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The Augusta News-Review - September 9, 1976 Walking With Dignity By AL IRBY Arthur Ashe Speaks Out Courageously Arthur Ashe and Adriano Panatta, two of the best tennis players in the world, fell in staggering upsets in the United States Open Tennis Championships. Ashe was complaining of physical exhaustion before the matches started. This column is not dedicated to this great tennis star’s rare defeats; but we are interested in Ashe, the man. Mr. Ashe recently displayed the type of grace and ease that has singled him out as the No. 1 tennis player in the world when he addressed a group of Boston University students about his rather controversial involvement with South Africa. He also showed some of the strength and determination that makes his tennis game so good and his convictions so strong. That’s the spirit and premise this column is concerned with - the world’s greatest gentleman and tennis star. Ashe, who has been to South Africa four times, started the evening by asking the audience to challenge what he said if they disagreed, stating “If 1 can’t defend what I feel, then I have to change it.” He also asked those that agreed with him to let him know. And he was both challenged and supported in what he said. Ashe made it clear from the beginning that he considered the situation in South Africa reprehensible. He went as far as to say that he hated going to South Africa, for obvious reasons. But he explained, “Isolation is not going to solve the problem. Hence his visits to Sout h Africa. He then went on to describe in detail “apartheid” as it exists in South Africa, how he applied twice for a visa to that country, once in 1969 and once in 1970; and how he was turned down both times. Then in 1973 he was granted a visa by the new Minister of Immigration, Dr. Piet Koornhof, a Rhodes Scholar, who is also the Minister of Mines and the Minister of Sports. Ashe went to Johannesburg ostensibly to play tennis in the South African Open at Ellis Park. However, he stated up front that there would be three conditions for his visit. First of all, he would come and go as he pleased; secondly, he would not play for segregated audiences, and finally, he would not visit the country as an “honorary white”. The government of South Africa agreed publicly and in writing to all three stipulations. Since then he has gone three more times, each time accomplishing something that he says maybe considered as “gilding the ghetto" but something to improve the condition of Black South Africans. For example, the signs in Ellis Park designating where “Europeans” and “Non-Europeans” could sit have been TO BE EQUAL By Vernon E. Jordon Jr. The Campaign And The Issues This year’s presidential election campaign will be hard fought, and both sides are beginning to sound the themes they II be pushing between now and November. Jimmy Carter has been quoted as suggesting the central issue this year is “trust in government,” while President Ford appears to be readying as his main theme, inflation and limiting government. Both miss the mark. The central issue this year should be unemployment, a scourge that claims about 15 million victims with no end in sight. Those who point to the recovery from the depths of the recession ignore the fact that the major economic indicator that matters to most people-unemployment-is still at intolerably high levels. And it is not likely to come down by much without a sound federal policy of getting people back to work again. I say “federal policy" because only the federal government has the resources to deal with such an all-encompassing problem, and also because this is a national issue demanding national solutions, not piecemeal efforts by local jurisdictions of limited powers and resources. Some people favor a filter-down approach to creating jobs. According to this theory the way to create jobs is to cut corporate taxes drastically. That way profits will rise and business will expand, thus creating more jobs. It’s a theory that fails to understand the changes in our society; what might have worked back in 1920 won’t work today. First, this process of trickling or filtering down takes ages to finally happen and along the way much of the resources will be drained off. Industry is operating so far below capacity that it will take years for capital expenditures and higher production to reach the point where many new jobs will be created. There’s no iron rule that says a corporate tax cut would result in job-creating investment. A lot of it will be diverted to other forms of investment - such as buying up other companies -and into higher dividends for shareholders. A MESSAGE OF STRUGGLE TO BLACK PEOPLE DURING THE U.S. BICENTENNIAL INTRODUCTION The current economic, political, and social crisis in the United States which is doing great harm to the masses of all people in this society is placing an even heavier burden on Black and other “affected class" people.