ee 2 ee WOoOOW 1340 AA GZ REEMNMWYVILLE a i Gabe, US 2b ee) ARPA We Slt t Na TOm LIBRARY - PERIODICALS AST GAROUNA UM Truth knows no color; it appeals to intelligence. EASTERN-NORTH CAROLINA'S MINORITY VOICE - SINCE 1981 sec Ubelemm ee Cents Mg *SAPG ‘CO UpOjeor 43NAor ig AN3Z3N9 SWITdo1aay ihe 6 8Se8zz IN 3111 AdvaaAI A APRIL 28- MAY 7, 1997 Race, media, American law and O.J. Simpson by Dennis Schatzman JUSTICE WILLIAM O. DOUGLAS, noted Nat Hentoffin a post O. J.Simpson civil trial verdict column, used to say that “the history of liberty is the history of due process—and its abuse.” Hentoff, a leading authority on the Bill of Rights, explained that although Simpson’s second trial “was a civil trial, he (was) tried for the same crimes twice, and very few of the legal experts and other commentators seemed concerned by this basic violation of due process, even though it is permitted.” “And because the civil trial has lower standards of proof,” Hentoff continues, “it is obviously easier to convict the second time around.” Funher, Hentoff adds: “Most Americans are not expert in the law and react viscerally when they believe a murderer has been allowed by ‘the system’ to go free. Yet if the charge had been that Simpson had mur- dered his first wife, who is black, (instead of the white Nicole Brown Simpson and the Jewish Ronald Lyle Goldman) would the public and legal experts nave been inter- ested for more than a month? AndifSimpson had been acquitted of that crime in a crimi- nal trial, would there have been a second trial?” To understand this saga is to understand that many social, political and legal aspects of this case were largely about race. Oh, it was about other issues as well, the violation of due process, as mentioned above; media and judicial bias, even murder, and who many people “believe” committed them. But essentially, both the criminal and civil tri- als, and how the media, the juries, the vari- ous ethnic publics, and the legal system reacted to them was all about race. Pure and simple. Hentoff wasn’t the only respected author- ity to take exception to what many consider unapologetic violations of Simpson’s right to due process. Bruce Morton of Cable News Network said of the civil trial: “This is a second trial for the same offense with real penalties. In that sense, this is double jeop- ardy.” Yale Kamisar, a law professor at the Uni- versity of Michigan told the New York Times: “It’s really a second crack at O. J. The reason most people don’t mind is because most people, or most white people, think that O. J. did it. It’s so easy to forget about principles.” Seven of the eight jurors and alternates who spoke with the media after they awarded the Goldman and Brown families $25 mil- lion in punitive damages claimed that “race had nothing to do with” their verdict. When I heard that, I could not help but be re- minded of the words of the late Baltimore Sun journalist H. L. Mencken: “It’s hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.” Lisa Theriot, a 25-year-old administra- tive assistant for an outdoor advertising agency, sat on the civil jury. She told a March 13, 1997 audience at Los Angeles’ Loyola Marymount University that she held for the Browns and the Goldmans because Simpson “had time to commit the murders.” Since then, Theriot says she has had sec- ond thoughts about the culpability of Simpson since she admits that she is now privy to evidence—the lack thereof—not in her possession during the civil trial. Yet she told an audience at California State Univer- sity at Fullerton that she sticks by her jury’s decision to saddle Simpson with a $33 mil- lion liability. But race, she says, “had noth- ing to do with it.” The lone black juror to survive the trial, however, disagreed. She said race had ev- erything to with the verdict. She’s right, of course. And she has 355 years of legal history to back her up. On due process and disparate treatment the legal annals are chocked full of examples of how race plays into the verdict equation frequently when the displites are between blacks and whites. In his classic legal text- book, “In the Matter of,” and also in his more recent treatise, “Shades of Freedom: Racial Politics and the Presumptions of the Ameri- can Legal Process,” retired Federal Appeals Court Judge A. Leon Higginbotham cites a number of them dating back to pre-Revolu- tionary days. In 1640, for example, John Punch, a black indentured servant, ran away from his white master along with two Dutch servants in Jamestown, Virginia. They were captured , and brought before the local justice of the peace. The two white servants were given Protest at Piggly Wiggly and she had her 1 5-year old daughter with her. The white woman decided to send her daughter, into the store to buy by Gary L Davis Let me first say that I was a picketer, so this will not be the Piggly Wiggly version of the story. I was a member of the picket line on the first day and I was on the picket line on the last night with many cold and rainy days in between. I am not a card carrying member of the Coalition Against Racism (CAR) so I feel Ican be objective. I am, however, a dedicated member of Philippi Church of Christ, and there is a special place in my heart for Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. However, what follows will be the facts as I know them and if you have a problem with what I write, send your comments in letters to the M-Voice editor. I will be happy to hear from you. Let me tell you that CAR was not the only civil rights organi- zation involved in the protest. The effort included participation by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the National Association of Colored People (NAACP), the Local Organizing Committee of the Million Man March (LOC), as well as many other independent people and groups opposed to racism and discrimination. Support even came from students at ECU and from people who just felt compelled to support the cause. Early in protest, Pastor Royal asked other local pastors to support him so that he could present a united front to Piggly Wiggly. He initially received active support from one local pastor, Rev. Sidney A. Locks, who would later return to help resolve the situation. Other pastors not only did not support Bishop Royal, but a couple would cross the picket lines many times to shop at Piggly Wiggly. Bishop T.L. Davis and Bishop Ralph Love were frequent shoppers at Piggly Wiggly up until the final three weeks of the protest when they finally had a change of heart. In August, Shawan Sutton and another cashier of the Piggly Wiggly store approached CAR complaining that they were un- fairly suspended for doing their jobs. CAR asked them to tell their story, and this is that story: cigarettes. The 15-year-old went through Shawan Suttons’ checkout and asked for the cigarettes. Shawan noticing that the young white girl seemed a bit young asked her for proper identifica- tion. The girl told Shawan that her mother was out in the car and had sent her to get the cigarettes. Shawan stood by her guns and said that her mother would have to get the cigarettes for herself. The 15 year old went out to the car and told her mother that the cashier would not sell her the cigarettes. So the mother got out of the car and went storming into the store. The woman went straight to Shawan and started telling her cashier exactly how she felt. For some time the white woman berated Shawan, even using racial epithets to get her point across. Finally Shawan could stand no more and started returning the angry words and terrible language back to the woman. Another joined Shawan in rebuking the white woman. The white woman was shocked to hear black women talk to her in such a manner. The white woman decided that she would go to the assistant manager of the Piggly Wiggly and have those inso- lent black women dealt with. The owner/manager Rick Jack- son was called and told about the situation. Rick decided to not do anything over the weekend and planned to deal with it upon returning to store on Monday. When Rick returned on Monday, he interviewed Shawan and the other cashier who was in- volved and decided to suspend them for one week without pay. Another incident involving Shawan Sutton would later occur at Piggly Wiggly. A former employee, Sanday May, came out to the picket line and told A white woman pulled up into the Piggly Wiggly parking lot, Rep. Clayto Dear Mr. Rouse: In an attempt to address the needs of constituents and employers within the First Congressional District, I am spon- soring a Job Fair in my District. The Fair will provide individuals an opportunity to meet potential employers within the area. I invite you to participate by joining us on Monday, June 9, 1997 at Pitt Commu- nity College Learning Resources Center located on US Highway 11 South in Greenville for my “Ist Annual Job Fair”. The event will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The event will give employers an opportunity to interview potential employees and take applications and/or resumes. If your company is able to par- ticipate, we would greatly appreciate your sending one or two company representa- tives and appropriate displays, job appli- cations and information about your com- pany. There is no fee to participate in the Fair. Please note that I am not asking your company to commit to any specific num- ber of jobs. It is my hope that by partici- ting in the Job Fair, your company will terview or meet individuals that could me this story: Sandra May said that she was in the break area eating a burger that she had purchased from a local fast food restaurant. Sitting on the counter next to her was a sandwich Continued on Page 14. 8 be assets in terms of employment with your organization. Thope your company will join me in this effort to make a positive impact in the community. Please call Ms. Tallee Dillard in my Greenville District Office at 1-800- 274-8672 or locally at 768-8800 if you require additional information or if your n to sponsor job fair fo company would like to participate. If you are interested, please respond by May 16, 1997, I look forward to seeing your company at the Job Fair. Rep. Eva Clayton 4 four additional years on their indentured servitude, along with a public flogging in the town square. Punch was not only beaten before his turn before the judge came up, he was also beaten soundly after the judge remanded him to remain an indentured servant “for the rest of his life.” In law the term, “stare decisis,” means, wy ge wy J & et = | t | “let stand what has already been decided,’; has relevance here. Stare decisis is the basis, for what is called precedence, the historical VA road map for al! jegal rulings. What “In Re: John Punch’ turned out to be was the prece- | dent case establishing the legal slavery of the black man in America. Continued on Page 12. poo, Community Christian Church. Shown above is Pastor James Corbett and his wife, Delores Corbett. Recording star William Beckon and the Rev. from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is a Christian rapper who played before Beckon's live concert at Community Christian Church. The Church was jumping to Jesus, live all the way! Long live the word! ~ (Fhoto by: Jim Rouse) — ’ \ a Moyewood Project... The community came together last Saturday for the annual Fun Day that took place in the Moyewood Housing Project. Shown above is Greenville Housing Authority Community man, Brother Best, shown with a yound resident who is expressing her love for Brother Best as they pose for our camera. i Health Talk... (Photo by: Jim Rouse) The Post office is where good conversation and old friends meet to discuss issues especially when each of these ladies make there living in the medical field. Left to right, Young Miss Artis, Dr. Best's office assistant, and Doctor Artis' wfie, are shown talking health. : ‘ (Photo by: Jim Rouge) - * € i ae , Mrs. Beatrice Maye HEARSE When the hearse goes by - Those who are properly reared ow that you should pull over to e shoulder of the road and re- pectfully wait until the entire pro- sion has passed by. Surely the five minutes it takes will not put too much ofa wrinkle into anyone’s schedule. There should always be time to be polite and respectful. CONGRATULATIONS! The birth of Noah Alexander, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Faison, Jr. Grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Faison, Sr. Noah Alexander was born, Wednesday, April 16, 1997 in Columbia, Mary- land Salita Lynn, the daughter of James and Kathy Streeter Greene, Wednesday, February 12, 1997 in purnam North Carolina, and Brianna Simone, the daughter of Brian and Hope Streeter Tyler, born Saturday, April 12, 1997 in Rocky Mount North Carolina. These babies are the granddaugh- . to the Rufus Gardner, the Lucy ——$$______——— eS Persons keeping children through the Department of Social Services, Registered Daycare Homes and Child Daycare Centers may be eligible for reimbursement for food they serve to children in their care. If you are interested please call CAPE FEAR TUTORING, INC. at 1-800-395-6761 Reverent sympathy is Hunter, Mildred Graves Thomp- | gon Families and to others we do not know of. Tips to Keep Your Child Away from Tobacco 1. If you don’t want your chil- dren to smoke, tell them so. 2. Set a good example. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Statistics show that teens are more likely to smoke if their parents do. 3. Point the irony of smoking to your child. Most kids smoke be- cause they want to be cool. Yet it’s really immature, not acceptable from a health stand point and not acceptable in many social circles. 4. Help your children build self- confidence so they can withstand peer pressure. They need to be able to stand up for themselves and say, “No”. 5. Point out the social conse- quences of cigarette smoking, such as the high cost of cigarettes, holes in clothing, yellow teeth, bad breath and the fact that no one likes to kiss a smoker. 6. Also point out the health risks of smoking - addiction, can- cer, lung diseases, premature wrinkles, danger to unborn ba- bies, etc. 7, Encourage your child to take a part in school, church and other youth groups where smoking is unlikely to be an issue. 8. Know where your kids are, who they are with and what they are doing. Meet their friends and their par- ents to make sure they have the © Copyright 1997 Sprint Corporation AD OF THE CLA same values as you do. 9. Have zero tolerance from \ smoking and other illegal activi- ) ties. With evidence like this, it’s a / wonder anyone would ever light up. Yet, after a 20 year decline, the rate of smoking is increasing among our youth. A recent report from the American Cancer Society shows that smoking has increased by 30 percent among eighth grad- ers from 14.3 percent in 1991 to 18.6 percent in 1994. During the same period, smoking rates among tenth graders have increased from 20.8 percent to 25.4 percent. In Nebraska, 32 percent of the 2,037 youth who took part in the 1995 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Of Nebraska, adolescents had smoked at least one cigarette every day for the past 30 days. ‘ Why are American youth ignor- ing the well-publicized dangers of tobacco? This is a question health experts and youth advocates across the nation are pondering. Part of it may the teen mentality, says Mary Peterson, program director, American Lung Association, “Teens think they are invincible. That nothing is ever going to hap- pen to them”. They aren’t worries about premature wrinkles, can- cer, or other diseases. Let me strees, cigarettes don’t make you cool. They don’t make you grown up either. Grow up, young man, young lady. Beware! Ladies cross their legs at the ankle, not the knee. Things That Money Cannot Buy Have you ever thought about the things that money cannot buy? _ Some of them are listed below: 1. Money can buy a house, but it cannot buy a home. 2. Money can buy medicine, SS but it cannot buy health. 3. Money can but a clock, but it cannot buy time. 4. Money can buy a picture, but it cannot buy a sun set. 5. | Moneycanbuy awedding, but it cannot buy love. 6. Moneycanbuy pésple, but it cannot friends. 7. Money can buy expensive items, but it cannot buy happiness. 8. Money can buy eye glasses, but it cannot buy sight. 