Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 September 1994 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27,1994

Unions are only as strong as the Black men and women in it Labor Day is this Monday and for many it is a day of rest and relaxation from the job. While others view it as the last holiday of the summer. But the labor movement for African-Americans should be far more sacred than for our white counterparts, realizing the clawing and scratching we’ve done from the assembly line to the boardroom. The labor movement in the U.S. began with fear and idealism which resulted in ambiguous reactions toward minorities. On one hand, the predominantly white membership and leadership of unions feared the readiness of poor Blacks to work for low wages, and the ability of skilled Blacks to compete with whites for jobs in better paying trades. As a result, the labor movement became a vehicle to prevent Blacks from fulfilling their talents and ambition. However, much of the American labor movement continued to obstruct Blacks, especially in the highly paid skilled jobs such as those in the building trades. Organized efforts to exclude Blacks from unions date back to early history, but at various intervals throughout history attempts have been made in the labor movement to end discrimination and segregation. Ironically, throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Blacks were prevalent and predominant in the ranks of carpenters, masons, ironworkers and stonecutters. They were also outstanding printers, coopers, tailors and mechanics as well. But the recognition for their skills and talents were unnoticed, which resulted in low wages and horrendous work conditions. Many Blacks feel this reflected the hostility of American society toward the African-American community. To date, laborers remain less than convinced the same is still prevalent. While workers argue union participation is how Blacks have managed to come up in the labor ranks, others disagree. Statistically, African-Americans now hold positions in the automobile, steel and teamster unions, while many others are employed in the white-collar sector, which tend to be nonunionized. In the early 1980’s African-Americans comprised nearly 15 percent of the union membership in the U.S., which is approximately three million of the nation’s 20 million union members. Black men and women found it to their advantage to belong to unions and joined in larger proportions than their white counterparts: Out of a union labor force of 20.1 million, 33.8 percent were Black men and 24 percent were Black women, as compared to 27.8 percent white men and 14.6 white women. Nevertheless, other problems such as discrimination, job security and of course low wages are still not equal to their white counterparts in many of these professions. Ponder this, Blacks comprise less than half of minority membership in construction referral unions; as far back as 1978 Blacks comprised only three percent of the workers in such wellpaying skills as elevator construction. This same year women made only minimal inroads in skilled building trade unions. Several years later only three Black women qualified as elevator constructors and bricklayers, 18 as iron workers and 194 as plumbers and iron sheet metal workers, while Hispanics comprised four percent of this work population. However, today instead of being proficient carpenters and ironworker, we have advanced to skill trade professions such as welders, pipe fitters and dyecutters, on a competitive pay scale. While many African-Americans belong to organized unions, they are not active. Organizations such as the Colored National Labor Union came into being as an arm of the Republican party, but declined in 1873 and the end of Reconstruction in 1877. So how can the African-American voice be heard in regards to amenities as retirement, disability, sick leave, vacation and health and dental insurance if there is no Black representation? Possibly an unfair statement, many do get involved when it’s advantageous to them — meaning when their job is at stake. Now is the time to be heard. With the economy becoming increasingly competitive, therefore if African-Americans are to gain a stronger foothold in the American economy, education, higher-level training skills and political savvy skills are a must. Yes, maybe we have come a long way baby in the work force! But the battle has only just begun.

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It’s a crime that Congress is acting this way

As I write this the Republicans are holding the junior high school I did re-re-written Crime Bill hostage threatening to andwhohadbeenkilled hold it up once more on parliamentary procedure by another 13 year old. because they claim it has too much “pork” (read In a hauntingly to many crime prevention programs). This version similarstory,alO-year-of the Crime Bill, however, will authorize federal old New Orleans spending to get tougher on criminals while also student had written to instituting crime prevention programs. This isn’t the president this spring agreatbill,that’sforsure.Aswithmostlegislation, about ending the it’stheproductofaseriesofpoliticalcompromises violence

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the people are unemployed. Many are unskilled, poorly educated and see no hope of future for themselves

or anyone around them.

The real crime might be that some members of Congress just don’t get it—the answer to at least part of the crime problem in America is to give young people something to say yes to, in the words of Rep. Cynthia McKinney. We can’t just say no to

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and as a result, there are some good parts and community, where he some bad parts. was killed in a drive-by shooting this summer, young people, we have to give them something But the real crime might be that some members Our children don’t need rhetoric, they need the positive as well. We can’t just write off a whole of Congress just don’t get it — the American violence to stop. The real crime might be that generation of young people, calling them the people don’t want rhetoric and tough talk, they somemembersofCongressjustdon’tgetit—the “underclass,” making them our version of the want the violence in their communities to stop, answer to at least part of the crime problem in untouchables of India, letting them pick up guns andstopnow. Last week I was in my hometown, America is to create jobs. Many young people and kill themselves rather than pick up books and Washington, D. G, where they were burying a want to work, but jobs are few and pay is low. In computers and self esteem. Even George Bush 13-year-old student who had attended the same some inner city communities more than half of said, “the last thing midnight basketball is about

is basketball.. It’s about providing opportunity for young adults to escape drugs and the streets and get on with their lives.” We need every midnight basketball program and every other program that offers counseling, tutoring and

caring.

The real crime might be that some members of Congress and the National Rifle Association just don’t get it — the answer to at least part of the crime problem is to get rid of assault weapons in America. A few months ago, when Congress was considering a bill banning assault weapons, I wrote to all of the members of Congress. Some wrote back and at least one wrote reminding me of the right to bear arms and how such legislation would not really control crime. Before I could even respond to him a deranged gunman had killed people and wounded another 19 with an assault weapon at a Seattle armed forces hospital. Assault weapons are made only to kill other human beings. They have no place in a civilized

world.