* The greater impact of unemployment and inflation, the failure of needed small Black businesses, forced urban decay, cutbacks and elimination of programs of equitable education opportunity and humane and productive social welfare, violence with racists origins (as in Boston), and the failure of the U.S. government to deal humanely and wquitably with these issues leave Black and other “affected class” people with very g THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW $ :•;• Mallory K. MillenderEditor-Publisher X Frank Bowman General & Advertising Manager Stan RainesManaging Editor & Circulation Manager X Audrey FrazierEditor-At-Large Al Irby News Editor X >•: Michael Carr Chief Photographer Mary Gordonßookkeeper X Mailing Address: Box 953, Augusta, Ga. Phone 722-4555 X ft Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30903 : : : * SUBSCRIPTION RATES X Payable in Advance One year in Richmond Countys7.oo tax incl. X 6 Monthss3.so tax incl. X; One year out of County SB.OO tax incl. $ ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT X X Classified & Display Advertising Deadline 12 Noon on Tuesday News Deadline Monday 5:30 (printed free) xMALGAMATEb S P—y PUBLISHERS, INC. g J NATIONAL AOVtATtSINU Ms PRf StNTMTIvtS VI » »%’ A *NEW TORK •CHICAGO ■■ ,' - 9 Page 4 permanently removed. YOUNG ARTHUR ASHE ASSERT HIS COURAGE On his last visit, he arranged for five Black South African students to come to the United States to study. And most recently he has arranged with the United Negro College Fund to do a benefit for them if e very Black college will accept one Black South African student. Many Blacks have been angered by Ashe’s insistence on going to South Africa and playing tennis there. They feel he is doing more harm than good, that he is on some sort of “ego trip ', and that he is being used by a racist government feigning a liberal posture. There were many people at the lecture that felt this way, some were students from South Africa and other African nations. Arthur doesn’t deny that he is being used, he simply feels that he can beat them at their own game, and that more is accomplished by persistently making his presence felt by ignoring the situation or condemning it from a safe distance. He feels the only alternative to bring about change is total war, which he believes is out the question because South Africa is such a formidable military power. But mainly Ashe would seem to be against war because he is a non-violent man who believes that change can come about through an even more powerful source than guns. And this is ideas. Ashe encourages others to go to South Africa as he has, to bring their resources, and help change the situation there. He is not for gradual, that is, slow change, he makes that very clear. He is simply in favor of effective and permanent change. Arthur Ashe is not in an uncommon position. He is a man who is trying to use what power he has to call attention to wrong and to bring about social change. And like all social revolutionaries, he finds his greatest opposition among those he is fighting for. Similar situations have occurred in the feminist movement, and in ail political movements. Ashe made it clear that he believes that any change, no matter how small, is better than no change at all. The dam is not always broken by a tidal wave; sometimes it can be pushed down by the smallest crack in the wall that gradually and steadily grows larger and larger, allowing more and more water to seep through. All Arthur Ashe is trying to be is a crack in the wall of destable “apartheid”. Let us tell everybody one thing, Arthur Ashe is “DYNOMITE” at home, on court, or before a dais. The private sector should be given incentives for direct job-creation, not questionable across-the-board measures that only might result in more jobs. And governmental public service jobs ensure that jobs are available for all who want them as a matter of right. There are other issues of importance that should be in the forefront of this campaign. The candidates should tell us what they plan to do about extending quality health care and housing and education to all Americans, regardless of their incomes. The problems of the cities have to be brought front and center in this campaign, too. It's not enough to extoll the virtues of small towns and to indulge in nostalgia for days gone by. The cities are in trouble, bad trouble, and their problems are spreading to smaller towns and to suburbs as well. It would be instructive for the candidates to walk through some big city slums and talk to the people there, see how they have to cope with poverty and brutalizing living conditions, and observe at first hand how the blight of housing abandoment has made some parts of major cities resemble the bombed-out shells of a war-ravaged nation. And we are at war today. True, for the first time in years we re not involved in armed conflict abroad, but the war against poverty and deprivation should not be halted by a truce broken occasionally by outbursts not against the problems of the poor, but against the poor themselves. Both major candidates are believed to be compassonate men who care about our nation. They have to translate private compassion into public policies that demonstrate the kind of caring leadership that will heal racial tensions. They have to lead the struggle against the racism and poverty that should have no place is so rich and favored a nation. So the candidates stand poised at the start of a historic campaign faced with the choice of subjecting us to endless platitudes and rhetoric or presenting us with concrete proposals to make our nation live up to its ideals and its potential. little to celebrate during this U.S. Bicentennial. Black and other affected people must rededicate themselves to the continuing struggle for justice, equality and freedom -a struggle which must be escalated for the good of all in America. By dealing reasonable with the situation surrounding Black people in America, one will have been able to deal with all the core problems of America "in extremis". The term "imperialism” refers to a system that subjugates the masses in favor of a select few. THE DECLARATION AGAINST IMPERIALISM is a statement which focuses on the most important cause of the problems facing Black people and most working people in this