Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 March 2000 — Page 8

PAGE AS

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY. MARCH 31,2000

By ANARl ¥. HOLMES

EDITORIALS Children of the dream, wake up

I recently had an opportunity to talk with Susan L. Taylor, director of publications and vice president of Essence Communications, Inc., during her recent visit to Indianapolis for the WTLC sponsored Women’s Expo 2000. Needless to say, the sister is bad as my father would shout in an excited voice that affirms Taylor’s beauty, intelligence and, more importantly, the power possessed by a woman who is grounded in her purpose and faith. In our conversation, Taylor made reference to the concept that we as AfricanAmericans, Black people, people of color - whatever

you prefer -are children of,

the dream. Meaning, all the

things that our forefathers fought and died for are within our grasp: barriers broken, battles won. The freedom to choose what neighborhoods we will live in, the freedom to choose what schools we will learn in, the freedom to choose what career options we will serve in, are among the many legacies garnered through our ancestor’s struggle. With that said, I was taken aback when Taylor expressed her opinion that self-esteem is the most pressing issue facing African-Americans. However, as I thought more about what she said, I realized that lack of self-esteem had to somewhat explain why we as a people are not thinking critically about the issues that affect our community. As a whole, we are not thinking critically about the choices we make concerning how we wield our estimated $400 billion dollar spending power, how we strategize politically, or how we can preserve and uphold our cultural and historic institutions. We as Black people, live in the United States during an era of

unparalleled prosperity.

We share in this prosperity, which bears witness to an explosion in Black entrepreneurship and one of the most educated groups of Blacks in history- among other notable events. Yet, we are still fleeing our own neighborhoods, ego-tripping and getting caught up in, what I call, the first Negro Syndrome. That's the bitter pill some of us swallow once we have arrived or feel that we’ve got it “goin* on” as the saying goes. The first Negro syndrome breeds the mentality: “I’m the first Black (fill in the blank), so I’m going to prevent you brother, or you sister, from getting what I got by any means necessary. On a national level, Clarence Thomas has swallowed that pill, as have several of our local Indianapolis leaders. But, there is hope for us, the children of the dream, according to Susan

Taykjr- .

Taylw suggests we leaders pf the Black ^ppiijuflity, heg^a tUfr gently motivate people within our immediate sphere of influence, i n For some of us, that means empowering our staff, attending yet another meeting or just being a sounding board for someone who seeks your advice. For others, it means taking responsibility and acknowledging the fact that it’s okay to let others shine in the light of glory. Proper motivation by the best and brightest among us may be the cure for our apathetic mindset and bring us back to a consciousness where we can begin to think critically about how to solve our community’s ills. Taylor also made it clear that our churches must step-up to the plate and lead by example as is the case of the local 10-Point Coalition led by a consortium of faith-based institutions. This group takes their message to the streets, right where common folk live to show a much needed presence within our inner-city neighborhoods. The Black church is still one of the most economically sound institutions we have and we should capitalize on its richness and hold it more accountable to meeting community needs. These suggestions from Taylor are nothing new, however they are reminders of the work that must be done. The starting point begins with honest self-evaluation and accepting what is real. For example. Congresswoman Julia Carson recently made a trip to an IPS elementary school to talk about gun violence. During her visit, she posed several questions to the children about their first hand knowledge of violence in their own homes. She was criticized by some who don't agree with the questions she asked. However, we cannot be affraid of the truth and exposing things for what they really aie. < The reality is violence is a problem in our community, and as any news headline will tell you — especially among our youth. Who better to begin the dialogue with children than an elected official like Carson? What better place to discuss the issue than in an environment that promotes learning and the free flow of thoughts and ideas? In Carson’s words, we have to “diagnose the problems before we can

cure them.”

Let us begin to diagnose these problems within our own families, work places, and other social environments. The challenge is before us, children of the dream. Let us wake up and not have our ancestor’s struggle be in vain.

To respond to this editorial write to A. Holmes at: 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 462S6 or e-mail him at [email protected].

*j j

.fi

Qaorgs P. Stewart Marcus C. Stewart Sr.

