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H-T-Honuiwtsl Vol. 1 N.T. Young BOARD OF ED HOSTILE TO UNITARY SYSTEM The Reverend N.T. Young has been conspicuous for his opposition to many of the recent decisions made by the Richmond County Board of Education. Young, Pastor of Thankful Baptist Church, is one of two Blacks serving on the sixteen man Board. Question: What is your reaction to the proposed desegregation plan for Richmond County Schools submitted to U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence by the Rhode Island experts? Answer: I favor the idea of schools being integrated to the extent that we have quality education for both whites and blacks. I realize the difficulties involved. But I also realize that Blacks have dealt with difficulties over the years. The greatest of these difficulties being that the inadequate educational training they received would not allow them to be strong competition where whites are concerned. Whites are given better facilities with which to work. This (integration) will help eliminate this matter of inequities in our academic programs. Question: What is your feeling concerning the fact that Laney and Josey would lose their status as high schools under the proposed plans? Answer: I would like, if possible, to have a senior high school among the schools that were formerly all black. I feel that it is important that we have an accredited school Ga. Districts Due Challenge State Sen. Leroy Johnson of Atlanta has protested Georgia’s new redistricting plan because of “individous discrimination” against blacks. “We are going to have to take it to court as soon as the governor signs it into law,” he said. The General Assembly had been trying for a week to reapportion the state’s 10 Congressional districts. When the plan was finally approved, Gov. Jimmy Carter said he would sign the measure probably this week. Johnson objected to the bottom of the sth District in Fulton County (Atlanta) being chopped off and added to the 6th District, a rural area to the south of Atlanta, which he said was done to Gerrymander blacks from one district to another. Atlanta now has a 51 per cent black population and Johnson said the sth District had been 40 per cent black. Under the new plan it would be only 37 per cent, he added. Fletcher Thompson, a white republican, currently holds the sth District seat. Johnson said his fellow legislators were fearful that if the sth District had not been remapped State Rep. Julian Bond might be elected to Congress. “Let me assure you Julian Bond is not interested in running for Congress,” * Johnson said in a final argument before the State Senate. “He would rather occupy the resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (The White House).” ■Nrwfi-SUwm THE PEOPLE’S PAPER graduating students on the secondary level. But I am disturbed about a school that would turn out a senior who would not be a senior when compared with other students. If we lose our schools to give our students a better education, in reality we will have lost a tradition but gained a better education. If Josey and/or Laney could be continued as graduating high schools, I would be pleased. If it can’t be arranged that we have two black senior high schools and two white (senior high schools), in all fairness there ought to be one black senior high school continued. If both black (senior high) schools are discontinued I would consider this to be more against black pride. If one black and one white high school is discontinued that would at least be equality in this time of transition. Question: Attorney John Ruffin has asked that Judge Lawrence hold the Richmond PAINE PROF. ARRESTED Ellis H. Rece, an associate professor of religion at Paine College was arrested by special agents Monday and charged with falsifying exemptions on the W-4 form filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rece claimed 53 dependents. He said the number was symbolic representing the people of each of the fifty states of the United States and the people of Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Rece, who as clergyman was exempt Crowning Os Miss Laney Lucy Laney High School held its coronation ceremonies Monday morning. The theme for the coronation was “Subscribing to Blackness”. The prelude, “Gala Matare”, in African tongue and drum beat extolled the joyous event, the crowning of a new princess. The princess-elect was the beautiful Miss Brenda Thompkins. Her regal escorts were clad in dashikis and another African garb. African music permeated the entire life-like pageantry, giving an eerie jungle background recreating retrospective links in the heritage of “Mother Africa.” The entrance of the princess brought raves of jubilant cheers throughout the packed auditorium. She was conveyed on a couch by six strong black stalwarts to the stage where the High Priest placed the corona garland on her afro-coiffed head. The Lucy Laney Coronation is also a significant example of the new black mentality, pride and search for identity. (See photographs page 4) 930 Gwinnett St. County Board of Education in receivership and appoint a new Board. Ruffin said he did not believe that the present Board of Education would effectively implement integration since it has fought so hard to avoid it. Do you agree? Answer: When it comes to the Board, the Board did not give itself fully to the structuring of an integration plan. I’m doubtful that the Board would give of itself to enforce a plan submitted by someone else. I am doubtful about that. I might state along with that I wish the Board would face up to its responsibility as a Board and do what it has been requested to do. Question: Superintendent Roy Rollins has stated that he is not in favor of integration. Do you feel that most of the Board members share that view? Answer: Sure I do. As a member of the Board, I have discovered that they are hostile