9. Money can buy clothes, but it cannot buy charac ter. 10. Money can buy an educa tion, but it cannot buy wisdom. Importance Rating Rate the followingitem from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest rating possible. Owning a large home — Studying the Bible daily Helping needy people in the community Visiting exotic places Being a millionaire Sharing the Gospel Serving in the church Buying a sports car Praying daily Going to the country club Having a good family Being the president of a large company Do Southern Men Make Better Husbands? Condensed from: JET, Febru- ary 3, 1997 Some women maintain that Southern men make better hus- bands for these reasons: 1. Accept a woman uncondition- ally 2. More nurturing Wallpaper Carpet Seamed, Draperless Vinyl FC $$ if} Bedspreads Wood Blinds Rugs Remnants CARPET & RUGS 50% Off Rug Sale A Company Committed To Quality, Excellence, and Customer Satisfaction. Your Complete Home Interior Design Center 2808 East Tenth Street, Greenville 752-7000 3. Higher respect for their mother, which determines how he treats a Date 4. More traditional with values instilled 5. Hardworking, the family comes first 6. Children are products of their environment. If father puts the family first, you'll be that way as a husband . 7. Believed to make better hus- bands because of how they are perceived 8. More courteous, sensitive, religious and family-oriented be- cause in the South the church is a major base. 9. Northern men are perceived as overaggressive, fast-paced, ambitious, insensitive and arro- gant, but these geographical dis- tinctions are fastly eroding. 10. More determined and com- mitted toward making a relation- ship work, which more than likely make them a better marriage part- ner 11. They value family 12. They are viewed as role mod- els and considered “good men”. Memorization Has memorization become obsoletein schools today? How many children know the follow- ing? 1. “The Gettysburg Address” 2. the Preamble to the Constitu- tion 3. Anthony’s funeral oration over Caesar - “Brutus is an honorable man” 4. Lady Macbeth’s famous line - “Tomorrow and tomorrow and to- morrow “ 5. “Twas was the Night Before Christmas” , 6. “Only God can make a tree” 7. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear/Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere” ‘ 8. Some proverbial wisdom from “Poor Richard’s Almanack” 9. “Sunset and evening star’, ' from “Crossing the Bar” 10. Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son” THE WORLD NEEDS MEN .. who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances. who will not lose their in dividually in a crowd; who will be as honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compro -mise with wrong. whose ambitions are not confined to their own self -ish desires; who will not say they do it “because everybody else does it.” who are true to their friends through good re -port and evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity. who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success; who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopu lar, who can say “no” with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says “ ” yes. Homeowners call now Purchase or refinance up to ¥25% Doublewides (up to 100%) Modular & Conventional Home Improvements Singlewides (up to 95%) Foreclosures & Bankruptcies Cash for any purpose Good or limited to Bad Credit Save Money thru consolidating debts in with your monthly payment. VIP Mortgage & Financial Services (New Management) 1530 S. Evans St. Suite 106 Greenville, NC 27834 - Kimberly Best - 919-756-4911 Fax: Voice Page: 919-756-5411 1-800-292-9551 Beginning May 1°, when you dial Directory Assistance your call will be answered by an automated service. You'll be asked to name the city and the listing needed. Your recorded responses and your call will be relayed to an operator who will search for the number and process your call in the traditional Directory Assistance manner. So the next time you’re in a hurry, call 4-1-1. You'll automatically save time. 0 Here’s where it gets easier.” =} Sprint. by Susan K. Wilson Nearly twice as many women will die this year of heart and blood vessel disease as from all forms of cancer combined, including breast and lung cancer. For black women, the statistics are even worse. This group will have a 69 percent higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease _ than their white female counter- parts. Yet few women are aware that heart disease, an equal opportu- nity killer, stalks them in num- bers almost equal to men. And even more black women than black men die of heart disease. “Most women, black or white, do not know that the No. I killer for women is heart disease,” says Cheryl R. Martin, M.D., a cardi- ologist in private practice in Mil- waukee, Wisc. “Yet American women are the sixteenth longest- living group of women on earth,” she says. In contrast, “Japanese women as a group live the longest. All American women are doing poorly, but African-American women are doing worst of all.” Martin spoke at the American Heart Association’s conference “Saving Our Lives: African Ameri- can Women Fighting Heart Dis- ease” recently held in Washing- ton, D.C. Statistics from the AHA show that of the approximately 487,000 'C7:) ae (ol 0) ame |" Manel ler> Name To get your "M" Voice by mail write to: The "M" Voice Newspaper PO Box 8361 Greenville, NC 27834 SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH ORDER Yes, I'd like a 6 months subscription by mail $15 ' sy Yes, I'd ikea 12 months subscnption by mail $30 Address ® City State Zip i a “ - G wok 25 t - . ne with eet E " q i] _@ The ‘mw’ Voice heart attack deaths that occureach year, nearly half are women. An- other 91,000 women die each year of stroke. Heart and blood vessel disease — largely coronary heart disease and stroke — combined claim more than 500,000 women’s lives each year. Black women are at the high end of this risk spectrum. Not only is their death rate from heart at- tack about one-third higher than their white female counterparts, but the death rate from heart at- tack between the ages of 35 and 74 is more than 38 percent than that of white women. According to the AHA, in 1991 the death rate from cardiovascular disease among black women was 69 percent higher than for white females. Why are American women. and particularly black women, dying in such large numbers from a dis- ease in which so many of the risk factors are lifestyle-related? And more. importantly, what can ' women do to reverse this grim trend? Education and counseling about heart disease, including its causes and the preventable risk factors, seem to hold out the best hope. According to Debra Judelson, M.D., a cardiologist with the Car- diovascular Medical Group of Southern California in Beverly ARatemitare)anay Vo) (er-m alow 310 Evans St. Mall, OME = fo) Gielen Greenville, NC 27835 919-757-0365/Fax: 919-757-1793 Joy 1340 AM WOOW Radio Station Greenville, NC 27834 Joy 1320 AM WTOW Radio Station Washington, NC 27889 Pictures received by The 'M' Voice Newspaper become the property of The 'M' Voice Newspaper and we are not responsible for lost pictures. All articles must be mailed to the above address. If you have a complaint, please address it tothe publisher, Mr. Jim Rouse, owner. Member of the NC Black Publishers, ASCAP, BMI, SEASAC, ASB, N.C. ASB Hills, there are significant differ- ences between men and women when it comes to coronary artery disease. “The fact is, the typical woman is as likely to have a heart attack as a man,” she says. But the typi- cal woman is at least a decade older, has more body fat, less muscle mass, and a different me- tabolism. She has been exposed to a different hormonal cycle, is more likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure, and is exposed to stress through non-medical con- cerns relating to family and family care. And she is more likely to be non-white than the typical male cardiac patient. Black women frequently lack access to health care services, and as a result may be less informed about heart disease, its risk fac- tors and prevention. Lack of ac- cess can mean a delay seeking care for potential cardiac problems, and can lead to the increased likeli- hood of heart attack or stroke out- side the hospital setting. The female patient also tends to present her symptoms to the phy- sician differently than the male patient. She will report to the emergency room approximately an hour later than her male counter- part because she doesn’t believe she’s having a heart attack. Be- cause she is usually older and less active, she will be less likely to have the classic chest pressure or pain than a man; her complaint may more often be shortness of breath or lack of physical energy. She may not appear to be as sick. Or she may appear hysterical to the doctor, and be treated for an anxiety or panic attack when in reality she is having a heart at- tack. She will be less assertive about her symptoms. Where aman might enter a hospital emergency room . shouting “I’m having a heart at- tack,” a woman may say, “I don’t feel well.” The man will be taken care of more promptly than the less assertive woman. Even when MEET NEW PEOPLE THE FUN WAY TODAY 1-900-787-4670 ext. 4033 $2.99 per min. Must be 18 yrs. Serv-U (619) 645-8434 THE "M" VOICE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 Black women at highest risk from nation’s no a woman is thought to have heart disease, she is only half as likely as a man to receive invasive testing such as cardiac catheterization, even when other tests strongly indicate the presence of coronary disease, says Patricia Davidson, M.D., acardiologistin private prac- tice in Washington, D.C. The AHA is working to increase awareness of women’s risk of heart disease among both physicians and women. But what action can women take to protect themselves? “Learn what your personal risk factors for heart disease are,” says Anne L. Taylor, M.D., an associate professor of medicine in the Divi- sion of Cardiology at Case West- ern Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland. “Then, be aggressive in seeking advice and education from a physician.” Risk Factors That Can’t Be Changed Some factors affect everybody's risk, whether male or female. They include: * Increasing age — The older one gets, the more likely one is to develop heart disease. * Gender — Men develop heart disease earlier than women. But after menopause, the gap between men and women narrows rapidly. * Heredity — If other members of the family have had heart dis- ease, you are more likely to de- velop it. Black Americans are at even higher risk, in large part be- cause they have higher average blood pressure levels. Risk Factors That Can Be Changed There are some risk factors people can reduce through chang- ing their lifestyle. Focus on these: * Stop smoking — This may be the single most significant risk factor for women. Smokers are at two to four times greater risk of heart attack than their non-smok- ing counterparts. The best advice is, if you smoke, make every effort to stop now. ¢ Monitor and control high blood pressure — On average, 58 percent of all women over age 55 have high blood pressure. An as- tonishing 73 percent of black women age 65-74 have high blood pressure, compared with 53 per- A coed g ‘ , a : 4 a fl Monitor and control blood cho- lesterol levels — The higher yous blood cholesterol level, the likely that fats and cholesterol wilt build up in your artery walls, nar flow. n left untreated, condition can lead to a heart at, tack or stroke. H Get physical — The AHA lista physical inactivity as one of the four leading risk factors. More than} 40 studies have shown that hear} disease is almost twice as likely tor develop in inactive people as in} those who are more active. Andj women are much less active than! men at all ages, beginning at age} six. ‘ Lose excess pounds — Body, weight (obesity) is an importants independent risk factor for women, which, in combination with other factors such as adult-onset diabe- tes, high blood pressure, high lev- els of bad cholesterol, smoking and/ or sedentary lifestyle, increases risk for heart disease. Have your physician monitor your hormonal status — During; the years a woman is menstruat-, ing, her risk of heart disease is, low. After menopause, however, a. woman may be a candidate for estrogen replacement therapy.: Hormonal therapy is prescribed. on an individual basis, weighing, all risks and factors. Learning about heart disease and taking steps to control it are two of the most important actions a woman can take to preserve her good health, the doctors agree. If a woman suspects she has heart disease, says Dr. Davidson,. “She needs to be sure she is seeing, a physician who also will aggres;; sively look at the disease.” “She needs to be in touch with. hersymptoms,” adds Dr. Judelson.’ She should be able to describe them; accurately to her physician, and if she feels she is not getting satis- factory attention or answers to hen questions, she should not hesitate; to seek a second, or even third opinion. For more information about women and heart disease, contact your local American Heart Asso- ciation or call (800) 242-8721. READ THE 'M' VOICE & HELP PROMOTE THE BLACK PRESS All the pieces fall into place with an Equity BuyLine from UCB. With Equity BuyLine, the moneys there whenever you need it, for whatever you need - home improvement, tuition, a special occasion, or any major expense. And you pay interest only on the amount you use. And because this credit line is secured by the equity in your home, the interest may be tax-deductible* By establishing a UCB 1 Equity BuyLine now, you can take advantage of our special introductory offer—an APR equal to Prime** and no closing costs when you borrow $5,000 or more at closing! To find out how Equity BuyLine can help you complete your financial picture, stop by any UCB office or call 551-1400. -_UNITED CAROLINA BANK *Please consult a tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. **Offer subject to credit approval and available to those who apply by May 30, 1997. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may vary. Introductory APR equal to Prime Rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, is available through November 30, 1997, APR on February 20, 1997 was 8.25%. Effective December 1, 1997 APR will equal Prime plus 1% (if this formula were in effect on February 20, 1997, the APR would equal 9.25%), Maximum APR is 18%, minimum APR is 8%. UCB will waive closing costs when borrower takes an immediate advance of $5,000 or more at closing, Otherwise, borrower is responsible for closing costs which typically range from $200 to $500. Property insurance required ©1997 United Carolina Bank 2} Member FDIC LENDER Please visit us at our Internet web site at http://www.ucb-bank.com ; _ 1, Americans from all ethnic, po- aS T S By George Wilson In spite of denial by some, there are very few African Americans who can’t trace their roots back to a farm. Current actions by the U S. Department of Agri- culture threaten to put African American farmers in the same category as dino- saurs. African Americans say that the USDA forecloses on farms owned by African Americans at an accelerated rate, delays the issuance of certain types of loans and generally, makes life miserable for those who earn their living from the land and who happen to be African American. Joe Boyd is a third generation farmer | ,Ac THEM" VOICE WEDNESDAY, APRIL2° “aA 7, 1997 ice... Down On The Farm who raises poultry and some grains on his farm, which is located in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Boyd also heads the National Black Farmers Association. During a recent conversation, Boyd care- fully outlined the plight of African Ameri- can farmers and the lack of activity on the part of the Agriculture Department to come to their aid. “Our struggle has been with the De- partment of Agriculture’s discrimination in its lending program, racial bias and even fraudulent practices. We, in the National Black Farmers Association, be- lieve that there is a 1,500 case backlog of complaints against the USDA, with 163 ‘occurring in the state of Virginia. To my knowledge, only one of these complaints has been resolved. We protested in front of the White House in December and the Secretary of Agriculture (Dan Glickman), declared a moratorium on foreclosures. However, they have not adhered to that decision. The Office of the Inspector Gen- eral for the department. stated there have been over 1,000 foreclosures since Decem- ber. Myself and others are being forced to wonder when is the department going to do right by Black farmers?” According to Boyd and others, in 1940 there were approximately one million Af- rican American farmers in the U.S. In 1997, that figure is down to 18,000. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission has indi- National Black Farmers Demonstrate Black farmers in the United States are about to become extinct because of racism and discriminatory practices on the part of the United States Department of Agri- culture (USDA) and its field agents. Ac- cording to the 1997 report issued by the USDA’s Civil Rights Action Team, field agents in the past routinely denied loans toblack farmers, cut the amount requested without legitimate reason, took three times as long to process black loan appli- cations, denied them access to subsidy programs designed to help them, and ag- gressively foreclosed with the loans feel behind. The National Black Farmers Associa- tion (NBFA) called for a demonstration on April 23 at the USDA, located at Indepen- dence Avenue and 14th Street, S.W., in Washington, D.C. According to John W. Boyd, Jr., presi- dent of the National Black Farmers Asso- ciation, “What is at stake is the existence of the small family farms.” Said Boyd, “Although the USDA has come a long way, there’s still a long way to go.” After the farmers demonstrated in Washington in December 1996, the USDA held “listening sessions” around the coun- try to investigate civil rights abuses in USDA programs. Then it issued a report showing that systemic abuses have oc- curred. The report included 92 recom- mendations for change. However, few of those have been implemented. “Most pressing now is the issue of money for spring planting”, said Boyd. Between 1920 and 1992, the number of Black farmers in the U.S. declined from 925, 710 to 18,816 or by 98 percent. Afri- can Americans are losing land at a rate of 9000 acres per week. In 1950, Black farm- ers owned 15.6 million acres of farmland nationally. In 1982, Black farmers owned 3.1 million acres of farmland nationally. “Although African Americans have suf- fered the greatest loss, the issue of dis- crimination within the USDA affects all small family farmers,” says Gary Grant of the Land Loss Fund, Tillery, N.C. Farmers who have been denied loans to plant their crops in the past are not get- ting them this spring. If something is not done, they will be that much further be- hind as another crop cycle begins. Black farms have been disappearing even faster than other farms, and report after report has shown that they are on the verge of — extinction. The Coalition of Minority Employees of the USDA, which has been battling for fair treatment of employees, has pledged to support the farmers. Lawrence Lucas, president of the coalition, said, “It’s all part of the same problem —the culture in the Department of Agriculture.” The march and rally is an effort to keep these issues before the USDA in order to ensure that progressive action is taken. Speakers included: Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D) Calif., (Chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus”; Con- gressman Bennett Thompson (D) Miss.; Lawrence Lucas (President-Coalition of Minority Employees, USDA); Dick Gre- gory (invited guest; John Boyd (Presi- dent-National Black Farmers Associa- tion); Gary Cornelius (Farmer-Iowa), Eddie Ross (Farmer-Miss). Phil Givens (Farmer-OK); Gary Grant (Director-CCT/ LLF); Kaye Ginnis (Farmer-SC). A press cated in a report that if the current land loss continues, Black farms will be extinct by the year 2000. As we march headlong into Spring, most farmers are planting their corps. Unfortunately, too many Afri- can American farmers are still waiting for checks from the Agriculture Department. If USDA takes its usual six months for more to fully process loans, African Ameri- can farmers will be damaged more by stumbling bureaucracy than bad weather or insects could ever do. The flight of African American farmers has a profound effect on all of us who eat. In addition, history has taught us that a land less people is indeed a powerless people. It isa frightening prospect to think that there could be a circumstance in this country where African Americans can no longer have a hand in the food we consume. The National Black Farmers Association is not sitting on their plows. They are re- turning to Washington to once again press their case to the Agriculture Department and any others who will listen and take action. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, African American employ- ees at USDA and others will visibly show their support. And a fully dressed mule will participate to symbolize what our ancestors walked behind for free while this nation was being fed. Support for Farmers! Shown above is Gary Grant who has appeared on C-Span with the Congressional Black Caucus to support Black Farmers at the TV taping of Minority Voices show that was cancelled by WITN. conference is scheduled for noon. At 12:30 the march will start at the USDA and end in front of the Capitol. Representatives also met individually with farmers to hear their complaints and try to find solutions. A number of other organizations, in- cluding the Concerned Citizens and the Land Loss Fund of Tillery, pledged to support the farmers in this effort and ' future efforts. More than A Million Americans To Gather for May 1 National Day of Prayer Colorado Springs, CO - On May litical and socio-economic back- ily breakups continue to plague us,” says Shirley Dobson, Chair- man of the National Day of Prayer. of the Lord our God.” Mrs. Dobson notes, “At a time when so many people rely on symbols of power, is the observance at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., which features prominent political, religious, and military leaders. To contact a coor- dinator in your area for a list of Force. local events, please call the office of the National Day of Prayer Task grounds will gather nationwide for the 46th annual National Day of Prayer. The prayer celebration has grown to over a million partici- pants, making this year’s NDP the largest in American history. Ob- served the first Thursday of May each year, NDP is a unifying force among all denominations of Chris- tians, Jews and those sympathetic to the need for God in our culture. “Our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual renewal, as crime, drug usage, child abuse and fam- “There is no other answer for these staggering social ills than to ap- peal for the mercy and grace of God. America was birthed in prayer, and its future depends on the trust and devotion with which we began.” The theme for 1997 is “In God We Trust.” This well-known phrase has been imprinted on all Ameri- can currency since 1865. The NDP theme is based on Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name the National Day of Prayer re- minds Americans to re-focus their attention and trust in God.” Locally-organized celebrations are held simultaneously across the nation. Nearly 40,000 volunteers organize more than 15,000 prayer events in churches, schools, state- houses, courthouses, stadiums, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes. School campuses are a popular gathering place for stu- dent-led assemblies. One of the most visible gatherings each year Hays scheduled to visit Barton Library Wilson, N.C.—Barton College Friends of Hackney Library will welcome David Hays, co-author of “My Old Man And The Sea” and founding artistic director of the National Theatre of the Deaf, to the campus for an evening of din- ner and selected readings on Tues- day, April 29. The annual spring literary event will begin with a reception in the Barton Art Mu- seum at 6 p.m. Dinner will follow at 7 p.m. in Hardy Alumni Hall. Tickets are $20 with reserva- tions accepted through Apmnil 25 while space permits. Members of the Barton College Friends of Hackney Library may reserve tick- ets for $15 with reservation prior- ity until April 18. Contact Carol Sabella at 399-6505 for reserva- tions or additional information. GREENVILLE RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT ee ARTS & CRAFTS Mixed Media Art Fundamentals Beginning Watercolor Mom & Me Clay Nature Craft workshop ) ATHLETICS wa Baske 4 oF Yes. bw TENNIS Pee Wee Lessons Junior Novice League PERE ECE RELL BS Pat BSROSEUBER EUR ECR ER ET ERE ES 3, Baseball Ages 5-12; T-ball, etc. all (under 17) USTA/Junior Team Tennis - am (o w 4 = = 1 SWIMMING - 1 Infant Swimming Lessons : Pre-school Lessons . Child Lessons : Public Swimming DAY CAMPS Aquatics & Fitness Center Day Camp Camp Sunshine 1997 SUMMER PROGRAMS Some of the programs offered for youth are: Cheerleading Camp Eppes Recreation Center Day Camp Jaycee Park Day Camp South Greenville Day Camp Tot Lot Teen Center Day Camp Nature Explorer’s Camp Advanced Outdoor Living Skills Camp Baseball Camp Golf Camp Tennis Camp VARIOUS PROGRAMS Karate Gymnastics Dance Theatre Workshop Puppet Show - Pinocchio. Skateboarding & Rollerblading Safety Kid’s Dog Show FAMILY ACTIVITIES SUNDAY IN THE PARK FAMILY SWIMMING AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! PICK UP A BROCHURE TODAY! Registration for city residents is April 29 and April 30, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM; On May 1 Mr. Jim Rouse 310 S. Evans Street Greenville, NC 27634 Dear Jim: recognize Roscoe Norfleet. sincerely, kK Rufus Huggins Mayor Pro-Tem I am writing regarding your request to rename a street in the name of Roscoe Norfleet. This is something that I can support and feel that it is a worthwhile honor to bestow on one of our leaders that was involved in the struggle for equal justice during the early stages. He never stopned fighting for the equality of all people. We have already named a street after Dr. Best, a naik after Tom Foreman, a football field atter Percy Daniels, and it would be beneficial to There are some things that need to be done to start the process. Research would have to be done on Hudson Street to determine why it is named Hudson Street. It is very difficult to change numbered streets such as Fifth and Sixth Streets because they are in numerical order. Another possible street would be Fleming Street, where Roscoe lived until both parents died. Meetings need to be held to discuss plans or methods to achieve this. I will see what research the City can do on Hudson Street from Fifth to Fleming and on Fleming from Fourteenth Avenue to | the east end. In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you would contact me of a time and day of | any planned meetings and also contact me on any other help you feel I can be concerning this. U, \ RIGHT STEP ACADEMY Now enrolling for Fall '97 - '98 School Year Grade 6-12 For Application and more information please call Please stop by Jaycee Park Administration Building, City Hall, City Libraries, or any of the Recreation and Parks Department and every day, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, residents, as well as non-residents, may register, as long as facilities and pick up a new summer vacancies are available. SOME PROGRAMS HAVE LIMITED REGISTRATION. brochure! Phone 830-4567 for more 4 information. 919-752-8765 A Private School setting with a public school price “By George! It works!” user crows. Little-known ‘vitamin’ makes love grand McKinney, TX-Little did Dr. Philip Handler know, back in 1941, that his newly discovered nutrient “Vitamin 13° would one day have men and women all over the country smiling quietly to themselves. Today, N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) is no longer classified as a vitamin. But it has changed the lives of thou- sands of men and their mates. A naturally occurring nutrient sold under the brand name Nutri- Surge (but more often called simply “The Love Pill"), DMG works by increasing energy, improving metab- olism, enhancing oxygen utilization and increasing the flow of blood to key areas of the anatomy. NutriSurge has a cumulative effect: the more you take it, the bet- ter it works, Most users take two, but up to six tablets may be taken daily. Satisfaction is guaranteed. See for yourself why thousands swear by NutriSurge, Send $29.95 plus $4.95 postage & handling for a 60-tablet supply to TDM Research, Dept. NSC31,123 South St, Oyster Bay NY 11771. Or call toll free 1-800- 645-9199 and ask for Operator C31. Use the whole supply; then, if you are not completely satisfied, return the box for a full refund. 8 : 2 8 8 5 z 6~THE "MT VOICE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 - MAY 7, 1997 Son of Greenville resident helps evacuate Americans from Albania by David G. Schmidt ONBOARD USS NASSAU — -Whatstarted out asa routine Medi- -terranean deployment for Marine Cpl. Madison Bailey, developed into a real-time, life or death op- eration, recently as the Sailors and Marines of USS Nassau were called upon to evacuate American civil- ians from the nation of Albania. ‘Tm pleased my unit could be a part of something that has had a positive effect,” said Bailey, son of Hassell Bailey and Shelby Bailey, both residents of Greenville, N.C., (27858 and 27834). “We've trained for this exact kind of mission and in that respect, I’m glad we had the opportunity.” While a major role of the Navy is to protect the United States from our enemies in time of war, it also supports U.S. foreign policy in time of peace. Ships like USS Nassau are for- ward deployed around the world to maintain a U.S. presence and provide rapid response in time of crises, such as the Albanian evacu- ation. Sailors and Marines like ‘Bailey are often the first to arrive in situations ranging from humani- tarian relief efforts to combat op- erations. “l’ma machine gunner for Bravo Company. I was on a “sparrow hawk” or, short notice stand by team,” said Bailey. ; The mission of an Amphibious Ready Group, like the one Nassau is the lead ship of, is to support the operations of a Marine Expedi- tionary Unit (MEU), which nor- mally consists of a reinforced in- fantry battalion, a helicopter squadron reinforced with the fixed- wing AV-8 “Harrier” jets, and a MEU service support group. Onboard Nassau, the 26th MEU is the Marine contingent assigned to support and take action during situations that develop in its area of responsibility. Nassau and its support ships were operating in the southern Adriatic, and helicopters from the USS Nashville were the first to begin evacuating the civilians. By the time theevacuations were over, 400 American citizens and 489 third-country nationals had been evacuated. Albania had been enduring civil violence since January, during mass protests by people who had Cpl. Madison Bailey lost their life savings in failed pyra- mid investment schemes. By March, Albanian officials had de- clared a state of emergency due to the escalating violence which has resulted in the evacuation of American civilians. After the Albania encounter the crew of the Nassau were called to another ‘hot spot’ off the west coast of Africa. The Nassau ARG is part of ajoint task force standing by for a possible evacuation mission in Zaire, should the clashes between rebel forces and government troops endanger U.S. citizens. Tutu Questions Amnesty Effort CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)}—Despite promising coopera- tion, the governing African National Congress has yet to submit sufficient applications for amnesty to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chairman Desmond Tutu said. Tutu told the South African Press Association he would meet with top ANC |eaders to discuss the matter Friday, just over three weeks from the deadline for seeking amnesty for political crimes during the apartheid era. The meeting comes less than a week after the Truth Commission, formed to investigate apartheid-era political crimes and grant amnesty to people making full confessions, for the first time issued subpoenas re- quiring anti-apartheid figures to tes- tify. Since