New York Amsterdam News — 1963-00-00882

• n. 1. AiUdiLnuAM &mu, Oct. ia, im Should Negroes Back Xmas Jackson Against ACP Says Xmas Boycott Idea Not'Off Wilkins' Autograph 'n Demand NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Rev. Joseph H. Jackson, leader of an estimated 5 million Negro Bap­ tists of the nation, said here last week that he was not in favor of a boycott of Santa Claus or a ban against Christmas. The boycott of Santa Claus was urged by New York’s Rev. Adam Clayton Powell in a ser­ mon last Sept. 29 at Abyssinian Baptist Church. He is also a Dem­ ocratic Congressman. The Christmas ban was sug­ gested by author James Bald­ win at a New York meeting last Sept. 21 to protest the Mast-death of four girls in a Birmingham church last on Sept. 15. False Face Speaking at the inauguration of Dr. Charles Boddie as presi­ dent of the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr Jack- son said: "The idea and the image of Santa Claus as a white man with a beard, and even thte mask worn that we used to call a false face, may have an Anglo-Saxon ori­ gin, but every Negro knows that the real Santa Claus in his home in the past was a color­ ed man or woman who dressed or wore the false face.” (In his sermon, the Rev. Pow ell said Santa Claus was a “white man's invention . . . celebrated in Anglo-Saxon churches where it was invented as a gimmick.”) Dr. Jackson said, in referring to Santa Claus, that Negro par­ ents themselves “played the giv­ er of gifts. The only mistake they might have made . . .was in wearing the white mask." Behind Celebration In explaining his reason for not favoring a ban on Christmas, the President of the National Bap­ tist Convention of the U.S.A. Inc. said “the historic person be­ hind the Christian celebration was Jesus of Nazareth who came through the matrix of a Jewish mother ... as the Son of God . . . (He) rises above clan, race and nation.” “Christmas historically,” said Dr. Jackson, “is the symbolic feast of God’s gift of His Son to an unsaved and lost world for its redemption. DR. JOSEPH H. JACKSON Christmas of 1963 as a redemp­ tive experience.” Dr. Jackson, president for a decade of the NBC, the world’s largest Negro Baptist body, is viewed by civil rightists aa a moderate. The Baptist leader contends that he favors demonstrations but feels they should be backed by a program that will help Negroes to build their own businesses, ho­ tels, restaurants, factories, hom­ es, etc., to reduce unemployment among themselves and their de­ pendence upon whites. The proposed boycott against Santa Claus - Christmas seems to be losing supporters among civil rights leaders. NAACP lead­ er Roy Wilkins last week said he, too, would not go along with such a ban. MIK To RFK ATLANTA, Ga. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has denounced the police raid on headquarters Strongly opposing the re­ cent decision of the seven major civil rights organi­ zations in rejecting a na­ tionwide Christmas boy­ cott, Rep. Adam Clayton Powell told the Amsterdam News last week that he was calling together the leaders of 51 of the “old line Negro i organizations in Washing* 'ton” on November 1 to dis­ cuss proposals for setting up an effective boycott. Powell said he had reached the decision after conferring with author James Baldwin Sunday for two hours. It was Baldwin who earlier originated the idea of the boycott at a meeting of the Artists and Writers for Justice Committee. i Powell said he would not lead such a movement, but would work with Baldwin and others i in developing the boycott “to put Christ back In Xmas." He said he was calling to gether the leaders of religious groups. Elks, Masons, and various fraternal and social groups because they represent the vast majority of the Negroes while the organizations com­ prising the Big Six represent “only 5 per cent of the Negro.” Powell's comments, made on the eve of his leaving for two weeks in Kuwait, were in op­ position to the Council for United Civil Rights Leadership, com posed of the Big Seven, which had rejected a Christmas boy­ cott, but a modified form of Christmas protest. Some Sacrifice While rejecting the boycott idea, the Council urged instead that all Americans who believe in civil rights make some special sacrifice this year Christmas in memory of the six Birmingham children who were killed on Sept. 15 and all others who have died this year in the cause of civil rights.” The