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The Augusta News-Review - May 27, 1976 -
Walking With Dignity
By AL IRBY
THE EMINENT SCHOLAR-CLERGYMAN DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS WILL
COMMEMORATE THE CHANGING OF HISTORICAL GWINNETT STREET TO
LANEY WALKER BOULEVARD MONDAY, MAY 31, 6 P.M.
It is indeed relavant for a scholar with the national stature of
Dr. Mays to memorialize the changing of the name of a street that
was named for one of the signers of the “Declaration of
Independence”. Lucy Craft Laney, Charles T. Walker, and Button
Gwinnett, either of the three, had hearts big enough to yield the
name of a street if necessity so dictated. And the 20th century
surge of “Black Awareness” most surely necessitates the change
of this historical thoroughfare.
Dr. May’s presence in our city brings to mind his sterling
address last month at Boston University. The eminent
educator-clergyman key-noted an all-day program there honoring
Americans for their deeds in the civil-rights struggle of 1954-74.
Dr. Mays shared the morning platform with Gov. Michael
Dukakis, Boston Deputy, Mayor Clarencw (Jeep) Jones, and the
Rev. Wyatt T. Walker of New York City. The theme for that
April day was “A Concern, A Decision, and A Struggle”, the
program was sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr.
Afro-American Center at Boston University.
Recalling his days as a student at Bates College, in Maine
1919-1923, Dr. Mays admonished Black people, both North and
South to get an education. He recalled his own struggle: “I was
considered retarded,” Dr. Mays said, “entering high school at 19
and finishing college at 26.1 was shocked to find so few Blacks of
New England attending colleges in this area. The Boston Negro
thought he was free - so he was not hungering for knowledge or
hanging in there.”
7 HE GOOD DOCTOR HAD TO STRUGGLE
Dr. Mays graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was class orator. (Not
very bad for a youth thought to be retarded.) He later earned his
master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago. Today
he is president of the Atlanta Board of Education.
Wl .te teachers who know little about Black people teach Black
students in the North, said Dr. Mays, advising Black to go south
for jobs. “We all have been dissappointed at the slow pace of
school desegregation,” Dr. Mays said. “I felt that we were too
jubilant in 1954. We felt that integration was here and safe -- but
discovered that there was no leadership from the office of the
President of the United States in implementation.” Integration
will come only when racism is rooted out and white people want
integration. Dr. Mays said. He offered this bicentennial
celebration as the goal.” Let us work for a society where none
’GOING PLACES”
By Philip Waring
Black Bicentennial Activities
Are Upon Us
It is now midnight as I polish off the finals for the
News-Review gala Fifth Anniversary and Black Bicentennial
edition. Many persons have worked long and hard to make it a
reality. It will be a “first-of-its-kind” for the Augusta community.
As an example, Dr. Ike Washington just came in from Bowman
Milligan's home in South Carolina with a picture of Beau Jack,
Augusta’s only world’s champion boxer. (Many young people of
today know little about this gallant ring warrior who brought
fame to Augusta.)
LARGEST BLACK HISTORY FEATURE IN AUGUSTA
This edition, one of the largest in our five year history, really
needed more space to tell about people, programs, and
institutions, past and present, who have “Helped Build Augusta”.
Because of that space and time limitation, we were unable to
include them in this edition. As example, we were unfortunately
unable to handle many of our beautiful and historic churches. We
will cover at a later date: the Beloved Deacon H.B. Garvin, first
principal of Walker Baptist; Colonel Alfred Wimbley and Henry
Lincoln Johnson, both of whom were appointed to top Federal
positions some sixty years ago. May we assure our readers that
there will be much more Black History written.
LANEY-WALKER BLVD. AND TOBIAS-YERBY CIRCLE ARE
WITH US!
History has been rewritten as streets have been renamed for
four leading Blacks! Blacks have long been kept out of American
and Augusta history. So this change, long over due, is most
welcomed!
BLACK HERITAGE COMMISSION DEDICATION NEXT
MONDAY
Jimmy Carter, 111 and the Black Heritage Commission
announces final plans for the Convocation-Dedication ceremonies
slated for Monday, May 31, 6 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Perform a
death
defying act.
Stop smoking.
Georgia Heart Association T
G & M Plumbing & Heating
& Cooling Co., Inc.
