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The Augusta News-Review - September 29,1979 -
tEfye Augusta
Mallory K. Millender Editor-Publisher
J. Philip Waring Vice President for Research and Development
Paul D. Walker Special Assistant to the Publisher
Ms. Fannie Flono Reporter
Frank Bowman Acting Advertising Manager
Harvey Harrison Sales Representative
Mrs. Kathleen Collins Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Mary Gordon Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Geneva Y. Gibson Church Coordinator
Mrs. Fannie Johnson Aiken County Correspondent
Mrs. Clara WestMcDuffie County Correspondent
David DupreeSports Editor
Mrs. Ileen Buchanan Fashion & Beauty Editor
Roosevelt Green Columnist
Al IrbyColumnist
Mrs. Marian Waring Columnist
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Roscoe Williams Photographer
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Our new day begun -
Blacks and U.S.
J® foreign policy
As the debate continues over the
resignation of Andrew Young as U.S.
Chief Representative to the U.N., it is
well that black Americans consider ever
more seriously the challenge that has
been thrown at them concerning their
rightful involvement in the development
and conduct of American foreign policy.
What Mr. Young’s critics have
deliberately chosen to overlook is that he
conducted his office not as a black
American but as a representative of the
U.S. government in full pursuit of this
nation’s interests. In this regard, he
diligently sought to avoid being
anti-anybody, only pro-American.
That is a very basic ingredient that
differentiated his approach to foreign
policy from that of most American
diplomats. The fact that his bold attempt
to encourage dialogue and elevate foreign
policy issues above worn-out rhetoric
drew so much fire indicates how
desperate this nation is for new
approaches to dealing with the more
recent members of the United Nations,
most notably Third World countries.
Regrettably, however, too many
Americans saw Ambassador Young as the
black ambassador at the U N. rather than
a highly qualified diplomat representing
their country. Tliat was a main reason for
the violent protests that greeted some of
his statements.
Pointedly overlooked by most of these
critics, however, is that in every war since
the founding of this nation, black citizens
have borne arms and died for their
country. Their blood was spilled from
Bunker Hill to Vietnam. It is to expected
that should the United States become
drawn into a war in the Middle East,
black Americans will once more be called
upon to sacrifice their lives.
Black Americans deplore the arrogance
that is implicit in the questions that have-
Speaking Out
r ■W’SF tribute to
Langston Hughes
Mini By Roosevelt Green —_____
This article is intended to be a tribute
to the great African-American writer,
Langston Hughes. He is my favorite black
writer for many reasons, including his
great gift for describing black/non-black
relationships.
Hughes is one black writer that should
be familiar to most, if not all blacks.
Richard Wright, James Baldwin, John
Oliver Killens, John Henrik Garke, Dr.
Yosef Ben Jochannon, J.A. Rogers and
Haki R. Madhubuti are among many
others deserving our familarity and
knowledge. And let us not forget Gieika
Anta Diop.
However, Langston Hughes combines
humor with his poetry and prose in a
most unique manner. He was bom in
Joplin, Missouri in 1902 and died in
1967. He studied for a year at Columbia
University, but graduated years later in
1929 from Lincoln University in
Pennsylvania after receiving a scholarship.
His first nationally published poem was
entitled “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
and it appeared in the NAACP Crisis
Magazine in 1921. “The Weary Blues”
was his first book of poems. It was
published in 1926.
Hughes was a prolific writer who wrote
more than 35 books. He received many
fellowships and awards over the years and
elected to membership in die National
By Benjamin Hooka
been raised about their expressed concern
for peace in the Middle East. As we
previously noted, black Americans
strongly protest the callous, ruthless
behavior of the United States State
Department toward Mr. Young.
Blacks deplore just as strcr.gly the
history of racism and the bureaucratic
recalcitrance that is so endemic to that
agency. Black Americans protest the
history of employment discrimination at
the State Department and call upon the
President and Secretary of State to exert
their full authority in pressing for the
desegregation of that institution. Every
effort must be made to place and advance
blacks in positions of authority there.
