Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The News-Review - November 18, 1971 KWalking iMfe. Illi I f j| I Dignity H] 4Kb UNHW '■ Bby Al Irby —"yr J (BLACKS NEED TO LEARN BASIC RUDIMENTS OF POLITICS, MADE MANY TACTICAL ERRORS IN 1971) AUGUSTA-(N-R NNB) Black political strategy took a terrible drubbing in the 1971 battle of the ballots. The final outcome proved many things. One and foremost is the fact that blacks cannot win when they tend to isolate or monopolize. Only when they function as a coalition can they make any appreciable advancement. Secondly, rank and file blacks will not obey or follow blindly any self-appointed “Savior”. Whether one likes it or not, the average black is aspiring toward middle-class values. They vote for hard-nose law and order proponents, for no one suffers from lawlessness more than they. They will not build up Black Leaders who think only of their own self aggrandizment. Another axiom that is being reestablished politically is, that there is no place for violent militancy. Let us explore some of the mistakes that were made by black politicians seeking office in the November elections. Cleveland’s Mayor Carl Stokes should have known better than try to name his hand-picked candidate as his successor. His political blundering gave his city the first Republican Mayor in 30 years. Twenty-five per cent of the black votes were split between the regular Democratic and Republican candidates. This proved to be a cardinal mistake on the part of the man who was considered a King-Pin in the so-called National “Black Caucus”. The Mayoral Democratic candidate, Frank L. Rizzo of Philadelphia, who dubbed himself the toughest cop in America rode to victory on “law and order”. A quarter of the v otes in largely black wards stayed with Rizzo and the Democratic Party. Charles Evers, the Black Mayor of Fayette Mississippi, failed utterly in his bid to get a large turn-out of black voters to the polls. Large numbers of black voters supported white candidates and the regular Democratic Party. (ITS ALMOST CERTAIN SINCE THE MASSACRE OF THE TOP LIBERALS IN THE SIXTIES; BLACKS MUST DEVELOP THEIR OWN CULTURAL DEMOCRACY.) Black Americans are in a critical position, almost similar to 1878. The pendulum is swinging toward the right and arch-conservatism. There is only one alternative, and that is for middle-class blacks to stop moving to the suburbs; and give their talents and knowhow in cleansing and salvaging a salacious condition, that has engulfed the black community. Many Black Playwrights are carrying the sorid and ugly side of the black community to the nation’s leading theaters. Vulgarity is commonly tabbed as the official language of the district; when truthfully there are millions of upright and honorable citizens who will not think of stooping to worldly licentiousness. It remains for the Black intellectual to create his own philosophy of “love” for his own. In the most progressive culture it is not the politicians or the “rights” leaders who set the life styles or creates new ideas. That role rightfully belongs to the prepared Black Intellectuals, if they fail to do it, it will not be done in the best interest of black people. (PAINE'S PRESIDENT CARRIED HIS MESSAGE OF BLACK EXPLOITATION TO LIBERAL RELIGION) Dr. L.H. Pitts raised his plea for America to hear his timely lament, at the local Unitarian Congregation. He asked our nation, that has forced Black People into unbearable conditions in all areas of life. “What have we done wrong? You labeled us simply as pieces of property. We cared for your children, prepared your meals; tilled your fields, that made you the wealthiest nation on earth.” The cultured educator pointed out that inspite of our blind loyalty, America accuses black people of being lazy and immoral. Devoid of family ties, when they force our males to be promiscuous breeders, and were not allowed to establish any kind of marital union. Dr. Pitts offered hope, if other groups would emulate Unitarians in dispensing humanitarian compassion for minority concern. Paine’s fine ensemble ended the inspired program with a stirring rendition of soulful hope: “Every time I feel the spirit, I will pray.” THE NEWS-REVIEW PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY 930 Gwinnett Street - Augusta, Georgia Mallory K. Millender Editor and Publisher Mailing Address: Box 953 Augusta, Ga. Phone 722-4555 Second Class Postage Paid Augusta, Ga. 30901 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Payable in Advance One Year in Richmond County $2.50 tax inch One Year elsewheres3.oo tax incl. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Classified Advertising Deadline 12 noon On Tuesday Display Advertising Deadline 12 noon On Tuesday Office Hours -10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. thru. Fri. COULD YOU USE AS MUCH AS SSO FOR XMAS THE NEWS-REVIEW 930 Gwinett St. - P.O. Box 953 Augusta, Georgia Please send me, without obligation, the FREE tnoney-Making Kit and full details of your Community Representative Plan for making extra income for Christmas. Name Phone Street City State Zip Page 2 CLASS SURVEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 candidates better qualified. Solution: political education; better contact between black candidates and voters. OLDER BLACKS are living in the PAST & HOLD THE MOVEMENT BACK. Solution; younger blacks must unite, persuade their eiders that this is a new day. (The power of the youth vote has yet to be tested, and white youngsters may not always stay faithful to their recent concern for black rights. However, black youth in many college communities should prove a vital force in political affairs. This must be qualified by the observation that black youth themselves are often indifferent, self-interested, and suffer from all the divisions that hamper adults. Also, the general public has been driven into a hostile and negative mood by many of the excesses of college-age militants and thus we have no guarantee that youthful campaign workers would show enough common sense and judgment to help rather than hurt. However, throughout America in general politicians seem to believe the youth vote is important and must not be ignored. Senator McCarthy proved in Vermont and elsewhere that when young workers learn the basics of campaigning they can win people instead of just antagonizing them.) BLACK LEADERS THEMSELVES CONFUSE & DIVIDE THE PEOPLE BY THEIR own failure to agree, their jealousy of each other, their refusal to agree on a single candidate and a clear set of issues. Solution: black leaders should back ONE candidate and work for his election instead of pulling against each other. (Some white politicians have escaped this all too human problem by deliberately selecting some non-political person to represent them all. A man who is drafted for the race always has a chance to avoid the resentments generated by the ambitious volunteer. In every community there are men of established reputation and integrity who are widely respected and whose modesty and life-style do not excite extreme jealousy or hatred. Black politicians might do well to consider such possibilities, to begin thinking in terms of organizational loyalty and unity as a must, and to seriously consider working as a team for the rewards of political power rather than as individuals. The front four in a pro football lineup do not win much individual glory, true, but when they do their job well they have the reward of being on the winning side. BLACK VOTERS RESENT AN EDUCATED CANDIDATE and feel he is putting on airs and trying to be better than he actually is. (This is another universal factor in politics and has nothing to do with race. Jimmy Carter ran for governor of Georgia as a. peanut-farmer in shirtsleeves and rarely mentioned his doctor’s degree in physics. His opponents would doubtless have been happy to brand him a high-hat, an egghead, a snob, etc. but he made this attack impossible by going out night and day meeting ordinary folk on the sidewalk and talking in a folksy, down-to-earth manner. We need men in politics, but if they are wise they will not remind the average voter of their superior attainments. The genuinely smart politician puts his Ph.D. ideas in RFD language and he often must win the voter the same way an intelligent woman wins her man-by acting dumb.) BLACKS ARE PROUD AND JEALOUS; when they see another black succeed they want to pull him down because it hurts them to see him reach the goal they wanted so badly. Solution: “We as blacks should forget our pride just enough to help one another out; one man cannot do it alone; he needs others to encourage him and give him confidence because he knows his race is behind him 100%! THE INDIVIDUAL BLACK VOTER FEELS HIS ONE VOTE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. Solution: Black leaders should make clear to people why every vote counts, and should stress the need of pulling together. BLACKS HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED INTO BELIEVING THE BLACK MAN IS NOT CAPABLE OF HANDLING A HIGH OFFICE. Solution: Talks by leaders to show the need of unity, to demonstrate by their presence and ability what blacks can do. (We now have a number of major US cities in which black mayors are in office; we have successful blacks in high and difficult jobs all over the country; perhaps blacks need to be made more aware of men like Stokes, Hatcher, Brooke, Marshall, etc. through little thumb-nail biographies that prove “It Can be Done! Let’s Do it Here!” SUCCESSFUL MIDDLE & UPPER CLASS BLACKS do not know what the great majority of people want or need; they frequently let themselves be used by the white power-structure to maintain things as they are. (No solution offered. We suggest again that the self-interest of the persons in question cannot be ignored. The middle class must somehow be made to see that it’s own future and that of its children can be improved by the improvement of the total black