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The Augusta News-Review - January 13, 1977
Walking With Dignity
By AL IRBY
Jumping David Thompson Soars
And Scores For The Denver Nuggets
Nature is a wonderful thing whenever it bestows one of its
special physical gifts on a man or woman, particularly one who
has chosen to make his or her living playing professional
sports. Davis Thompson is a starting guard and occasional
forward for the Denver Nuggets. Every sports arena is a stage,
every ball an extension of his shooting hand, every hoop his own
private scoring preserve. Thompson is averaging 26 points a game
in the NBA, the exact figure he maintained last year in the
American Basketball Association and prior to that in college.
There are those who think nothing would change if he played
in a league of trained giraffes. If David was a 6ft. 4in. baseball
player, he would be considered outsized. But in pro-basketball his
height is merely average. Half the centers in the NBA can eat off
his head. He is not someone so physically imposing that you
would turn and stare at in an airline terminal. But he can leap
high enough from a standing position (he’s been measured at 42
inches) to change light bulbs in a silo. Put him in a one-on-one
jumping situation against any forward in the league and he’ll
invariably come up with the basketball. After playing up front for
Denver a year ago, Coach Larry Brown switched Thompson to
guard this season when the Nuggets got 6ft. Bin. forward Paul
Silas from the Boston Celtics.
“I don’t know whether David liked the switch or not,”
Coach Brown said. “Why don’t you ask him?” some of the news
men asked. But there was no other place Silas could play, and
Thompson is scoring just as many points as a guard as he did as a
forward. “He’s had some minor problems on defense because
many of the situations are new to him.” Brown continued. “In
Black Empowerment
By Dr. Nathaniel Wrsu, Jr.
Are Blacks Unhelp-able?
- A Direct Challenge to President-Elect Carter --
The distinguished Russian-born sociologist, Dr. Pitirim
Sorokin, who was a leading light at Harvard for many years,
noted in his four-volume SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
DYNAMICS that societies almost always have some categories of
people whom they are convinced cannot be helped.
The observation should be seen as an exceedingly elementary
one, since societies generally feel the need for someone to do the
dirty work, permanently and for little pay.
This is precisely the reason that those in power see to it that
there are class systems, whether formal or informal, in all
societies. And this was the immediate cause for the importation
of hundreds of thousands of Blacks - and white serfs as well - to
do the dirty work here in America.
In America, Blacks have been at the bottom - indeed, in the
basement -of the socio-economic ladder. But more important, in
spite of the nation’s “opportunity for all" ideal. Blacks have
remained in the socio-economic basement., with all kinds of
“creature comforts” added to make them “happy” there.
Sociologists and political scientists - including politicians -- do
not refer to Black Americans as “an unhelp-able class”. Instead
they speak of us in euphemistic (or pleasant) symbolic
equivalents, such as “permanent poverty”, the “newcomers who
will eventually rise”, and “education and skills disadvantaged.”
**********
What this type of language - and the thinking which it reflects
- adds up to is merely that “nothing can (or will!) be done for
Black Americans.” It is as simple - and as devastating -- as that.
While it may not be unreasonable for white Americans to seek
to secure and enhance their lot (which it actually does not do) by
excluding Black Americans generally from access to the economic
ladder out of their basement-level lot, it would seem almost
incomprehensible on its face that Blacks cooperate directly and
indirectly with this agenda. Yet, far too many do.
It is alleged for example, that since Blacks cannot be employed
readily in the private sector, we should create public service or
community action (i.e. “make work” jobs for them. Otherwise
we must improve welfare or use the federal government as
“employer of last resort” (which it does already in our federal
orisons). Such is the beneficent reasoning of the ostensible
Benjamin
/>. f v H
Hooks
FCC 1 fIEUI
Commissioner
Will Carter Appoint A Black
To The FCC Commission?
Will Jimmy Carter appoint a Black man to the Federal
Communications Commission to take my place? 1 know he will. 1
believe that President-elect Carter is highly cognizant of the fact
that Blacks furnished his margin of political victory and will,
some disbelievers notwithstanding, respond by not only naming a
Black to the FCC when I depart sometime in 1977, but will also
appoint qualified Black men and women throughout the
hierarachy of government during his administration. _
I say this on faith because I have not talked personally with
Jimmy Carter about this. I believe, however, he is a man of
integrity, a man who is good as his word.
In several columns I have written of the number of
commissions and agencies in Washington that touch every aspect
of our lives, yet Black people not only have not served on many
of them but are unaware of their existence or the power and
influence they wield.