Council also suggested that support be given to all special Christmas projects spon- scored by the civil rights or­ ganizations and “by making In addition to the pressure of his myriad other duties which keep him moving around the' clock, NAACP Executive Secre­ tary Roy Wilkins may soon be suffering from writer’s cramp. Since the release of the August 90 issue of Time Magazine which featured his portrait on the cov­ er. Wilkins has been besieged with requests for his autograph on the picture. Letters have poured into his office from all over the world including such far-flug places as Belgium, Trinidad, Sweden, Australia and Canada. One request from a 15-year-old boy added: “I would like to take this opportunity to wish you Con­ tinued success in the struggle for equality for all, such as was shown in the March on Washing­ ton.” Many of the letters congratu­ lated Wilkins on his hard work and added their best wishes for the future. Integrated . Lawyers Meet In N. Orleans NEW ORLEANS, LA, - The Hilton Inn, which was desegre­ gated recently as a result of CORE negotiations, was the scene of a truly integrated law­ yers conference Oct. 4-6. “We used all the facilities, in­ cluding the swimming pool— and not as a group entity but in­ dividually. at different times of the day,” reported Carl Rachlin, CORE chief counsel. The conference, attended by some 75 Negro and white at­ torneys, was sponsored jointly by the Louisiana branch of the American Civil Liberties Union the Lewis Martinette Society and the National Lawyers Guild. Rachlin, in his talk, empha­ sized that the role of an attorney for a nonviolent direct action group, “should NOT include any legal interference with spontan­ eous nonviolent action. Provid­ ing the action is nonviolent, the resulting legal consequences cad- not be too bad." financial contributions to the Council in lieu of the routine type of Christmas gifts." A spokesman for the Council said all groups, including the NAACP, Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fundi, Inc., Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and t :. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had agreed to the joint Council statement. There was no immediate re­ action from the Council on Powell’s actions. Graduate As Missile Mechanic SHEPPARD AFB, Tex. — Air­ man Second Class Robert J. Barth of Long Island City, N.Y. graduated recently from the U.S. Air Force technical training school for missile pneudraulic mechanics here. The airman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Barth of 32-63 45th St., Long Island City, is now stationed at Little Rock AFB, Ark. Books For Mississippi The Congress of Racial Equal ity will present a variety pro­ gram to raise funds for books to be shipped to Negroes in Miss­ issippi, Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Brotherhood Council hall, 129 W. 13th St. of the Southern Conference Ed­ ucational Fund, New Orleans, and asked U. S. Attorney Gen- above the spirit of materialism I eral Robert F. Kennedy to inter- and revenge, and celebrate the'vene. “Let us as Christians rise > ENJOY NEW RANK—Marine Corporal Harold P. Macedon, right, of 794 Home St., Bronx, N. Y., receives promotion to his new rank from Colonel Sam W. Smith, left, deputy director of the First Marine Corps Re­ serve and Recruitment Dis­ trict. Observing the promotion ceremonies at District Head­ quarters in Garden City, N.Y., is Lieutenant Philip W. Win­ ters, head of the District's Pro­ curement Aids Branch where Cpl. Macedon serves as admin­ istrator. Exclusive: . James Baldwin Pictures Selma, Alabama Horror By GEORGE BARNER “Horrifying.” In that one word, author James Baldwin summed up his reaction to the police mistreatment which he witnessed in Selma, Alabama, as Negroes there attempted to register to vote. Baldwin, who arrived in Selma Sunday night to p repare a magazine article on the strife-tom city in the heart of Alabama’s so-called Black Belt, was groggy with sleep from his night drives to Selma and back to his motel accommodation in Biripingham, but he articulated his shock and disgust with the crackling clar­ ity of a rifle bullet smacking the target, when he talked to the Amsterdam News. ‘This is the most rabid ra cism I’ve seen. These state troopers are monstrous. I can’t be rational about them.” rabid Completely Lawless Baldwin had observed from a vantage point across the street from the Dallas County Court