society - imperialism. It expresses the continued commitment of a growing number of Black people to participate in this struggle against imperialism, for a new and better social order, helping to find solutions through study and through struggle. This Declaration was unanimously adopted by a meeting of more than 100 professors, students, workers, professionals, and activists from eleven states, thirteen leading colleges and universities, and several national Black organizations and publications in 1975. The widespread disemination, study and discussion of the Declaration Against Imperialism during this period of the July 4th Bicentennial observance has been endorsed by many individuals and national organizations. This is necessary because the real conditions of the vast majority of Black people - our continued exploitation and oppression - are being glossed over or ignored, just as the institution of slavery was left untouched when the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were adopted two hundred years ago. WHAT CAN YOU DO? More than likely you are already doing something. With the current crisis so severe, most of us should be finding ways to fight back. Study the Declaration Against Imperialism and urge others to study it. Organize group study sessions. Discuss how the issues raised in the Declaration Against Imperialism helps us to develop a clearer, more scientific analysis and understanding of how imperialism is causing the problems of Black people and most people in the United States, and oppressed Cl Do You Care....? diik W Y w., Bv Roosevelt Green, Jr. Speaking Out Black Heroes Selling Out Their Integrity One of the significant problems for Black youth is seeing their heroes and heroines selling out their integrity as truly “Black" persons. The lack of positive models on a national level is critical for young Blacks. 1 want to be careful to point out that 1 am not mouthing the garbage of some white social scientists that Black children do not have enough male models to assist in alleged “Identity” struggles. The truth is that even in homes where the father is absent, there are still male relatives, friends and Black professionals such as teachers for Black children to use as models. Black children simply do not grow up in some kind of male "less” vacuum. The absence of white middle socio-economic group fathers from their home is rarely if ever studied. White businessmen, executives, and other white collar workers are virtually absent from their homes also as they spend long hours ninning after the almighty dollar. Much has been written about lonely white wives in suburbia who turn to alcoholism in the absence of their ambitious husbands. What about the innocent white children who grow up in that kind of situation in terms of “identity” struggles? Such national Black personalities as musicians, athletes, actors and actresses have moral obligation to relate in a positive manner to Black youth. And that is the main point I want to make in this column. Black celebrities as well as other personages should not prostitute their Black identities in exchange for dollars or silver from the larger white society. These persons should never play roles or assume political positions that they know are not in the best interest of the local and national Black communities. An example of identity prostitution is seen in the movie entitled “Bingo Long and the Traveling All Stars." This movie stars Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor. James Earl Jones demonstrated good acting ability in the movie, “The Great White Hope'.” Jones has also narrated some powerful television documentaries on the Black experience. Billy Dee Williams has always played “Mickey Mouse" roles but he does possess good talent. Richard Pryor is a great comedian with several other talents that includes writing. However the “Bingo Long" movie is another Sexploitation people throughout the world. This scientific analysis should help us to take better aim at the real cause of our growing problems. But no analysis by itself will lead to justice, equality, and freedom. Our STRUGGLE will! *The federal government defines “affected class" persons as one “who, by virtue of past discrimination, continue to suffer the present effects of that discrimination”. The government OFCC guidelines go on to say “an ‘affected class’ problem must be remedied in order for a contractor to be in compliance." A DECLARATION AGAINST IMPERIALISM Adopted at the National Planning Conference PULL THE COVERS OFF IMPERIALISM PROJECT Fish University, Nashville, Tenn January 11, 1975 Today the world is plunging headlong into crisis. The prosperity and world domination of the USA is being challenged and exposed as the center of an exploiting imperialist system. Capitalist exploitation shaped the historical experience of Black people during Euopean colonization and chattel slavery. Today capitalism is in the imperialist stage of monopoly control by international financial institutions and multinational corporations. Consideration of both of these stages of capitalist exploitation pinpoints the underlying target of the Black liberation movement over the last century' of struggle. Once again it is time for Black intellectuals to speak out - to raise our voices in a rising chorus that lays bare the true character of U.S. imperialism, and unites our work with the movement for Black liberation. Imperialism is a system that is based on intense economic exploitation, national and racial oppression, and political repression. One of the tools for maintaining imperialism is cultural domination through control of education institutions and mass media. The development of the world imperialist system has led to a general crisis affecting all aspects of society, leaving no nation, countrv, or people free of its destructive impact. However, imperialism, though dangerous, is a dying system, for where there is exploitation and oppression there is resistance and struggle. People are fighting for economic security, overall improvement of their living standards, freedom, justice, and equality which ultimately requires a new social order. This is the trend of world history, and Black people in the USA are no exception. Countries want independence, nations want liberation and people want revolution. As the USA moves toward the Bicentennial Celebration of its existence it is the historical responsibility of Black intellectuals to prevent distortions, lies and deceptions by exposing U.S. imperialism. Over 100 years ago (on July 4, 1852 in Rochester, New York) Frederick Douglass set the pace when he cledrly rip-off film. The film is supposed to depict the old Negro National Baseball League but, in fact, it is a mess of poor acting, poor plot and generally poor camera work. It shows the stars in Uncle Tom roles that damage their positive, previously well established “Black” imagery. Further, the movie is a serious blow at the respectability of the older Black baseball stars who were victims of powerful racial segregation and discrimination in white baseball leagues. Those ’ Black stars were excellent players and were certainly not clowning Uncle Toms. Richard Pryor plays the only fairly acceptable role as a Black person in the film. He is a gifted humorist who can easily overshadow.other persons in a film experience. I hope that James Earl Jones and Billy Dee Williams will not continue their identity confusion by prostitution of their talent in other films of this ilk. Williams stated in a national Black magazine that there is a little of the “whore" in everybody. Maybe there is still for him but such statements are certainly not encouraging to that end. Jones seems to prefer to think on a “color blind” level which is totally unrealistic in a racist country like Amerikkka. He will no doubt learn better in time since he is apparently an intelligent person '' 1 hope Blacks will learn from viewing Bingo Long that such films are a disservice to Blacks of African descent in this country. <■ Perhaps as Black people become more critical of their entertainment. Black celebrities will know that bowing to white racism is not acceptable. It is always shocking to learn that Black heroes and heroines » are not knowledgeable about the political and economic truths of | our times. However, we must remember that the only reason Blacks would produce such garbage as Bingo Long is because a truly positive Black film is unacceptable to white Amerikkka. The day will soon come when Uncle and Aunt 1 oms will retire 1 and receive social insecurity checks from a politically smart Black populace. This is true even more so for political Uncle Toms like those in Augusta and elsewhere. Harambee!!!!!!!!!!! exposed "the great sin and shame of America”: What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liw&ty and equality, hollow mockery ; your prayers and Hymns; your sermons and thanksgiving, with all your religious disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour. The exposure ami defeat of the "revoltuif’ barbarity and shamelesss hypocrisy" of I ..S'. imperialism in all its forms must be adopted today us the main objective oj the historical task of lilack intellectuals. The economic crisis of the world capitalist system is intensifying, and adds up to an all-sided attack on the living standards of the people in the USA, especially the working class and oppressed peoples - Blacks, Puerto Ricans, Chicaons, Asians, and Native Americans. Our task is to expose the essence of this crisis by demonstrating who benefits from imperialism and who is exploited by imperialism - how and why, and how all the reforms now under discussion have historically failed to be more than short term measures that deal with symptoms of the ! economic crisis and not its fundamental cause. The current "i ineffectiveness of these reforms, such as during the Great Depression, characterized this problem. One of the main manifestations of the world character of ■ imperialism is the striving of the U.S. ruling class for hegemony in J every region of the world. The U.S. government and corporations aided by the foundations, universities and mass media, hav® extended to all comers of the globe so that the sun never sets o || U.S. imperialism. But just as when that description was applied t 3® the British empire and was ended by the forces of national liberation after WWII, so the forces of liberation and revolutioi® are bringing down U.S. imperialism as demonstrated by the victorious war won by the heroic Vietnamese people and the ?| defeat of U.S.-backed Portuguese Colonialism in Africa. Our i struggles in the USA have also been blows against imperialism, like the struggle at Attica, the Oneita Textile strike and the struggle at Wounded Knee. A key role of Black intellectuals, literally located within the belly of U.S. monopoly capitalism, is to turn the character of U.S. imperialism inside out, pulling off the covers that conceal it, and attacking it on its ideological front. As the Black liberation movement spreads and reflects the revolutionary aspirations of the masses of Black people, there also develops a great need for Black intellectuals to become politically relevant. This is a crucial mandate for all students, teachers. See “DECLARATION” on Page 6