toward the idea of a unified school system which would require full integration. I believe this to be the thinking of most Board members on the idea of a unified system. They try to cover up their hostility by saying we already have a unitary system. The court order is indicative of the fact that we don’t have a unitary system. Furthermore, the Board would lend itself to the idea of blacks going to white from military draft, said that as a tax payer he was forced to support the war against his will. “These people were in fact my dependents. In March the thirty-four year-old professor submitted a letter to the Internal Revenue Service wherein he stated, “I have come to realize that the combined effect of the Employee’s Exemption Certificate (form W-4), and my government’s criminal actions in Southeast Asia is to make me not only an accomplice in large-scale killing, but an accomplice whose contribution is voluntarily self-assessed. I can no longer accept this situation quietly. My current W-4 form is inaccurate. My fiscal responsibility is not restricted to my household. I am financing this moral outrage which is developing calouses on the conciences of the citizens of our fifty states. I am paying Dr. Pitts To Speak At Ist Mt. Moriah First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church will observe its annual Men’s Day Program Sunday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. The speaker for the occasion will be Dr. L.H. Pitts, President of Paine College. Dr. Pitts is the first black president in the history of Paine College, beginning in 1971. Dr. Pitts is an alumnus of Paine, and served as President of Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama for several years. There will be other outstanding participants on the program. The public is invited to attend. Rev. Arthur D. Sims is Pastor of Ist Mt. Moriah. schools, but not whites to black schools. Question: Would you interpret this as an admission of the inferiority of black schools. Answer: I see this as a two-fold problem. (1) racism (2) the difference in the educational programs between the white and black schools. No. They just don’t like blacks. Question: Have the kids who are already in integrated schools faced serious problems? Answer: In some instances. It may not be true throughout but it is partly true; for example a black boy at Tubman Junior High was subjected to a Ku Klux Klan textbook. This boy was humiliated and embarrassed having this book showing blacks flogged by whites. When he stated that he resented it, he was sent home. This was a white teacher in charge of that classroom. Question: Was this a non-standard textbook? Answer: Sure. It was a K.K.K. book. The instructor admitted it was there but did not admit how it got there. But the teacher’s reaction was to send the boy home because of his resentment of it. Question: The local chapters of the NAACP and SCLC have called for Rollins’ resignation. Is there any reason to believe that this demand will be met? for the destruction of the three countries whose citizens my brothers are killing. All of these people are dependent upon me, and I am failing them. Accordingly, I have Rev. Sims I’m Not Dead Yet. BY REVEREND ARTHUR D. SIMS Many people express surprise at my style of preaching. Many people are shocked by the things I say ... The things I do. Some are concerned out of real commitment. To others, it is a deliberate attempt to rob our people, young and old, from hearing the gospel preached to its fullest. Permit me to say that I love “The Church”. I come from a strong line of Baptist preachers in Northeast Georgia. Unfortunately, most people feel that the church is a building where people go to worship once a week at 11:00 a.m. That really hurts. To the contrary, the church lives in the hearts of men who are committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The church is Teacher Victim Os $2,000 Burgulary George Roberts, of 1319 Fifteenth Street, reported to Augusta Police the loss of more than $2,000 worth in a burgulary of his apartment. Roberts who is a speechand drama instructor at Paine College said that among the items lost were several suits, jewelry and a television set. Augusta Ga Phone 722-4555 Answer: No. I don’t think the Superintendent would resign and I don’t think the Board would go against him. As long as he can get nine votes out of sixteen, his position is secure. I don’t think the Board would vote against him nor would he resign. Question: Do you think that the present method of selecting the superintendent of schools is a good one? Answer: The Charter that the Board is presently operating under has been used since August 23, 1872. This Act gives the Board the power to become what it calls a “body politic corporate in law.” Among its duties, the Board appoints the superintendent. The Charter needs updating and revising. It’s a hundred years old. We’re operating under a Constitution that is a hundred years old! I think that the Constitution needs revising. The superintendent should be held subject to the people. His position is financed by the people. Not just nine people. The superintendent ought to be responsible to the total population of the County. But the only way to get it changed is to go through the General Assembly of the State of Georgia. adjusted my W-4 to a figure which represents, if only symbolically, this wider responsibility. As I have in the past, I ask you to end your part in where love is - apage .. God’s love which has no limitations. The building is simply a dedicated place where we go to worship and fellowship. I have heard it said by one of my bewildered brothers that he would like to hear some preaching on my broadcast. I am happy that this brother listens - there is no force to make him .. Maybe he can not help himself. Perhaps this brother would prefer to listen to “Brother Ike”, the prayer cloth preacher. Then he can purchase his blessing. However, if he or anyone else will listen to me, “I’m going to tell it like it is”. The gospel is as a penicilin - it cures. The Gospel is the work of God proclaimed to people relative to their problems and frustrations with a devine intent of personal commitment and persuasion. It is proclaimed to a contemporary issue. Therefore, I will preach and I will be heard. I love that passage of scripture which states: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel...”