"FAST ECONOMICAL SERVICE" "QUALITY WORKMANSHIP"
COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, INSTALLATION - SERVICE AND SALES
1706 15th STREET C. S. GILBERT
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30901 Phone 733-9452 Sales and Service Consultant
Page 4
Letters To The Editor
Wants Higher
Teacher Salaries
Dear Editor:
At long last, Richmond
County teachers will receive a
salary increase next school
year. But just seven percent
while top administrator's
salaries will increase an average
of 12.1 percent as stated in the
Augusta Chronicle, 11 May
1976.
Richmond County teachers
have been long overdue for a
raise. In order to maintain
experienced teachers and
acquire qualified ones, the
school system has to have an
attraction beside dedication.
Generally speaking the
majority of teachers in
Richmond County are
dedicated, but poor pay will
may be denied because his skin is Black, and none favored
becasue his eyes are blue. This is a job for those, Black and white,
who believe in the Constitution - to push the issue until
everybody knows that America is America for all people.”
MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR WARNED THE CIVIL
RIGHTERS OF RACISM
Governor Dukakis challenged the latgely Black audience to
.recognize that racism is a problem that must be attacked. We
can now work and eat together,” he said, “but the revolution is
not complete if we cannot learn and live together. Let us never
deny our difference, but let us always remember our common
humanity. Together we can complete the journey.”
Dr. Mays closed his Boston University address with these
searching remarks: “We cannot quit seeking our rights.”
“Our rights are not bestowed by man, not by government, not
by the Bill of Rights, not by amendments. Our rights are
bestowed by God.” This commemorative program was given in
honor of the following Black patriots: Daisy Bates, Esther
Burgess, Hester Campbell, Charles Evers, the Rev. Johnß. Lewis,
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Rosa Parks, Mary Peabody, A. Philip
Randolph, the Rev. Fred R. Shuttlesworth, the Rev. Leon
Sullivan, the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP), and posthumously, the Oliver Brown
and former President Lyndon B. Johnson. All were honored for
“their courageous and unique deeds in the civil-rights movement
of 1954-74.”
A symbolic march from March Chapel to Hayden Hall on the
Boston University campus on that sunny April day opened the
activities. Joining the processional, in academic regalia, were
Massachusetts and Boston public officials, local and national
civil-rights leaders, Boston University and King Center officials,
and the honorees. The Rev. Mr. Walker, of Canaan Baptist Church
of Christ in New York City, issued the tribute, saying: “Some
people ask, What has happened to the dream of Dr. King? That is
the wrong question. The right question is, What has happened to
us? We must recommit ourselves to the hard task of eliminating
racism, militarism, and poverty.”
(A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK)
BLACK IS STILL BEAUTIFUL, BUT HOW ABOUT LET US
TRY REV. JESSE JACKSON’S TRUISM FOR AWHILE -
“BLACK IS DUTIFUL”.
Dr. Benjamin Mays, Mayor Lewis Newman, Commission
Chairman Ed Mclntyre and other civic leaders will be present. It
should be one of the most important public meetings in the
history of our Black community. Please arrive on time. I
personally sent out 135 invitations to former Augustans and
students living elsewhere around the nation.
SALUTE TO STAN RAINES
May we take this opportunity of saluting Stan Raines, who is
giving such excellent leadership at the News-Review.... His weekly
column, “Playin’ the Changes” is most interesting and has
become widely read outside Augusta, and may eventually be
syndicated.... The world of music and entertainment covers a
massive life style of its own... We are happy that Stan and his
lovely family decided upon Augusta for retirement and
business.... Member of an old Petersburg, Va. family, Stan is a
decorated U.S. Army veteran who saw service all over the globe
prior to retirement.... The Augusta community is better because
the Raines Family is now with us
ORCHIDS TO ADDIE POWELL
Orchids to Addie Scott Powell for her leadership with the
historical section of the recent excellent Augusta Black Festival
’76 yearbook.... The historic map was a real contribution to the
Black History stance of Augusta. (Ed, 1 do hope it will be possible
to share copies with the Library of Congress, Atlanta University
Library and the various Bicentennial Commissiones, etc.)...
Augusta owes a debt of gratitude to Addie Powell for her
generous offer to place on a long-time loan on a house owned by
her for use by the Black Heritage Commission as a museum-Black
Culture center... Let’s stay behind this effort...
encourage those individuals to
seek other employment where
the rewards are higher.