Africa provides the United States with
the bulk of many scarce minerals that
industry needs. Black people
furthermore, have historical and cultural
roots in that continent. The moral aspects
of the gross violations of human and
political rights by the white minorities in
southern Africa constitute a direct
affront to black Americans. So it is
imperative that we who have so much to
contribute to the further improvement of
relations with countries on that continent
continue to be even more involved in
developing U.S. policy on Africa as well
as the rest of the world.
Given these realities, it must be
understood that neither Jews, Italians,
Germans, Irish, Chinese, British, French
or whatever other ethnically or nationally
identifiable group has any more right to
be involved in the development and
conduct of United States foreign policy
than Americans of African descent. If
there is any single area where the melting
pot concept applies, it is with foreign
affairs. For we either all pursue the
common interests of this nation together
or help it sink separately.
Institute of Arts and letters in 1961. He
had already received a Guggenheim
Fellowship in 1925 and the distinguished
Spingam Medal in 1960.
This gifted African-American writer’s
books included “The Dream Keeper”,
“Shakespeare in Harlem”, “The Sweet
Flypaper of Life”, “Ask Your Mama”,
“The Panther and the Lash”. The latter
was his last collection of poems before his
death. He also wrote musicals and
articles.
Hughes wrote three books about
“Simple”, a black character who was
fictious but real in many black
communities. The three books were
entitled “Simple Speaks His Mind”,
“Simple Takes a Wife”, “Simple States as
Claim”. This insightful author-poet then
compiled “The Best of Simple” which
captivates the mind and hearts of
thoughtful readers.
After having read and re-read Langston
Hughes works since my college days in
the sixties, I was pleasantly surprised and
elated to discover his “The Ways of White
Folks” fairly recently. This book was
originally published in 1934, but is still
useful in understanding white racism.
“The Ways of White People” was such
entertaining reading that I could not rest
contented until I had read it through.
Permit me to possibly whet your appetite
Page 4
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RELAY
Going places
Wl’ Augusta blacks like
I Wxll district voting plan
JKsf...
"- 1 1 By Philip Waring
During its 32 years of publication
“Going Places” has repeated a previously
written column only some half dozen
times. It is doing so today because of the
interest being shown in the vitally
important change to district voting. I’ve
dubbed it “Regaining our District Voting
System,” because we previously used it in
Augusta.
Let’s read what previously has been
highlighted: I stated “Please believe me
when the statement is made that the great
majority of local Augusta black
organizations and leaders favor
elimination of the at-large plan for the
district system.
“Many minds still go back to the early
1930 s when Frank Summerfield almost
won a seat on the Augusta City Council.
Immediately following this, Paine College
Business Manager W.C. Ervin, succeeded
in being elected to the Board of
Education. Check your newspaper
clippings of that period. You’ll see why
the political leadership, via the state
legislature, immediately changed the
system from district to at-large.”
New leaders from district plan
Continuing, this July 28 column
discussed response to this column: “It
would be an insult for any intelligent
Negro in Augusta not to want
opportunity of a better shot at getting his
people elected to public office.”
Since that time I’ve talked literally
with dozens of people throughout the
city, men and women, young and old.
for this book by citing some of the titles
of certain short stories in this engaging
work.
“Slave on the Block”, “Passing”, “The
Blues I’m Playing”, “Red-Headed Baby”,
“Poor Little Black Fellow”, “Mother and
Child”, “One Christmas Eve”, and
“Father and Son”. Hughes is able to keep
one in suspense until the end of each
story while provoking laughter and
sadness because of the reality of racism.
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The great majority hold the opinion that
if the Augusta Black Community is to
move forward it must have the district
plan to get more long overdue
representation on the city council and
county commission.
