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The Augusta News-Review - April 8, 1976 - Walking With Dignity South African White Churches Are Speaking Out Against Apartheid The United States started what amounts to a global ideological tug-of-war way before many of the Third World Nations were created. Uncle Sam supported every “dat-jim” right-wing group that came along. Spain, Greece, Brazil, Chile and Korea are but a few of the right-leaning dictators coddled by the U.S.A. Maybe playing up to the right-wing guys and gals are in our best national interest, but itsjiot so to the emerging nations, especially the Black ones. They would rather take their chances with Marxists. Therefore, the southern tip of Africa is in deep trouble. With the whole of southern Africa in greater ferment than ever before, the paramount question is no longer whether but WHEN the entire political system of apartheid in Pretoria will be changed. It is not simply a question now of the removal by Prime Minister John Vorster of petty irritants, for Blacks, around the edge of the great monolith of South African racial policy, but a gathering Black Nationalism momentum forcing a hurried pace of change. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS RESTLESS FOR CHANGE OF APARTHEID POLICIES The latest significent development is the announcement by the South African Roman Catholic leader, Archbishop Hurley of Durban, that white Catholic schools would hence-forward be open to Black kids. Despite South Africa’s commitment to limited and controlled change, this sluggish movement is almost certain to bring the Catholic Church in South Africa into a frontal conflict with the government. Archbishop Hurley was among the white church leaders who only a few weeks ago were lauding another development of great moment: rejection of the government’s segregated African homeland policy by the politically important Zulu leader, Chief Gatsha Buthelezi. Instead the chief advocated Black majority rule for a single unpartitioned South Africa. ZULU CHIEF SHOWED REAL COURAGE IN STANDING UP FOR HIS CONVICTIONS The Episcopal Bishop, the Rt. Rev. T. Bavin and Dr. Beyers Naude, director of the Christian Institute welcomed Chief Buthelezi’s declaration of complete unpartitioned majority rule. Another defender of Chief Buthelezi was Mrs. Helen Suzman, longtime Progressive Party member of the South African Parliament. She said Chief Buthelezi was trying to bring home to white South Africans the “stark reality” of African aspirations. Chief Buthelezi had said before a wild cheering crowd of 40,000 Black and white Africans March 14 that events in the former Portuguese territories abutting South Africa - Mozambique and Angola -- had brought a new sense of nationalist awareness into Benjamin Hooks FCC Commissioner Presidential Citation In Order For Roy Wilkins Roy Wilkins, the venerable executive director of the NAACP, announced recently that he intends to step down from the helm of the nation’s largest and most effective civil rights organization. His move will signal the end of one of the most important eras in the history of the U.S. After more than 40 years of affiliation with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, its executive director for two decades, Wilkins will leave an organization that has had the single most dramatic impact on social and racial change of any in our history. His has been an honorable and charismatic leadership - leadership, however, that has not always gone unquestioned in terms of tactics but never in terms of integrity and probity. For my part, 1 believe the nation owes Mr. Wilkins a profound vote of gratitude. He should, in this Bicentennial year, be called to the White House and presented a grateful nation’s highest citation, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Washington Post Columnist, William Raspberry points out the fact that half the American people under age 30 have no memory of a Wilkins-less NAACP. 1 would venture to say, this is especially true of the Black community where, the U.S. Bureau of Census tells us, that more than half of the population is young-- between the ages of 18-35. It has been my good fortune and pleasure to work with Mr. Wilkins over the years. A stubborn man, a tough man, but a fair man -a leader with an unswerving goal -- equality for the Black man in Africa. He never lost sight of this goal and his mission was forever moving forward and unsullied. The Wilkins’ NAACP era embraces one of the most turbulent and significant periods in our history. When Wilkins joined the NAACP in the early 1930’s as a young newspaperman, (editor of the Kansas Calf) the country was in a deep depression. Legal segregation was the law of the land; discrimination in housing, jobs, public accommodations, education, legal justice, voter registration, was rampant, norht, south, east, and west. He lived to see many of the outward vestiges of racial discrimination removed and while the NAACP did not initiate the freedom rides or the militant young Black sit-in movement, THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW Mallory K. MillenderEditor-Publisher g Frank Bowman Advertising Manager x Audrey Frazier Editor-At-Large Michael Carr IPhotographer X Stan RainesCirculation Manager Mailing Address: Box 953, Augusta, Ga. Phone 722-4555 !;! Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30903 S: SUBSCRIPTION RATES $ Payable in Advance One year in Richmond Countys7.oo tax incl. ¥ 6 Monthss3.so tax incl. x One year out of County SB.OO tax incl. $ ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT g Classified & Display Advertising Deadline x 12 Noon on Tuesday News Deadline Monday 5:30 (printed free) AWALCAMATIO g L—y. PUBLISHERS, INC. :$ X , X , X , X , X'X , x > X.XWXWS:»sX , R‘SSX , x , X"X , x , x , x , x.x.x.: > x.x.x.x-x.xl Page 4 a ® ph * - W by Al Irby the hearts and minds of South Africa’s Blacks. He called for a series of Black national conventions to discuss policy-a call that has led many observers to see him bidding for political leadership of all South Africa’s 17 million Blacks and not simply of the 5 million Zulu people. National Black political organizations have been banned in South Africa ever since the disturbance at Sharpeville in 1960. Os the two main political leaders at that time the Pan-Africanist Congress’s Robert Sobukwe lives under house arrest in Kimberley after nine years in jail, and the African National Congresse’s Nelson Mandela is serving a life sentence on Robben Island off Cape Town/Sharpeville was an international disgrace, and a turning point in the race policy of racist South Africa. Then the old orignator of shamful apartheid, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, used the Sharpeville infamy as a cue to tighten his abominable separation of the races. Part of the super racist over-all plan was to press for the untenable separate Black homelands-the first of which, the Transkei is due for so-called independence later this year-and separate Black colleges. But as was expected by every Black in Africa, the separate homeland, and, even more, the separate Black colleges have become breeding grounds for pent-up Black consciousness and militant political aspirations. These feelings among Blacks are beginning to be released as events in Mozambique, Angola and Rhodesia are developing into an unmistakable “handwriting on the wall.” THE PRESENT PRIME MINISTER HAS BECOME SOME WHAT DOCILE Mr. Vorster, who became Prime Minister ten years ago with a tough “shoot-em-down” reputation has proven more “chicken” than many had expected. His aim has been to become buddies with Black Africans to the north. His prime intention has been to break down the hostile racial wall of isolation which Blacks had erected against his country. The Pertoria government has opened its armed services to Blacks-even advertises for Black recruits. But far from providing an outlet for Black aspirations that might lessen pressure for change, this recruitment offer could prove just the opposite-a tool further to sharpen aspirations and perhaps force change. Many of Mr. Vorster’s critics accused him of turning soft just only long enough to strengthen his status quo positions all over the segregated country. Yet some Blacks believed the Prime Minister had already gone too far to be stopped, and Mr. Vorster recognized this fact. But white hard-liners blocked Mr. Vorster’s efforts to lead the way to more radical and sweeping change. Wilkins’ NAACP, nevertheless furnished major legal assistance to them. Along with countless others, I join in wishing the NAACP Board Codspeed in its awesome task of seeking someone to fill the giant Wilkins’ shoes - shoes that have strode like a colossus across the sweeping landscape of civil rights and human dignity. It is pointless to speculate on his replacement, for like his predecessor, Walter White, there will never be another like him. We should hope -- no, pray, that this venerable organization Wilkins has headed with such honor for so many years, will be guided by someone who will carry forward his leadership and standing as if it were on his shoulders, carrying it to even greater heights. It is a shame that this civil rights group that has done so much to raise so many from a stooping position to one of standing proudly erect, should be in a strapped condition for funds. And it would be my hope that the organization while permitting Wilkins to return to private life after a long