In light of the heavy support Blacks gave Carter, I think it is
worth mentioning again. But Black support is not the crucial
thing, I might add. I expect President-elect Carter as an eminently
decent and humane man to be a President of all the people.
Black, white, red, brown, yellow.
A few Blacks such as Leon Higgenbotham, of the Federal
Trade Commission, now a federal judge, Constance Newman of
the Consumer Products Safety Commission, now of HEW,
Howard Jenkins of the National Labor Relations Board, and a
number of Blacks, including four successive chairmen of the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, have served on
some of these bodies.
But for the most part Blacks have not served on the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Federal Maritime Commission,
the Nuclear Energy Commission, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the
Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Power
Page 4
fact, there are certain things in pro-basketball that can only be
learned by experience. But except for those times when I feel we
need a little more quickness up front, he's going to stay in the
backcourt.”
Brown made a logical switch that has helped make the club
stronger at two positions, stated Thompson. “But at first I
wondered if I could develop the same kind of openings to the
basket as a guard that I did as a forward,” Thompson continued.
“Scoring is important to me because it’s the thing I do best. But
I’ve found when I keep moving and penetrate, all of the same
shots are there.”
Since he switched to guard, David has been outscored in the
NBA only by Pete Maravich of the New Orleans Jazz, who has
never needed an excuse to shoot the ball 30 times a game. The
difference is that Pete is shooting 42 per cent, Thompson 51 per
cent.
David was a three-time All-American at North Carolina State
and led the Wolfpack to a national NCAA championship in 1974
and was twice named college basketball player of the year. During
his senior year at N.C. State, there were at least half a dozen pro
scouts at every one of his games. But what makes him truly
unique is the way he can hang in the air like a helicopter; inspect
the rafters; count the houses; make change for a dollar bill; and
still have time to drop the ball through the basket. Most rival
players would rather guard an IRA ammunition cache in
Northern Ireland than have to chase Thompson on a basketball
court for 48 mjnutes. Some super player along with Dr. J.
“friends of Black Americans”, practically all of whom have
bought into the prior notion that we are in fact an unassimilable
alien mass which is utterly unhelpable in terms of its entry, as a
whole, into the American mainstream.
While almost unyielding oppression may dull one’s sensitivity
to some degree of one's pain, it should never dull one’s sight in
regard to the inequities inherent in their situation.
**********
The fact which should be clear and evident to all is that Blacks
are not an unhelp-able mass. Black Americans can be helped,...
and not tomorrow or the next day... toward secure, sustained and
immediate entry into the American mainstream.
All Black Americans must be convinced of this central fact.
“Just how can this be done?” some will ask. There are a variety
of ways, if indeed there are not countless ways. But we give here
one example which has immediate relevance to our national
policy posture.
Specifically, the federal government has announced that it is
invoking sanctions against companies which discriminate against
our non-official ally, Israel. There is nothing wrong... and possibly
everything right... about that.
By the same token or logic, it should long ago have been the
posture of our federal government to impose sanctions against
any and all who discriminate against Black Americans whether in
terms of employment or an equitable share of business.
Why? Those who hire or do business without an equitable
racial balance as their policy, in fact add staggeringly to the
tax-paying public's social costs... in welfare... in riot or gang
control” (as is the awesome case presently in Detroit... in drug
traffic... and in securing basic safety for our people on our
streets).
In essence, those who discriminate against Black Americans
(like those who discriminate against Israel) are working against
national policy and the general public s good. Indeed, even
further, their behavior is effectively criminal in that it deprives
large segments of people of fundamental human rights.
b **********
Most immediately important, it would require no new federal
legislation to make it a “federal offense” not to employ and
upgrade Blacks and for firms not to utilize Black subcontractors
as equitable as possible.
The President of the United States, could simply change a
simple sentence in the present Executive Orders 11625 and
11246 to the effect that “the federal government will not trade
with, nor extend its privileges to, any business firms which --
whether consciously or not - do not have a provable policy of
hiring Blacks, females and other affected class minorities
equitable and who deal with subcontractors on a discriminatory
basis.”
This would affect every Black professional and others in
America. More importantly, it would relieve the high social cost
burden from every American -- white and Black... and would
enable America to be far more productive in World Markets.
Commission, and until I came, on the Federal Communications
Commission.
And there are a host of other commissions and agencies on par
with or just slightly below the above-named in terms of power
and status. These include the Energy Research and Development
Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the
National Labor Relations Board.