Ad hoc group helps
Our Ad Hoc Black Leadership
Committee has helped sponsor the legal
suit to help regain our district voting. The
Board of Education has wisely gone into
a consent agreement which should
represent more opportunity for blacks to
share fairly in the franchise. Our Ad Hoc
Committee has moved forward with
assistance in raising funds and giving
support. Several major churches have
entered the “Vanguard of Progress” and
substantial financial support. This is how
it has been done in scores of black
communities throughout the Southland.
Again, thanks for your positive
comments on the legal suit as well as
financial and other support. Progress and
fairness will move forward in our Augusta
hometown!
Cal Thornton in all that jazz
All over town praise is being heaped on
Cal Thornton, Jr. and his unique and
well-received evening program, “Cal
Thornton and All That Jazz” on WBIA
radio. This young man shows good taste,
ability to sell goods and services, and has
excellent rap with those who listen. Right
on, and good luck, Cal!
Langston Hughes possessed profound
wit and insight into the behavior of most
whitesand non-blacks. Blacks should
recommend “The Ways of White Folks”
to some of their culturally disadvantaged
white friends and aquaintances who claim
to be prejudice free and liberal or
conservative. He is truly one of the great
writers of all times.
HARAMBEE!!!!!!!!
By Vernon E. Jordan i ■
Years ago, at the dawn of the 1900 s,
the great black scholar and activist W.E.B.
Dußois wrote that “the problem of the
Twentieth Century is the problem of the
color line.”
As our nation enters the 1980 s the
color line is still with us. The challenge of
the coming decade is to dismantle the
color line that places a ceiling on black
opportunities while removing the floor
from black security.
That implies an agenda for action to
bring about a greater measure of equality
for all Americans. While blacks and other
minorities are most in need of major
domestic reforms, all poor people would
benefit from them. And since fully
two-thirds of the poor are white, the
“black agenda” is also one that crosses
racial and regional lines.
The core of the black agenda includes a
handful of major issues. Prime among
them is a national full employment
policy.
That takes on added significance as the
nation slides into still another recession
that will mean escalating unemployment.
Black jobless rates are now well over
double the white rates. Curent
unemployment levels are intolerable for
blacks and too high for everyone.
So the coming decade ought to see a
national commitment to decent jobs for
all as a matter of right - in the private
sector wherever possible, in the public
sector if industry can’t absorb all of our
workers.
And an indispendable feature of a full
employment policy has to be a national
commitment to affirmative action. This is
necessary if blacks are to achieve full
parity in employment and educational
opportunities. A vigorous affirmative
action thrust in the 1980’s will mean no
further need for special affirmative action
efforts by 1990, because its goals will
have been met.
In addition to jobs, the agenda for the
1980 s include an income maintenance
system to replace the rotting welfare
system. Current welfare reform proposals
should be just the first step toward
development of a comprehensive,
federally administered income
maintenance system free of punitive
elements and available to all in need.
Another key item is a national youth
There is an old adage, especially among
black people, that says: “It’s a poor
wind-that blows no one any good.” If the
Andy Young hassle can do nothing else
but bring diverse factions of blacks
together, then all is not lost. Black leaders
in the United States have recently
achieved a unity of purpose among
themselves and alerted the man in the
street in away not since the civil rights
drive of the early 19605. Some of the
leaders even suggest the new sense of
working together exceeds that of the 60s
because it involves a broader spectrum of
blacks.
Blacks want to be heard in foreign affairs
This time the rallying point is not just
domestic, but also foreign affairs. More
than ever before, American blacks are
making it (as Nixon would say) crystal
clear that they want to be heard on
foreign policy and that they have a stake
in what the United States does overseas.
The new unity stems directly from the
unique “summit” meeting of black
leaders from across the United States in
New York Aug. 22 to discuss the impact
of the resignation of Andrew Young as
Ambassador to the United Nations.
At that meeting, more than 400 blacks
representing political, educational,
service, and other groups unanimously (to
the surprise of the entire nation) adopted
several resolutions, mostly on foreign
issues. The new unity could fade as black
leaders concentrate on the day-to-day
tasks of running their diverse
organizations. Unifying efforts among
blacks have failed several times in the
past.