Reviewing statical
information concerning salaries
for teachers, I noted the
starting salary in Richmond
County for 1975-1976, is
$7329.00 a year, and a teacher
with twenty years experience
receives $16,722.00. Just think
after working for twenty years,
510,722.00 is not much to
show. Once a teacher reaches
the plateau of twenty-three
years, the salary of 510,872.00
becomes stagnant unless there
is an across the board raise.
The above figures sighted were
for those persons who hold a
T-4 Certificate.
th
Top administrators, i am
sure fell their increase was
most necessary too, but taking
into consideration: (1) their
salaries are way above the
teachers pay; (2) they are not
faced with the every day
classroom problems; (3)
everyone can’t be an
administrator.
Richmond County Board of
Education, I trust will strive to
raise their teachers salaries to
be comfortable with the cost
of living. Wake up board
members, wake up parents and
wake up citizens of Richmond
County, we are losing good
teachers and gaining inept
ones.
L.C. Invory
P.O. Box 254
Augusta, Ga. 30903
Thank You
Dear Editor:
I wish to take this
opportunity to “Thank You”
for your assistance in making
the month of May a great
success as “Older Americans’
Monti.”.
Thank you so much for the
coverage you gave us
concerning our Open House for
Senior Citizens on Monday,
May 3, and also Mayor
Newman’s presentation of the
proclamation proclaiming the
month of May as “Older
Needed Now...An Aroused Black Community
■Kh ■■ If |k
THE DOPE
THAI PT ER
DRUNKENNESS OF DOPE IS A FLATTERING
DEVIL A SWEET POISON A PLEASANT SIN
WHICH WHOSOEVER HATH, HATH NOT HINSEL£
WHICH WHOSOEVER DOTH CONFIT, DOTH NOT
CONH/T SIN, BUT HE HIMSELF IS WHOLLY S/N.
Speaking Out
I Love America!
I love America! This statment will shock, surprise and satisfy
some of our readers I am sure. However, let me hasten to qualify
that statement that I feel is needed at this time.
No one can seriously question the statement that this country
is probably the most powerful and affluent country in the world,
i presently. It is alsp presently the best county in the world for
native Black sisters and brothers. That preceding statement raises
certain facts and truths that must be examined.
There is no country on the face of the earth that fully accepts
Blacks in America on an unqualified basis. We must even work for
acceptance from our Black African brothers and sisters now and
in the future. Since this is true, native Black Americans must
work hard to make this country live up to its ideals while also
keeping our African homeland as a ultimate option should
America not make significant and substantial changes.
I do not accept what this country is now but what it could be
if its potentials for freedom and democracy are realized. It is a
privilege and a blessings to be able to struggle for Black and other
necessary liberation without even greater oppression than we now
endure. This is my country presently and I must do all that I can
to make it become what it should be.
White racism and oppression can never be accepted or loved
and that truth is not even worth debating. Those twin evils as well
as others must be resisted by every right thinking Black and white
person. 1 love the possibilities and potentialities of America based
on its stated, not practiced, ideals.
Very often many white and a few misguided Negroes
misunderstand the struggles for liberation as espoused or engaged
in by myself and other Blacks. However, a struggle in itself
presupposes that there is hopy or there would really be no
struggle. Blacks like myself are seen as total haters of America
and all it stands for and we are regarded as “thorns in the flesh”
of both ethnic groups. The fact that we would be foolish and
stupid to blindly and uncritically accept a racist and oppressive
America is not even considered.
No one likes to be misunderstood so I am writing this article to
possibly clarify my point of view. Disagreement, while it may be
unfortunate, is acceptable but misunderstandings should be
corrected when possible.
Capitalsim in America has virtually destroyed all of our social
institutions in terms of humane value considerations. It is the
Americans’ Month” and May ,
as Senior Citizens’ Day.
Thank you very much from
the entire staff of the Senior
Community Service
Employment Program, and
from all of our senior citizens,
for your service and continued
interest in our program.
Sincerely,
Joseph T. Jackson
Project Directo
Senior Community Service
Aides Project
Wants
Pen Pal
Dear Editor:
Please forgive me for taking
up your valuable time. I am
writing to you in the hope that
you may be able to help me.