it began its work in Decem- ber 1995, the Truth Commission has devoted most of its attention to ille- gal activities of apartheid security forces. But some of its work also has studied crimes by anti-apartheid groups. The white-led National Party, which governed during apartheid, has accused the commission of be- ing biased against whites, a charge Tutu denies. He said the meeting with ANC officials would examine a lack of amnesty applications from ANC members, including top party offi- cials known to have committed po- litical crimes such as sabotage. “The last time we met (the ANC), the assurance we got was that they supported the process andthere were applications inthe pipeline, but these have not been forthcoming,” said Tutu, the retired Anglicanarchbishop who won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-apartheid activities. Tutu previously threatened to quit - as chairman of the panel because ANC officials indicated they would refuse to apply for amnesty. ANC officials have said any acts committed to fight aparthcid were justified and should never be equated with the actions of apartheid police and others in enforcing the system of discrimination and oppression. On Sunday, the Truth Commis- sion announced it issued subpoenas requiring two anti-apartheid figures to testify, including Robert McBride, an ANC official convicted inthe 1985 bombing of a Durban bar that killed three white women. McBride was freed under a 1992 amnesty negoti- ated by the ANC and the then-ruling National Party. Previous subpoenas issucd by the commission were for former police officers. The Truth Commission is consid- cred a cnucial exercise in revealing apartheid-era atrocities, forgiving the perpetrators and deciding on repara- tions for victims. A-Muse-Ment for impotence HEALTH CARE (212) 873-4867 Whenever a wife brings her hus- band tomy office, it isn’t be cause he has heart trouble, stomach com- plaints or joint pain. Most of the time, she isconcerned about his abil- ity to have or sustain an erection, which is medically known as impo- tence. In other words, he is experi- encing erectile dysfunction. _Al- though impotence is troublesome to the wife, I can only tell you that it is not very amusing to her husband, whether he be young or old. In fact, most of the time, his wife may ac- cuse him of having extra marital affairs, which is often not the case. This suspicion has broken up many a happy home. Men have great diffi- culty in admitting that they are im- potent. I would advise you ladies to take it easy on them. Itisimportant to realize, however, that erectile dysfunction can be caused by such medical conditions as diabetes, hyper tension, thyroid disorders, sickle cell anemia, smok- ing, alcohol abuse, cocaine, water pills, prostate surgery and many oth- ers. As there are many causes, there are also many treatments. The most common cause of this condition is arterial disease, and the second most common cause is diabetes. Treatment for erectile dysfunction can include everything from sex therapy to penile revascularization (bypassing of a blocked artery lead- ing tothe penis). Usually a urologist will determine the type of treatment necessary based upon his findings. Well, wives, you can now tell your husbands (especially if they haven’t read this column) that thereisa new product, or should I say medication, thatcan makeeverybody, andI mean every body, happy. This medication appears to be very promising in the treatment ofimpotence. Now, I don’t want to build up any false hopes, but nothing is worse than a failure but a try. © The chemical name for this medi- cation is Alprostadil (Al pros-ta-dil), and is known in the market place by the name of Muse. I guess the manu- facturers adapted the name from the word a-muse-ment (which means to entertain in a light or playful manner). Anyhow, Muse has the ability to produce and sustain an erection in the record time of 10 minutes and lasts for a total of 45 minutes to an hour. The medication, which is in the form of a pellet, is inserted into the urethra(a tube running through the penis), andis absorbed into the erec- tile sensitive tissue, causing the erec- tion. There are some side effects of this medication, which are minimal. There are also contra-indications in using this medication. A physician should always supervise its use. In closing, let me say that impo- tence is not amusing but there ap- pears to be some promising treat- ments on the ho-rizon. Finally, im- potence should be thoroughly evalu- ated by a urologist. If you have any additional questions about Muse, you can call toll free. 1-800-MUSE. Public Service Announcement Coastal Carolina Credit Counseling From time to time we all experience personal financial worries. If you need a hand getting control of your credit debt, there is help available. Coastal Carolina Credit Counseling helps people everyday to manage their money. CCCC has an office in Washington to serve those confronted with financial problems in paying off their debts. Services are free and completely confidential with no cost or obligation. For assistance or an appointment phone 974-0669. That’s Coastal Carolina Consumer Counseling 974-0669. Find out how CCCC can help you. Coastal Carolina Credit Counseling is a non- profit organization and a Beaufort County United Way agency. Coastal Carolina Credit Counseling 974-0669. Call today! Flanagan and Perkins Funeral Home Salutes Its Staff Rev. David Hammond President NBRVING EASTERN NORTH WITTE VGNITY AND DISTINCT With Locations in Williamston 300 S. Pearl St. 809-4848 Bethel 101 Main St. 825-1515 Callie Andrews i Dea. Leonard 1 Powell Gloria Andrews Evang. Maxine Perkins Oy Mr. Ernest Perkins Vice President ARONA ON SINCE | Charlie Perkins Goddard The Minority Voice, Inc. Presents 1997 Black Leadership Summit Wednesday & Thursday June 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm Dubois Center 200 Hooker Rd. Greenville, N.C. Theme "Bringing People Together" ty, retirement, etc. Be a part of the Discussion on issues affecting your community - economics, crime & Violence, education, health, teen pregnancy, social securi- Food and Beverage, Networking, fellowship 3 % Pas i } { ‘ | Fi ta LA i LALA. 3 AV / J Don't Miss It! ~ For more information: Call: 919-757-0365 * Fax: 919-757-1793 Be a part of the Discussion on issues affecting] your community - economics, crime & Violence, education, health, teen pregnancy, social securi- ty, retirement, etc. Food and Beverage, Networking, fellowship a dt 4 By Kweisi Mfume ~ and Carole Shields A cross all racial and gender lines and trasnscending the ideological borders of our political parties, one belief should unite us as Americans: that public educa- tion should be a consistent national com- mitment to every child. As long as we commit to keeping our “What threatens our children and what threatens our children’s schools? A perni- cious, steal-from-the-poor-and-give-to- the-rich scheme known as vouchers.” et Neither rain, nor snow, nor gloom of night....in other words...nothing keeps our brother...Charlie Boyd...from completing his appointed rounds —Delivering the mail. One thinghis patrons can always count on...Whether he brings good news, surprises, or (you know) bills, he always greets you with a bright smile. Staff Photo: Jim Rouse strong schools and making our weak schools better, we know that our children can do anything. But now, our nation’s covenant with our children is in question. That is why two organizations committed to strong public schools—the Nation al Association for the Advancement of Col- ored People and People for the American Way—are proud to announce a Partner- ship for Public Education. This partner- ship seeks to ensure that public education will remain a fundamental guarantee for all our children. What threatens our children and what threatens our children’s schools? A pernicious, steal-from the-poor- and-give-to-the-rich scheme known as vouchers. Voucher proposals, now pend- ing in both houses of Congress as well as nearly two dozen state legislatures, would take money away from our public school students and give it to private schools. And abandon many of our children in the process. These proposals represent a dire threat to public education in this nation. What is wrong with vouchers? Plenty— but our foremost objection is this: They leave children behind. There aren’t enough classrooms and there aren’t enough desks in private schools to hold all of the chil- dren who might want to be included. And, private schools are selective. Unlike our public schools, they are not required, nor are they inclined many times, to regard children as equally desirable to their school when it comes to race, gender, faith, na- tional origin, disability, educational chal- lenge. Vouchers take us to a world in which private schools cherry-pick the best and the brightest, leaving the other chil- dren behind to languish in schools that are robbed of precious funds. Skin color, religion, economic class, lan- guage group, need for remedial work—all of these things would be barriers to accep- tance and success in a system designed around the choices of the private schools, not the choices of the parents and stu- dents. And what happens when private schools dolet economically disadvantaged kids in? In the few places where voucher programs exist —Milwaukee and Cleve- land, for example—vouchers pay only part of the tuition bills. Parents pay the rest. Transportation costs? Parents pay. Ex- tracurricular activities, such as sports or band? Parents pay. Books for learning? You guessed it —parents pay. Although none is so pressing as the attack they represent on our children’s future, other problems exist with respect to voucher proposals. Vouchers would as- suredly result in many Americans paying more in property taxes—either directly or through higher rents. Urban school dis- tricts, faced with an even greater exodus of students and dollars, would be forced to prevail upon state legislatures for multi- rnillion-dollar bailouts, or they would dis- integrate altogether. And last, but not happen if public tax do to private schools, including sectarian ones. Voucher proponents argue that the peb- lic schools are like sinking ships. But they are trying to throw life pre servers to a few, select children. We know that it’s better to make our public education ship seaworthy and safe. We can do this by taking an interest in our schools, by at- tending school board meetings and par- ent teacher conferences, by asking our kids what they did at school that day — and listening closely to their answer. ; The NAACP and People for the Ameri- can Way formed a Partnership for Public Education because we feel it is time to reclaim our public schools, and our na- tional commitment to the opportunity of every child. Every child counts. All chil- dren need free and open access to quality education. And not one child must be left behind! NOTE: Kweisi Mfume is president of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Carole Shields is president of the People for the American Way, a national organization dedicated to promoting respect for diversity and toler- ance of difference. The East Carolina Bank Launches EXPRESS Phone Banking Engelhard, North Carolina - The East Carolina Bank (ECB) has recently introduced to the public a new 24 hour banking convenience with XPRESS PHONE BANKING, XPRESS PHONE BANKING will allow ECB customers to access their accounts toll-free, 24 hours activity, and transfer funds between ac- counts. Accounts that can be accessed include checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, loans and credit cards. ECB customers, along with the general public, can use the system to gain valu- able interest rate and ECB product infor- mation as well. A Merchant Check Verifi- cation feature is also available. Further- more, a Commissary Bulletin Board fea- ture will be fully implemented over the next several months which will act as an information resource to the communities ECB serves. ~ “XPRESS PHONE BANKING will al- low our sales force to be more productive {- PRESENTS MEMORIAL DAY Monday, May 26, 1997 The Anointed Ones Church 600 S. Edge Road Ayden, NC 28513 Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. THE ANOINTED ONES CHURCH Yolauda Adams One Night and One Night Only! Concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Ruth Peterson invites the public. . while at the same time providing a much needed time-saver to our customer base,” commented Arthur H. Keeney, III, the Bank’s President and CEO, “We antici- pate this form of ‘convenience banking’ to be a hit with the consumer.” Any ECB customer, prospective cus- tomer, or area merchant wishing to uti- lize XPRESS PHONE BANKING should simply dial 800-957-ECBI or 925-2012 to access the system. The East Carolina Bank is a77 year old state-chartered community bank head- quartered in Engehard, North Carolina. ECB currently operates 13 branch offices and 9 automatic teller machines in Hyde, Dare, Tyrrell, Washington, and Pitt Coun- ties, Pending regulatory approval, ECB plans to open its 14th full-service branch ‘in Avon, North Carolina during the sun)- mer of 1997. Artsplosure ’97: A Spring Jazz & Art Festival Artsplosure needs about 500 volunteers to help make the 18th annual Spring Jazz &Art Festival asuccess. It’s acommunity event which is FREE to the public. Stu- dent volunteers and others can also re- ceive community service hours. Sign up now and you'll receive great new benefits: ¢ Free commemorative festival pin ¢ Deep discount on T-shirt ¢ Free refreshments at the Hospitality Station ¢ Prize drawings including free din- HOME SALES : payments. fine sales staff. IT’S SIMPLE Let us show you how simple it ls to become a home owner and start aaa to enjoy the American Dream. Over 45 houses to choose from flexible financing and 3% down Give me a call or come see our Mitchell Cannavino General Manager Purchase a new home and say you saw this ad in The “M” Voice, and receive a $500.00 shopping spree. Selling Near Cost” —May 17-18,1997 ners, and a free cellular phone. Join us for a weekend of jazz, blues, art and fun! Volunteers work in three-hour shifts and are needed for many jobs such as stagehands, artist hospitality, survey assistants, performer transportation, and site set up /breakdown. Orientation meetings are scheduled for mid-May—but please sign up now. For more information, or to get a volunteer form, call Artsplosure at: (919) 832-8699, Fax: 832-0890, E-Mail: artsplo@aol.com or check in on _ the _ net: www.artsplosure.org. SSSSSSSSS $ $ $ > “Your Check ¢ Cashing Store > $ Checks Cashed Store of your choice. 