The real crime might be that some members of Congress believe that building more prisons will solve the crime problem in America. A number of congresspersons are demanding a get-tough crime bill which only includes adding more police and building more prisons. Certainly we need more police, if they are on the streets, to help reduce crime in our neighborhoods. But if we only add police and build more prisons without getting at the core of crime in America—the abandonment of inner-city youth by our society, we will never be able to build enough prisons to contain all the alienated, poor, angry young people. We will also not successful in ending crime. My prayer is the political posturing will end. My prayer is Congress will get serious about ending crime by treating the illness and not just the symptoms. My prayer is no more children will die in gunfire in our cities. My prayer is we, the people, will say enough. People who want to get married, but..

Here are excerpts from three letters I recently received from people who want to get married, but have reservations. My comments follow the letters. Dear Dr. Faulkner, I am engaged to a lady from a foreign country (I won’t name it). We are planning to get married but I am getting skeptical of her. She said she graduated from law school in her country, but she has in interest in law — and no transcript. She won’t have sex until after we get married. She said her parents want her to stay with them for the first 10 days of our marriage. She refuses to visit my apartment and every time 1 visit her house, she has another relative present. 1 am getting fed up. I think she just wants to marry me so that she can get American citizenship. 1 am unhappy. What should I do? Signed Mr. G. Detroit. Dear Mr. G. You never mentioned the word love in your letter. From what you

Coping

3

By Dr. CHARLES

W.FAULKNER

have told me, you do not know very much about this lady, yet you are engaged to her. How do you know that she is giving you the whole truth? How do you know the two of you are compatible? Finally, why did you decide to become engaged to her? I think you need to spend the next few months getting to know your “future wife.” Marriage, at this time, should be delayed indefinitely. Dear Dr. Faulkner, I am engaged to a man whom I love very dearly. We have known each other eight months. He does not think that using condoms are necessary and I agree because !

don’t like the feel of condoms. Are we doing the right thing in getting married? Ms S., Los Angeles. Dear Ms S., I cannot tell you if you should get married, only a good pre-mantal counselor can. However, you have not known him long enough to refrain from using a condom. Some physicians say you should abstain from sex for up to two years with a person whom you have just met. The use of the condom is the only protection, if either of you has HIV or AIDS. Even if you both have tests prior to marriage, you would be wise to use protection until you feel realistically safe. If you mistakenly get AIDS, your life is as much in danger as that of the prostitute in the street. It’s not worth the risk. Dear Dr. Faulkner, My girlfriends and 1 are planning to get married soon. I am under a lot of stress because she has a lot of big personal problems. Sometimes I need a break from our relationship, but I know that

she needs me. I don’t want to desert her. What advice do you have for us? Mr. W., Greensboro. N.C. Dear Mr. W., My first bit of advice for you is to delay your marriage until your girlfriend can solve or at least cope with her problems. When you get married, you will find that you will have a whole, new array of problems that you will have to devote a lot of energy to. Marriage can be good, but you must first have the energy to overcome the adjustment of living with someone, over a long period of time. It would be wise for you to help your girlfriend to stabilize her life before marriage. Marriage is no way to solve personal problems. In fact, problems that we cany into the marriage only get worse, not better, and often threaten the marriage itself. Both partners should try to solve their problems before they consider spending their lives together in an often challenging relations.

House made big error in vetoing crime

Last May 18, at the Project Excellence Scholarship Dinner here in Washington, D.C., 18-year-old Kea Prather stunned an audience of this city’s movers and shakers when she told them why so much violence, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy plague the urban areas of America. “Young people need more things to do and places to go,” she said. “Do you realize that within the limits of Washington, D.C., there is not one bowling alley, not one roller-skating rink, not one underage club? Movies are $7 a seat!... Young people need more things to do on Friday night besides smoking weed, drinking, ighting and having sex.” This bright young woman, bound for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a scholarship made possible by a grant from The Freedom Forum, was telling us that more prisons and jails alone offered no panacea for rampant crime in any inner city because ghetto teens are already “incarcerated” in communities that offer few jobs or other opportunities within, and little in the way of transportation or other vehicles for getting out. Prather was offering America a vital element

of any workable anti-crime bill — an element that President Bill Clinton articulates when he says it is not enough to ask young Americans to “say no to drugs” or “say no to sex.” Clinton has argued that we have to give youngsters such as Prather “something to say YES

to.”

Wise members of Congress responded by including in the pending crime bill facilities for midnight basketball leagues and for many other crime prevention programs that Prather was praying for. But Neanderthals in the House have rejected the crime bill, mostly on grounds that the provisions to meet Prather’s pleas are all “pork,” that nasty word that suggests congressmen are virtually stealing federal money for worthless projects in their district. The anti-crime bill now before Congress is a monstrosity. It loads on more reasons for capital punishment, which would make this everviolent society more brutal and disrespectful of human life. It has a “three strikes and you’re

The

Rowan

Report

By CARL ROWAN

out” provision that would guarantee long and costly imprisonment for millions of unlucky souls who have been marginal violators of laws of marginal value. The sad truth is that both houses of Congress, and powerful members of both parties, are prisoners of the myth that if we just “lock

‘em up” or “fry 'em” we can incarcerate and execute our way out of our grisly social sickness. I wish I could lock the Congress up for a few hours and force members to listen to Prather and other Project Excellence teenage scholars who have lived with crime and risen above it. I think these teenagers could stop the political posturing over who is really “tough on crime.” I think they would shame into silence all but the most conscienceless who cry “pork” when efforts are made to provide poor, entrapped American youngsters with something to do “besides smoking weed, drinking, fighting and

having sex.”