. The world is mighty big. This world includes politics, dope, hunger, nakedness, hate, jealously - You name it and the Gospel SEE REV. SIMS Page 3 | Editorial I BLACK AND PROUD What has James Brown done to have a street named after him? Who’s he? What’s he done? These are questions that come up in every conversation surrounding the controversy of the proposed changing of Gwinnett Street to James Brown Boulevard. It is ironical that Brown has a street named for him in Oakland and Indianapolis and a school named for him in Detroit, but when such an honor is proposed in his own home town, the questions begin. “Who’s he to have a street named after him? What’s he done?” Ask almost any black man in America where James Brown is from and he will tell you, “Augusta, Georgia.” There is no doubt in his mind because Brown has left no doubt in anyone’s mind. He is from Augusta and he is proud of it. He was proud of it when it was unpopular to be from anywhere in Georgia or in the South for that matter. James Brown is also black. And once again, he must pay the price for his blackness. It is not enough to go from rags to riches. It is not enough that he is number one in his field and has been number one for the last ten years. It is not enough that he is Augusta’s most famous citizen. It is not enough that he put his prison record behind him and went on to excel to the point his records stay in the top ten internationally. When you’re black, it’s not enough to be a super nigger. For even blacks supporting this brutal war.” Rece described his claiming 53 dependents as “an expression of protest, a religious expression.” If convicted Rece may face a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a SSOO fine. A date for a hearing has not been set. He was released on his own recognizance. Asked what he expected the outcome of his trial to be Rece said, “I don’t have any idea. I would hope that the whole thing would provide an opportunity for people to stop and think about their involvement in the war as tax payers and as citizens.” Mrs. Perry Women’s Day Speaker Union Baptist Church has chosen Mrs. Mabel W. Perry as the Women’s Day speaker for Sunday, October 24, at 11:00 am. Mrs. Perry is a native Augustan. Received her early educational training from the public schools of Richmond County and the A.B. Degree from Paine College. She has done further study in in-service classes and workshops. She is actively affiliated with many religious, professional and civic organizations. She is an ardent member of Trinity C.M.E. Church. Presently, she is a Fourth Grade Teacher at the Telfair Street Elementary School. Mrs. Perry is married to J.W. Perry and is the mother of two lovely daughters - Waltina and Wynneen. The public is invited to share this hour with the women of Union. October 21, 1971 No. 31 Atlanta 11th In Negro Population Atlanta ranked 11th among cities in the nation and third in the South in Negro population in 1970, according to a report released by the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. With 255,000 Negro residents (or 51.3 per cent of the total population), Atlanta was exceeded by New Orleans, which ranked 10th with 267,000 Negroes, and eight-ranked Houston with 317,000. Southeastern cities accounted for 11 of the 30 cities and unincorporated areas with the highest percentage of Negroes with Augusta and Savannah ranking 17th and & SUBSCRIBE I TODAY ft* THE Eb NEWS-REVIEW SUBCRIBER ■m ADDRESS WSJ, CITY—-————————— — HkTj One year (in county ) $2.50 ' One year (out of county) .. . .$3.00 ■HJ 5 years (in County) 412.50 ■ 5 years (out of county). . $15.00 will question the qualifications of another black in away that they wouldn’t dare question a white man. Who was Telfair? Who was Twiggs? Who was Reynolds? What did Fenwick do? Who was Greene? Who was Ellis? All of these men have prominent streets named after them and few people know or care what they have done to deserve the honor. But Gwinnett was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. So what! The Declaration of Independence was a monumental document, but it did nothing to declare the independence of black people. Although Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he owned slaves when he wrote it and he had slaves when he died. So when he spoke of “Liberty and Justice for all,” he obviously did not include blacks, although , some six of his children had a black mother. We should share in the rich heritage of this country, for we helped to make it what it is. But we should never forget that America has never counted its black children. She has not only taught us that we don’t count, but she has also taught us to puli down any black who tries to stand up and be counted. Although it is sad, it is not really surprising when we hear the questions; “Who’s James Brown? What’s he done to have a street named after him? 26th respectively. Although the greatest number of Negroes lived in New York City (1,667,000), they accounted for only 21 per cent of the city’s population. In Washington, D.C.. which ranked fifth in the number of Negro residents with 538,000, blacks accounted for 71 per cent of the population. Other Southern cities and their rank among the top 30 include: Memphis (243,000 and 13th). Dallas (210.000 and 14th), Birmingham (126,000 and 17th), Jacksonville (118,000 and 20th), Richmond (105,000 and 24th), and Nashville-Davidson (88,000 and 30th).