and honorable service would, nevertheless, continue to avail itself of his wisdom and sweeping intellectual know-how by placing him in a position of an executive-director-emeritus consultant. He would thus continue, on another level, his highly useful existence, and we would be the richer for the arrangement. (NNPA) "GOING PLACES” By Philip Waring Young Stars May Emerge From Black Festival ’76 I would say unto my friend Ed Mclntyre and his Planning Associates that their unique Augusta Black Festival’76, well may make the start for some future stars for television, motion pictures, stage or the world of music. Who knows this event during Masters Week of the Bicentennial year may produce an outstanding future athlete, artist or singer. The festival is the best thing moving down the tracks to give opportunity and image to our youth and also let them demonstrate skills and talents while also showing to the total Augusta Community contributions of our group in the cultural and entertainment sector. (Ed, please send me a program and place us on your festival mailing list: 350 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63103.) BLACK HISTORY IN GEORGIA DURING BICENTENNIAL The Georgia Black state legislators have rightly agreed to particpate in the current Bicentennial but on their own terms and within the frame of Black relevance. They are going to search out and highlight the achievements and records of the 27 Negroes who served in the Georgia legistlature immediately following the Civil War. With the possible exception of Bishop Henry Turner (whose portrait was placed in the state capitoi building along with Dr. M.L. King and our sainted Lucy Craft Laney), records of all others have been largely ignored or forgotten. REV. WHITE REPRESENTED AUGUSTA IN STATE LEGISLATURE This would not be Augusta Black History Moderator Phil Waring if the question were not asked: “How does this affect or help our Augusta Community?”. Fortunately, there is a positive answer as I understand we were represented among these 27 men. The Rev. William White, founder of Harmony Baptist Church, editor of the hard-hitting Georgia Baptist newspaper and father of Mrs. R.B. Baby White Williams, served in the legislature despite threats from the KKK. He was really our “Frederic Douglass” and more features on him later. I need pictures of him and Judson Lyons, U.S’ Registrar of the Treasury. NEWS-REVIEW TO HAVE SPECIAL BICENTENNIAL SUPPLEMENT Editor-Publisher Millender has just given clearance for a special “Bicentennial Black History Supplement” of which I will edit with your cooperation and aid. It will hit the streets on Thursday, May 27 and is timed as a news maker for the gala three day Memorial Day weekend. It will feature in pictures outstanding Black leaders down through the years. fS’ Blacks Have The Tools To Do The Job ——— ~ SUBURBIA SLACK BUSINESS MEN AND POLITICIANS U6HTOr SHOULD SE IN THE FOREFRONT OF LONG RANGE PLANNING, FOR ITIS ONLY THROUGH MUNmES M ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CLOUT THAT ' ETHNK GROUPS WWE BEEN ABLE TO ' MOVE UP THROUGH SOCIETY. ,g* 4 MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Z Ztafei’ z.yz ■ ■ z, /■ OzpAjraHWfFwz TO BE EQUAL By Vernon E. Jordon Jr. The Black Vote In ’76 The Black vote could determine the outcome of this year’s Presidential election, although you’d never realize this from the behavior of most candidates who continue to ignore issures of concern to Black people. Perhaps they are counting on the sleeping giant of the potential Black vote to continue to slumber on through the election. For the biggest threat to Black influence on the voting is low participation in the electoral process. Less than 60 percent of eligible Blacks are registered to vote, which is disappointingly low. Worse still, a third of those registered may not even go to the polling places on Election Day. In the last Presidential election only 65 percent of Black registered voters actually voted. One obvious reason is that registration procedures are often designed to discourage participation in the electoral process. Another reason is the natural mistrust of people who have been lied to for so long; it’s been estimated tha up to half of non-registered Blacks don’t register because of a dislike or disinterest in politics. A dislike of politics is just anither way of saying that “I don t believe politicians, even those that say they’ll do good, because MID YEAR BICENTENNIAL BLACK HISTORY CONVOCATION As you know James E. Carter, 111 and the Black Heritage Commission have just rounded out plans for a “first-of-its-kind” BICENTENNIAL BLACK HISTORY CONVOCATION. It will feature a major public meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, May 31 at which time Dr. Benjamin Mays will speak at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Theme is centered around the name change of Gwinnett Street to Laney-Walker Blvd. There will also be historic exhibits, reunion of former students from Haines, Walker Baptist, Immaculate Schools and other institutions. This event will never occur again in history and scores of former Augustans and students who attended its schools will be coming in from around the nation. There will be ceremonies at the graves of Miss Laney and Dr. Walker and maybe placing of plaques, etc., at other sites. Tobias-Yerby Circle is another hope. L.B. Wallace, national president of the Haines Alumni Association, indicates he is meeting with Dr. Ike Washington (Walker Baptist Alumni) and William Brown (Immaculate Conception Alumni) to set up a steering committee for some type of reunion event during this three day period. Everyone reading this, who is concerned, should contact these men and offer cooperation and participation. This could be a join affair or separate, large or small, informal or formal, but however it is given, this gala Convocation calls for school reunions. Augusta is noted for its warmth and hospitality. I am sure none of us would want former Augustans flying and driving in from around the nation and not one planned reception or school reunion for them. BLACKS WHO HELPED BUILD AUGUSTA SERIES MOVING ON The Blacks Who Helped Build Augusta series will continue throughout 1976 and into 1977. It should NOT BE CONFUSED with the aforementioned Memorial Day weekend special Bicentennial Black History Supplement which will print only once. As the BWHBA series is a joint community effort involving scores of different people who will help write, persons who have assignments are urged to renew their planning. Your Black History Moderator will soon be in contact. All of these efforts spell vital background information and pride in Augusta and accomplishments of its Blacks despite great odds! I’ve seen too many of them lie. And anyway, no matter how liberal they are, they’ll be more concerned about white folks than Black and browns.” So getting those millions of unregistered minority citizens involved in the political process will mean not only changing registration laws, but also convincing people that political action can help change things. And it’s us to liberal politicians especially, to prove to minorities tha. their professed liberal beliefs are not just a screen that can be tossed away whenever it suits them. Such Black disillusionment with liberals as exists is engined by such factors as the refusal of white suburbanites to approve subsidized housing in their communities, the opposition of many liberals to busing and affirmative action programs, and the appearance of taking Blacks and the Black vote for granted. Black disillusionment with conventional liberalism doesn’t extend to economic and related issues; it is based on the conviction that the Black stake in these issues is deemed expendable by liberal leaders. This helps explain why someone with so strong a civil rights record as Senator Jackson is not lighting any fires among Blacks - they’re too angry about this anti-busing stance and the way it injected race into the campaign. Representative Udall’s record and platform have won admiration from many Blacks, but again, many suspect their interests won’t be given priority. The entrance of Senator Church and Governor Brown into the race reinforced this Black attitude, since neither mentioned equal opportunity as a key part of his program. There’s an impression, true or not, that liberals are more concerned with air pollution than with the social pollution that harms our cities and minorities. Thus many liberals are surprised by Governor Carter’s strong showing among Black voters in the primaries. His civil rights record may not be as prominent as some of his competitors’, but, perhaps for that reason, he is actively courting Black voters. Jt The message Black voters are sending the politicans this year is “don’t take us for granted”. And smart politicos in both parties ought to take that message to heart. Even with the present under-representation on the voting rolls, Blacks may be the crucial factor in this year’s election. Concentrated in the most populous states with the largest number of electoral votes, and already the “swing factor” in many southern states, Blacks could find themselves holding the balance of power in November. So campaigners and the drafters of the major party platform had better start paying attention to Black needs and to the unfinished business of creating equal opportunities. Deadline Mondays Master Tire & Brake Co. 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