house as state troopers and loca' officers slugged two Negro work­ ers for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee when they tried to bring lunch snacks' to the waiting would-be voters who had stood in line all day without food or water. “This place Is completely low less,” Baldwin said. "I can’t compare it to any I know, it’s one of the worst places I ever saw. There’s no protection for Negroes at all. Those peopfe stood out there in a broiling sun; stood patiently for hours. The regis­ trars were, of course, taking their time. I don't think they got more than twenty registered all day. If a person left the Hne for any reason he would lose his place. It was when these two men tried to bring food and drink to those in the line that the troopers struck. It was horri­ fying.” Benefit To Help Tobago Victims The tiny Caribbean island of Tobago, which was almost des­ troyed by hurricane Flora two weeks ago, will receive all pro­ ceeds from a mammoth benefit performance and dance sche­ duled for Sunday evening, No­ vember 10 at the "Co-op” Ball­ room, 551 Grand Street in down­ town New York. 1 , 300 Arrested More than 300 Negroes were for demonstrating Plans for the fund-raising af­ fair got under way last week, sparked by the Tobago Bene­ volent Welfare Society of New York, a group of former Tobag- arrested onians, at a meeting which was agajnS( voter discrimination. called by the Society’s President Alston Norton at the Harlem Branch YMCA. The SNCC members who were roughed by policemen were Avery Williams and Carver Neb- Stars of two Broadway shows, lett. Two press photographers “Tambourines To Glory,” and also came in for nightsticking ,. . “Ballad For Bhnshira” have al-( , ready been invited to lend their “J k.cka, mclud.ng Wen-, talent to the occasion, and music del1 Hoffman «£ the Columbia will be offered by Sid Joe and Broadcasting System. More than his Calypsonians Orchestra 300 Negroes were arrested for George Murray, Ena Williams demonstrating against voter dis­ . , band Dick Campbell have been crimination, designated as co-chairmen of the! FBI men on the scene reported the incidents to the Department affair, and further plans are be­ of Justice. ing made by the Trinidad-To­ bago and other West Indian or­ Form a good habit and read ganizations in greater New York to secure clothing, drugs and the Amsterdam News — every bedding for the Flora victims, I week! JAMES BALDWIN The Biased 40&8 CLEVELAND — For the fifth straight year, the 46 & 8, the former American Legion fun- making unit, has rejected a resolution brought by its New York State delegation, to end a constitutional clause restrict­ ing its membership to whites only At the annual convention here last week the New York delegation presented the reso­ lution again, but the resolutions committee failed to report it out because it could not get three other states to go along with taking the resolution to the convention floor. Mississippi Negroes Plan Freedom Election JACKSON, Miss. — To drama­ tize the widespread disfranchise­ ment of Negro citizens in Miss­ issippi, the NAACP will conduct a symbolic Freedom Vote on Election Day, Nov. 5. Announcement of the campaign was made here last week by Aaron Henry, president of the Mississippi State NAACP, and candidate for Governor in the syrffloolic election. be set up In churches, business places and other neighborhood locations throughout the state. The ballots will carry the names of the Democratic and Repub­ lican nominees as well as that of Mr. Henry, Any Mississippi citizen, 21 years of age and over, will be eligible to participate in the Freedom Vote, Mr. Henry said. Organization of the campaign on a county by county basis was initiated on Oct. 10 in Coa homa County where Mr. Henry resides. The plan is to set up units in every county to conduct the campaign under supervision of a state central committee. Serving on the state commit­ tee, composed of representatives of various organizaions and of the clJrgy, are the Rev. R.L.T. Smith, Jackson; George Briggs, Tougaloo College, Jackson; Charles Evers, NAACP field sec retary, Jackson; David Dennis, CORE representative, Canton; and Robert Moses, Student Non­ violent Coordinating Committee, Greenwood. Ballot boxes for the voting will Uganda King Is President KAMPALA, Uganda — The first president of Ugarda, which broke away from British rule a year ago, was sworn in lastweek. He is Kabaka (King) of Buganda, a