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October. 1977 - New National BLA CK MONITOR
A Close-Up View Os Third World Events"
This latter provision is most significant,
since concerted efforts, in many historically
liberal circles, have been made to all but
eliminate the black colleges as “worth
less.” The proof of the pudding (i.e., the
proportions of blacks graduated and ad
mitted to “first-rate” graduate schools)
suggests otherwise.
More than one half of all blacks gradu
ated from college this past year were from
traditionally black colleges. Further, nearly
70 percent of the black students enrolling in
white-oriented institutions do not complete
their work for a variety of largely negative
reasons.
Black Americans must do far more than
moniter the progress of compliance with
the HEW directive. Blacks must encourage
much more support for the traditionally
black colleges and, from the results
achieved, probably press for their addition.
—The “New NAACP”...The tone of
the Rev. Benjamin Hooks’ maiden or in
augural statements upon taking office sug
gest little of the traditional “protecting of
the image of the past” which has for some
time now been a major mark of the
NAACP.
(These questions are designed for class
room and group discussions. Answers are
always more sharply or clearly defined if
they are written. It is suggested that, where
feasible, answers be made first in some
written form and then discussed.)
1) It has long been pre-supposed that
Africans could not help themselves, since
Europeans and Americans had the essential
technology. With the newly-found wealth
in oil-rich Gabon, and with precious raw
materials over much of the African conti
nent, what approaches would seem to be
most effective toward black African self
sufficiency?
2) How would you either account for or
rationalize the large popularity of Uganda’s
President Idi Amin?
Ambassador Andrew Young, at least
earlier, was seen to hedge on criticism of
Amin. Is an assessment of Amin necessarily
complex? Or is it simple?
3) Would you agree with Dr. Benjamin
Hooks that blacks and whites are polar-
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(Continued from Page 4.)
Whether Dr. Hooks’ rhetoric and
determination will get past the honeymoon
period with some of the NAACP’s more
traditionalist members is, at present, any
body’s guess. The organization, without
any doubt whatsoever, has an unexcelled
and most illustrious past.
Nonetheless, “new occasions teach new
duties; (and) time makes ancient good un
couth.” This is probably true, in some
measure, with the distinguished work of the
NAACP, as with every organization pos
sessed of a long and venerable history.
Dr. Hooks has promised that the
NAACP is ready to “shake this country up
MONITOR MICROSCOPE
CURRENT EVENTS QUIZ
ized? Does this apply to Africa, too, in
terms of varying perceptions as, for exam
ple, of President Amin? President Amin
received the greatest ovation on his appear
ance at the Gabon meeting of the Organiza
tion of African Unity.
4) Do you feel that blacks in South
Africa are doing as much as they can to
help themselves?
The news accounts seem to suggest petty
Have you given to Operation PUSH, QIC, SCLC, NAACP or the local Urban League this month?
from top to bottom,” if necessary. In an
old-fashioned oratorical style designed to
get into the hearts of even the most conser
vative among the NAACP’s membership,
Dr. Hooks observed:
“We’re tired of second-class citizenship.
We dealt with Roosevelt; we dealt with
Truman, with Eisenhower, Kennedy and
Johnson, and we can deal with Carter.”
“We have decided we’re either all going
to enjoy the benefits of American life; or,
like flies, we’ll make it so no one can enjoy
it.”
“I believe we’ve moved farther apart.
Maybe 1 shouldn’t say that. People are as
phony as they ever were. I feel we are closer
to a division than we ever were.”
“We are tired of celebrating partial vic
tories and seeing them snatched away. We
are tired of eating the crumbs off the table
of democracy. We are tired of being Ameri
ca’s step children.”
A fond farewell for the older stalwart
warrior now partially resting from many
glorious battles; and a “Hurrah” and
“God speed” to the new standard bearer.
May he serve as well in our new day as did
his predecessor in the years gone by; “God
bless them both” from all of us!
unrest by youth and political payoffs to
many apparently able adults? Do you get
the same picture?
What do you feel is the immediate future
for blacks in South Africa?
5) How do you assess the importance, if
any, of recent Supreme Court decisions
regarding rape, the killing of policemen
and remedial education? Do you feel that
these have any racial significance of a posi
tive or negative nature? Is “remedial” like
a code word for black inferiority?
6) What do you feel that blacks must do
with whites, through politics, and on their
own to aid and extend the important work
of our black colleges?
7) What advice would you give to Dr.
Benjamin Hooks as he begins his important
work as executive of the National Associa
tion of Colored People? Have you sent in
your $5.00 contribution or your SIO.OO for
membership this year? You may address
Dr. Hooks and the NAACP at 1776 Broad
way, New York, N.Y. 10019.
—ln The Arts.. .Black Americans must
know the full extent to which we live in
greatness. While there is time—and we
hope it will long last—we should be sensi
tive to the long, remarkable years in which
“our Count Basie” has blessed our lives. A
recent review noted that his orchestra plays
with a freshness which is far from the per
functory kind of performance which long
years may be expected to bring. Let us
honor the Count. His soul breathes great
ness into us all. Let us hold him up; enjoy
each precious moment which he has to give
us and honor him in the full measure which
is his due.
» ♦ ♦
(For comments upon the MONITOR Mi
croscope please write to: The Editor, The
New National BLACK MONITOR, Suite
1108, 507 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y.
10017. Your helpful comments and sugges
tions are always deeply appreciated.)
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