community. Again, self-interest must never be the only appeal, but it must never be ignored.) .UmHDHi NTE R EST E on.. Christmas Club Accounts Join Now And Get Augusta's Highest Interest On Christmas Club Savings. "AUGUSTA'S ONLY SATURDAY BANK" DEPOSITS MEMBER HAbbß insured to $20,000 BANKof AUGUSTA ’268 BROAD ST 'lettersto EDITOR I Dear Editor: I thought and think it would be wise on my part to cite the value of black news and communication media in local towns in this country. One has only to live for a short while in a racist town like Athens, Georgia, to arrive at the point where he appreciates strongly the roles of newspapers like yours and black radio stations like WRDW. White owned and operated communications media are just what the term implies - white. Every community should have access to black oriented radio stations and newspapers. The earger white community newspapers address themselves to the white communicy ina very racist manner. A token number of blacks employed on their staffs does not insure adequate coverage of news in black communities. Usually the white press views black militants and black power very negatively because they and it (black power) is quite threatening to their racist practices and beliefs. Articles and series would be conducted on problems in the black communities because it is popular and sters white superiority. The basic conclusion that black problems are really white problems because the problem of blacks come as a result of white racism is never reached or considered. The black press has historically played a meaningful role in the black experience. Self pride and good black identity are products of such forces as the black church and the black press. James Brown should be highly regarded for his recognition of this problem and his contributions rendered in this problematic area. Only black controlled and operated media can serve the best interests of black people. Augustans should be proud of Mr. ’Brown, his radio station, and other activities designed to help black people. So many of us blacks become whiter than white people when we get a little money. We should support those efforts of blacks in any area that will be helpful to all of us as well as some of us. We must present a united front to the white man and disagree basically in private with other blacks. It is very hard to get many of us blacks to become “dehonkified” and “blackenized” because our “security” is tied too much to white “good will”. We must become REAL black men and women who are seekers after truth rather than compromising “boys” and “girls”. We must realize the necessity of standing on our own feet and engaging in more self help locally and nationally. Finally, I say “Right On” to radio station WRDW and the News-Review as you perform your vital and needed roles in the black community. May the black commuinty rise up and support you even more as you move on as lights in a racist darkened world and community. Roosevelt Green, Jr. Editor Your recent editorial concerning the proposed changing of Gwinnett Street to James Brown Boulevard was interesting and well written, but, did not answer your own question: “What has James Brown done to have a street named after him?” True, he has risen from rags to riches, he is black and proud, he does not deny being from Augusta. But, do these facts entitle him to a street named in his honor? All of Mr. Brown’s accomplishments seem to have been for Mr. Brown. Would you kindly list some of his civic accomplishments. Rumor is that his charitable contributions for Black causes are so minuscule that they are I I I © 19H a closely guarded secret. Renaming a street in Augusta after a Black person is a good idea, but our values seemed warped when we can’t find a person who has contributed or is making a real contribution to his fellow man. Why not Martin Luther King Boulevard? Thurgood Marshall Avenue? Lucy C. Laney Boulevard,? John M. Tutt Street? Jessie Owens Road? Why must we pick an egotistical entertainer who happened to be born in Augusta? I repeat your question: What has James Brown done for the Black in Augusta? Is his main contribution making money for James Brown and screaming that he is Black and Proud and a Greedy Man? C.S. Name withheld upon request Editor’s Note: The letter below was written to the editor of the Augusta Chronicle with a carbon copy sent to the News-Review. Editor, The Chronicle: Your editorial Nov. 11 in reference to Julian Bond and Andrew Young truly shows a racist attitude. (Editor’s note: The comment was directed at their litigation opposing runoff elections for congressmen, to assure majority decisions.) You constantly referred to quality education, quality leadership and voting for a man based on said qualities. You further stated the blacks need not vote for a bloc. This is a paradox. In the recent City Council election in Augusta, you refused to endorse Frank Delley, an architect engineer, for the Fourth ward seat. Further, you refused to endorse