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The Augusta News-Review - December 23, 1978 -1
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Mallory K. Millender Editor-Publisher
J. Philip Waring Vice President for Research and Development
Paul D Walker '.Special Assistant to the Publisher
Robert L. Darby ” .' ’Advertising Manager
Mrs. Brenda Hamilton Administrative Assistant
Mary Gordon Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Geneva Y. Gibson Church Coordinator
Ms. Barbara Gordonßurke County Correspondent
Mrs. Clara WestMcDuffie County Correspondent
Roosevelt Green Columnist
Al Irby.Columnist
M • iv Columnist
Michael Carr Chief Photographer
Sterling WimberlyPhotographer
♦ Roscoe WiUiamsPhotographer
We cannot be responsible for unsolicited photos, manuscripts and other materials.
Mailing Address
Box 953 - Augusta, Ga. - Phone 722-4555 jfFjK
Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30903
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On the defeat of Senator Brooke
GUEST EDITORIAL
By Congressman Parren Mitchell
The only black serving in the United
States Senate was defeated in the General
Election. The Senator-Elect, Paul
Tsongas, is a very fine legislator (I served
with him in the U.S. House of
Representatives). He is a strong liberal;
and a personable individual. However, in
many ways he cannot really take the
place of Senator Brooke.
Ed Brooke was a tremendously
symbolic figure for millions of black
Americans. He was the lone black serving
in what had theretofore been an all white,
almost exclusively all male club. Little
black school children could read about
him and gain inspiration for their
aspirations. Black elected officials across
the country could point to him as the one
black who made it to the highest, most
powerful legislative body in the World.
He was indeed a symbol for us.
Substantively, Senator Brooke was one
of the most skilled legislators in the
Senate. He used that skill on behalf of the
poor; blacks and other minorities; and in
protection of civil liberties. Although he
belonged to the Republican party, his
commitments to the down trodden and
the minorities never wavered. This
commitment earned him the wrath of the
right wing of his own party. He was too
liberal for them. He was not one of their
very own who stood in the shadow of
Regan and Goldwater and Crane.
I had the pleasure of serving with him
on many joint Senate-House Conferences.
On housing legislation he doggedly, and
thoughtfully fought for funds for low
income housing. He snuggled to increase
funds to spur home ownership for the
poor and working poor. I could always
count on Senator Brooke to be an
eloquent advocate, as I sought to increase
federal funds for jobs and job training.
What really brought about his political
defeat? Certainly it was not just the
financial problems deriving from his
marital difficulties. Many, and I do mean
many, members of Congress have gone
through similar difficulties during the
time of their campaigns for office and
“Blacks in American civilization
Blanche
* * Kelso
Bruce
k»
■■■ I -By Howard James Jones ■ 1 - ■ 1
The second individual of African
descent to serve in the United States
Senate was Blanche Kelse Bruce. The son
of a slave mother and a white father, he
was born March 1,1841 in Prince Edward
County, Virginia. After having been
carried to Missouri as a young boy, during
the years of the Civil War, he taught
school in Missouri and Kansas, following
his personal declaration of freedom. That
is, he had fled from his master.
This period also found him spending
about two years at Oberlin College as a
student. As a chattel slave, he had studied
printing, but as a freedman, ht is reputed
to have organized the first Black school in
Missouri (at Hannibal). Before leaving for
Mississippi, he tried unsuccessfully to join
the Union Army.
In Mississippi, he settled at Floreyville
and became a planter. In 1871, he
Urges NAACP support
Dear Editor:
The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People, in an
effort to eliminate or offset a soaring
financial deficit (estimated at $385,000
by 12/31/78) will be conducting a special
have been re-elected. No, it was not just
that. He was the victim of the right wing
of his own party, and the liberals in the
Democratic party who had relied on his
vote in the Senate, time and time again,
to get critical legislation passed. I was
shocked to sec the Carter Administration
people camapigning against Senator
Brooke. They had always sought out his
counsel, advice and vote on legislation
that the Administration deemed to be
crucial. (It’s very interesting to note that
the Administration did not campaign
against Senator Howard Baker,
Republican, who often served as the
Administration's spokesman in the
Senate.)
Senator Brooke was also the victim of
some blacks who in their “objectivity”
attempted to impose a higher standard of
conduct on him than tney imposed on
non-black members of the Senate and the
House of Representatives. It’s very
curious to me that some blacks have no
difficulty in dealing daily with
unscrupulous rascals, white and black, at
the local, state and federal level, but
when one of our own at the highest
echelon of government is involved, they
become so righteous that the black
official must be an absolute paragon of
virtue.