1 am a Japanese girl and
would like very much to have
friends in your country in
order to help promoting a
better understanding between
our countries. I am very much
in favor of helping to make this
a peaceful and friendly world
by being a good friend to
people in other countries.
1 am interested in art,
writing, music, reading,
dancing, cooking, traveling and
sports.
I hope to be a writer.
1 speak English and
Japanese, and I work as an
interpreter on weekends for
the English speaking foreign
travelers who don’t understand
Japanese.
I’ll be more than happy to
help people in your country
with the language when they
visit here.
I would like to herar from
anybody who wants to be
friends with me.
I thank you very much for
your kind co-operation.
Sincerely yours,
Tetsuko Domukai
Q-ku T-jo Shunko-Cho
Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070
Japan
Day Care
Center Needs
Funds
Dear Editor:
The Good Shepherd Day
Care Center is presently in the
process of renewing its
contract for the fiscal year
1976-77, with the Georgia
Department of Human
Resources. A part of the
negotiations involves the
Center raising a matiching sum
of $15,300.
Our Center provides day
care services to weitare and low
income children ages 3-5 years
old, free of charge. This new
service allows the parents the
opportunity to receive training
and/or education necessary for
them to provide financially for
primary reason for the exploitation and oppression of First or
so-called Third World peoples. Can capitalism be made humane or
must it be destroyed? It must take on humane characteristicsand
practices if it si going to survive.
Communism is totally unacceptable for its chief exponent or
supporter is white Russia. It is also unacceptable for Blacks and
truly humane non-Blacks because of its materialistic ideology that
also perpetuates white racism, depersonalization and
dehumanizing practices.
Communism and capitalism are simply label used by two
powerful white nations to dominate and fight each other for
world control. For example, the struggle in the Middle East is not
between the Arabs and Jewish people but between Russia and
America over oil resources. White rulers in Russia and America
recognize that Black and other Third World people represent a
non-white majority on this planet.
The concept of democracy as supported by the United States
Constitution is a humane ideal that should be practiced all over
the world. The justice and liberty concepts of that document
when applied to all of our citizens are worthy of strong support
in the struggles for liberation from all kinds of oppression.
The love that I and other Blacks have for this country is similar
to that of the Old Testament biblical love of Hosea for Gomer.
Hosea had true love for his beloved prostitute wife who caused
him all kind of suffering and agony. That marital relationship
describes the relationship in general of Blacks and whites in that
the majority of whites have historically prostitued humane
behavior in their lust for racism and godless capitalism.
The analogy of Blacks and whites to Hosea and Gomer breaks
down at the point where Blacks have to forever endure the
American version of economic and political prostitution. We will
not wait patiently for America to change for we will work
diligently for the necessary changes by whatever means necessary.
Finally, loves does not overlook faults but deals in spite of those
faults. Love is not blind but deals appropriately and responsibly
with what it sees. Love does not destroy anger but channels anger
into constructive directions. Sometimes the greatest love is shown
by physical separation from the love object. Love is therefore
vital since hate not only often destroys the enemy but also the
one doing the hating.
Harambee!!!!!!!!!!
their families.
We are a non-profit
community day care center
located in the educational
building of Good Shepherd
Baptist Church. The Church
donates the space we use and
contributes a monthly
benevolent offering to the
center.
We must appeal to the
community at-large to assist us
in raising our match share,
since we are located in a low
income area, obtaining these
funds directly from the
neighborhood, is most
difficult. The children, staff,
3 The AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW |
Mallory K. Millender Editor-Publisher g
>•: Frank Bowman Advertising Manager
>:■ Audrey Frazier Editor-At-Large
?;■ Michael Carr Photographer
Stan Raines Circulation Manager
Mailing Address: Box 953, Augusta, Ga. Phone 722-4555 X
X Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30903 X
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One year in Richmond County $7.00 tax incl. g
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One year out of County SB.OO tax incl. ¥
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT §
S Classified & Display Advertising Deadline
12 Noon on Tuesday 5:
News Deadline Monday 5:30 (printed free) zMfJ Jk
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and board of directors would
appreciate any financial
support that you could give us
to continue our most
worthwhile program.
We look forward to a
response from you by June 11.
Pleas write to the address
below or call us at 733-0341.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. George Crawford
President Board of Directors
Ms. Frances Williams
Project Director
Good Shepherd Day Care
Center, Inc.
1505 Sunset Avenue
Augusta, Georgia 30904