919-321-1553 Fax 919-321-1335 1105 Greenville Blvd. ¢ Greenville, NC 27836 Billy Herndon ~ “All Types” $ 9 $ > .) .) $ $ > > $ > Ask about $ “Advance Pay” $ Check Cashing... : Cash Express will $ cash your personal check and deposit it on your next PAPPAPHAHHHHoH Need A Job? Learn Job Seeking Skills That Work! pay day... Got cash now with Advance Pay Check Cashing FREE Pre-Employment Training Located at LGPFRARPAHAAHAHHHHAHH HHH Last Year 90% of HRD Graduates Either Began A New Career Or Enrolled In a Training Program! The Next Session Begins Soon Call Today Pitt Community College PITT AJ Tyson, Jr 321-4255 eon | 4 $ > $ $ $ $ $ .) $ $ $ $ $ Memorial Drive $ $ (West end Circle) $ 5756-66475 $$SHSHHEHEHS SG 9 ame memneaaen STRAN THINGS Well put In Honduras, legislator Julio Villatoro, reacting to the bigamy charged filed by his wife said: “I have problems with my wife, even though she knows a handsome man is ‘not for every woman but for several. God gave me a physique attractive to women, “and I take advantage of it.” And in Lesotho (Africa), King Lestie, 23, ‘ imploring other southern African monarchs — and dignitaries to help him find a wife said, “The pressure on me to find a wife soon is heavy, especially from my mother. . I sometimes get jealous when I see other leaders getting partners with such remark- cable ease.” Not nice to fool... Two Chilean police officers who stopped 40 motorists for using cellular telephones while driving in Santiago’s wealthy eastern suburb discovered that 15 of them were ' only pretending to talk on their phones, -and they were made of plastic or wood. “I was only doing it to look better,” the news- “paper La Tercera quoted one driver as telling the police. Another pointed out that in Chili people have to “show off” to get ahead, and using a fake phone was cheaper than the real thing. Criminal motives In Boynton Beach, Fla., Kevin Carter, 21, and Michael Harrison, 26, were charged with murder and armed robbery. Their motive: to raise money to attend the ~ police academy. - And in Appleton, Wis., Darrel Vocks, 38, - was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing $100,000 worth of pigs from his employer. His motive: to pay for breast _ implants for a stripper at a club he patron- ized. «lt can help! _. At New Jersey’s Middlesex County jail, - Ralph Bailey, 78, a Baptist preacher who has played the accordion at the jail for 40 . years, said that accordion music can help - fehabilitate prisoners. “It seems to reach their souls more quickly than words ever ‘ could. The music gives them a measure of serenity they couldn’t get any other way. Sgt. Joe de Matteo agreed, smirking, : “After the sessions they become real pussycats.” ‘Intriguing’ idea According to a recent story in the Nashville Tennessean about state govern- ment engineer Ken Robichaux’s whose lonely, 10-year crusade to wipe out both --the U.S. system of measurement and the ‘metric system, in favor of one that com- bines weight, length, and volume into a single set of measures denominated as “robies,” has finally met with some accep- tance. He said Al Gore called the idea “intriguing.” Gun play Timothy Foreman, 21, a psychology stu- dent at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, returned to his apartment after a night of drinking and discovered that a sandwich was missing from his refrigerator. He jok- ingly told roommates that he would shoot the person who stole the sandwich. To make his point, he got a handgun and fired at a paper bull’s-eye he had taped to the wall of his room. The bullet went through the wall and wounded a roommate in the next room. Indiana County Coroner Tom Streams said that when Foreman realized what had happened, he shot himself in the head and was pronounced dead at Indiana Hospital. Comes with the job In addition to their journalistic duties, reporters at Orion Radio in the southern Rumanian town of Cimpulung have to take turns climbing on the radio station’s roof and shooting at the scores of crows that have taken to rousting on the antenna. Their weight causes the antenna to shake, interrupting broadcasts. Strange doings Four strippers at the Scene Karaoke and Coconut Karaoke bars in Pattaya, Thailand, were fined a total of $80 for indecency for an act in which live ducklings were placed inside plastic bags (with air holes) and inserted into the women’s bodies; they would “lay” the eggs, which would then hatch. _ Big mouth The 26-year-old driver of a 1989 Ford Probe that ran off the road and into a tree in rural Anne Arundel County, Md., told a motorist who stopped to help that he was intoxicated and needed to get out of the , area before police arrived. The driver of «the second car identified himself as : Detective Thomas Middleton, an undercov- er police officer who said that the drunk driver then admitted also having 14 grams .Of marijuana, ‘Oops! John O'Neil, 73, had to be rescued by . firefighters in Huntington, N.Y., after he . wondered out of a bar late at night and somehow got wedged between two build- ings. He was stuck so tight that he had to “be pulled out from above. ‘~ Compiled by Real Times Communications, Jac., 401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite "YAS, Chicago, Minois 60611. %, ay SE ep coi ee ape eet ree (WEP Ne we! 7 aia i Tt oy: peg ic Fee a, on Williamston, N.C.- Posing for the camera outside Hiks Fashions located in the WalMart shopping center, these happy faces show the love of African Americans in Eastern, N.C. The bottom photo shows a mother and her daughters shopping on a Saturday afternoon. Brain Attack Warning Signs Need Emergency Care Ifyou miss the warning signs of a brain attack, you may be putting your senses, speech and memory in danger in a mat- ter of minutes. Brain attacks, commonly known as strokes, affect different people in differ- ent ways. When a brain attack occurs, severe injuriesin mental and bodily func- tions—even death—can result. Knowing the warning signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical treatment if you no- tice any signals are critical in avoiding the No. 3 killer in the United States, according to the American Heart Asso- ciation. American Heart Association volunteers work year-round, particularly during Stroke Awareness Month in May, to re- duce the incidence of brain attack. The theme for this special month is “Stroke Isa Brain Attack. Know the Warning Signs.” AHA volunteers nationwide are pool- ing their efforts to conduct awareness campaigns about brain attack—the lead- ing cause of serious disability in the United States. Stroke Awareness Month is designed to alert the public about stroke’s warning signs, how it might be prevented and resources available through the American Heart Associa- tion. Stroke killed 154,350 people in 1994 and accounted for about one of every 15 U.S. deaths. It’s the third largest cause of death, ranking behind diseases of the heart and cancer, according to the Na- tional Center for Health Statistics. A brain attack occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Both brain attack and heart attack are diseases of the circulatory system caused by ruptur- ing or blocking of arteries. During a brain attack, the brain is starved for oxygen and brain cells begin to die within min- utes. That is why immediate medical attention is crucial. “Much of the general publicis unfamil- iar with the warning signs of a stroke,” said Dr. James R. Harper, Jr. MD, presi- dent of the American Heart Association North Carolina Affiliate, “Stroke must be treated with the same sense of ur- gency as a heart attack. In order to re- ceive immediate treatment, people must be able to recognize the warning signs of stroke.” The warning signs associated with stroke are: ¢ Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body. * Sudden dimness of loss of vision, particularly in one eye. * Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech. * Sudden, severe headaches with no &, Latham Design & Associates ° Computer Aided Design ¢ Business Graphics Presentation e Software Tutoring © Architectural Rendering ° Mechanical Drawings ° Product Design 3-D Design For Industry and the Public William L. Latham, C.E.O. OWA AFRICA DIGEST ZAIRE New fighting erupts +e Zairian rebels and Rwandan soldiers began a new wave of fighting in eastern Zaire this week which has caused at least 60,000 Rwandan refugees to flee squalid jungle camps. Rebels barred aid workers for a third day from entering the camps south of Kisangani on the Zaire River’s west bank to help the refugees or even what was happening to them. The rebels say their forces and former Rwandan Hutu soldiers started fighting after Zairian residents near the camps went on a rampage, blaming the refugees for the killing of six local people. The mobs looted food supplies and attacked aid workers and jour- nalists. SOUTH AFRICA Armed robbers get $1 million In Pietersburg, South Africa, armed robbers set up a roadblock on a major highway and forced an armored car to stop, then fled with about $1 million on cash. About 15 men surrounded the vehicle after forcing it to halt on the NI highway between Pietersburg and Louis Trichardt. A shootout left one robber seriously wounded. His companions dragged him into a waiting get-away Car. BURUNDI 100 Killed in fighting A Burundi army a spokesman said this 2 © | week that about 100 people have been killed * in fighting between the army and rebels in southern Burundi. Makamba province Gov. Gilbert Manirabona told state-run Radio Burundi that fighting has been going on in the area since April 14. Lt. Col. Isaie Nibizi blamed Hutu rebels for the killings in Kayagoro, a village in the Vugizo community of Makamba province, an area where there have been his- toric clashes. He said the rebels had sum- moned the people of Kayagor village, where Hutu , and Tutsis lived together, to meet and . then shot them all. (Photo by: Jim Rouse) Gov., rebels sign peace pact apparent cause. * Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially along with any of the previous symptoms . If you experience one or more of the warning signs of brain attack, get medi- cal helpimmediately. Early intervention can minimize brain injury, and preven- tive care may reduce the risk of stroke, according to the American Heart Asso- ciation. “About 10 percent of brain attacks are preceded by ‘temporary strokes’,” said Dr. Harper, “Thesecan occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke.” Temporary strokes, also known as tran- sient ischemic attacks or TIAs, result when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery and part of the brain doesn’t get the supply of blood it needs. “The symptoms are like those of a full- fledged brain attack. They occur rapidly and last a relatively short time, usually from a few minutes to several hours,” Dr. Harper said. High blood pressure is one of the risk factors of stroke. The higher your blood pressure. the greater your risk of stroke. Some groups are more prone to develop- ing high blood pressure than others. In this country, African-Americans, Mexi- Four southern rebel groups and Sudan’s Islamic government this week signed a peace treaty to end a 14-year- old civil war. Under the treaty, signed by Sudan’s Vice President Lt. Gen. Zubaie Mohammed Saleh and rebel leaders, a referendum will be held after a four-year interim period in which southerners will decide whether their large and underdeveloped region should secede or remain in Sudan. The treaty also gives the mostly Christian and animist south more power in running their daily affairs, including using their local customs instead of the Islamic law that is applied in the north. Mohammed el-Amin Khalifa, head of Sudan’s-Peace Council and who negotiated the accord, said an amnesty will be granted to the rebels, who will be allowed to keep their weapons during the interim period. ~ ZIMBABWE Too many elephants Zimbabwe’s game parks have twice as many elephants as they should, and the big ani- mals are smashing 23 down trees, digging up roads, flattening farmland and attacking other animals and humans. The game reserves, which make up 13 per- cent of the country’s surface is facing an eco- logical problem of major proportions, an international environmental agency said this week. There are now approximately 65,000 elephants roaming around in various locations and destroying the land, the agency said. They claim the parks can only support about 35,000 elephants. Zimbabwe officials are campaigning for an international convention on elephant products in an effort to bring the rising population to a manageable level. Internationally, elephants are on the endan- gered species list and the exportation of ele- phant products is banned in many countries including the United States. Zimbabwe has a unique problem, the agency said, that will call for some creative solutions. Poaching the ele- phant populations for ivory should not be on Zimbabwe's agenda. ANGOLA 7 : U.S. warns of Angola visits * Rubber Continued on Page Nine. ° Labels ¢ The State Department this week warned Americans against traveling to Angola because of unsettled political and milit conditions and violent crime, and it advised Americans in Nicaragua to be cautious, “Travel within Angola remains unsafe due to the presence of bandits, undisciplined police and unsettled troops,” the department said in a comunique to the embassy the sie . sie eile eile . . * 946-8372 Continued from Page Eight - Brain Attack can-Americans, Cuban-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Asian-Americans of- ten have higher blood pressure than other groups. Compared to whites, young Afri- can-Americans have a two-to-three-fold greater risk of cerebral infarction, and African American men and women are 2.5 times more likely to die of stroke. Millions of people are challenged by the devastating aftermath of stroke. Until recently. no formal, national network linking members of the stroke commu- nity existed to aid in their emotional and physical recovery. The American Heart Est: Support Programs special needs ®& Statewide network of Parent to Parent ®& Central Directory of Resources, a resource center that gives families and professionals easy access to information about specific health problems and disabilities, services, agencies, and other resources for children with or at risk for ® Foster Family Resource Library Association’s Stroke Connection is a grass roots network of alliances, coalitions, out- reach programs and more than 1,000 stroke support groups dedicated to im- proving the quality of life for survivors and caregivers. If you or someone you know has had a stroke, you can reach the Stroke Connection at 1-800-553-6321. For more information on brain attack prevention and Stroke Awareness Month activities call your nearest American Heart Association at (919) 968-4453 or 1- 800-AHA-USA- I or online at http:// www.amhrt.org fat Family Support Network of North Carolina offers services and information to families, physicians & service providers who care for children with or at risk for special needs 1+-800-852-0042 CB# 7340 University of North Carolina- CH q Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7340 yy PITT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Basic computer skills training Computer terminology Computer keyboard Personal computers Microsoft Word Dos/Windows Learn A Profitable Skill! Learn how to market this valuable knowledge through Resume writing Interviewing techniques Communication skills Organizing your job search Classes Begin Soon Pre-registration Required Class Size Limited CALL AJ Tyson, Jr. THE SHOE OUTLET THE BUDGET STORE WITH TRUE DISCOUNT PRICES We have a large selection of all-leather Name-Brand shoes, priced $3.00 to $19.00... Men's and Ladies shoes...work/dress/ and casual shoes. You can choose from Easy Spirit, Hush Puppies, Revelations, Soft Spot, Nurse Mate, Timberland, Stacy Adams, Bostonian, Dexter, Bally Cole Haan, (Just to name a | few). We also have Stride Rite shoes for children. Use our convenient layaway plan. Shop the Budet-priced store and save BIG!!! That's the Shoe Outlet, located on the corner of Ninth and Washington Streets In Greenville. IN JAIL!!!! WE BAIL!!!! IN JAIL!!! WE BAIL!!!! Gardner's Bail Bonding, located at 1798 N. Greene Street in Greenville. In jail and need to get out in a hurry, Gardner's Bail Bonding is the one you need to call!! The Number Is 7157-1421 Ask For Herb or one of his professionally trained bondsmen. They will come and rescue you! ! That's Gardner's Bail Bonding! Call them at 757-1421 , Remember! In Jail, We Bail! EEE EEE NR Ct Lee R. Trent, il M.D. 801 S. Evans St. Greenville, NC 27835 Services: Family & General Medical Practice Limited to Office Practice ¢ Active Weight Loss Program ¢ Male Impotence ¢ Preventive Care Office Hours: Mon - Wed - Fri: 9am - 5pm Tue - Thu: 9am - 3pm Saturday: 10am - 3pm Calls 830-0468 for appointment Moyewood Housing Project Family Day The children are all of our concerns. Look at the love on these faces. Pictorial in our next edition -LOOK FOR IT!! (Photo by: Jim Rouse) Reception for NCCU Students Chancellor Julius L. Chambers and Mrs. Chambers hosted a reception for North Carolina Central University’s interna- tional students Sunday afternoon April 13 at their home. Attending were 41 inter- national students and almost as many faculty and staff members. Nations which are represented in NCCU’s international student popula- tion of 122 include the Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, the Gaza Strip, Ghana, Grenada, India, Iran, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Leba- non, Liberia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, the Soviet Union, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United King- dom of Great Britain, Venezuela, Viet- nam, Zaire, and Zimbabwe. The number includes some naturalized citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Attending