Will the new black dialogue unite?
Many hope the cohesiveness generated
in the New York meeting could continue
and overlap into closer cooperation
among blacks on both domestic and
foreign issues. Black newsmen
interviewed several summit participants
to provide at least a sketchy idea of
where the black movement in the United
States is heading and what its leaders
To be equal
Walking with dignity
Blacks proclaim
By Al Irby
An agenda
for the 1980 s
development program that assures young
people especially disadvantaged youth, of
the skills, schooling and services they
need to participate fully in our society.
There are nearly ten million black and
white poor children in America, and
neglect of their needs can only perpetuate
poverty.
Health is a major part of the agenda,
especially for black people who have
higher incidence of bad health and less
access to quality health care. The
widespread closing of public hospitals and
clinics in the minority neighborhoods of
many cities for budgetary reasons
shamefully worsens an already serious
health care crisis for the poor.
The current debate over health
insurance proposals has been personalized
and limited. The 1980 s ought to see
passage of a national health system that is
unified, comprehensive,
consumer-oriented, and guarantees total
quality health care services for all.
Finally, the coming decade should
mark achievement of the long-standing
goal of decent housing for all. Thirty
years ago Congress passed a National
Housing Act whose goal was to provide
“a decent home and suitable living
environment for every American family.”
That elusive goal is nowhere in sight,
and it should be a major part of an
agenda for the 1980 s. A first step toward
that goal would be to finally eradicate
racial discrimination in housing through
beefing up federal enforcement powers.
The agenda for the 1980 s includes
other items as well, but these are the
central issues that touch on the lives of all
of our people and are central to the
future of the nation.
They are issues of pressing importance
for blacks, who arymore likely to be in
need of jobs, health care, decent housing,
and education. But in sheer numbers,
more whites would benefit from such
steps than blacks, just as the reforms of
the 1960 s moved far more whites than
blacks out of poverty and disadvantage.
The civil rights struggle of the 1950 s
and ’6os concentrated on winning rights:
those of the 1970 s on defending the
limited gains of previous years. But the
civil rights issues of the 1980 s will be to
secure parity between blacks and whites,
and to remove race once and for all as a
negative factor in our society.
hope will be accomplished in the
aftermath of the New York meeting.
These themes emerge from the
interviews: 1) Blacks will be speaking out
more on foreign affairs. Although the
Middle East may seem far removed from
the issue of unemployment among blacks
in American cities, it was pointed out
that the poor are among the hardest hit
when gasoline prices go up and when
inflation causes layoffs. It was also
recalled that blacks supplied a
disporportionately large share of the
cannon fodder for the United States
Army, (remember Vietnam). Andy
Ypung has sopned the eyes of blacks to
the fact that we’re living in a total world
village.
2) Please listen to this: Relations
between American blacks and Jews will
get a more “frank and honest” airing at
the insistence of blacks. Among issues
already being discussed in follow-up
meetings between blacks and Jews;
Jewish support for legal challenges to
affirmative action, also financial interests
in South Africa.
3) Closer cooperation among black
organizations in operating day-care
centers and other self-help programs, also,
more pooling of research and resources.
4) A greater drive to register blacks to
vote, “to increase our clout in the 1980
elections,” says Jerry Guess, executive
assistant to Executive Director Benjamin
Hooks of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People. It was
Mr. Hooks who convened the New York
“Summit” meeting.
Will keep up the pressure
The next step is a series of
“multi-summit,” meetings across the
country of regional and local black
leaders and their constituents to discuss a
range of issues, says Mr. Guess. The
leadership summit in New York differs
from civil rights rallies of the 1960 s by
focusing on issues that affect blacks
indirectly instead of directly, says
longtime civil rights leader Franklin
Wilfiiams, president of the Phelps-Stokes
Fund.