hereditary ruler who is 38 years old. Kabaka’s vice president is Sir William Nadiope, Kyabazinga of Busoga. a tribal ruler of another area within Uganda. RHmBHHBmmmhmnmnmi YOU CAN HELP - This is • campaign poster of the Com­ munity Service Society of New York, which is seeking $2,000,- 000 in public contributions through its annual fund appeal. The Society is the city’s oldest and largest voluntary nonsec­ tarian family agency. It pro­ vides counseling to troubled families and individuals, con­ ducts welfare research and carries out social action pro­ grams aimed at improving community conditions. hi. k. AiUSaEiOJaAA NJhWS, SaL, Oct. lt», lW* •__ I Told You So — Haile Selassie By SARA SLACK UNITED NATIONS — His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, mounted the rostrum, stood before the General Assembly a week ago and, in effect, said to that distinguished international body —“I told you so!” From the beginning to the end of his 40-minute-long address, the African monarch took a back­ ward look across 27 years to a day in June, 1936 when he plead­ ed in vain to the League of Na­ tions for help to keep Q Duce from invading his nation. Then, when his voice was drowned out by booes from the 52-member League of Nations, the “Conquering Lion of Judah” told them: God and history will remem­ ber your Judgment!” Speaking in Amharic, the 72- year-old “King of Kings” said: “Twenty-seven years ago as Emperor of Ethiopia, I mounted the rostrum in Geneva, Switzer­ land to address the League of Nations, an appeal for relief from the destruction which had been unleashed against my defense­ less nation by tbe Fascist invader. Turning tbe knife and rubbing it in, he continued: I spoke then, both to and for the conscience of the world. My words went unheeded, but history testifies to the accuracy of the warning that I gave in 1936.” The,Black Monarch, who is the only head of state who has addressed both the League of Nations and the UN General As­ sembly, said: “Today, I stand before the would organization, which has succeeded to the mantle discard' ed by its discredited predeces sor. In this body is enshrined the principal of collective secur­ ity, which I unsuccessfully in voked at Geneva.” any first-class and second class citizens of any nation: That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more signi­ ficance than tbe color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race — until that day, the dream of last­ ing peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleet­ ing illusion, to be pursued, but never attained.” Adding his weight to Africa’s campaign against South Africa, Portugal and Southern Rhodesia, the mighty lion roared: And also, that until the ig­ noble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and In South Africa in sub-human bondage have been toppled and destroy­ ed; until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self interests have been replaced by understanding, tolerance and goodwill, until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men as they are in Heaven — until that day, the African continent will not know peace.” We Africans will fight If nec­ essary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil.” The thunderous standing ova­ tion given Emperor Haile Selas­ sie following his address by UN delegates, greatly contrasted the boos which forced him from the rostrum in June, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland. Same Feelings In the same manner as a sue cession of African statesmen did before him, the “Conquering Lion of Judah” delivered his country’s bitter denunciation of lingering colonialism in Africa. Setting forth a list of indict­ ments against those who believe in racial superiority, he said: “On the question of racial dis­ crimination, the Addis Ababa Conference taught, to those who will learn, this further lesson “That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; “That until there are no longer Rev. Hicks Heads Board Of Education ST. LOUIS — Rev. John J. Hicks, pastor of the Union Me­ morial Methodist Church and vice president of the St. Louis Board of Education for the past year, was unanimously elected as pre­ sident of the Board at its meeting last week. Rev. Hicks, who is the first Negro to head the St. Louis Board of Education, was elected for a one-year term. He has been a member of the Board. for several years and was elected vice president in 