Senator Brooke got the amendment
passed which limited the amount of rent
in public housing to 25 per cent of the
family income. Ed Brooke broadened the
coverage of rehabilitation housing loans
so that more of the poor and working
poor could benefit from such programs.
He worked hard on behalf of minority
economic and business development. He
supported the concepts involved in
establishing tenants rights in public
housing. He was really quite a man.
Senator-elect Paul Tsongas is quoted to
have said “Ed Brooke left behind some
very, very big shoes to be filled.” Indeed
he did, and I for one wish soon to be
Senator Tsongas all the luck in the world
as he attempts to fill those shoes.
However, no .natter how hard he tries, he
cannot be the same symbol to black
Americans as was Senator Edward W.
Brooke, Republican, Massachusetts.
became the Tax Assessor of Bolivar
County. The next year, he was elevated
to the position of Sheriff of Bolivar
County. Earning the respect of both
Blacks and whites, in February of 1874,
he was elected to the United States
Senate. The first Black man to serve a
complete term in the U.S. Senate (March,
1975 to March, 1881), he, as a Senator,
opposed an act to exclude Chinese from
the U.S., and urged citizenship for Native
Americans (Indians). A man who
supposedly disdained the phrase “colored
man” and often declared “I am a negro
and proud of my race,” in the days after
leaving the U.S. Senate, he served in the
appointive positions of Registrar of the
U.S. Treasury and Recorder of Deeds for
the District of Columbia. Blanche Kelso
Bruce died March 17,1898.
Letter to editor
Christmas appeal campaign.
Several events, including the Bakke
decision and the implications behind
Proposition 13, have necessitated an
increase in supportive services to our
units. Despite the steady rise of individual
Page 4
RECEIVING
CLERK
KFHE BETTER
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?YOU haven't
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Going places
•s* -jp Political victories
z—. 1 can l ea d upward
■ WW* |
By Phil Waring J
“Success in the world of politics is one
roadway towards equality, parity and
new opportunity in American life”,
stated the late Whitney M. Young Jr.
While our News-Review readers may well
have their own evaluation and agenda on
“Blacks in Augusta-area politics, 1978”,
may 1 share mine?
It was pull and push, ups and downs,
mostly downs, however. Able and
nationally known County Commissioner
Ed Mclntyre, in the height of an
outstanding and successful political
career, was not returned.
The highly competent and well-trained
Dr. C.S. Hamilton lost his bid to become
mayor of Augusta.
BASIC LESSON CAN BE LEARNED
In these two losses, however, there
were several lessons to be learned. They
include: (i) In Ed’s case, many well
placed leaders of our Democratic party,
unfortunately, did not come through to
assist him, (2) Rev. Hamilton, with a late
starting campaign and very few resources,
made a history-making thrust gaining a
tremendous number of votes, (3) Even
the daily papers admitted that a Black
could now become mayor of Augusta, (4)
Hamilton’s campaign showed that a viable
campaigner of color could sweep the four
inner-city wards and score highly in
others, (5) Mclntyre fielded an
outstanding corps of hard-working and
faithful volunteers who worked without
pay but for the honor and faith. This was
commendable indeed and shows it can be
done, (6) The two campaigns also
highlighted a changing role for the voter
leagues, (7) While Ed had a good overall
thrust among black voters, there was still
a shortfall, especially among grass-rooters,
according to local political observers, and
(8) lastly, but importantly, there is a
changed attitude among black elected
public officials on the at-large vs district
voting plan. This has come about since
the Waynesboro-Federal Court decision,
the Mclntyre loss and other situations.
HAMILTON AND McINTYRE
This writer joins in the wide sentiments
floating around the community which
call for: (1) Hamilton for mayor in 1981,
(2) Mclntyre to stand again for public
office at an early date, and (3) forward
movement to eliminate the at-large voting
system. Be it noted that both Mclntyre
and Hamilton already have solid and
well-established service records.
How can these objectives be
contributions and memberships, these
factors coupled with spiraling inflation,
have produced a critical financial
situation which gravely threatens our
ability to serve the 30 million black
Americans across the nation.
The NAACP is grateful for the
dedication and support it received from
the Black Press down through the years.
However, we find it necssary once again
to call upon you and your paper to
support us in this hour of desperation. We
are asking that you and other black
newspapers around the country grant us
space for a special NAACP appeal, to be
run from now through Christmas
holidays.
A group of prominent sports figures
(i.e. Hank and Billye Aaron, Larry
Brown, Reggie Jackson, Willie Davis,
DELAYED DELIVERY
accomplished? Our readers may have
ideas and plans of their own. As a black
political scientist, may I share mine?
