P age A2
Editorial Articles Do Not Neccassarily
Reflect Or Represent The Views O f
The ^ a r tla n b © bseruer Staff
17th was the 41st
anniversary of the 1954
B ro w n v. B o a rd of
Education school desegrega­
tion case. Thurgood Marshall
argued for the legal principle of
"equal protection under the
law” and to overturn the 58-
ye a r-o ld leg al p rin c ip le of
“ s e p a ra te
but
eq u al*
established in the Plessy v.
Ferguson case of 1896.
The Court held that "separate
but equal” was inherently unequal.
What did inherently unequal mean?
Did it mean that African American
education was inherently inferior to
white education? NO! Did it mean
that white education was inherently
superior to black education? NO!
The Court meant that the "sepa­
rate but equal” doctrine in Plessy
contained two inherent contradic­
tions. First, it meant that if two edu­
cational systems were Truly equal,
why would they need to be separate?
That was a philosophical contradic­
tion! Second, it meant that if two
educational systems were separate,
h ¡story had taught us that it was guar-
C O A L. I T I O N
“Segregation Today,
Tomorrow And Forever”
anteed that they would not be equal!
A practical contradiction.
The C o u rt ordered p u b lic
schools desegregated "with all delib­
erate speed. ” A new study by some o f
the nation’s top scholars and educa­
tors was released this week by the
southern Education Foundation. It
shows that no, one o f the 12 states
that formerly administered segregat­
ed universities or colleges can dem­
onstrate an “ acceptable level o f suc­
cess in desegregating its higher edu-
cation system.”
Among the study’s findings were:
( l ) in 8 of I2 states, fewer than 10
percent o f black freshmen were en­
rolled in their state’s largest and most
prestigious institutions; (2) Black and
Hispanic people are underrepresented
among bachelor’s degree recipients in
every state and in virtually every field
o f study; and (3) the kind of financial
aid most needed by low-income fam­
ilies, who are disproportionately mi­
norities, is declining. In the 1970s,
more students received need-based
Pell Grants from the Federal Govern­
ment than borrowed under Federal
student loan programs. For 1995, the
number of borrowers anticipated will
be nearly 70 percent higher than the
number of gran, recipients and more
than four times as much Federal mon­
ey will be spent on leans as grants.
The study said that changes at all
levels o f education would be neces­
sary to bring about true desegregation
in higher education. Improvements in
school financing and curriculums are
needed from the elementary level on
up. This decline in equal educational
opportunities is coming precisely at a
time when education budgets and stu­
dent aid are facing major cuts; and
directly affecting African American
and Hispanic students in the states
where the population is increasing the
fastest, and in the states which have
the largest percentage o f minority
members. The study said that this trend
was not just a southern phenomena.
Declining tuition grants for low-in-
come students are freezing minority
students out of higher education across
the nation.
V a n ta g e P o in t
Haki R. Madhubuti: Architect Of Reconciliation
by
R on D aniels
h o u g h a n u m b er of
im p o rta n t
le a d e rs ,
in clu d in g Dr. Jam es
Turner, Dr. Conrad W orrill and
Leonard Muhammad, Chief of
Staff of the Nation of Islam,
helped to facilitate the coming
to g e th e r of M in is te r Louis
F a rra k h a n a n d D r. B e tty
Shabazz on May 6, it was Haki
R. Madhubuti who played the
pivotal role in shaping this
historic moment.
G iven the enormous anguish and
pain surrounding the assassination
o f Malcolm X and the intense antag­
onisms that grew out o f this tragic
event, it took someone with extraor­
dinary qualities to undertake the vital
mission o f reconciliation and heal­
ing; someone respected by Minister
Farrakhan, the Nation o f Islam and
the nationalist community, and some­
one trusted and respected by Dr. Betty
Shabazz and the aggrieved family.
H aki Madhubuti was the person
uniquely suited to accomplish this
mission.
Author, poet, publisher, activ­
ist, visionary Pan-African national­
ist Haki Madhubuti has emerged as
one o f the major leaders o f our time.