the reception were students from Bahrain, Bermuda, Bosnia, Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Nige- ria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Trinidad and Vietnam. Mrs. Vivian Chambers served her guests an expansive buffet including chicken and vegetable dishes. During the program, the international students heard descriptions of services made available to them at NCCU. MASTER’S THESIS EXHIBITION Wellington B. Gray Art Gallery APRIL 28 - MAY 23, 1997 The Wellington B. Gray Art Gallery is proud to present the work of four artists graduating from the Master’s program in the School of Art at East Carolina Univer- sity. The exhibiting artists are Cynthia Blamire, Jonathan Mugmon, Margaret Angell Shields Volney, II and Linda Werthwein. Jonathan Mugmon received a BFA in painting and drawing from the Univer- sity of Central Florida in 1995. He says of his work “Newness rises from repetition, it is the unfamiliar found in the midst of the most familiar sight.” Margaret Volney received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Environmental Design from East Carolina University in 1983. “Having been born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina, I have always loved New Bern and her historic land- marks. My grandmother, Annie Shipp Shields, was a strong influence guiding me to understand and appreciate the pas- sion she had for preservation, as she worked diligently on saving the Judge William Gaston House located in New Bern, North Carolina.” Linda Werthwein has studied at nu- merous institutions including Northern Illinois University, University of Utah, andthe University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Linda says of her large contiguous paint- ing, “From the quiet stirrings of begin- nings to the full culmination of life, my work is inspired by the presence of the living God and my life in the West Indies. On an environmental scale semi abstract imagery features contemplation ofa tran- quil sea, moving to an ever increasing power, sun, rain, earth forming, foliage culminated in a blossom.” Cynthia Blamire received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics from the Univer- sity of Florida, Gainesville in 1973. Her sculptural ceramic art reflects her urban roots. The work takes a humorous look at pop culture. The Wellington B. Gray Gallery is lo- cated offof 5th Street and Jarvis Street on the campus of East Carolina University in the Jenkins Fine Arts Center. The gallery will be open for viewing 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and until 8:00 PM on Thursdays, April 29 May 9. Starting May 10 summer hours for the Gray Gallery will be Monday through Thursday, 10:00AM-5:00PM and Fridays, 10:00-11:30 AM. All exhibits and recep- tions are free and open to the public, Jenkins Fine Arts Center is handicapped accessible. For more information, please contact Gilbert Leebrick, Gallery Director, at (919) 328-6336. (‘10 = THE "M" VOICE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL<* AY 7, 1997 City of Greenville Annual International Festival on the Town Common "1997" ae To Advertise in The 'M' Voice Call 757-136: J tne wha ge ye man cial a: ae mt Ai. ee he = va La ae ee dabiny) eels , . oe Nsadbiigene 3 oe Thane Me Ge The rapper situation is sad because weasarace (black) need to unite, and stop the violence period. We're fighting a no-man's land war, and no one's winning, butmurderer. Renee West She thinks they should let it go and let peace come. No more beef! Ayden, NC Linwood Phillips It should be about the music. Why the beef? Stop the Beef! Raleigh, NC Marsha Vines East Coast - West Coast is not very far apart, just a thing line and it goes with the statement, It's a thin line between love and hate. Everyone needs tojust chill. Greenville, NC GREENSBORO, NC—The Fabulous Thunderbirds, long con- sidered one of the most popular and enduring of blues bands, will headline the 11th Annual Caro- Castle McCulloch in Jamestown, NC. The annual blues event is presented by the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society and is spon- sored by Miller Brewing Company in Eden, NC. The Festival line-up features pianist-vocalist Marcia Ball, former Muddy Waters Band gui- tarist Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, zydeco artists Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Cats, traditional bluesman Alvin Youngblood Hart and last year’s Amateur Talent Contest winners Johnny Whitlock and the Blues Caucus. Every day, every moment with the Lord is precious. The mother of Rev. Arlee Griffen and her Granddaughters. She is the mother of Joy 1340 AM, Radio, the Gospel Music Mix Party afternoon driveman, Brother Reggie Price. By the way, Mother Griffen is on her way in Cornerstone Missionary church to hear God's word from her Pastor Rev. Locke, live over Joy 1340 AM, each third Sunday, at 1lam } until Cornerstone Choir is through. | (Photo by: Jim Rouse) After his STROKE. John Monteiro Barely lift one arm. Today, John ily holds his own THANKS in American Heart Association. Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY GREENVILLE UTILITIES COMMISSION Position available for person to perform responsible laboratory analyses of wastewater, groundwater, bio- solids and industrial waste. Applicant should have experience in water or wastewater analyses; a working knowledge of computers and analytical instrumentation; maintain equipment; enter data and complete reports. Two years of analytical laboratory experience and possession of a two-year associate or four-year degree in physical or natural science 1s highly desirable or a combination of coursework, experience and training. Person must also demonstrate the ability to work and communicate with Starting — salary commensurate with education, training, and experience. A valid North Carolina driver’s license is required. Applications accepted through May 5, 1997. Salary Rage $22,589 - $33,550. well others. Interested persons should contact the Human Resources Office, Greenville Utilities Commission, P.O. Box 1847, Greenville, NC 27835. Employment 1s contingent upon passing a physical examination including a drug screening urinalysis. “An Equal Opportunity Employers” ing) FMC Mortgage Funding 204 Arlington Boulevard, Suite M Greenville, NC 27858 HOME OWNERS ¢ Bill Consolidations ¢ Purchases & Doublewides & Land * {st or 2nd Mortgages ¢ Refinances * Credit History NOT Important * Self Employed * College Tuition * Quick Appraisals 919-321-3863 Toll Fee 888-846-3863 LOAN AMOUNT 10 YRS 15 YRS 50 YRS 15,000 *204.°' *168." *140.” 25,000 *340.* *280.” 233.” 50,000 *681." *560.” *466.” Int. Rate 10.75% App. 11.579% “Rates Subject to Change LONGER TERMS :- LARGER AMOUNTS : iL JACQUES THIGPEN THE "M* VOICE — WED? Fabulous Thunderbirds Headline Carolina Lite © Blues Festival | lina Lite Blues Festival, Satur- . day, May 17, from 4pm-1lpm at. ay The Fabulous Thunderbirds, led _ by singer/harmonica player Kim — cording since the 1970's. Formed © by Wilson and guitarist Jimmie — Vaughan in Austin, Texasin 1975, the Thunderbirds started out as the house band at the legendary Atone’s Blues Club. | In 1990, Jimmie Vaughan de- parted to form a band with his younger brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Thunderbirds car- ried on with a new line-up and a 1991 release. But soon after, Kim Wilson, considered by many to be the consummate blues harmonica player, left the Thunderbirds to record two well-received solo al- bums. The band later reunited with another fresh line up, featuring Continued on Page 12. PEOPLE ARE SWEET ON THE FRESH TASTE OF HONEYBEE. —— HONEY BEE sweet £75 «HE + eS. nee Ekas eee, NOW IN PLASTIC CANS. =' — T-METRIC 40,000 Mile Tread Life Warranty aut P155SR13 P165R13 P165R13 PI7S/70R13 P185/70R13 P186/70R14 GRAND OPENING at New Location Saturday, May 17th! RICHARD PETTY'S ORIGINAL 1972 DODGE CHARGER An Exclusive Invitation To See Richard Petty$ Race Cars King Richards Legendary 1972 Dodge Charger And The Petty NASCAR Super Truck logether, they've torn up more tracks, won more races, and excited more crowds than any pair of machines in NASCAR history. They're Richard Petty’s pride and joy. And this may be your best chance to see them up close and in person. And while you're here, make sure you check out the great deals on Goodyear quality tires and service. PRICE we $29.95 $32.95 $33.96 $97.98 P176/00R13 P186/00R13 P166/76R14 PI9s/76R14 P208/76R14 P208/76R16 P218/75R15 DECATHLON 50,000 Mile Tread Life Warranty PRICE the ONLY car in hist y to have won 38 Nascar Ra \ Special Hours: 7 es f JO am to 5:00 pm! { Pe ee mem ayew munmmanan bm antnrtnmntnne 1 i[ gp [Os FUTER. LUBE) BRAKE SPECIAL ; COMPUTERIZED | j Includes pads, shoes, turning drums if i WHEEL ALIGNMENT necessary. Semi-metallic pads additional j | | $15. Price may vary on some imports. | Front End $ Ob ] ] (994 velue) i Front or rear. 1 year or 12,000 mile : 4 warranty. I Lubricate chassis, drain oi ' | , drain oil and refill | up 05 qts. Install a new ol fier ] j Mech 4-Wheel $ ab Special oil & filter may result in extra 1 I charge Kendall Motor Oil I j ] | Pouine g | | Set caster, camber and toe to exact : i) ® specifica’ tions. I With coupon thru 8/31/97 | =~ With coupon thu 5/31/97 «With coupon thru 8/91/97 ] | TUN | ] ROTATION | — Sd & BALANCE | EAGLE GT Ill 29" i ($49 value) I i : ‘soe 96 wze I 39" | \ (940 value) ; P186/60R 14 i 549% FREE ROTATION , | P'196/60R14 ; heals P196/60R15 i Now resistor eperk ot plugs, eet timing and NREEPTON i rota f wae viele ue preseure. | err oer nope toca i ; Not valid w/on sale tires. \ P215/60R15 | sorte ne One or Fier, sir fer i No Obligation I P226/60R18 With coupon thru 5/31/97 With coupon thru 5/31/07 : — P225/60R 16 New Location 754-2575 —— i ee ke oe oe eS ef oe Se Th Th ee Now With 2 Greenville Locations To Serve You! Downtown Greenville 728 Dickinson Ave, 752-4417 Colony Tire Quality Service Since 1976 Advertise with PAGAS Mailing Services, inc. (919) 641-0903 OK-6018 = GAVL 05/07/07 12 THE "M" VOICE- WEDNESDAY, APRIL «. - MAY 7, 1997 From Page One, O.J. turn before the judge came up, he was also beaten soundly after the judge remanded him to remain an indentured servant “for the rest of his life.” In law the term, “stare decisis,” means, “let stand what has al- ready been decided,” has relevance here. Stare decisis is the basis for what is called precedence, the his- torical road map for all legal rul- ings. What “In Re: John Punch” turned out to be was the precedent case establishing the legal slavery of the black man in America. Many legal commentators have blamed Simpson’s wealth and fame for the criminal trial acquittal in- stead of the obvious lack of real evidence and overabundance of planted and tainted evidence. His- tory shows that wealth has no bear- ingon a black person who is pitted against mainstream interests whether the person is a defendant or a plaintiff. In 1668, for example, Hannah Warwick, a white servant was ac- cused of stealing from her em- ployer, a black innkeeper, also in Jamestown, Virginia. Although the justice of the peace found Warwick guilty of the infractions, he nei- ther gave her any jail time nor required her to pay a fine because, “the person she was bound to obey” was a black man. Even though the black innkeeper made more money than thejudge, the black employer had no social or legal standing in the eyes of the judge’s court. “Racism has been perpetrated by the court,” reminds Judge Higginbotham, “due in part to the insensitivity of judges.” I n recent years “In Re: Hannah Warwick” has been psychologically used to strip down many other wealthy blacks in the eyes of the court. In Southern California, pop singer Rick James was arrested after he was accused of torturing one of the two white women he was smoking crack cocaine with over a three-day period. According to the other white woman, James’ girl- friend, the accuser was loving ev- Nonetheless, James was held on $1 million bond, tried, convicted and sentenced to several years in jail. Meanwhile, other stars have been accused of slapping their spouses or girlfriends around (Dudley Moore, Burt Reynolds, Geraldo Rivera and others) and were, in most instances, not even charged with a crime. Why? Could it be that none of the above men were black men accused of harm- ing white women? Which brings us to the subject of interracial sex and marriage and what it means in social and legal American history and the Simpson trial. Derrick Bell says that although the laws banning miscegenation have been struck down by the courts, “the concern over interra- cial unions remains pervasive.” Even the jury foreman in the Simpson civil trial was on record as opposinginterracial marriages. In his book, “Race, Racism and American Law,” Bell, former dean of the University of Oregon School of Law and a professor on leave from Harvard Law School, reminds us that interracial sex was com- mon in all the English colonies. Quoting from historian Winthrop Jordan’s 1968 book, “White over Black,” Bell, reminds readers that white men routinely slept with and often married black women with no legal ramifications. How- ever, that was not the case for black men sleeping with or marry- ing white women. In 1664, Maryland established a law entitled, “An Act Concerning Negroes and Other Slaves,” pro- viding that “any white woman who married a slave, too, became a slave.” In other words, that white woman became “inferior.” It wasn’t until 1948, in the case, Perez vs. Sharp, (32 Cal. 2nd 711, 198, P2d 17 [ 1948]) that the Cali- fornia Supreme Court struck down the state’s miscegenation statute by a slim 4-3 vote. Even as recently as 1967, in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Loving vs. Virginia (388 U.S, 1[1967]) the Court noted that the trial judge, after sentencing the interracial couple to one year in jail, told the court: “Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, Malay and red, and He placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with His arrange- ment there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that He separated the races shows that He did not intend for the races to mix.” In his 1941 seminal study on race, “An American Dilemma,” Sociologist Gunnar Myrdal lists what he describes as the “white man’s order of discrimination.” 