1962. ANOTHER LIFER—The Tusk­ egee Alumni Association of New York enrolls Denise Ellis as a' Life Member (Junior* in the NAACP Seen receiving her plaque are, from left: Alfred Sewell, treasurer; Mrs. Mary F. Ellis (Denise’s mother a:id recording secretary); Mrs. Ka­ tie O. Sewell, chaplin; Denise, Mrs. Aloncita Flood, Branch Life Membership chairman, and Edward Combs, president. Confusion In Mt. Vernon No Pact MT. VERNON — Confusion ex­ ists here over an alleged agree­ ment between civil rights organi­ zations and labor unions growing out of attempts to integrate Ne­ groes in the local building trades industry. Leaders of two civil rights groups involved in the confusion; claim it was bom in the inac­ curate reporting of a White Plains newspaper that carried a story last month, asserting that an agreement had been reached bet­ ween the Mt. Vernon NAACP and Local 77 of the Hod Carriers and Laborers Union, an almost wholly Negro union of unskilled work-; men. The alleged agreement was to have guaranteed nonwhite mem­ bers a fair share of jobs, entry into the apprenticeship programs of construction unions and admit­ tance to the unions. The confusion was compounded recently when a White Plains newspaper carried a story saying that Local 77 had issued a state­ ment, signed by four members who identified themselves as Ne­ groes, repudiating the asserted agreement between the local and the NAACP. Doris Waters, Mt. Vernon NA­ ACP president, agreed no pact oetween the local NAACP and _ocal 77 had been effected, but disagreed on another aspect. She said an agreement was reached between "Local 77 and the West­ chester Joint Committee, of which the NAACP is one of several coordinating bodies. She attributed" the confusion to reports in The Daily Argus, a local newspaper. Joseph Jackson, president of the Negro American Labor Council's White Plains chapter and chair­ man of the Westchester Joint Committee for Equal Employment in the construction industry, agreed with Miss Waters that the confusion was caused by inac­ curate journalism. However, he disagreed with Miss Waters that any agreement had been reached “on paper" between the Westchester Joint Committee and Local 77. He said thatanagreementhadn’t even been reached between the committee and other unions of i the building industry, explaining that an agreement was made only- to consider getting Negroes into the industry. Statement The Local 77 statement which added to the canfusion resulting from “confusion" said, in part: “At no time did we authorize the NAACP to represent or in­ tervene in our behalf and conse­ quently we are amazed and dis­ appointed at this conclusion. Dur­ ing the entire period of our pro­ test and demonstration the NAA­ CP never appeared or supported our effort, directly or indirectly. “Originally, we appealed to the Negro Civic Association. Mt. Ver­ non. N.Y., for assistance in our cause and this association is the only authorized body to represent and promote our interest. "At this writing we have not igreed with the union, the con­ tractor or anybody else, therefore this so-called pact is entirely without fact or foundation.” The repudiation appeared in a recent edition of The Daily Argus which, according to civil rights leaders, printed the original “con­ fused" story on Sept. 23 that “ia still causing confusion.” Buick Prize At NAACP's '63 Ball Rev. Richard Allen Hildebrand, president of the New York Branch of the NAACP and chairman of the Joint Committee for Equal Employment, announced this week that a 1963 Buick Riviera Automobile will be the grand award at the New York Branch Centenial Ball to be held on Dec. 13, at the Renaissance Ball­ room, 150 W. 138 St. Wiley Simmons, chairman of the Freedom Fund Committee stated: “At this crucial time, as Negroes are more and more de­ manding new job opportunities, better schools and housing,the resources of the NAACP are taxed to the utmost. We are asking for the greatest support from the community in receiving the necessary funds to enable the NAACP to end racial dis­ crimination in our times." The award and dance will be held on the same evening, and the winner will immediately notified by telegram if not present. Among the other prizes to be awarded will be a trip for two to Puerto Rico, a color TV set, and a stereo Hi-Fi set. Untitled Document file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AMThomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com