundreds if not
thousands of people need
centrally located agencies in
the community to inform the
people of the services available
to them through the local,
state and federal governmental
bodies. With all the corruption
in the federal government, the
people could appreciate
someone in local government
who would look after the
needs of the public primarily if
not exclusively. Councilman
Tappan could follow the
example set by Sister Carrie
Mays in the local political
arena.
The impression Councilman
Tappan gave was that there is
nothing wrong with using a
public office for one’s own
benefit and I wholeheartedly
agree with this position.
However, when one uses his
public office for personal gain
at the expense of using it for
the public’s benefit, then this is
definitely a conflict of interest.
This is not to say that
Councilman Tappan is not
performing his public duties,
but prior to this Canal
Committee business I knew of
him only as “one of the Black
City Councilmen”.
Councilman Tappan also
hinted that fellow Councilman
C. Thomas Huggins called for a
grand jury investigation of the
case for reasons of personal
revenge. If local politics have
degenerated to the point where
personal vendettas dictate the
actions of politicians, then
Councilman Huggins had better
call for an investigation of the
entire Council on the grounds
of abuse of office.
Finally, if Councilman
Tappan is being framed as
opposed to just having fallen
into one of the “Man’s” many
traps, then it would be to his
advantage to inform the people
who put him in office of this.
With the support of the
TO BE
EQUAL
By
Verno" B. Jordan, Jr.
The media have discovered the Black middle class. Television
documentaries and magazine articles have recently appeared
purporting to show that Black gains in the past decade have
enabled a slim majority of Blacks to enter the middle class.
It’s just not true. It wasn’t true last year when political analysts
RichardScammonand Ben Wattenberg first pushed the thesis and
it isn’t true today, even with major media sources hopping on
their bandwagon.
This supposed “new” middle class is very much like the “Old”
Black middle class -a group whose incomes and professional
status lag behind that of whites. Throughout our history the class
structure of Black people has been parallel to that of whites - on
a lower level.
An income or job that would place a white worker solidly in
the “working class” is deemed sufficient for a Black to be placed
in the “middle class.” For example, a documentary on CBS News
on the Black “middle class” included a postal worker and a
handyman. Would they be called “middle class” if they were
white?
From the publicity given Black doctors and lawyers one would
think they form the core of the Black middle class. But less than
two percent of the members of those professions are Black. And
by their incomes, education and profession these individuals - if
they were white - would be considered upper middle class.
The core of the so-called Black middle class are working people
who have decent incomes and whose acquisition of the attributes
of middle class life -a home, a car and a color tv -- where
achieved through several family members working, often at more
than one job.
By almost any . measure of incoipe distribution the average
Black family is still short of the middle class living standard. The
typical Black family makes about $5,000 a year less than the
average white family and far less than the government itself
stipulates is needed for a middle class budget. In fact, the typical
Black family’s income is less than the federal budget for “lower,
non-poor” living standard.
In away it is gratifying to have the media finally paying
attention to that majority of Black families that are stable, that
work and earn and produce. After all the negative publicity
helping to create the stereotype of Blacks as lazy, criminal, etc., it
is good to have Middle Americans made aware of the true picture
of Black people.
But there is danger in assuming that this supposed Black
middle class is made up of people who have made it in our
society. With such an image of Blacks, the nation will only be
confirmed in its withdrawal from the struggle to make further
important social reforms.
Only about a fourth of all Blacks can be said to have made it
into jobs and salaries that place them on a par with middle class
Americans. About a third are officially defined as poor, and
among them are a majority of Black children. The rest of the
Black population is clustered in those income groups that, while
not poor, still struggle to put meat on the table and to pay the
rent.
They are not middle class. They work hard. They sacrifice for
their kids’ education. They strive to better theirselves. They are
battered by inflation, imperiled by recessions, are the first to lose
their jobs in an energy crisis, and live, not in affluence, but in
dignity and self-respect.
This is the typical Black American, not the small minority who
were the basis for the negative image of Blacks held by some, and
not the small minority of relatively affluent Blacks currently
featured by the media.
It is time these folks were heard from and paid attention to,
and it is about time the government and industry started doing
something to help them to a greater degree of economic justice.
constituents who elected him,
Brother Tap (no offense
intended) could handle this or
any other problem and come
out of it as fresh as a daisy. I’m
almost certain that the Black
community would stand
behind the councilman as I
would, if he came to us for
help. When you get right down
to it, Councilman Tappan, even
if he is guilty of misdeeds, isn’t
doing anything that other
(white and Black) councilmen
haven’t been doing. That,
however, is the one thing Black
elected officials need to be
very cautious about- falling
into the same “bag” as
/ ►
traditional elected officials.
That “bag’.’ is one of the main
reasons why Blacks as a people
are still so far behind.
Gene A. Andrews
2432 Norton Drive
’awn Shop
549 Broad St.
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