1. Interracial marriage 2. Sexual intercourse by non- whites with white women 3. Use of public facilities 4, Political franchise 5. Legal equality 6. Employment On the flip side, Myrdal found that in the scheme of things, “mis- cegenation was not high on (blacks’) list of grievances against white racism.” It ranked last. Perhaps a more telling indica- tion of what race means to the mainstream when it comes to is- sues involving blacks, other mi- norities and whites, can be seen in Professor Oliver Cox’s famous 1948 treatise, “Caste, Class and Race.” “Both the Negroes and their white exploiters,” noted Cox, “know that economic opportunity comes first and that the white woman comes second; indeed, she is merely a significant instrument in limit- ing the first.” Which brings us to the real issue involved in the second Simpson trial. The money. Revisiting, what CNN’s Bruce Morton said: “This is a second trial for the same offense with real penalties.” While the civil trial jury took Simpson’s present and future money, rendering him a pauper, the opposite occurred when a fed- eral jury sentenced two Los Ange- les Police Department cops to jail time for the violation of black mio- torist Rodney King’s civil rights. This happened after a Simi Valley state jury acquitted four officers for the March 3, 1991, brutal beating of King. After the second trial, the two officers be- came millionaires as they sat in a minimum security federal prison. In legal practice, wealth and property rights always supersede human rights. The prevailing wis- dom is that the life of wealth and property is “perpetual” while hu- man life lasts but only a short time. In issues involving race, influ- ential mainstream interests will often claim the money and prop- erty as the real prize in a dispute . In 19th century Frederick, Md., for example, white bankers with political allies seized the property of my ancestors, the Murdocks and Continued on Page 13. EDGECOMBE COUNTY'S 10 MOST WANTED DEADBEAT PARENTS ery minute of the three-day orgy— *- until the-drugs ran out. rom page 11, Thunderbirds guitarist Kid Ramos and keyboardist Gene Taylor, to re- - lease theirmostrecentCD,RollOf - The Dice, in 1995. The Fabulous - Thunderbirds remain in demand - onthe bluesclub, festivalandblues - cruise circuit. Louisiana-born Marcia Ball : made an indelible impression at ° her first Carolina Lite Blues Festi- ; val in 1992. She returns this year : with critical praise still ringingin - her ears. That praise underlies the current opinion of blues con- — noisseurs who believe that Marcia Ball is simply the best live female performer working the blues cir- cuit today. Filling the Chicago blues slot this year is Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, a Muddy Waters alum- nus from the 1970’s. But Johnson’s roots run deeper into the West Side Chicago blues scene. Arriv- ing in Chicago from his native Mississippi in the mid-1950’s, Johnson developed his guitarstyle by listening to Magic Sam and Otis Rush. After a long appren- ticeship with Magic Sam, Johnson joined Muddy’s touring unit. A Grammy award-winning artist and powerful live performer, Johnson tours regularly with his backing band the Magic Rockers. Zydeco returns to the Carolina Lite Blues Festival this year with Blind Pigrecording artists Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Their ferocious accordion/ rub board/percussion sound has earned Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band engagements at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Bull Durham Blues Festival, and the Chicago Blues Festival. Traditional blues is always a mainstay at the Carolina Lite Blues Festival and Alvin Youngblood Hart is one of the hot- test new acoustic blues perform- ers. Rounding out this year’s line up is Greensboro’s own Johnny Whitlock and the Blues Caucus. Whitlock, the 60-year-old blues singer with the rich, deep voice, is backed up by an impressive as- sortment of local blues talent, fea- turing guitarist Max Drake (Min- ister of Sinister, The Extrordanaires), Bryan Smith (The Charismatics), and bassist Bobby Kelly (Tornado). For more information on this event, call (910) 275-4944. The Piedmont Blues Preservation So- ciety is a non-profit, volunteer or- ganization dedicated to keeping the blues alive. The Greensboro Area Conven- tion & Visitors Bureau is an inde- pendent, nonprofit, governmental authority. Its mission is to pro- mote economic development through travel and tourism, MICHAEL ANDES JOYNER Past Due Support As Of 07-19-96: $2,975.12 Age: 28 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown - Height: 6'2" Weight: 200 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: _ Greenville, NC - Occupation: Machine Operator CENTIMETERS AVI CLIFTON MOORE Past Due Support As Of 07-30-96: $11, 0.20 Age: 32 Hair: Black | Eyes: Brown ight: 5°15" Weight: t Known Whereabouts: y Mount, NC Occupation: Edwards Welding eed by a ae TIMOTHY ALLAN YOUNG Past Due Support As Of 07-19-96: $32,320.00 Age: 35 Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Height: s'y" Weight: 150 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Rocky Mount, NC Occupation: Construction 4U 68 66 64 62 60 CARL LEE JOHNSON: Past Due Support As Of 02-02-96: $16,838.20 Age: 38 Hair: Black Eyes: Dark Brown Height: 5'10" Weight: 140 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Tarboro, NC Occupation: Factory Work — JOY CHESTER PARKER Past Due Support As Of 07-24-96: $18,866.76 Age: 39 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Height: 5'5" Weight: 135 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Raleigh, NC Occupation: Unknown MICHAEL ANGELO REOMAN Past Due Suppor! As Of 02-29-96: $17,552.00 Age: 32 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Height: 5'5" Weight: 160 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Waterbury Connecticut Occupation: Farm Laborer LEONARD WAYNE FAIRCLOTH Past Due Support As Of 07-19-96: $12,502.00 Age: 43 Hair: Sandy Blonde Eyes: Hazel Height: 5'6" Weight: 160 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Shallotte, NC Occupation: Truck Driver/ Heavy Equipment JOHNNY LYNN DILDY Past Due Support As Of 03-06-96: $9,951.20 Age: 39 Hair: Black/Gray Eyes: Brown Height: 5'7" Weight: 170 Ibs, Last Known Whereabouts: Fayetteville, NC Occupation: Factory Industry These ten parents are being sought by the Edgecombe County Department of Social Service's Child Support Enforcement Unit for not paying their child Support. If you have any information about any of these parents, please call (919) 641-7950 or (919) 985-5030. 82 6) JOE NATHA JENKINS Past Due Support As Of 07-30-96: $13,751.64 Age: Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Height: 5'8" Weight: Last Known Whereabouts: Wilson, NC Occupation: Laborer er oe . Ds “7 Wo. aye PAUL ANTHONY THORNE Past Due sepport As Of 03-06-96: $18,970.00 Age: 34 Hair; Brownish/Black Eyes: Brown Height: 5'9" Weight: 215 Ibs. Last Known Whereabouts: Ba NC Occupation: Retail Sales EDGECOMBE COUNTY WORKS FOR CHILDREN | 4 i 1 ; 4 i From Page One, O.J. Museum (Ca. 633087 [1990)). In that case, the plaintiff, Glenna Wilson, a deeply religious security guard with supervising and train- ing responsibilities, was placed on probation for “unsatisfactory pro- fessional conduct” shortly after she complained that she had been the subject of racial slurs. Even though Wilson’s attorneys cited a litany of cases supporting the admission of racist statements, Fujisaki ruled that the slurs could not be introduced to the all-white jury because the evidence tended to be prejudicial against the defendant. Yet he allowed the defense to intro- duce statements from Wilson’s sub- ordinates claiming that she had made sexual advances towards them. As my late University of Pitts- burgh track coach, James E. Ban- ner, once told me: “Leopards don’t change their spots.” Perhaps this was why Fujisaki was chosen tohear this case. Knowing that the lives of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald are, unfortunately, no longer sig- nificant, the families went after the property and wealth of the person whose life is technically still signifi- cant. O. J. Simpson. In doing so, the legal system established a sort of unwritten nouveau stare decisis, which was explained in one of my columns following the civil verdict: Ofice Cente - Lene Sip (Box of 199) FAY oncecan GS. A line Office Equipment Company 569 S. Evans StreetsGreenville. NC 919-752-2175*800-682-8233 oe _ Apply today! 26, of credit just for you. “P Diese 95 ® orem, Cente OFFICE? "nnn “We reserve the right to limit quantities. No sales to dealers.” “Itis official. In Los Angeles County, the price of a white person’s life that the mainstream ‘believes’ was snuffed out by a black man, is worth upwards of $12.5 million. Since 1992, however, the life of a black person seen murdered on video tape is worth—$500. “Worse, the family of Latasha Harlins didn’t even get the $500. The state did.” Adding fuel to this insult was the unapologetic bias in coverage by a media pool of predominately white and Jewish journalists and, worse, the on-air analyses by biased legal commentators and the national talk show hosts. Unfortunately, the African Ameri- can/Jewish perception of the trial coverage is important here because the Simpson trials pitted, as Boston College Law Professor Nei] Gotanda points out, a Jewish “model” minor- ity against the African American minority refereed by a “middleman minority,” Judge Lance Ito in the criminal trial; Judge Fujisaki in the civil trial—two Japanese Americans. This rift goes back to the coverage of the Latasha Harlins/Soon Ja du controversy where a Jewish judge, Joyce Karlin, gave the convicted defendant, a Korean shop owner, probation and a $500 fine. Support- ing wholeheartedly Karlin’s ruling We Mean a Great DEAL To Your Business! CENTRE S &P Beauty Supply Hair Stylist ROBIN 562 Pamlico Plaza, Washington, NC 27889 (WalMart Shopping Center) Call for Delivery (Limited Area) Open Hours: | 9 AM till 6 PM - Mon. - Thurs. 9 AM till 6:30 PM — Fri. 8:30 AM till 6:30 PM on Sat. Call 975-2665 Friday from New Jersey BRAIDS -. Call for Pricing pon and = Appointments Duties: The Chief Executive and Top Manager of Martin County Community Action, Inc. The Executive Director coordinates, directs and implements all aspects of the Agency including both its administrative and programmatic areas, He/She is responsible generally for the effective operation of Martin County Community Action, Inc. in accordance with the terms of all grants and contracts and the overall policies of the Board. Qualifications: Closing date - May 24, 1997 Sef Braios We cater to all hair shin typer - The Latest Styles and Trends in Braiding | * for All Types of Hair | Come To The Right Place and Experience The Differences! Position: Executive Director Supervised By: Board of Directors Salary Range: $43,931 - 58,791 19.93 - 28.27 Masters Degree in Administration preferred. College Degree B.A. or B.S. with considerable experience in lieu of thorough knowledge of CAA's organization, programs and functions; Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws affecting programs and funding; excellent management skills and a broad understanding of programs and problems in the field of socio-economic development, considerable knowledge of the process and preparation of grants and proposals in written and oral forms. Submit all applications or Resume to W. E. Honeyblue P. O. Box 806 Williamston, NC 27892 was the Los Angeles Jewish Jour- nal, whose editor, Marlene Adler Marks, openly editorialized in its March 31, 1992 edition that the sup- port of Judge Karlin “was a Jewish cause celebre.” Furthure, Nat Weinstein, author of the “The Legal Lynching Or 0. J. Simpson,” published in the March, 1997 issue of Socialist action, and his editor, Michael Schreiber told a reporter ofhow they, like many Jews, received a solicitation letter from Fred Goldman early last year. Sev- eral blacks living in Chicago, New- York and Los Angeles, with Jewish sounding namesalsoreport that they received the same letter. I knew and covered both trials alongside nearly all of the journal- ists, legal commentators and have appeared on all the major talk shows. Most of the journalists have openly told me and others that they “be- lieve” Simpson “got away with mur- der.” Among them, Mike Fleeman of Associated Press, Ira Reinerof NBC, Roger Cossack of CNN, Thomas Elias, formerly of Scripps-Howard and co-author of our book, “The Simpson Trial in Black and White:” Stephanie Simon and Henry Weinstein of the Los Angeles Times, Dan Abrams of Court TV, Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker Maga- zine, Stan Goldman of Fox Broad- casting, and talk show hosts Geraldo Rivera, Gloria Allred, Tammy Bruce, Gil Gross, Charles Grodin and Larry Kine, just to name a few. The coverage these men and women provided was less than ob- jective by anyone’s measure, largely because most of the media pool loathed Simpson and revered the vitriolic Goldmans. This is not to say that all Jewish journalists and commentators cov- ering the trial were biased against Simpson. Linda Deutsch of Associ- ated Press, Shirley Perlman of Newsday, Professor Laurie Levenson of Loyola Law School were consummate objective journalists. All of them are Jewish. But most Jewish journalists who covered the Simpson trials did little to hide their contempt for Simpson. For example, the Associated Press’ Fleeman was absolutely livid after the criminal trial acquittal. I be- lieve he carried his contempt for the verdict into his coverage of the civil trial as well. One morning during the civil trial, Fleeman leaned over to me and ex- plained how Judge Fujisaki was practically telling Goldman family lawyer Daniel Petrocelli what to say sohe could rule in his favor. “He does that all the time,” Fleeman told me inearshot of reporters from National Public Radio and the Chicago Tri- bune. “Knowing where Fleeman’s sentiments lie, I just set him up. “Are you going to write about that, Mike?” I asked sheepishly. “No,” Fleeman answered. “I'll let you write about it.” Fleeman was not the only reporter who overlooked the obvious bias in Fujisaki’s courtroom. Reporters like the Los Angeles Times’ Simon gave Herbert MacDonell, one of the world’s leading blood experts, just one paragraph on his testimony about how the victims ‘ blocd was planted onto Simpson’s socks. The rest of her, and other reporters’ sto- ries, focused on noted pathologist Michael Baden and whether or not he waslyingona “Rivera Live” broad- 10 x 10 Storage Houses $800.0 All Types of Remodeling, Roofing & Additions to the House || a, Rogers Remodeling Service “For The Best Job At Reasonable Rates” Owner: Leamon Rogers 1300 S. Washington ST. Greenville, N.C. Free Estimates DON’T MISS THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT ‘ the ROANOKE VALLEY is coming together to show you a GREAT WE SURE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US #830-2642 1-888-358-7680 e 6 TIME i Coastal Region cast when he said Goldman could ‘Simpeoa, wes have stood and hisattacker(s) for upwards of 10 minutes. But dur- ing brutal cross n, Baden admitted that Goldman might have stood on his feet as little as four minutes. What was not reported was that Baden confirmed that Goldman stood long enough to have pounded on his assailant(s) so hard that he bruised his knuckles and presum- ably the bodies of his murderer(s). No bruises were found on Simpson in the days following the murders. The reporters, however, didn’t think that fact was newsworthy. Since the trial was not televised, as was the criminal trial, the readers and view- ers have to take their word for it. Also, the stories about the alleged photos of the Bruno Magli shoes unanimously missed one important fact. In the 30 shots deemed to be “authentic” by the FBI, Simpson is wearing a sports jacket with a stick- pin in the lapel and a silk handker- chief in the top pocket. In the other photo considered a “fake,” by the defense, he is wearing a different sports jacket sans the stickpin and hankie. But both photos have Simpson wearing the same trousers and, of course, the Bruno Magli shoes. Both sets of photos are said to have been taken at the same Sept. 26, 1993 Buffalo Bills football game. To paraphrase the late actor James Mason in his role as the cantanker- ous lawyer Concannon in the movie, “The Verdict”: “Which (photo) is the truth and which is the lie?” We get nohelpin thisregard from the main- stream news media. Further, every night the non-se- questered civil jury went home where they were exposed to the local and nationally syndicated radio and tele- vision talk shows and also the Los Angeles Times. Combine that with the steady onslaught of negative publicity prior to the civil trial against not only Simpson, but also against the predominantly black criminal trial jury and the majority of African Americans who agreed with the criminal verdict and what you have is a form of embracery, the act of attempting toinfluence ajuror or jury in its most high-tech form. The embracery didn’t stop after the trial was over. On the first day of jury deliberations, a never-before- heard audio tape of a suicidal get. The story ran on the interna- tional wires. a Attheturnofthecentury,awoman who ran a boarding house in Chi- cago was accused of killing one of her tenants with arsenic. The police could find no sign of the poison in the woman’s house though, anditlooked as if the prosecution would have no case. The Chicago American’s Arthur Pegler, however, conducted a thor- ough search and found a container of arsenic in the cellar. That was enough for thejury which then sentenced the woman to death. Pegler had actually gotten the arsenic from a photographer and planted it in the cellar because he “was convinced of the woman’sguilt.” Eventually, Pegler’s editor discov- ered the ruse. But instead of disclos- ing the fraudulent evidence, he started acrusade calling for the state to show compassion for the “poor, misguided killer.” The woman’s sen- tence wascommuted to life in prison. The key phrase here is that Pegler “was convinced of the woman’sguilt,” lack of evidence notwithstanding. A former college teammate of mine, a corporate