Mallory Millender in this Third Ward political effort. Certainly, people can see the inconsistences in your views. A look at both the above candidates clearly shows that they had the highest qualifications from any perspective. They happen to be black, and you do not want too many qualified blacks in leadership. When are you going to contribute to the good of all people? When are you going to be consistent in your views? To further my claim: your paper presented an artic'e on Tracy Luckey Co. in Harlem, Ga. Three ladies were shown - one white and two blacks. You referred to the white worker as “Mrs.” and refused to give the two black ladies their proper titles. Why? Blacks need to vote bloc. For as long as your paper and others who share your philosophy will not support qualified blacks, we have no other choice. By the way, I don’t expect you to print this article. If you do, it will be a surprise. You welcome Praise for yourself and not constructive criticism. Arthur D. Sims, Pastor {Msfyoin? ~ "V < TO BE tofefN | EQUAL <■ — MeOK /► Verno" E. Jordan, Jr. EQUALITY IN THE SCHOOLS The newly-politicized and largely “phony” issue of busing dominates most discussion of equal educational opportunities, but a California court recently ruled on the way we pay for our schools that could be far more important in the long run. Parents in Los Angeles noted that there are big differences in school district budgets. The Baldwin Park district, for example, spent only $577 per pupil. Most of its money comes from a fairly high property tax rate of $5.48 per SIOO of assessed valuation. Nearby Beverly Hills however, had a much lower tax rate - $2.38 per SIOO. But since it was a far richer community, the yield was large enough for it to spend $1,232 per pupil. This, the parents contended, results in an unconstitutional inequality in educational opportunities. The California State Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the system of financing schools through property taxes is unconstitutional. Others agree too, and there are moves in several states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, to replace the inequities of the local property tax with a broader state-wide method of financing school needs. This could bring about a long-overdue revolution in equalizing educational opportunities. The California experience can be duplicated in every state in the nation. Cities, with their shrinking tax base, can raise fewer dollars in taxes for essential services like the schools, than can the more affluent suburbs. But even in suburban areas, there is a great disparity. Residential communities can only tax homeowners, but the town just across the road may have a factory or a shopping center that swells its tax roles. High tax rates result in taxpayer revolts that vote down school budgets and bond issues. In the first half of this year, more than half of all school bond issues put to a vote lost. The use of the property tax to finance schools also encourages racial segregation It leads to a mad scramble by suburban towns to land an office or factory that will increase the tax base, while at the same time discouraging towns from loosening zoning restrictions that would allow apartments and low-income housing for people to work in the new offices and plants. The reason: such changes mean more kids, which means higher school costs. Since the property tax as a means of paying school bills is near the point of exhaustion, and since little new state and federal money is forthcoming, school districts across the country are in a belt-tightening squeeze that’s hurting the education of our children. Teachers are being laid off, guidance counselling eliminated, and teacher-pupil ratios are on the rise. And the evil root of this is the outmoded, unequal property tax. As the California court said, the local property tax makes the “quality of a child’s education a function of the wealth of his parents and neighbors.” It pointed out that children in one district get a bigger slice of the educational dollar simply because they’re lucky enough to live in a town that has a broader tax base. “Affluent districts can have their cake and eat it too,” the court ruled. “They can provide a high quality education for their children while paying lower taxes. Poor districts, by contrast, have no cake at all.” The children who suffer from this are black children and all lower and middle-income families. The slowly dying property tax should be given its final shove into oblivion, and replaced with a state-wide property tax that redistributes money equally to all schools, and with sharply increased general school support by both states and the federal government. The shouting about busing may obscure the fact that equalizing educational expenditures is the big civil rights issue on the educational front. $$ WANTED $$ LADIES TO BE TRAINED IN IBM KEYPUNCH. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, WE TRAIN. ONLY SINCERE NEED APPLY. Call 724-0249