He is a prolific writer having authored
nineteen books. Haki is a determined
institution-builder who has erected
the Institute for Positive Education,
Third World Press and the New Con­
cept Development Center as living
models o f African Centered Self-
(1
VLx
help development.
on the charge o f plotting to assassi­
I first came to know Haki up
nate Minister Farrakhan. At one o f
close in 19 7 1 -72 when we worked on
the most critical moments in the life
the first African Liberation Day Sup­
o f the Shabazz family since the as­
port Committee. In recent years we
sassination o f M alcolm X , Haki
have worked together on the Nation­
Madhubuti was there to support, con­
al Malco Im X Commemoration Com-
sole, comfort and advise the wife o f
mission. Haki is a remarkable human
this martyred mentor. Once the hei­
being. Despite his tremendous record
nous entrapment scheme unfolded
o f achievement there is not an arro­
Haki was also among a handful o f
gant bone in his body. Haki is univer­
nationalist leaders who worked close­
sally respected as one o f the most
ly with Minister Farrakhan, at his
patient, caring, giving/sharing, hum­
request, to assess the situation and
ble Africans on the planet. He speaks
shape an appropriate response. Far-
the truth to the people and acts out
rakhan’ s response to the govern­
those truths in his daily life. Haki
ment’ s plot was extremely effective
leads through service and example.
in educating the African masses and
He is a model o f the new African
confounded the intent o f the govem-
person we are striving to develop to ’ ment. H is heartfelt embrace o f
serve/lead the race into the twenty-
Qubilah Shabazz also touched Sister
first century.
Betty Shabazz at the human level.
Haki credits El H ajji M alik
In an extended conversation with
Shabazz for being the leader most
Sister Betty during those frightening
responsible for his growth anddevel-
moments in Minneapolis Sister Betty
opment as a committed African per­
said to Haki, “ we must meet." These
son. Malcolm X was/is the inspira­
words coming from a wife/mother/
tion and model for his life’s work.
woman who has suffered so much
Several ofhis books are dedicated to
agony and pain and struggled so hard
the memory o f the man whom Haki
to overcome the adversity wrought
says saved his life. I, is understand­
by the murder o f her husband set the
able therefore that Haki sees support
stage for the healing process to be­
for M alcolm ’s family as a personal
gin. Acting as a racial diplomat re­
and racial responsibility. Hence he
spected and trusted by all parties
has demonstrated an unconditional
concerned Haki Madhubuti, work­
love and devotion to Sister Betty
ing with Leonard Muhammad o f the
Shabazz and the family; a love and
Nation o f Islam, arranged a secret
devotion which has earned her re­
meeting between Minister Farrakhan
spect and trust.
and Dr. Betty Shabazz.
Haki was at the side o f Dr. Betty
The meeting took place in New
Shabazz in Minneapolis for the ar­
York six weeks before their joint
raignment o f their daughter Qubilah
appearance a, the Apollo Theater on
May 6. It was in this private face to
face meeting that some o f the most
critical discussions o f our time be­
gan. It was in this meeting that M in­
ister Farrakhan made it clear that he
was genuinely interested in discuss-
ing/examin ing what wen, wrong thir-
ty years ago, exploring any mistakes
that he might have made and opening
a path to healing and reconciliation.
He also offered to lead the Black
Nation in an effort to support Qubilah
Shabazz and the Shabazz family as a
matter o f Black national duty and
responsibility.
In an act o f great courage and
wisdom. Sister Betty accepted M in­
ister Farrakhan’s offer, agreed to
appear with him at a fund raising
event for Qubilah and expressed a
willingness to continue the dialogue/
discussions about the painful events
o f thirty years ago and thereafter.
The May 6 even, at the Apollo The­
ater in Harlem was the outcome o f
this historic private meeting.
That which the Black Nation and
the world witnessed a, the Apollo The­
ater on this momentous occasion was
in no small measure the result o f the
work of a humble servant of the race
who saw an opportunity to contribute
to the healing of people/nation and
accepted the challenge. Despite the
cutting barbs o f the critics and the
disbelief o f the skeptics, he kept his
eyes on the prize. The Race owes a
debt of gratitude to one of the most
significant leaders o f our time, Haki
R. Madhubuti, architect of reconcilia­
tion and healing.
THIS WAY FOR BLACK EMPOWERMENT
Building Bridges With The Transnational Radical Party
by
D r . L enora F vlani
•'"'Ji J
recently returned from
Rome, in Italy, where I
V
had the opportunity to
ad d ress 300 delegates and
hundreds of observers at the
Congress of the Transnational
Radical Party.