attorney in Pittsburgh, Pa., asked merecently whether I thought justice was served with the civil trial verdict. My re- sponse was that “retribution was meted out rather than justice being served.” This retributive civil verdict re- minded Temple University Journal- ism Professor Linn Washington of how a message was sent to recalci- trant America-bound slaves on Gorree Island off the coast of West Senegal . The wayward slaves were not hanged by the neck until dead. Rather, the slaveship owners would hang them by the waist in the hot sun and let them slowly die of star- vation. Then they would let the rot- ting torsos continue to hang to serve asa message toany other slaves who did not adhere to the company line. Advertise with The 'M' Voice 1997 State G Games of NC Sy Roanoke Rapids Parks § Recreation Department dune 13-14-15 O Lah > font PS = STATE PICNIC € LAKESIDE CONCERT GAME SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1997 | 5130 - SUNSET ROANOKE RAPIDS LAKE DAM AALAND. PTA O TE STOLE DE AONE LLL TAD: FEATURING... + Fun for the Entlre Famlly > CENTENNIAL PIG COOK-OFF Piates of Award-Winning BBQ, + Llve Mus le Slaw, for Potatoes, WIlil be Rolls and Tea Cala By “THE SWITCH" 4 NO CHARGE TO ATTEND! RAIN SITE: KIRKWOOD ADAMS COMMUNITY CENTER s LOCAL SPONSORS OF COASTAL REGION STATE GAMES: BECKER VILLAGE MALL, CHAMPION INTERMATIONAL, COASTAL LUMBER COMPANY, THE DAILY HERALD, hALIFAX COUNTY TOURISH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HAMPTON (NM, LITTLE CAESAR’S PIZZA, NC POWER, PEPSI, ROANOKE RAPIDS PARKS AND RECREATION, ROANOKE VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ROANOKE VALLEY ENERGY FACKITY, WPTM, NEW MIX 97.9, AND WHVN.TV20 ‘e ' h aa dei age toad ad Soreel out of he vere care of some business. Pahoa went on break and seeing Sandra May eating her food asked for a little bit. Sandra May said she gave Shawan apiece of her burger. Shawan then noticed the other meal next to Sandra May and asked her who it belonged to. Sandra May said she told Shawan that the sandwich was purchased for the male employee. According to May, Shawan said that she just saw him leave the store and she did not think he would be back. Fact is, however, Shawan and two other employees shared the sand- wich. Shawan later offered to pay the male employee for the food, but he went and complained to Rick. Rick decided to only termi- nate Shawan. CAR would meet with Rick Jack- son many times seeking to resolve the incidents concerning Ms. Sutton. CAR informed Jackson that Sutton was not treated fairly and that she should get her job back. Rick said he would never hire her back, and that he would close before considering any re- quests by CAR. CAR decided that a picket line at the Piggly Wiggly store would be an effective strat- egy to inform customers and con- vince Jackson to relent. Picketing began on November 1, 1996. CAR was initially hoping that the issues of the protest could be resolved quickly even after the picketing had started. Communications were established with the other owners of the Piggly Wiggly, and attor- neys Jerome Ramey for CAR and Catherine Piwowarski for Piggly Wiggly became involved. After one week of protest, CAR announced that a resolution was near and that the protest would be sus- pended. Some of the picketers even began to shop at Piggly Wiggly again as a sign of good will on November 10th. There was a meeting at City Hall between CAR and Piggly Wig- gly store owners Rick Jackson and Dexter Floyd which lasted for two hours. This meeting, however, would serve as the last face to face negotiations between CAR and Piggly Wiggly. All of a sudden, negotiations were called off and Piggly Wiggly stated that they would nolonger communicate with CAR. The protest resumed the fol- lowing day. I personally believe that the rea- son the initial negotiations fell through, was because certain indi- viduals convinced Rick Jackson that the protest could be broken without him admitting that he made a mistake. Jackson said that B - MAY 7, 1997 From Page One, Piggly the Sutton would not get her job back, no one can tell him how to spend his profits, and that he would never admit that he was wrong. Piggly | Wiggly then began a very costly campaign to break the resolve of CAR and to discredit Ms. Sutton. On Thursday, Piggly Wiggly an- nounced that it would donate $3,000 to the South Greenville Boys & Girls Club, create a schol- arship for a Dickinson Avenue area student to attend Pitt Community College, and start a ‘Church Re- ceipts’ program. Jackson was try- ing to undermine the resolve of the picketers and gain the sympathy ofthe black community at the same time. I must admit that I thought that he had succeeded. On November 22, CAR held a press conference where a report from a hearing held by the Em- ployment Security Commission (ESC) was released. The hearing was held on November 15th and was attended by Rick Jackson, Shawan Sutton and other wit- nesses. The decision mailed five days later concluded that: “There is . .. no sufficient competent evi- dence upon which to base a conclu- sion of misconduct or substantial fault in connection with the work of Shawan Sutton.” The ESC re- port short circuited any successes Jackson would later claim and the protest continued in earnest. Clas- sic strategies such as a slow mo- torcade around the store were held on certain days. Picketing times were staggered to keep Piggly Wig- gly and its security force offguard. Piggly Wiggly had hired a pri- vate security firm to supposedly keep driveways clear and custom- ers, picketers and employees safe. Pro-Tek Services went beyond their stated purpose and used many strike breaking tactics to harass and threaten the picket- ers. Security would drive their vehicles in a reckless manner speeding towards picketers and avoiding them at the last moment. They would also park in front of the picketers and blast country- western music from their vehicles. Piggly Wiggly would later do their part by having speakers mounted on the roof of the store and using loud music to annoy the picketers. Even Piggly Wiggly employees harassed the picketers, certain baggers would come out and throw the middle finger at the picketers and shout profanities at them. The picketers were constantly harassed by one of the assistant managers. He called the police more than once exaggerating incidents to try to get the picketers arrested or at least moved off the property. He constantly referred to the picket- ers as ‘those people’ even though Enrollment Announcement - Head Start Program Martin County Community Action, Inc. Project Head Start is now accepting applications for the 1997 Fall Enrollment for children and includ- ing children with disabilities. Eligibility is determined by HHS Income Guidelines, family needs, disabilities, and/or special conditions of the child. Children who will be enrolled will be exposed to a broad educational curriculum that will prepare them for preschool social and educational experiences. Health, nutrition and mental health are also important factors in the development of these children. These areas are also facilitated in the daily routines of the children. Parent Involvement and other program services as mandated are required and are fully utilized by the program. Ten percent (10%) of Head Start Enrollment is identified as: "health impairment, emotional/behavior disorders, speech/language impairments, mental retardation, hearing impairment/deafness, orthopedic impairment ,visual impairment/lind, learning disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, and other impairments for children who require special education and related services.” Head Start is a comprehensive developmental program for children ages 3- 5 yeas old. This program is based on the premise that children share certain needs and that children from low-income families, in particular, can benefit from a program designed to meet those needs. Head Start operates nine (9) months of the year, - September through May. The centers are open Monday through Friday and the hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Head Start has been operating in the Martin County area since 1965, currently there are 192 children. Nine (9) classrooms are comprised 4-5 year old and one (1) classroom consists of three year old must become three by October 16th; Beaufort County has been operating since 1977 and presently serving 99 children. Five (5) classrooms of 4-5 year olds are accommodated in this county. Pitt County originated in 1985 and serving 222 children in twelve (12) classrooms accommodating 4-5 year olds. } Funding for Martin County Community Action, Inc. Project Head Start is received from the Administration for Children, Youth and Families Unit, Department of Health and Human Services. In order for children to qualify, they must meet the family income guidelines. Below are the guidelines. 1996 FAMILY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS 1996 FAMILY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR ALL STATES (EXCEPT ALASKA AND HAWAII), THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO. Size of Family Unit 1 warned & to Income $7,470 $10,030 $12,590 $15,150 $17,710 $20,270 $22,830 $25,390 For Family Units with more than 8 members, add $2,560 for each additional member. Please contact the Family Service Worker at the Head Start center in your area: Martin Co: Pitt Co: St. Gabriel (752-9755) Ayden (746-4298 Farmville (753-8036) North Everetts 792-5353 Beaufort Co: 264 Washington (946-5632) Aurora ( 322-5543 Belhaven (943-3006) For more information or to enroll a child, please cal] Ms. Teresa Greene, Ph Social meee Coordinator or Ms. Gloristeen Matthewson, Disability Services Codrdinator at (919) 792-7141 or come by the Martin County ommunity Adtion tive at 106 South Watts Street in Wiliam n, North Carolin Fila” Min { : “ was also black. cal The picketers were uently schol of threatening the cus- tomers and employees. There is one thing I can assure you, the picketers never used profanity to- wards anyone. The customers, however, used profanity daily, threatened constantly, and at- tempted to attack picketers at least three times. Black people laughed as they went into the store, one night someone even pulled down their pants and bared their behind at the picketers. Never before, have I ever seen such' conduct by black people. On November 20th, Piggly Wig- gly published an open letter to CAR and to the people in general extolling the virtues of the Piggly Wiggly store. The care- fully crafted letter basically reem- phasized the fact that Piggly Wiggly would never give in to the demands of the picketers. CAR promptly published an open letter describing its relationships with Piggly Wiggly in the past involv- ing other employees and its cur- rent involvement with Shawan Sutton. The Public Forum of the Daily Reflector became a battle ground where some very racist comments from a Mike Walston were printed. Mr. Walston at- tacked the reputation of Bishop Randy B. Royal, who is one of the leaders of CAR. Walston used many racist code words to inflame the white community and the white community responded by coming to shop at Piggly Wiggly in droves. Walston also ridiculed all of the good work of Dr. Martin Luther King and using innuendo accused King of some very terrible things. Mr. Walston seemed to be trying to make a name for himself by attacking CAR but all he really did was convince CAR that they were doing the right thing. A group calling themselves the Concerned Businessmen of Pitt County purchased a half page ad in the Daily Reflector appealing for people to cross the picket line. I am unsure of the success of this ad, butit once again shows that Piggly Wiggly would do anything to try to break the protest. Acandlelight vigil was held De- cember 5th in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly store. This was another rainy and cold night, but it helped to once again solidify the resolve of the picketers. Otherinteresting facts were that Texaco, Avis, and even Wal-Mart were exposed in cases of discrimination that even made Dennys look good. Racism is real and it cannot be ignored. Pagers in Durham began receiving num- bers that connected them to hate ee by white supremacist eBishop Royal had never stopped seeking support from the other pastors in the cornmunity. Early in December the pastors came to- gether, this group included Rev. H. Parker, Rev. Caldwell, Bishop T.L. Davis, Bishop Love, and Rev. Locks. Bishop Royal was able to get them to commit to honoring the picket line even if they would not join it. Once the pastors were committed, they began toearnestly try to end the protest. The owners of Piggly Wiggly, who had publicly stated that they would not ever negotiate with CAR again, would decide in the end to talk to the group of pastors led by Rev. Locks. Piggly Wiggly stated that Bishop Royal and Rev. Clarence Gray could not attend the negotiations. Rev. Locks became the principle negotiator for the pastorial coall- tion. Rev. Locks diligently worked to pass information back and forth between Piggly Wiggly owner Dex- ter Floyd andShawan Sutton. CAR advised Ms. Sutton that it would support any decision she might make concerning the negotiations with Piggly Wiggly. Ms. Sutton ultimately received terms that she was pleased with and she was able to settle with Piggly Wiggly. On Friday, December 20th, the protest at the Dickinson Avenue Piggly Wiggly store officially ended. In theend, another strategy was beginning to develop where cer- tain members of the black commu- nity were taking it upon them- selves to call on CAR to stand down. These individuals were try- ing to imply that the need for a grocery store in the neighborhood required us to accept certain lev- els of racism or discrimination. They also implied that the em- ployees as a whole were more im- portant than any one individual. Luckily, no one told Rosa Parks that the need to ride the bus to work was greater than her desire to be treated cqually as a cus- tomer. Otherwise, we would still be riding in the back of the bus and giving up our seat to white folk just because they’re white. Once again, we must remember that rac- ismignored is racism pelpetuated. Well deserved congratulations quseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Free Estimates ePrrrrreet ttt a i i 4 : - #830-2642 F 3 ¥ r F a 1 Rogers Remodeling Service : “For The Best Job At Reasonable Rates” - , i ‘ Owner: Leamon Rogers | : 1300 S. Washington ST. : 4 Greenville, N.C. _ . r : a 4 ’ go to Bishop Royal, Dan Cavallini, Elder John Barnes, Rev. Dr. Clarence Gray, Deacon Bill Worthington, Brother Bennie Roundtree, and sister Shawan Sutton. There were many, many others who either walked the line or supported the cause and ‘they are all appreciated. On a personal note, CAR is still very hard at workevaluating cases from all over eastern North Caro- lina. Piggly Wiggly was not its first case nor was it the last. CAR will always be a watchdog for the ~ minority community forever en- suring that justice is served for all communities. ? z Z = Mr. Ernest Perkins < Pres./Mgr. ( Flanagan Funeral Home, Inc. : With locations in Greenville, = NC and Robersonville, NC, has equipment and merged their staff, facilities, and resources together to better serve you, with the Perkins Funeral Home with locations in Bethel, NC, and Williamston. \ Rev. David Hammond President _J Apply for a car loan with a touchtone mHore 24 hours a day, 7 days a week'! Talsitclalt approval, then just pick up your new car! No obligation to buy! Another exclusive service from WASHINGTON @TOYOTA 27889 1208 W. I5th St. Washington, NC eliminate the guesswork. You Have you done your homework? Have you saved enough’ Are you as prepared for college as your kids are? we are here. To show you how the equity in your home can be a smart way to help pay for some ol the big things in life. Like college educations. With a Wachovia Equity BankLine, depending on your equity and the size of your line, you may borrow up to 100% of the equity in your home And our “Prime + 19%"* rate, like all of our home equity lending rates, is not a teaser that’s going to automatically shoot up alter six months. Paying for college can be a testing experience. We can “Here. WACHOVIA “Seirted.