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The Augusta News-Review - May 20,1976 -
Walking With Dignity
By AL IRBY
Black Groups Are Beginning To Think
Positively Rather Than Acting In Futilely
As the economic malaise continues to be the number one
priority world-wide, bread and butter concern have cooled the
nation's “Black Rage”. Black militant groups are stressing more
self-help plans; but still within the confine of moderate
radicalism. These once noisy gangs are seeking to build a
reasonable base by running free clinics, schools and job projects,
but holding onto socialist ideologies. Such groups are modifying
radical platforms, and shunning needless upheavals like those of
the late 19605, when many angry Blacks rejected the non-violence
philosphy of Dr. Martin Luther King, and turned to burning,
bombings and takeover of college campuses. Instead, these
militants now are emphasizing specific self-help projects involving
a broader cross section of the Black communities.
BLACKS ARE BECOMING HIP TO LIFE IN AMERICA
Kalamu Ya Salaam, managing editor of the Black Collegian, a
magazine that for years has kept the Black student movement up
to date on important issues, had this pithy statement: “The
reasons for change are varied. After you’ve seen so many people
killed, such as Jackson State, Kent, South Carolina State make
sensible people forced to be more cautious.” Elaine Brown,
chairwoman of the central committee of the Black Panther Party
views the change in militant action in this perspective: “Another
factor is the recession. People once concerned with redistributing
the wealth are concerned now simply with getting food on their
tables. Jobs or the lack of them , are the hottest thing in the Black
community.” And Ms. Brown could add that the most significant
factor in the angry groups’ belief is that hard-line,
buming-down-the-cities militancy most surely did not work to
Blacks’ advantage.
Groups such as the Black Panther Party, which epitomized the
revolutio nary mood of the late 19605, saw the futility of their
posture and programs. They have recognized that they couldn’t
accomplish anything through violence. They refuted the
philosphy of Dr. King to their detriment. Ron Karenga, leader of
an ultra-militant West Coast group, blamed the demise of his
organization on becoming too politically isolated and failing to
develop on-going community programs.
THE BLACK MUSLIMS ARE THE ONLY RACIAL GROUP
WITH A PROGRESSIVE PROGAM
The Muslims is a traditionally closed group that is expanding their
activities to include non-Muslims, they are even offering
Benjamin
/>. L» n
'WK’ *X.
Hooks :
FCC
Commissioner
Blacks Must Help
Protect, Enlighten Poor
The Federal Communications Commission has established a
new Consumer Assistance Office. The purpose is to provide a
central location or coordinating point within the agency for the
public, citizens groups and FCC licensees who seek information
or assistance in Commission matters.
Although the Commission has firmly stated that this office is
not to act in an “advocacy” manner, it was/is my wish that it
would be just that and I said so very firmly. The consumer
certainly needs something more than an office which, like the
bystander in an old Class “B” western movie, shouts to the
pursuing good guys that the man in the black hat “went
thataway”.
For it is the consumer, especially the minority, the poor, the
bottom-of-the-socio-economic heap Black consumer, who
desperately needs not only for someone to tell him that
such-and-such a service is available, but more importantly, what
he ought to be on the lookout for, what potholes to avoid, how
he will get ripped off if he permits himself to be suckered into
making this move or that, into buying this item or that. So he
needs to know what service he should use and how best to go
about securing it in the quickest most efficient way to fulfill his
mission.
More positively, he needs to know how this choice of purchase
Things You Should Know
“ KWfljf
STILL.,.
. . .NEGRO AUTHOR AND AN AGENT OF THE
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, KNOWN AS THE BRAKEMAN,
HE WAS SBCV OF THE PHILADELPHIA VIGILANCE
COMMITTEE /THE N.Y-OFFICE HAD A FUND-RAISING
APPEAL IN 1844—1 N THE TEN TEARS BEFORE
THECMLWARTHE URa »OOP MEMBERS HELPED
75000 SLAVES ESCAPE TO FREEDOM /
Page 4
membership to whites. me one-time gun-toting
revolutionary-loud-talkina Black Panthers are running free clinics
and schools, but more importantly supporting candidates for
political office. A similar chanee has been made bv the Congress
on Racial Equality, once the center of Black-power
movements; but now a pan-African oriented organization
stressing the future role of a truly independent Africa, uplifting
Black people everywhere CORE is conducting job training and
drug rehabilitation programs.