I presented a detailed report on
the emergence o f an independent po­
litical movement in America, and the
particular significance o f that move­
ment to the African American com­
munity. Delegates from 30 nations -
- including countries in Africa, East­
ern and Western Europe and the
former Soviet Union -- were quite
interested to hear about the develop­
ment ofmulti-partyism in the United
States.
The Transnational Radical Par­
ty. which originated in Italy, champi­
ons grassroots democracy and hu­
man rights and has led an interna­
tional campaign for a moratorium on
the death penalty. Its members have
been elected to the national parlia­
ments o f numerous Western and East­
ern European and African countries,
as well as to the European Parlia­
ment. They are currently lobbying
the United Nations to establish and
international criminal court to try
crimes against humanity, building on
their success in lobbying for tribu­
nals to investigate crimes against
humanity in Rwanda and the former
Yugoslavia. A leading member o f
the Transnational Radical Party,
Emma Bonino, is the Minister o f
Human Rights o f the European Par­
liament, and has visited Rwanda in
an effort to deal with the refugee
crisis there.
I was first introduced to the
Transnational Radical Party when I
had the pleasure o f meeting Emma
Bon ino in New Y ork last year. Emma
had come to the United Nations on
behalf o f the Transnational Radical
Party international campaign to abol­
ish the death penalty, an issue which
I feel very, very passionately about.
I believe the death penalty is morally
wrong and ineffective. In the United
States, where support for the death
penalty is rising, its implications for
our community are quite serious. The
racism o f the American criminal ju s­
tice system is known throughout the
world. America’ s Death Row is pop­
ulated predominantly by men o f col­
or. In Rome, on Palm Sunday, the
C ongress participants jo in e d a
10,000-person march on the Vatican
to demand the Pope unequivocally
oppose the death penalty.
I had heard o f Emma Bonino
before I had the opportunity to meet
her and have her as a guest on my
weekly television show. I knew that
she was a powerful advocate for hu­
manitarian and progressive social
causes. I knew she was a “sister in the
struggle.” But until she and I met, I
did not fully appreciate how much
Emma Bonino and the Transnational
Radical Party believe that there is a
profound connection between creat­
ing humanistic solutions to the so­
cial, cultural, political and economic
problems faced by the majority o f the
world’ s people and grassroots dem­
ocratic activism: the participation o f
ordinary people in the political pro­
cess.
As part o f my address to the
Congress, I recalled the w ritings
o f W E B. D u B o is, the great A f­
rican A m erican scholar, jo u rn a l­
ist, Pan A fric a n ist and com m u­
nist, who wrote nearly a hundred
years ago that the problem o f the
20th century was the problem o f
the c o lo r line. I told the interna­
tional gathering that the problem
o f the c o lo r line rem ains the great
unsolved problem o f Am erican
p o litical, so cia l, cultural and eco­
nom ic life. U n lik e other sectors
o f the A m e ric a n p o p u la tio n .
which have been assim ilated into
the econom ic m ainstream and
into diverse power sharing ar­
rangements w ithin the tw o-party
system, the B la ck com m unity has
had the door shut in its face. And
the strategy o f attempting to force
that door open through the D em ­
ocratic Party has reached a dead
end.
Together with several o f my
closest colleagues in A m erica,
in clu d in g Dr. Fred Newm an, a
key architect o f the independent
p o litic a l movement in the U nited
States, Ijo in e d th e T ra n sn a tio n a l
R ad ical Party. As a p o litic a l ac­
tivist and a developm ental p sy­
ch o lo g ist concerned with creat­
ing an international environm ent
for human developm ent, I was
very motivated by the hundreds
o f delegates, from such diverse
backgrounds, who had come to­
gether at the Congress with hu­
m anistic, dem ocratic and inter­
nationalist objectives.
Building a political alliance be­
tween pro-democracy forces in Eu­
rope, Africa and elements o f the
former Soviet Union and the inde­
pendent movement here in the Unit­
ed States is a critical step in creating
an international environment for hu­
manism and development.
p e r s p e c t i v e s
“Old Man River, He Don’t Say
Nothin, He Just Keep Rollin Along”
©
v e r th e y e a rs , an
assortm ent of gifted
b arito n es (m an y of
them African Am erican) have
kept this plaintive lyric soaring
over the rolling greens of
beautiful ‘Forest Park’. No, not
P o rtla n d 's F o re s t P ark,
beautiful woodland that it is;
but another one, displaced in
tim e
and
space
to
a
m id w e s te rn flo o d
p la in
frequently over whelmed by
the raging torrents of an angry
andabused Mississippi River.