They would include: (1) A coming
together of a broad cross-section of our
leaders, (2) Discuss and plan strategy and
tactics to accomplish objectives coupled
with schedules, assignments and time
tables, (3) Agreement on candidates and
further understanding to oppose “Black
Stalking Horses” who would oppose our
candidates, etc., and lastly (4)
Involvement of the community. There, of
course, must be a major voter registration
campaign.
( COALITION CAN WIN VICTORIES
It should be noted that often there is
need for alliances with political groups
and organizations in other parts of the
city and county. Dutch Morial won his
mayoral seat in New Orleans aided by a
strong coalition of white residents.
Michael Lomax recently became the first
county-wide Fulton County
Commissioner because nearly 40 percent
of fair minded whites opted for him. In
November John H. Baker, former
Pittsburgh Steelers star, won the sheriffs
office in Raleigh-Wake County, N.C. and
Prince Arnold was elected to the same
position in Wilcox County, Ala. These
victories show what black leadership can
do with unity, understanding,
cooperation and setting aside, at least
temporary, personal ego and pride.
KING NAME FOR PARK WELCOMED
We’ve been delighted with community
response on the suggestion to name the
new park on Ninth Street for Dr. M.L
King Jr. William T. Johnson, “Father of
Black Recreation in Richmond County”
said: “This is a timely and well deserved
suggestion.” May we hear from you?
SOLID HONOR FOR CARRIE MAYS
Earlier this autumn City
Councilwoman Carrie Mays was elected
secretary of the Georgia Democratic
Party. While she was previously appointed
to this position, her unanimous election
was a “first” and stands out well indeed.
This is but another bundle of many
honors for a lovely and dedicated lady.
HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO ALL
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday to all
of our readers, subscribers, advertisers
and friends!
Gary Maddox, etc.) have joined us in
making this special holiday appeal, to
raise the vitally needed funds to keep this
oldest and most revered civil rights
organization viable and effective.
Our campaign kicked off November
30th with an appearance by Hank and
Billye Aaron (National Co-Chairpersons)
on the Good Morning America show.
Please join us in this effort to assure
the NAACP the merriest Christmas ever.
Your continuing understanding and
support have always been appreciated,
and will not be forgotten.
With warmest regards,
Benjamin L. Hooks
Executive Director
NAACP
Tobe equal
A time for
»»*'*.*■ coming togther
Ry Vernon E. Jordan ' ■ lll
Christmas, a time for coming together,
for sharing joys ans comforts, arrives this
year as the nation seems trapped in a
sullen mood.
Americans and their leaders seem to be
enmeshed in daily problems whose
magnitude is sometimes blown out of all
proportion. This is a goos time to reflect
that the faith and dedication to the ideals
of freedom that made this country great,
can keep it great -- if we don’t abandon
our best instincts as a people.
To hear some people talk, America is
supposed to be a pitiful giant, weak at
home and weak abroad. The dollar is
laggard, inflation is rampant, taxes are
high, the Russians are strong.
Well, maybe the prophets of doom are
right, but I won’t buy that package of
despair. Some of the problems they
identify are the wrong ones, and none of
them squares with the truth -- that this
Christmas finds us in full possession of
the capabilities of righting what’s wrong
with us.
Inflation worries many of the
pessimists, and bothers everyone else,
especially anyone who’s been out
shopping for Christmas presents and
remembers what last year’s prices were
like.
But our inflation rate is low compared
with that of other countries. And given a
spirit of cooperation and a determination
to get a handle on the problem without
imposing unjust burdens on poor and
moderate income people is well within
our society’s means.
But to do so, we’ve got to come
together as a people and work together
constructively. In other words, a little
more of the Christmas spirit all year
round is needed. Too many of us spend
the rest of the year looking out for
ourselves and forgetting the obligation to
help others.
The spirit of selfishness is behind a lot
of our nation’s problems. When people
are saying, “I’ve got mine, I don’t care
about you,” the stage is set for trouble.
And that’s what’s been happening. Those
who have, want more -- and they’re not
Walking with dignity
“ And a little
cr * e d *
By Al Irby . .
This columnist has been unable to
obtain any material that surpasses Mr.
Sidney Harris’ vivid portrayal of
Christmas, and its in-depth meaning of
the Christ-child’s redemptive love. Thus
again we present the “Real Meaning of
Christmas.”
By Sidney Harris
“Everyone says that what is wrong
with CHRISTMAS is that it is too
commercial - but that is not the
TROUBLE. What is wrong with
CHRISTMAS is that it is TOO
SPIRITUAL, in the wrong way. The
commercial aspect of CHRISTMAS can
easily be ignored or rejected by anyone
who wants to take this holiday seriously.
But the SPIRITUAL aspect is harder to
separate from the true message.