More conservative groups such as the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People welcome the changes. Walter
Christmas, NAACP’s public relation director, says, “People are
beginning to realize that what happens to poor people in
America, all poor people no matter what they are, is important;
there will probably be certain areas where we can work together
on certain problems.”
MILITANTS COOLING IT. AND DRAWING CONVERTS
Blacks are responding favorably to the tough boys and girls’
new way of life. The Black Panthers are opening new chapters for
the first time in three years, and the Muslims’ memberships have
increased 45% in the first four months since Wallace Muhammad
taken over leadership, after the death of his father. The new
moderation of the Black Militants will prove more effective than
the extremism, that had for its theme Burn, Baby Burn” in the
19605. The Panthers take a direct approach by campaigning for
candidates and running for office themselves. For the past two
years, the party’s Miss Brown has run unsuccessfully fora seat on
the Oakland City Council - not as a Panther, but as a Democrat.
The attractive Miss Brown made this statement. “If the majority
of the people in the city belonged to another party, I’d probably
be running with that party.” The loquacious lady held on to her
socialist views, win or lose
In last spring’s election, the 31 -year-old Miss Brown played
down her Panther connections and campaigned vigorously among
senior citizens, ethic groups, working class people and women’s
groups. She drew endorsements from both the United Farm
Workers, and the Oakland Teamsters Local, the city’s Black
Baptist ministers and the American Civil Liberties Union. Miss
Brown lost the election bj only 6,000 votes out of 60,000 votes
casted. The nation most certainly will be hearing more from this
very dynamic young woman real soon.
is superior to that one in the long run. He should be informed
that something cheaper is not always a better buy. Buying on
credit with its hidden exorbitant annual interest rates which can
bloat the cost of an item to more than half again its basic price,
may not always be the w isest choice
This Consumer Assistance Office is service-oriented. It does
represent another step in the agency's effort to ensure prompt
and accurate response to inquiries. It is designed to enhance
public understanding of Commission policies and regulations, and
provide informational services to persons wishing to participate in
agency processes or file applications with the FCC but who are
unfamiliar with procedures to be followed
I concurred in the majority decision authorizing its formation
and 1 issued a statement in which I declared in part: “If it is to
avoid the label of just Another “input-output-thruput” eyewash
so typical of other government (Public Relations) maneuvers, it
must read its rather vague mandate with earnestness and breadth.
I suppose if this office did no more than... decipher the
bureaucratic maze and translate arcane rules and regulations to an
overwhelmed public, it can be said to have accomplished a great
deal.
However, after its initial struggles. 1 believe there are other
areas of consumer assistance it can tackle and become a
responsible advocate of the consumer viewpoint.”
One glaring limitation of the service is that it is by necessity
located in the FCC building, 1919 M Street. N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20554. Thus one must either come to the nation’s capital or
call (202-632-7260) for the desired information, with the latter
being a poor second choice, given the nature of things, to
confronting federal officials face-to-face with consumer problems.
Nevertheless, it is a needed service. And I am happy we have
launched it. Now it must be expanded. Sure, there is a Federal
Consumer Protection agency, mandated to do the things 1 set
forth earlier. But small offices in individual agencies and
organizations are needed to augment this service, bringing it in a
personal way to the individual consumer that only such small
offices can do.
Because this is such a buring need, 1 want to expand on it
further in next week’s column. I want to urge all Black and
minority organizations - churches, educational, political, civic
groups, fraternal organizations, social clubs, etc. -- to get into the
act and help protect by enlightening the poor, the rejected, the
Blacks, in wise consumer ways and habits. (NNPA)
Letters To The Editor
Wants Irby Back In
'Stream Os Controversy’
Dear Editor
When I first talked and then
wrote Al Irby, my interests and
my desires were honorable
When 1 first arrived in
Augusta some twenty-five
years ago, I realized that being
retired from the U.S. Army did
not limit my Freedoms, of
which I express freely.
I am reminded of our
National Anthem:
“When conquer we must
and our cause it is just;
Let this be our motto. In
God we wiß trust.”
That is multitude. I believe
in your cause, to a great
extent. You see, I spent many
years with Colored people. In
fact, since 1 was bom. While I
am white, 1 have never
demeaned any person because
of race or religion.