St. Louis, the D ixie belle,
gateway to the west.
A devotee
o f the genre who
read the drama
pages might im­
m ediately a s­
sume the refer­
ence to be to
"Showboat” , a
__ _______
robust, hit-filled
Broadway musical created almost
70 years ago by the genius o f Jerome
Kern and O scar Hammerstein.
| Cheering audiences back there in
the l9 3 0 ’ s at the St. Louis outdoor
Municipal Opera had the same re­
sponse as did Manhattan critics just
last week. ’ Drama Desk’ named
Show Boat the best musical pro-
| duction o f the New York theatre
season.
The St. Louis M unicipal Op­
era was a huge, natural amph ¡theatre
that took its own dramatic advan­
tage o f a forest bowl. As I remem­
ber, this was the only public facility
that did not mandate segregated
seating. Its gorgeous productions
were in the “ light” opera mode (com­
bining song and dialogue), and were
enthusiastically received by the en­
tire populace, young and old, all
races and cultures, and all econom­
ic groups. For some it was enjoy­
able theatre at its best, for many
others just good entertainment, and
for thousands o f other theater-goers,
it was a glorious fun-filled escape
from a humid, sweltering city on a
summers evening.
Each summer, beginning in
mid-June, 12 weeks o f play-bills
for the number o f productions (3
nights a week) would reveal a won­
drous selection o f musical Ameri­
cana. The toughest aud iences would
leave humming and whistling the
catchy Broadway show tunes - or
singingthewondrously lyrical piec­
es o f European composers. Our se­
nior choir at the segregated Sumner
High School also did pretty well
with Rogers and Hammerstein,
Sigmund Romberg or Gilbert and
Sullivan. As much as the art muse­
um in another part o f the huge park,
the St. Louis Municipal Opera was
a strong acculturation process.
Today, I can almost recall a
ty p ica l sum m er’ s p la y -b ills :
"Roberta, Porgy and Bess Show
Boat, Blossom Time, The Red M ill,
The New Moon, The Pirates o f |
Penzance, Madame Butterfly, The
Cat And The Fiddle, The Desert
Song.” Well, that’sstill pretty good,
I think.
To estimate the cost ofthe elab­
orate costumes and stage sets for
these lavish productions is simply
mind-boggling -- and we’ve said |
nothing yet about paying the actors
and stagehands. Even more remark­
able is the fact that all this was |
accomplished while the country was
in the grip o f a terrible depression
- and yet, a considerable number o f
seats were reserved for students and
those just simply
too poor to buy |
even the most rea­
so n ab ly p riced
tickets. T im es
were lean, but c iv­
ic spirit strong.
The E n cy-
c I o p e d i a
Britannica tells us, “ it was not until
the gods o f Egypt were accepted by
the Greeks that there appears any
ceremony which can truly be called
dramatic. The Greek drama arose ,
through the worship o f the gods o f
vegetation and later developed into
the form ofthe plays... It is difficult
to think o f the drama o f the Greeks
without thinking its close connec­
tion with the dance” ( 1958, p. 1 3 1).
Osiris, African god o f vegetation, is
now the "Jolly Green Giant.
And it is “difficult” for me to
think ofthe opera as it developed in
Italy (and Moorish Spain) without
recalling how the rudiments, began
with the antics and the pantomimes |
o f their performances, some were
lucky enough to acquire wealthy
patrons and to eventually develop
their performances into scheduled
productions that became what we
know as "the opera” . Other per­
formers, less organized, remained
what W e b ste r’ d e scrib e s as
“jongleurs... anitinerant medieval
entertainer, proficient in juggling,
acrobatics, music and recitation.”
W ell, the hot dog vendors are
quieting down, the house lights are
dimming and the blackening sky at
day’s end is being pierced by a
thousand stars.
A zillion mothers, like mine, |
are calling to small boys and girls
and they duck through and past shad­
owy figures, headed for their seats.
From somewhere in hidden reaches
ofthe amphitheatre spring forth stab­
bing beams o f light that settle first
on the conductor and then on the
orchestra.
A hush falls over the audience ]
and even the softest summer breez­
es slow their passage through fir,
pine, oak and maple. Frederick
Olmstead’s concept o f New Y o rk ’s
Central Park was magnificent, but
I ’ ll take “ Forest Park” in St. Louis
any day and Sunday.
(U SPS 959-680)
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