Eunica Trottar

WINtam Q. Mays

Foundar-EcHtor- Editor-PubKstwr

EdMor-irvChM

PuMahar

PuMMwr 1S2S-1SS*

PuMishar

ISSO-praaant

1SSS-1S24

ISM-ISM

....Canton* May* Anna Vaahan Holm** / Art Monagar.... Jaflaiy Mian Qanoral »al*l M*nag*f Jaffray A. Clark ■ualn*** Omc* Managar .Angola Kuhn EDITOMAL MaMWlhai Frodaricfc L. Markoraon M —...— Aonnaha *. MaughMr .Annaha L. Andanon aamoBiW

Copy Idltor

INTERNET

WahiRa/Conlanl Managar

CIRCULATION

Kan Mia Hon ..China Jaekaon EbonlLlndaay

ADVERTISING ClaaaHtad AdvartMng .......Sharon L. Malay Local Dlaglay AdyarMalng. .Llaathoamaka .RNaJ.WIaa ........ : X. Danlaa Patty

...Jack Salaa

BUSINESS

vartl*

ANT S PRODUCTION nglPndaoKon Tai

Intartm Control Mr.. BualnoaaOMe*

......Arthur Cartar ....Crystal Dalton ...Jo Ann Hun tar OaaMa FNar

(317) 924-5143 P 0. Box 1 8499, Indianapolis, IN 46218 0499 Retorder (1 indy.net

Brouhaha highlights reduced role of Blacks in GOP

On this Final Four Weekend, we examine the troubles of a once proud, championship team. No, not Coach Bob Knight and his Hurrying Hoosiers, but the Marion County Republican Party. Our local GOP was once a fearsome political organization, but in recent years the home team has endured hard times. They couldn ’ t make Steve Goldsmith governor; keep Pike Township Republican or elect Sue Anne Gilroy mayor. The Grand Old Party has turned into a bunch of garrulous out-of-touch politicians. The latest example of Republican ineptitude was last week’s mini controversy concerning Sheriff Jack Cottey and leading AfricanAmerican Republican Jackie Cissell. A dispute which reinforces the perception among African Americans that the white leadership of the Marion County Republican Party doesn’t give a hoot about Black folks. The controversy began at a St. Patrick’s Day party hosted by former City-County Council Majority Leader Toby McClamroch and attended by Cissell, a rising star in the Republican firmament. She was part of a slate of candidates running against the Cotteyendorsed group vying for control of the county GOP. Cissell and her young son walked over to where Sheriff Cottey held court with his supporters. As she explained during an exclusive interview last Thursday on our WAV-TV/Channel 53 program, “I was going over to say hello to Jack.” Instead of graciously greeting one of the GOP’s future leaders, Cottey turned into Bob Knight and began verbally berating and threatening Cissell. Like an old wardheeler, Cottey told Cissell “she was finished in Republican politics.” In front of Cissell’s young son, Cottey, ala Knight, told her he’d kick a part of her anatomy, using the profane three letter “a” word that’s synonymous with donkey. A devout Christian, Cissell, shocked by Cottey’s crude verbal fisticuffs and dictatorial attitude, left the party in tears. iCodtyfB) verbal onslaught obi.: Cissell elicited a firestorm of outrage, first from the city’s Black Republican establishment and then from scores of other Republican operatives, workers and supporters. I got e-mails and calls from Black Republicans expressing outrage and anger towards Cottey and strong support for Cissell. The Indianapolis Star got into the act, reporting on the controversy and publishing a strong editorial and a bitingly funny editorial cartoon, condemning Cottey’s behavior. Even though most Blacks lean

Just

Tellin'lt

By AMOS

BROWN

Democratic, our community should be outraged and concerned over the sheriff s behavior. During his first term. Sheriff Cottey demonstrated political street sense and wisdom when it came to our Black community. Cottey was accessible, visible, cultivating relationships between Black leadership, opening lines of communications to our community; seemingly sensitive to our community's concerns. Now two years into his final term, Cottey has apparently developed a political tin ear when it comes to African Americans. It began in the waning days of the mayoral campaign, when Cottey was involved in a series of radio and direct mail ads that most African Americans felt was out and out race baiting. Since that election, Cottey has been virtually invisible in our Black community, granting no interviews with the city’s Black media and refusing to appear on the community’s talk shows. Cissell told me she felt Cottey’s behavior, while boorish, wasn’t racist and expressed hope that Republicans can heal the breach. However, most in our community aren’t buying it! Cottey has yet to reach out to Cissell and the city’s Black Republicans, to apologize