I can remember a historic
conference, or shall we say
two. The first in Washington
D.C., and the latter at the
Infantry School at Ft. Benning,
Ga. Between times 1 was given
carte blanche, a french phrase
which, interpreted, is a "white
letter” but, in idiomatic
expression. offered the
opportunity to make an
g J •
indepth study of the actions of
all engagements in which
Negroes were involved. I found
no differentials between race
or religion. When there was a
leader, his subordinates were
willing to obey his commands,
even unto death. So we
attempted to organize a new
army division, the 24th
Division.
Again the French word
"carte blanche” or blanc, has
been misinterpreted. What was
intended that any person
whom 1 believed to be capable,
would be given permission to
join the new organization. No
commander, anywhere, could
refuse his application. Yet
there were not sufficient
persons of leadership
qualifications to apply.
Unfortunately, the ability to
read and write was lacking in
the combat aspects of a
fighting outfit.
At the meeting in Columbus,
Ga., I invited the best Negro
educators in the whole nation
to attend. They did in
prodigious numbers. My sole
question was “Where do we go
from here?” Education! Then
lets get it.
ATTENTION MR. PRESIDENT
SUPREME
WK
W CONCLUDE THAT IN **ALL DELIBERATESPEED' "
THE FIELD OF PUBLIC FOP DESEGREGATION IS NO
EDUCATION THE DOCTRINE LONGER CONSTITUTIONALLY
CF’SEPARATE BUT EQUAL' PERMISSIBLE...THE OBLI-
HAS NO PLACE. SEPARATE CATION OF EVERY SCHOOL
FACILITIES ARE INHERENTLY DISTRICTISTO TERMINATE
UNEQUAL'.'WITH THOSE DUAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS
WORDS ON MAY 7, 1954-." AT ONCE’-OCT 29,1969.
Mostly About Women
By MARIAN J. WARING
Bits Os Black Bicentennial History
May 1, 1777 - AGRIPPA HULL, FREE BLACK WOMAN,
enlisted in the brigade of General John Paterson of the
Massachusetts Line.
May 1, 1867 - Howard University opened in Washington, D.C.
May 1, 1946 - MRS. EMMA CLARISSA CLEMENT received
national recognition when she was named “Mother of the Year”.
May 2, 1946 - Isaac Murphy was the first Black jockey to win
three Kentucky Derbs... in 1884, 1887 and 1890.
May 3, 1946 - Anthony Benezet, a Quaker abolitionist,
established the first school for Blacks in Philadelphia.
May 4, 1946 - North Carolina commended and freed Edward
Griffin, Black Revolutionary War soldier, for his meritorious
service in 1784.
May 5, 1847 - Dred Scott filed suit for his freedom on the
grounds that he was transported by hia “master” from a slave
state to a free state.
May 5, 1950 - GWENDOLYN BROOKS was (he first Black to
win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry.
May 6, 1812 - Birthday of Martin R. Delany in Charlestown,
Va..„ a physician, author, explorer, and Black nationalist
advocate. He was the first Black field officer to serve in the Civil
War. His book, entitled “The Condition, Elevation, Emigration
and Destiny of the Colored People of the U.S.” was published in
1852.
May 6, 1960 - The Civil Rights Acts of 1960 were signed by
President Dwight Eisenhower.
May 7, 1845 - The Methodist Church (North and South)
separated over slavery platform adopted in 1844.
May 8, 1925 - Through the efforts of A. Philip Randolph, the
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was organized.
May 8, 1967 - Muhammad Ali indicted in Houston, Tex. for
refusing indiction into the army.
May 9, 1950 - Charles H. Houston was awarded the Spingarn
Medal for his legal work with the NAACP in combating racial
barriers.
May 10, 1775 - Epheram Blackman, Black soldier, served with
Ethan Alien’s Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort
Ticonderoga.
May 11,1936 - Jesse Owens won four gold medals during the
Olympics held in Berlin... three for track and one in the broad
jump category.
May 12, 1940 - Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first Black
general in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces.
May 13, 1862 - Robert Smalls, Black Captian, liberated the
Confederate warship, Planter, and handed it over to the Union
Navy.
May 14, 1963 - Arthur Ashe was the first Black to play on the
U.S. Davis Cup Tennis Team.
May 15, 1820 - Congress declared the foreign slave trade a
piracy punishable by death.