The list goes on and on, plub jobs in the State Department and
with the Foreign Service, where Blacks are still employed in far
too few numbers, and in positions that lead nowhere.
Not long ago 1 remarked that some forty or fifty items may
come before the Commission every week for resolution and most
of those items in some way touch on Black and minority
concerns.
Now I am not egotistical enough to believe that some of these
concerns would not be addressed were I or any other Black
presence not here. But reflecting on the past sorry history of the
broadcast industry in respect to Blacks and other minorities, how
can one be sure?
I do believe my presence has had a decided impact, not just in
terms of increasing the sensitivity of Blacks, other minorities and
women to the workings of the FCC and to the fact that this
agency is mandated by Congress to serve in the interest, necessity
and convenience of all the people. But I believe it has served to
sensitize persons with the Commission.
For example, recently Chairman Richard Wiley ordered that
the FCC hold a Minority Broadcast Owner’s Conference to look
into charges that, among other things, Black licensees are
discriminated against by national advertising firms.
Wiley did this on his own, without a suggestion from me. But. I
know that had there not been my Black presence on this
Commission for so many years, such a conference may never have
been called.
This is not because Wiley is a bad man or doesn't like
minorities. Quite the contrary, he is a decent man, and under his
chairmanship many things beneficial to Blacks and minorities
have happened. It is that he is human and if there are no minority
concerns of pressures about, well, those in charge will certainly
not go looking for them. It is that simple.
At any rate, I believe that Jimmy Carter will place a Black man
on the FCC and in other sensitive and important posts in his
administration. He has demonstrated as a Governor a sensitivity
and concern and since his election, he has stated he plans to
include the appointment of Blacks to important positions.
I believe he will follow through on these promises. And I
certainly intend to work with his administration in any way I can
to see that the Black presence is given a high priority. (NNPA)
10b
Attention.... Mr. President
BRENNAN HELD THAT EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH A LAtv/IT IS ONLY
COMMON SENSE TO CONCLUDE" THAT A DUAL SYSTEM DOES EXIST WHEN
DESEGREGATION FORCES 'PROVE THAT THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES HAVE CARRIED
OUT A SYSTEMATIC PROCRAM OF SEGREGATION AFFECTING A SUBSTANTIAL
PORTION OF THE STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, AND FACILITIES."
JEFFREY ANTEVIL N.Y. DAILY NEWS
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TO BE EQUAL
By Vernon E. Jordon Jr.
Carter’s Team
In general, the response to Jimmy Carter’s Cabinet
appointments has been favorable, with some grumblings about
some of the designees and considerably more than that about one
of them.
That’s about par for the course; it’s impossible for any
President to satisfy everyone in naming a Cabinet. The group
assembled by President-elect Carter is at least asjjood as previous
Cabinets and a lot better than some of them.
The Black presence in ’ Cabinet-level posts was limited to two
a bit less than what many Blacks thought would happen. But if
the quantity is less than expected, the quality is very high indeed.
Some people have attacked the appointment of Patricia Harris
as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on a flimsy
grounds that she’s not a housing specialist. But few of her
predecessors have been, and few can match her competence. She
can be counted on to provide leadership in the fight to revitalize
the cities.
The appointment of Congressman Andrew Young to the visible
and critical UN post has been rightly well received as evidence
both of the Carter Administration’s determination to conduct
foreign policy on a more moral basis and to reach out to the
Third World. But few have commented on the unique symbolism
of this outstanding appointment; twenty years ago there were few
places in the South where Blacks could vote and now a Black
southerner is America’s spokesman to the world!
The controversial appointee is Griffin Bell, Carter's selection
for Attorney General. The attacks on Bell center on his personal
friendship with Carter, (many believe the Attorney General
should be totally independent of ties with his chief) his appeals
court decisions, his endorsement of Harold Carswell for the
Supreme Court, and his memberships in private clubs that
exclude Blacks and Jews from membership.
Some of these criticisms are valid. The onus is on Judge Bell to
prove their implications wrong through forceful action on
enforcing civil rights laws, cooperation with minority
Business
In The Black
Learn And Earn
The first problem for Black youth in attempting to acquire a
job is racism in America. The second is their lack of a quality
education. These two giants are gunning down too many of our
young people. There is hope only for the well educated and
trained thinkers of the future.
In 1982, enrollment in engineering schools across the country
will have minority students equal to their proportions in the
nations’ population. There are no shortages of jobs for engineers.