and explain his actions in this incident and last fall’s campaign tactics. Just as Bob Knight needs to answer for his behavior, so must Sheriff Cottey. Questions of Cottey’s (and other key white Republicans’) commitment to treat African Americans as equal partners in the political process must be answered. It’s time that Marion County Republicans decide whether they are the party of Abe Lincoln or Bob Jones! What I’m hearing in the streets It was a relaxed and confident David McIntosh who finally made his long awaited appearance on our Amos Brown Show. The Republican gubernatorial candidate spent a busy hour explaining his programs and displaying a sense of openness regarding some racial issues. McIntosh patiently explained that the controversial Federalist Society, which many feel is a club for those opposed to human rights and affirmative action, is just a group of attorneys who believe in “strict intent” of the Constitution. McIntosh supports taking down the Confederate Flag in South Carolina and said he wants his administration to be supportive of minority business. McIntosh comes across well on television and in the media. Gov. Frank O’Bannon, (who told our TV audience first that he was “officially” running for re-election), and his campaign should be wary as I believe McIntosh, despite his conservative views, will be a tougher foe for Q’Bannon than

many think. Byen though the Indianapolis Adam’s Mark Hotel wasn’t'accused of racist conduct, the comprehensive settlement announced last week by the Justice Department and the Adam's Mark chain could have positive effects in Indianapolis. Some of the conduct alleged to have occurred at a Florida Adam’s Mark has occurred at downtown hotels during Indiana Black Expo and Circle City Classic. The positive steps Adam’s Mark will be taking to prohibit dual treatment of guests by race, should be implemented by all the city’s hotels. Indianapolis NAACP President Rod Bohannon and his board should immediately meet with the city ’ s Hotel/Motel Association, the Convention & Visitors Association and Indianapolis Downtown Inc. to incorporate many of the positive aspects of the Adam’s Mark settlement in all Indy hotels. WRTV/Channel 6 News Director Debbie Bush called to say Stacia Matthews is still an “important part of 6 News.” So important that beginning Sunday May 14, Matthews will host a new Channel 6 program, “This Week in Health.” The city's first pnd only weekly half-hour broaddast devoted to health and medical issues will air at 10:30 a.m„ just before the popular “This Week with Sam and Cokie” news broadcast. 1 Amos Brown's opinions are not necessarily those of The Indianapolis Recorder. You cap contact him at (317) 293-9600 or email him at aebrown @aolcom. V

Energy-spoiled Americans want cheap gas

WASHINGTON—The big, tough truckers rolled into the nation’s capital in a menacing convoy, but they were grown men crying like babies. The average cost of diesel fuel had risen from $1.08 to$l .47 a gallon in six months, and the truckers were complaining that they could no longer make a living. Never mind that diesel was $4.71 a gallon in the United Kingdom and $3.23 a gallon in Italy! And no matter that it is usually some other country’s petroleum and gas that we expect to use at bargain prices. Even a peacenik president like Jimmy Carter has made it clear that Americans are willing to go to war to retain access to the cheap energy sources that sustain the highest standard of living ever known to

tommmwM, mWRIY-tmiSHMENT CANMWIKWONM — VftW THING AFTERLly-r^ *

man. Those truckers are not the only Americans now screaming in alarm. Crudeoil prices have risen to $30 a barrel, even as the U.S. inventory is at a four-year low. So, farmers are saying that they will have to shell out an extra billion dollars for fuel this year. Shoppers * are being warned that their food prices will rise by 2 percent. Premium gasoline, which averaged $1.29 a gallon in the United States last June, has soared to $1.58 and is still rising, and some U.S. workers complain that they can no longer drive their cars to their jobs. They demand some-

thing better, despite the reality that gasoline costs $4.31 a gallon in the Netherlands and $4 a gallon in France. We are truly a spoiled society! We insist on driving gas guzzlers and using a grossly disproportionate amount of the world’s energy, and we believe we should forever be able to do so at bargain rates. This “crisis” in fuel costs arose when some of the countries in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) grew weary of the recessions in their lands because the price of oil had dropped to about $10 a barrel. Kuwait, for example, was suffering badly. In 1999, Kuwait, Algeria and Iran instigated a cutback in OPEC production of 4.3 million barrels a day, and the price shot up. Now U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson is touring both OPEC and non-OPEC countries, beseeching them to increase production and drive the price of oil back down. Many Americans feel that “Kuwait owes us big,” because nine years ago U.S. military forces saved Kuwait from occupation by Iraq. Heavy pressure is also being put on other petroleum producers, although Richardson claims:,”! don’t threaten. I don’t pressure. I don’t suggest. I just explain.” He surely explains to the Kuwaitis, Saudis and others that terrible things might happen to the U.S. economy if they don’t boost oil production, and that would eventually hurt the Kuwaitis and Saudis. The question is whether anyone can ever explain to Americans that they will have to use less, pay more for it and abandon this notion of a divine right to other peoples’ petroleum at bargain prices.

»

j