May 16, 1792 - The Virginia Legislature granted Saul Matthews
his freedom for services rendered during the Revolutionary War.
May 17, 1954 - The Supreme Court declared racial segregation
in public schools unconstitutional in the Brown vs. Board of
Education Decision.
May 18, 1954 - Pedro Alonzo Nino, a Black explorer and pilot,
Howard University may or
may not have been
represented. Yet I feel that the
conference was a success. As
our Negro leader put an answer
to many questions, he simply
stated we have to earn the
ability to compete in the
private sector. Violence is no
answer to any cause in these
United States. Remember, this
is our country also. What we
do, or don’t do to foster
acclaim, is primarily in our
hands also.
The Communist Party of the
United States had their
representatives there also.
Benjamin Davis’ wife was their
representative. You may
remember him. He became the
best known General in the Air
Force of his race. He was a
brillant, dedicated officer.
I can remember a lecture
given at the Infantry School.
You are about to receive the
first Negro who is a graduate of
the United States Military
Academy in your midst. Do
not disparage his ability. His
father is Benjamin Davis, Sr.
Through shear ability he rose
to the rank of Brigadier
General, and was an asset to
our ranks. Let us judge not, as
you will be judged eventually.
So said the Bible. I thought, at
that time, it was the most
remarkable speech 1 had ever
heard. Benjamin Davis Jr. was a
remarkable person. _
Let us not forget that. He
became a master in his trade, a
love of country. He was
attuned to the Cleavers,
the Newtons and other
disparate groups of violence
and would not accept their
theories. Because of age, he is
now retired, yet is his message,
loud and clear, is love of
country supercedes all racial
and religious animosity. One
nation, indivisiable, with
Liberty and Justice for all.
While I think your paper is
proper and necessary, please do
not think of me as a subscriber.
I merely wished to get Al Irby
accompanied Christopher Columbus on his famous voyage in
1492.
May 19, 1930- Birthday of great Black dramatist, LORRAINE
HANSBERRY, who was the winner of the N.Y. Drama Critics
Circle Award for her play, “A Raisin in the Sun”.
May 20, 1781 - The New' York Legislature passed an act
whereby masters who delivered their slaves for military duty
would receive a land bounty of 500 acres.
May 21, 1891 - Peter Jackson, Black boxer, fought a 6 Lround
draw with James J. Corbett.
May 22, 1863 - The War Department established the Bureau of
Colored Troops.
May 23, 1975 - Death of JACKIE “MOMS” MABLEY, veteran
TV, radio and nightclub personality.
May 24, 1966 - Prominent opera star, LEONTYNE PRICE,
sang at the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House.
May 25, 1773 - Massachusetts ligislature appointed a
committee to examine the petition of Felix Holbrook and other
slaves petitioning for their freedom.
May 26, 1872 - T.J. Marshall, Black inventor, received patent
for fire extinguisher.
May 27, 1872 - “Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny”, the official
state song of Virginia, was written by Black composer, James A.
Bland.
May 28, 1851 - SOJOURNER TRUTH gave the speech entitled
“Ain’t I A Woman” at the Women’s Rights Convention.
May 29, 1821 - The African Company was the first all-Black
theater group.
May 30, 1903 - Birthday of Countee Cullen, New York Black
poet, who received the Harmon Foundation’s first gold medal for
literature in 1927. The name of this winning volume of poetry was
entitled “Color”.
May 31, 1955 - The Supreme Court issued a second ruling on
school desegregation calling for “all deliberate speed”.
♦*♦ * *
GWENDOLYN BROOKS (see May 5) was bom in Topeka,
Kansas, and grew up and was educated in Chicago. Asked in an
interview, “Why do you write poetry?” she replied: “I like the
concentration, the crush; 1 like working with language as others
like working with paints and clay, or notes.” When asked if her
poetry had a racial element, she answered, “Yes. It is organic, not
imposed. It is my privilege to present Negroes not as curious but
as people.” Miss Brooks has been teaching creative writing and
poetry in three colleges in Chicago One of her poems follow
WE REAL COOL
The Pool Players
Seven at the Golden Shovel
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
into the stream of controversy
again.
Thanks. I appreciate your
endeavors.
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Col. D.R. Patterson
CoL U.S. Army (Ret.)
1711 Kings Wood Dr.
Augusta, Ga