We need more Black doctors, dentists, nurses, administrators;
and advanced business degree people. The nation needs more
plumbers, welders, electricians, carpenters, craftsmen,
contractors, police officers, truck drivers, crane operators, typists,
stenographers, security guards and seeminhly thousands of more
trained people.
The fact is that while the job market in general is expanding,
for unskilled and little educated workers the job market has been
in a steady decline for years. A look at distribution of income to
individuals shows a decided decrease in the inequality of income
distribution in America.
In 1947. the top five per cent of all individuals received 33 per
cent of the income, in 1975 the figure was only 19 per cent. At
the lower end of the scale, the poorest 20 per cent in 1947
History- Making Black Happenings:
South-West Africa - Within a brief period concluding before the
end of Spring 1977, a multi-racial interim government is slated to
take control of this freshly independent territory'. United
Nations’ approval of all independence power transferal
arrangements will be required.
**********
Cuba - A number of the darker-skinned Cubans were reported
to be in evidence in the new National Assembly of People’s Power
which has taken official control of the Cuban island nation’s
affairs. Officially, Cuba is a multi-racial community which aligns
itself with the Black Third World nations and is said to seek
greater American Black friendship.
communities to cut crime, and by appointing Blacks and women
to policy making posts in the Justice Department.
That Department had traditionally demonstrated a shameful
reglect of Blacks, even in the days when professed liberals were
running it. Only a bare handful of Blacks held high posts in
Justice even in the days of the Kennedy-Johnson Administration
The focus on private clubs’ discrimination is useful. The
controversy over Judge Bell’s club memberships finally put a
national spotlight on such discrimination. These clubs are more
than just social; they’re the place where the elite of industry meet
and shape policies. Minorities barred from membership find their
career prospects limited because they're cut off from contacts
with their white peers.
The real focus should not be on Judge Bell--he's resigning
from his clubs. The real issue should be the continued existence
of discriminatory practices by private clubs whose “social"
aspects also involve informal decision-making that affects many
areas of our lives.
It should be recognized that many people who think of
themselves as liberal and as enlightened on race belong to clubs
that bar Jews and Blacks from membership. I know lots of
prominent people, among them many I count as friends, who
belong to clubs that are segregated. New York and Washington
are full of such clubs and it might be more graceful for some of
Judge Bell’s critics to resign from their own chibs before casting
stones.
Perhaps that’s an issue that should be on the
Attorney-General’s agenda -an investigation of segregated clubs
with a view to determining whether any of them benefit from
governmental concessions in violation of laws that bar
discrimination.
Such an investigation might help keep the harsh glare of
publicity on the undemocratic practices still common to the
higher echelons of our society.
received 2.9 per cent of all income going to individuals, and in
1975, this share had risen to four per cent.
This means that Blacks had best keep pace with the changes in
income distribution in the population or slip even further behind.
There seems to be emerging three new district income groups
in America, the older retired pension person, the matured married
female and the educated young adult. These groups have the
extra money available in today’s economy.
Blacks, about 12 per cent of the population, account for 18
per cent of high school drop-outs. Howard University Institute
for the study of Educational Policy, researchers found that in the
fall of 1974, there were 10.3 million high school drop-outs in the
age range of the college availability pool.
No equal opportunity commission or affirmative action
program can get them back in school. On the road for freedom,
don’t stop for racism, keep right on running. (NNPA)
Letter To The Editor
Advocates Amnesty For All
Dear Editor:
The new President, Carter,
can now heal the wounds of
the Viet Nam War, and unite a
divided people. He can
proclaim a general amnesty,
including all those who are
discriminated against after
serving in the military, or who
refused to fight our Asian
brothers in the war.
Our current administration
and many others in the U.S.
don’t want to admit that we
were wrong in Viet Nam, and
that we had no business there
that was legitimate. These
people can’t face the fact that
our devastation of that country
had no basis in reason and was
unnecessary, immoral, illegal
by international standards, and
barbaric. When we all face up
to the truth and set out to
correct the injustices, such as
■
“less -than honorable”
discharges, which deny men
jobs, perhaps we can get on the
right track.
When a soldier who has
fought in Viet Nam, and
perhaps been wounded, finds
himself handicapped thus,
maybe for refusing to return to
Viet Nam, what kind of justice
is that? Another, maybe,' is
denied further education
because he went AVVOL or
went “underground”, or fled
abroad to escape penalties, and
can’t come back.
So, it is my hope that when
Jimmy Carter is President, he
may feel a demand from the
whole country for a general
and sweeping amnesty.
Sincerely, *.
Ralph Russell
Washington, D.C.