The Three Wise Men, and the Star of
Bethlehem, and the Babe in the Manger
and the mystery and the miracle - all
these make it tempting for us to forget
what the whole story is about. And the
whole story - the whole message of the
whole MESSIAHSHIP - can be summed
up in two sentences fro JESUS’ own lips:
“IF ANYONE SAYS I LOVE GOD AND
HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A
LIAR.” (John 4:20) “Inasmuch as you
did it to one of the least of these, my
brethern, you did it unto me.” (Matthew
25:40) THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS
IS-THE MASS OF CHRIST, must mean,
if it is to mean anything. If it does not
mean this to us, then what we worship is
magic and superstition and idolatry.
YOU CANNOT LOVE GOD without
loving (which is not to say liking) every
fellow creature. He meant that an act of
contempt or rejection or injustice or
neglect toward the least - the lowest, the
poorest, the weakest, the dumbest - is an
act against Him.
If Christianity does not mean this, it
means nothing. If this central fact it
slurred or sermonized away, the whole
structure of CHRISTIANITY falls apart
and we are left with nothing but another
primitave magic religion that may
comfort us but it is powerless to change
us. And it is not the impious, the pagans
and unbelievers, who must be most on
guard against forgetting this message. It is
the believers, the SPIRITUAL PEOPLE
WHO ARE PRONE TO MISTAKE FORM
FOR SUBSTANCE, PRAYERS FOR
PERFORMANCE, WORSHIP FOR
PRACTICE. CHRISTIANITY is not a
“SPIRITUAL RELIGION,” like some
creeds of the East. It is an intensely
concerned about those who have nothing.
So the spirit of Scrooge is abroad in
the land. People vote for tax cuts not
caring that essential public services will
have to shut down - as long as they’ve
got their personal transportation, their
private schools, and their high incomes.
So why care about those who depend on
public transport, public schools, and
subsidized services?
Maybe this Christmas some of those
people will take a long, hard look at their
priorities and responsibilities. Maybe
they’ll come to realize that a society is
made up of all kinds of people living in a
state of interdependence with others.
Maybe they’ll reflect a bit on the
principle of “Goodwill to all men and
peace on earth,” and come to see that the
real problems of our society are not the
ones that get the biggest press play and
media coverage.
Inflation, taxes and reviving the Cold
War are the chief issues in the rightward
drift in our country. But ending
unemployment, providing necessary
social services, ending discrimination, and
saving our cities are the real problems
that beset us.
And all of those problems can be
licked if we recapture the sense of shared
responsibilities and a common destiny.
Overcoming selfishness, racism, and
anti-social attitudes are never easy. But id
we are to come out of this period of
national drift, all segments of our society
will have to pull together.
That requires the best efforts of the
public sector, the private sector, and the
voluntary, non-profit sector. It requires
leadership from people in positions of
responsibility at all levels. And it requires
followership too -- from individuals who
have to get their heads out of the sand
and overcome the privatism that leads
them to neglect the needs of others.
I believe we can do it. And this
Christmas is a good time for all of us to
resolve to replace the spirit of meanness
we see about us with some of the
brotherly love this season is all about.
“PRACTICAL RELIGION,” having its
moral roots in the acute social conscience
of Judaism. It is not designed to change
the way men think or believe as much as
to change they way they act.
It is easy to think CHRISTMAS, and
easy to believe CHRISTMAS; but it is
hard-sometimes intolerably hard to
act CHRISTMAS. It is not our false
commercialism that prevents it, but our
false SPIRITUALLY. Not the clang of
the cash register, but the jingle of bells,
calling us to sentimentality, and SEDUCE
us from the YEAR-ROUND MINISTRY
OF BROTHERHOOD.”
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Let us pray that strength and courage
abundant be given to all who work for a
world of reason and understanding, that
the good that lies in every man’s heart
may day by day be magnified; that men
will come to see more clearly not that
which devides them, but that which
unites them. That each hour may bring us
closer to a final victory, not of nation
over nation, but of man over his own evils
and weaknesses. That the true spirit of
this Christmas season, its joy, its beauty,
its hope, and above all its abiding faith
may live among us. That the blessings of
peace be ours; the peace to build and
grow, to live in harmony and sympathy
with others, and to plan foi the future
with confidence and hope.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
And it came to pass in those days, that
there went out a decree from Ceasar
Agustus, that all the world should be
taxed. And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own dty. And Joseph also
went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; because
he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child. And so it was,
that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her first
born son and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because
there was no room for them in the Inn.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY
READERS, FRIENDS AND ALL MY
ASSOCIATES AT THE OFFICE OF THE
AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW;