OTORIE
Hudson Valley Auto Club
Down South African Way...
We have left our Winter behind to arrive in 90° Sum-
mer of South Africa and the City of Gold — JOHANNES-
BURG.
Having reported to you before some five years ago
from South Africa, we'll be doing a bit different route this
Ne .
Upon arrival at our Johannesburg Hotel we collapsed
from the heat — after all it is only about twenty-one hours
since we left New York and the freezing temperatures. Re-
covering is swift with the anticipation of our new journey
just beginning.
We survive the “instructions” —- “hold on to your
pocketbook — don’t travel around after dark, etc., etc.”
| sometimes wonder if every city in the World is competing
for notoriety — from New York to Bombay — it is always
the same. Using normal precautions should not endanger
anybody, It beats sitting in your hotel room, clutching your
belongings and eyeing everyone with suspicion! ENJOY
~~ As you will find South Africans happy, smiling and very
willing to assist.
A number of happy surprises. FOR ONE — no longer
are the signs up “Ladies Bar” ~~ that would allow a lady
to enter the bar. Even with an escort, most bars were
“Men’s Bars.” On my last visit the signs had just been put
up, now it is just a matter of course for ladies to enter the
bars. Being raised in Boston Society has been an asset in
understanding these World Problems!
There are over 24,000,000 people living in South
Africa. The population consists of Blacks, Whites, Cape
Coloureds and Asians. The Blacks are of several ethnic
and language groups. All are descendants frorn a migration
from the Central Regions of Africa. The Cape Coloureds
are of mixed origin. The largest Asian Groups are Indian
and Chinese. All live in a unique social system. This visit
we found Blacks operating some Hotels in Johannesburg.
In Durban, however, we found most Indians running
Hotels/ Restaurants, etc.
Unique Social System? Yes, but changing, ever chang-
ing just as we have changed.
JOHANNESBURG, known as the “City of Gold,” was
born as a Mining Camp in 1886 and even some of the
streets reflect the image -- Nugget Street/Quartz Street /
Claim Street — all a clue to its title “City of Gold.”
A short ride from Johannesburg we find the GOLD
MUSEUM with its authentic mine — “NO. 14 SHAFT-
CROWN MINES.” The shaft was completed and in opera-
tion in 1918 and is over 1,000 meters deep. Other supple-
mentary shafts reach 2,000 meters. Our Museum Tour will
take us down to NO. 5 level, about 250 meters deep which
is about 800 feet.
On the surface we enter a long shed with lockers to
leave our valuables —- the only exception will be our
cameras which we will be allowed to carry along. Ladies
with high heels (yes, there are always a few!) will have to
12-—-THE MOTORIST~-—July/August 1984
don black boots. We are fitted with bright yellow coveralls
and green hard hats. Just when | thought that was it, along
came a miner to wire me up with a 25 pound pack genera-
tor for my “Miner's Light” that went on and off with a but-
ton. “How dark is it going to be down there” and “Will
| get lost?” crossed my mind!
We waited for the “cage” to come up from its depths
and load us on. Called the “Squeeze Box” because they
squeezed as many miners in per trip as they could. We
descend with one problem — I have left my stomach and
knees on the ground level! We reach our depth and leave
our squeeze box to find stretched before us the long, long
tunnels of the mine.
Now, my friends, our guide is about 5 feet tall and he
gets in and out of the tunnels very easily. Most of us have
to duck — and thank goodness for the hard hats!.
Further and further we go through tunnel after tunnel.
We are shown the various blasting equipment, mining pro-
cedures along with safety features of the Crown Mines.
lam unable to think about the mine workers that have
done the mining here. Today they are mostly imported
from other African Countries as the South Africans do not
want to work the mines. The Governments of the African
Nations arrange the passage and employment. They are
signed up for a period of 2 years. After that time they are
sent back to their countries, In six months most sign up
again and return to South Africa as the pay is good, aver-
aging about 500/600 Rand per month — about $402/
$502 per month/U_.S. $. This pay also includes their room
and board.
We go back into the squeeze box and return to the sur-
face — this time | left my stemach and knees below!
After a tour of the Museum Grounds that has replicas
of homes built by the Miners —- most investors came from
Great Britain — we are going to witness the pouring of
liquid gold into mounds. The guards are on duty and the
huge door to the pouring area is closed. When the furnace
door is open the sight is awesome! Also the room tempera-
ture rises about 100 degrees. The gold is poured — if only
we had that money equivalent! After the lecture on the
pouring of gold and after the mold has cooled down we
are all able to place our hands on the GOLD ~ worth?
$250,000 U.S. $! Oh well, who needs it?
On the grounds of the Museum we are also shown the
“above" ground type operations -—- panning of gold, etc.
and the CROWNING GLORY of the Museurn ~ the Afri-
can Mining Tribal Dancing. Representing the various Tribes
that work the Mines. The most exciting and most colorful
i believe are the ZULUS. This wiil bring to a close our day
and a return via an authenic Steam Train, used for various
operations of the mines, brings us to the front gate.
At the Gold Museum Shop you may purchase Gold
and | found a very nice piece of Gold Bullion on a Gold
Chain. They come in three sizes and | selected a middle
sized one about 1/2 inch wide.
We are ready to continue on...
One of my disappointments is not being able to report
to you on a planned BALLOON SAFARI — but, being
at the mercy of the weather for this type of operation and
only having one day to do the Ballooning we had to forego
that experience. The one day (or, you may wish longer)
trip consists of being picked up at your hotel and trans-
ported to the Magaliesburg Mountains. It is a “working”
trip, you help inflate the balloons, take the flight and after
about an hour “in flight” (most Balloon flights are about
from 12 to 2 hours duration) you will land for a Cham-
pagne Breakfast! You are then returned to your hotel.
Even though disappointed, on the evening news back in
our hotel in Johannesburg, we hear of heavy winds that
ripped off the roofs of cottages in the mountain and lake
areas, sO we are just as well off!
The following day we had to be at the South African
Railway Station in Johannesburg for our train to Cape
Town. The South African Stations are really beautiful,
clean and many facilities for the passengers.
From Johannesburg going South the drought that had
hit Africa is very much in evidence... crops destroyed
except where there was irrigation. However, as we got
closer to Cape Town the fertile ground and green land.
scape showed us that the Cape Section had not been af.
fected.
Our train travels from Johannesburg to Klerksdorn /
Warrenton and Kimberley — here we stop off to see
the Diamond Mines. KIMBERLEY — a name so familiar
to us and finally we are standing here — here, is the “Big
Hole” so deep there is no bottom — like staring into a cra-
tor -- all for Diamonds! Today, it is DeBeers that controls
the Diamond Interests of the World.
Kimberley is hotter than Johannesburg on our visit.
Many British families live here, this is quite evident by the
many “greetings” at the train station.
We board the train again for Cape Town. Many stops
on this train as it is only scheduled a few times a week,
but it gives us an excellent view of the country. The entire
trip takes two days from Johannesburg to Cape Town and
may be done First Class regular train ~~ or, on the famous
BLUE TRAIN with its elegant cuisine and accommoda-
tions.
As we approach Cape Town we travel the edge of a
few mountain ranges . . . the largest seems to be the Hex
River Mountain. All of these offer us spectacular scenery
including the “hair raising” tracks we have to traverse!
CAPE TOWNI Cape Town is Cape Town — I truly
believe it to be the most beautiful spot in the world. We
are staying at “Sea Point” which should give you a clue
as to our locale. In this area we seem to be held captive
by days when the fog will come in and surround the city
~~ it sits atop Table Mountain. The mountain can be seen
Dorothy M. Center
— Travel Counselor
from most areas of Cape Town and it is the mountain,
the city and the sea that makes Cape Town a spectacular
city — situated on two Oceans — the Atlantic on one and
the Indian on the other.
We have arranged to fly from Cape Town to DUR-
BAN, thus we are on to Durban and the Natal Coastal
Area, Known as the “Holiday City” as it is warm all year
long and has many fine resort hotels.
As I have left my African Crafts Shopping to last, we
browse around the many African Curio Shops here. All
authenic — we find Zulu shields, spears, weaving, wood
carvings and unusual beaded work
The ZULUS are from the Natal area and on a previous
visit to South Africa | had visited the tribal homes north
of Durban.
The BASUTO Tribe are from Leosotho, a bit West of
Durban and their crafts are colorful blankets, grass hats,
clay beads, sheepskin and mohair rugs.
On my last visit | had also travelled to SWAZILAND,
north of Durban. From here came the table mats, wooden
bowls, Kanga Cloth and the SWAZI TRIBE.
The MAKONDE/N’DEBEL/OVAMBO/FINGO
& XHOSA TRIBES are from the Cape Province. The
Bushman from Botswana — BAROTSE from Zambia,
all crafts from these Tribes are represented in the Curio
Shops.
| have the good fortune this trip to add a good deal
to my personal collection. Even though | have had many
trips to the African Continent, | am still in awe of their carv-
ings and crafts.
Reluctantly we have to depart on the long trek back
home .. . it always seems so much longer! We have so
many memories . . . Africa is such a huge continent it will
take many more trips to satisfy one’s curiosities. But, isn’t
that our right to TRAVEL, to LEARN, to UNDERSTAND
and to experience first hand the lives, the cultures, so vastly
different from our own . . . it only takes a moment to take
your first step.
July/August 1984-—-THE MOTORIST—~13
“~
3° Academy Road
Sapany, New York 12200
September 30, 198.
Mr. Seymour T. Pearlman
The Hudson Valley Auto Club
£28 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York
pear Mr. Pearlman:
The article "Down South African Way” is the most blatant piece
of South African propaganda that I have seen in some time. Is Dorothy
pega be, thats, n agent:of the South African government or is she
” 01 gett he AN RAS niseo ber”Soutly Ard oa ws ehout mention that apart-
heid is tho rule of the land has to he considered an tneredible piece
of work to even the most politically unnformed .
She writes that South Africa has a “unique social system. 4
system which represses over 68o percent of the people, a system where
, over 80 ercent of the people have no right to vote, cannot own land
or trave freely ts indeed "unique" although that is not the adjective
- soon, MOB t, of,.the wor d uses for it.
She claims being raised in Boston Society "has been an asset in
understanding these World problems." The "World Problems" she refers
to are the fact that women can now £0 in men-only bars - no mention of
_ course that the bars she refers to are for whites only. Incredible
‘naivete or bold chicanery is at work in-this type of journalism and
.» >) .~She. laments missing a balloon trip. No need Dorothy, you certainly
- have’ some vision of something that ig full of air. However, that is too
trite a criticism since what you have glossed over in your glossy article
ricans are being denied basic human
a, cutesy travel piece ia -.
“i. nae ea sala AS. m a | i yi 1 eS ie i $ vi
a Li ee ig
en maa
wha ke we
It is trrosponsible of AAA to print ‘+, 2% 208 0 ‘tical praper
of the worst kind. This is the first time in over 10 years of randi rig
through the Motorist that I have heen offended. i hope gomeonu on your
editorial ataf? will be more judicious in the future.
tata © Kes ; ;
Eileen C. Kawola
.
maar
TWN SNRs SPA NEE ART See ees
Pewee CR NIE | BANReERT
Capital District Coalition
Against Apartheid
and Racism
Box 3002 — Pine Hills Station
Albany, NY 12203
436-0562 October 1, 198),
Mr. Seymour T. Pearlman
President
The Hudson Valley Auto Club
828 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12203
Dear tir. Pearlman:
Several members of the Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid
and Racism, as well as- several people in the community, have read the
article "Down South Africa Way" in the July/Aueust edition of the Motorist
and have expressed alarm over such a clear misrevresentation of life in
South Africa. As a community based coalition, actively working to educate
the community about the apartheid system of South Africa, we would like to
make you and vour membership aware of what life is rea'ly like in apartheid
South Africa.
The date of the article is not given, but Ms. Center's off-hand Cook's
Tour version of the Republic of South Africa in no way represents life in
the most racist country in the world. Let me draw a harsh analogy. It
would be like an article on the beauty of the Black Forest and the quaint
towns of Bavarta written as a travel piece during Hitler's reign in Germ-
any. Your organization and magazine are tntended as a travel service for
your membership but such an article makes a strong political statement.
The United Nations, the International Olympic Committee, and many other
international organizations have called for the total fsolation of South
Africa in an attempt to bring to an end the apartheid system. A lightly
written account of a pleasure tip to South Africa making no mention of the
all-pervasive apartheid system is misleading and {rresponsible. The
article's antantane call for a response.
In South Africa, a white minority has imposed an instituttonalized
racism called apartheid which denies basic human rights to a Black majority
More than 2l nttiton Black people, four fifths of the populat ton live under
harsh and humiliating conditions. They not only have no voice in the
political life of the country, but because of apartheid, they find them-
selves without hope or opportunity in their own home Land.
Recently, a new constitution was put into effect fn South Africa
which has established a three house parliament. This new parliament gives
representation to the whites, mixed race and Indian populations. The
Black majority has been totally excluded from the new paritament. The
twisted rationale given for this excluiston is that the Biakes ‘ne not aitlie
zens of South Africa. The South African government has set barren pleces
of land within the country and proclaimed tha" "homelands” and force the
South Africans whose labor is not needed to maintain Life in the cities to
a
‘
2
relocate there. This may explain the statement in your article which
says that South Africans do not want to work in the mines. The govern-
ment does not consider the Black South Africans to be citizens of South
Africa.
Perhaps if Ms. Center had been able to the the Balloon Safari she
mentioned, she might have seen the apvalling condit‘ons of the Blacks
outside of the cities. The health of South Africans is harmed by the
apartheid system. There is only one doctor for every 5,000 persons who are
eETT mixed race or Asian; there is one doctor for every 379 whites.
Yearly half the children in a typical African reserve dies before the ae
of five. The tnfant mortality rate for Black South Afrtcnas, one of the
highest in the world, ts 69 per 1,000 in urban areas and 282 per 1,000 in
rural areas. For whites, the infant mortality rate is l2.per 1,900, one
of the lowest in the world.
A visit to the schools might have proved enlightening too. ‘The
government spends 10 times more for the education of white children than
for the ednsation of Black ¢nildren. School attendance is compulsory and
free for white oupils; it is neither free nor compulsory for Africans.
A report by UNESCO on avartheid states that South African school books
teach the African that he occupies an inferior position in soclety. White
children are thaught that Europeans are superior and that Africans are
primitive and barbaric.
The article mentions the crafts available from the tribal neople of
South Africa. It makes no mention that the South African economy thrives
because the Black South Africans provide an abundant and cheap labor force.
It follows a policy of excluding Blacks, mixed race and Asians from most
of the highly paid skilled occupations, and various laws reserve the better
obs for whites. Whites make up only 18 percent of the work force and earn
6. percent of all income tn South Africa. Most of the Blacks work in mining
(yes) and agriculture. In the former, the income of whites is six times
that of Black Africans, in the latter, 20 times that of Black Africans. The
poverty datum line in South Africa - below which "health and decency cannot
be maintained"- was 123.3 rand per month in 1976. In 1980, over 50 percent
of the Black households still lived below the poverty datum line. Over half
the white households in major urban areas have white servants. “hey are
paid an averare of 17 rand per month, half of which was given in food, liv-
{ng quarters and other vcayments in kind. The white population enjoys a per
capita income far higher than that of any other country tn Africa but Black
per capita income is one of the lowest in the world.
Ms. Center seemed awed at watching the liquid gold of South Afrten
being poured into molds, and at the worth of the gold. "Oh well, who needs
1t?" she writes. The South African government needs it. The income from
gold and other vital resources is used by the South African government to
conduct a massive arms build-up. South Africa is a military state, deter-
mined to maintain the racist status quo through strength.
And because South Africa is a military state, it is also a society
under siege. Not only does the article present a biased picture of life
in South Africa, it also fails to inform your readers that a tripn to South
Africa could be dangerous. Although South Africa is not as well reported
in the media as El Salvador, Lebanon or Northern Ireland, a review of even
the New York Times will show that not a week goes by in South Africa with-
eut car bombings In the major cities, police clasheds in the townships and
on the picket lines and violent deaths of the African people at the hands
of the South African police and military. The article in no way represents
Pa
tt 4
poi £
3
today's reality of a nation torn by pressures of an aggressive war
against neighboring Angola and Namibia, and internal guerrilla war
against the racist white regime in Pretoria, widespread labor unrest
vy Black trade unions and student unrest over the inferior education
provided to South African Blacks.
There are many other harsh realities of life in apartheid South
Africa, far too many to mention here. One final reality is relevant,
however. All Blacks over the age of 16 must carry pass books and pro-
duce them on demand at any hour - while the author of your article
travels in luxury and comfort.
We believe you owe it to your membership to apprise them of the
reality of life tn South Africa. The Coalition has been studying the
South African situation since the anpearance of the South African rugby
team in Albany in September 1981 and we have substantial informational
resources at our disposal. We are requesting that you print this letter
or a similar article which would present some of the harsh realities of
apartheid South Africa. We would apprecite your response 48 soon 48
possible.
Sincerely,
Vera Michelson
Chair
Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism
Statistical Information from:
A Crime Against Humanity: Questions and Answers on Apartheld in
South Africa. United Nations Publication DPI/705 41261, Oct., 1982.
Sa
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Hudson Valley Auto Club, Inc.
MAIN OFFICE
828 Washington Avenue - Albany, New York 12205
Telephone 462-3321
BRANCH OFFICES
TROY * 257 Broadway
Telephone 272-3660
HUDSON * 537 Warren Street
Telephone 828-4537
October 16, 1984
Ms. Eileen C. Kawola
39 Academy Road
Albany, New York 12208
Dear Ms, Kawola:
Thank you for your letter of September 30, 1984.
We are very sorry that the article which appeared in the July-
August issue of the "Motorist’ was upsetting to you. If you read
the "Motorist" regularly, you will find that this article was
written by Dorothy Center in the same context as all her other
articles were written after she returned from various destinations
in the world, In no Way was this article meant to be malicious
or political. The Auto Club is not a political organization and
our only interest is in informing people of tourist attractions
around the world regardless of any internal problems which may
exist. Our only concern to our clients is the safety and grat-
ification from travel they receive.
Again, I apologize for any undue stress this may have caused,
Sincerely yours,
fy
A hbrt AU thd
Mary c,“Vedder
General Manager
MCV: ktd
The Most Trusted Name in Travel.
amy he ne Sa,
aeieiieiil DERE OREI EEL VOPHC HI WN ey
TORO Ae SLO al
Apartheid
In recent weeks anti-
apartheid activists have made
local elected officals aware of
their objections to the appeury
ance in our area of entertainers
who have performed in South
Africa. Why the protest’
In Sou Africa, the gev-
ernment practices a racial
policy called apartheid. Unoer
their system of white suprema-
cy, non-white South Africans,
who make up more than 80
percent of the population, are
denied basic humar rights.
Black South Africans are not
allowed to vote, are not allowed
to own land, and are forced to
relocate to governmen: desig-
nated areas. Black South Afri-
cans have much higher infant
mortality rates and mu*th
lower life expectancy rates due
to the lack of medical facilities
and doctors, Bleck workers are
paid much lover wages than
white workers for the same
work. Blacks must carfy a
pass at ail times and may ve
stopped by the police at any
time. South Africa is a country
whose government practices
the most extreme racism
aimed at keeping the ruling
white minority in control.
No one who believes in basic
human decency can justify this
abhorrent. inhuman racist
system. The United Nations
has taken a firm stand against
apartheid. They have called for
the total isolation of South
Africa. One of the means 6f
isolating South Africa is the
cultural boycott. It is a sahc-
tion imposed against wrong.
Because the United Nations has
requested that the internatiorial
community honor the cultural
boycott, entertainers who
perform in South Africa are
doing so in violation of &n
international ban. Thousands of
entertainers honor that ban —
some don't. Those who violate
the ban use the argument that
entertainment transcends poli-
tics or that it is art for art's
sake.
In truth, culture is) very
much a part of a country's
politics and an entertainer who
decides to p ‘form in Saith
Africa is indeed taking a stand
and is siding with the rulery of
that country’s racist regime:
Many people in the Cap .tal
District are aware of apartl eid
in South Africa and work in
many ways against it. In fliet,
many people in other part: of
the country are aware of the
anti-apartheid movement -in
Albany. In 1981, the Capital
District Coalition Aga’ ast
_ Apartheid and Racism was
organized to protest the app ?ar-
ance in Albany of the South
African rugby team. Sineé) hat
time, the work against
apartheid has continued in
various ways. The cultural
boycott has been one of’ the
more visible manifestations of
this work. :
The Capital District Coal:tion
has organized protests against
the appearance in our area of
several performers who nave
violated the boycott including
eat ee veel yore ee .
4 dT
cell
ULSE OF THE PEOPLE
Chick Corea, Ray Charles,
Linda Honstadt, the Beach
Boys, Paul Anka, America,
Della Reese and the Mighty
Clouds of Joy. As the surmmer
approaches and imore enter-
tainers come to our area, there
will be more protests. People in
the Capital District should feei
a sense of pride when a protest
and a picket is set up against
entertainers who have
performed in South Africa. It
means that our community is
taking part in an international
movement against tyranny and
oppression.
BILEEN C. KAWOLA
Capital District Coalition
Against Apartheid and Racism
Albany
Turn to God
We must stop making man
God, and turn to the true and
living God Jesus Christ.
His Word says: “If my
people which ave called by my
name shall humble thempelves
and pray and seek my face ane
turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and
will heal their land.”’ I
Chronicles, 7:14
DOLORES Y ANNICK
Troy
Bridge closing
When the Waterford Bridge
closed { had two choices, I
could either walk 12 blocks
from my house or take the bus
from Watertord to Cohoes and
another to Troy. I couldn't take
the second choice, because I
would be an hour late for work.
The bus running from
Stillwater to Cohoes runs every
two hours. | couldn't make the
connections without being late.
So I decided to walk the 12
blocks frorn my house to the
J.M. Fields parking lot.
1 was willing to make the
sacrifice. If you know anybody
with sinus or arthritis, walking
10 blocks and then over the
bridge, which is usually windy;
on these damp mornings; will
make you werse. Doing this
when you leave work very
tired, “getting caught on the
bridge in the rain is frustrat-
ing. Now the walking path is
about half what it was. | met a
man on a 3-wheeler bike, | was
halfway over, and had to go so
close to the rail it frightened
me, Lat me tell you 1 don't
enjoy being that close to the
water since I wes never a good
swimmer, Do jou think any-
body will enjoy this 12-block
walk on an 85-degree day
coming up pretty soon’ How
about a rainy day when the
umbrella does no good? How
about Septernber when it gets
cold, windy and then snowy? I
would love to know if the
person in charge of the bus
schedule would do it”
When I called the manager of
the bus company, he told me
that the last shuttle bus ran at
9:10 aon. and not again until
3:20 pan. I asked him what
happens to people like me, or
) bus
waved hint vi they. dadard Pr
ask J y t
every other bus to Cueted.
He told me tha
t mors eer
get on at 126th Street. I met
two people from Northside, the
same morning I was on the
bus. Doesn’t he consider us
human belligs?
4 EMMA L. RYAN
Waterford
@ >. &
Right decision
Some pepple believe that the
New. York wy pte
shouid be raised to 21. They
maintain that there are far too
however,
teenagers are the root of the
drunk driving problem, is
wrong. There are three reasons
why I am glad the Assembly
voted that the drinking age
should not, raised.
Ce /, drunk driving is a
very serivgus problem in this
country. Hardly a day goes by
without rea about someone
(often. innocent victim)
being. eely injured or killed
in a drunk driving accident.
But was 4 really an accident
that someone decided to drive
after having too much to
drink? The best way to solve
this problem is to help the
drinker take the right de-
cision. Better law enforcement
and stricter laws will help the
drinker nmiake the decisien not
to drive. Raising the drinking
age will only delay the de-
chen, Therefore,, such a, law .
would be an inagequate caean
of dealing with the problem
drunk driving.
Another, reason the drinking
age shoul¢ not be raised is age
discrimination. There are
many forms of discrimination,
all of wh ch are illegal in the
United States. Why, then, are
we seeking to pass legislation
that does just that? One may
argue thet is because people
under 21" generally are not
mature esexgh to be responsi-
ble drinke%s. But if someone is
considerec mature enough to
vote for president, what
him so immature that. he
cannot drink alcohol?
Furtherm re, I believe that if
someone 8 vid enough to be
drafted into the armed forces,
he should be old enough to have
a beer.
The third, and most impoer-
tant reason for not raising the
drinking» age is because it
completely sidesteps the lasue.
The issue of course, is drunk
driving. The proposed solution,
however, 's directed at a select
group of people — not at
sogiety as a whole. If a city is
trying to cut down on crime, is
it really u° solution to make it
illegal for e under 21 to
buy guns? Teenagers are being
used as scapegoats for a
problem which includes all age
groups, Hf .the ol is
raised to’ 21, we will still have
far too wiuany drunk drivers on
the road." What then? Raise the
sage to 25? ‘Why not 30?
JOE JABONASKI
Waterford
————
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39 Academy Road
Albany, New York 12°08
May 28, 198)
Letters to the Fditor
Knickerbocker News
Capital Newspapers
Albany Shaker Road
Colonie, New York
To the Editor:
In recent weeks anti-apartheid activists have made local elected
offictals aware of their objection to the appearance in our area of
entertainers who have performed in South Africa. Why the protest?
In South Africa, the government practices a ractal policy called
apartheid. Under this system of white supremacy, non-white South
Africans, who make up over 80 percent of the population, are denied
basic human rights. Black South Africans have much higher infant
mortality rates and much lower life expectancy rates due to the lack
of medical facilities and doctors. Black workers are paid much lower
wages than white workers for the same work. Blacks must carry & pass
at all times and may be stopped by the police at any time. South
Africa igs a country whose government practices the most extreme racism
aimed at keeping the ruling white minority in control.
No one who believes in basic human decency can justify this
abhorrent, inhuman racist system. The United Nations has taken a firm
stand against apartheid. They have called for the total isolation of
South Africa. One of the means of {solating South Africa is the
cultural boycott. It is a sanction imposed against wrong. Because the
United Nations has requested that the international community honor the
cultural boycott, entertainers who perform in South Africa are doing so
in violation of an international ban. Thousands of entertainers honor
that ban - some don't. Those who violate the ban use the argument the
entertainment transcends politics or that it is art for art's sake. In
truth, culture is very much a part of a country's politics and an
entertainer who decides to perform {n South Africa 1s indeed taking 4
stand and is siding with the rulers of that country's racist regime.
Many people in the Capital District are aware of apartheid South
Afrtea and work in many ways against it. In fact, many people in other
parts of the country are aware of the anti-apartheid movement in Albany.
In 1981, the Capital District Coalition Against Aparthetd and Racism was
organized to protest the appearance in Albany of the South African rurby
team. Since that time, the work against apartheid has eontinued in
various ways. The cultural boycott has been one of the more visible
manifestations of this work. The Capital “istrict Coalition has organ-
ized protests against the appearance 4n our area of several performers
who have violated the boycott ineluding Chick Corea, Ray Charles, Linda
Ronstadt, the Beach Boys, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Paul Anka, America,
and Della Reese. As the summer approaches and more entertainers come to
our area, there will be more protests. People in the Capital District
should feel a sense of pride when 4 protest and picket is set up against
entertainers who have performed in South Africa. It means that our
community 1s taking part in an international movement against tyranny
and oppression.
Sincerely,’ '
Elita, Vicndes
Elleen Kawola
Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism
1,38 -0309 (home) 162-7197 (work)
fom
39 Academy Road
paige New York
May 28, 198)
Letters to the Iditor
Times Unton
Box 15000
Albany, New York 12212
To the Editor:
In recent weeks anti-apartheid activists have made local
elected officials aware of the obfection to the appearance in our
area of entertainers who have performed in Youth Africa. Why the
protest? In “outh Africa, the sovernment practices a racial policy
called apartheid. Under this system of white supremacy, non-white
South Africans, who make up over 8&0 percent of the population, are
denied basic human rights. South Africa is a country whose govern-
ment practices the most extreme racism aimed at keeping the ruling
white. minority in control. No one who believes in basic human
decency can justify this abhorrent, {nhuman racist policy.
The United Nations has taken a firm stand against apartheid.
They have called for the total isolation of South Africa. One of
the means of ‘solating South Africa is the cultural boycott. It is
a sanction imposed against wrong. Because the United Nations has
requested that the international community honor the cultural boy-
cott, entertainers who perform in South Africa are doing so in
violation of an international ban. Thousands of entertainers honor
that ban - some don't. Those who violate the ban use the argument
that entertainment transcends politics or that it is art for art's
sake. In truth, culture 1s very much a part of a country's politics
and an entertainer who decides to perform 1 South Africa is indeed
taking a stand and is siding with the rulers of that country's racist
regime.
In 1981, the Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and
Racism was organized to protest the appearance in ‘iibany of the
South African rugby team. ‘ince that time, the work against apart-
heid has continued in various ways. The cultural boycott has been
one of the more visible manifestations of this work. The Capital
District Coalition has organized protests against the appearance in
our area of several performers who have violated the boycott includ-
ing Chick Corea, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, the Beach Boys, Paul
Anka, America, Della Reese and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. As the
summer approaches and more entertainers come into our area, there
will be more protests. People in the Capital District should feel
a sense of pride when a protest and a picket 1s set up against
entertainers who have performed in South Africa. It means that
our community is taling part in an international movement against
tyranny and oppression.
‘(Mtn
tLleen KawWola .
Mo) tbe District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism
1,38-0309 (home) 162-7197 (work)
ae
ee
May 28, 198) ——
Pulse of the People
The Times Record
Troy, New York
To the editor:
In recent weeks anti-apartheid activists have made local elected
officials aware of their objection to the appearance in our area of
entertainers who have performed in South Africa. Why the*protest?
In South Africa, the government practices a ractal policy called
apartheid. Under this system of white supremacy, non-white South
Africans, who make up over 80 percent of the population, are denied
- basic human rights. Black South Africans are not allowed to vote,
are not allowed to own land, and are forced to relocate to government
designated areas. Black South Africans have much higher infant
mortality rates and much lower Life expectancy rates due to the lack
of medical facilities and doctors. Black workers are paia@ mich lower
wages than white workers for the same work. Blacks must carry 4 pass
at all times and may be stopped by the police at any time. South
Africa is a country whose government practices the most extreme racism
aimed at keeping the ruling white minority in control.
No one who believes in basic human decency can justify this
abhorrent, inhuman racist system. The United Nations has taken a firm
stand against apartheid. They have ealled for the total isolation of
South Africa. One of the means of isclating South Africa is the cultural
boycott. It is a sanction imposed against wrong. Because the United
Nations has requested that the international community honor the
cultural boycott, entertainers who perform in South Africa are doing
so in violation of an {international ban. Thousands of entertainers
honor that ban - some don't. Those who violate the ban use the argument
that entertainment transcends politics or that it is art for art's sake.
In truth, culture is very much a part of a country's politics and
an entertainer who decides to perform in South Africa is indeed taking
4. ‘-
a Alaa, set a PBS AEB Ctr,
Sua
a stand and is siding with the rulers of that country's raciat regime.
Many people in the Capital District are aware of apartheid South
Africa and work in many ways against it. In fact, many people in other
parts of the country are aware of the anti-apartheid movement in Albany.
In 1981, the Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism
was organized to protest the a»pearance in Albany of th® South African
rugby team. Since that time, the work against apartheid has continued
in various ways. The cultural boycott has been one of the more visible
manifestations of this work. The Capital District Coalition has
organized protests against the appearance in our area of several per-
formers who have violated the boycott including Chick Corea, Ray Charles,
Linda Ronstadt, the Beach Boys, Paul Anka, America, Della Reese and the
Mighty Clouds of Joy. As the summer approaches and more entertainers
come to our area, there will be more protests. People in the Capital
District should feel a sense of pride when a proted and a picket is set
up against entertainers who have performed in South Africa. It means
that our community is taking part in an {nternational movement against
tyranny and oppression.
Sincerely,
oy arg
Lilia f. f feels.
la
(39 Academy Road, Albany, N.Y.)
438-0309 (home)
162-7197 (work)
a
wileen Kawola - Steering rommittesa Member —
Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism | bgp
Albany, New York qj
pal | Su.
In recant months there has heen a lot of enthusiasm about tha
revitalization of Albany. Plans fer the continued physical rehab-
tlitation of the downtown area continue to be developed and imple-~
mented. Albany has also undergone a spiritual revitalization as a
result of the national success of Pulitzer Prize-winning author,
William Kennedy's writings. His books highlight the city and have
resulted in a stirring of community pride.
Albany is also gaining widespread recognition however, in another
area.. Many Local residents are perhaps not aware of this community's
contribution to the national scene, but it is one for which they can
certainly feel much pride. Albany is playing a leading role among
major cities in the United States taking part in an international
movement opposin? the racist apartheid system of South Africa,
Albany's involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle becamo gal-
vanized in 1981, when thousands of people from the Capital District
made known their opposition to the appearance of the South African
rugby team in their city.
Tho South African government does many things in its attempt to
convineo the world, and especially its strong ally the United States,
that the racial situation in South Africa is improving and that the
system there does not repress people of color. In the case of the
rugby toam arpearance, the presence of one "non-white" player was
touted as evistence that the government of South Africa does not
practice a policy of separation of the races in sport. Richard
Lapchick, Director of the “enter for the Study of Sport in Society
at Northeastern University, however, recently wrote that the govern-
ment of South Africa has allowed some cosmetic integration in sports
at the national and international levels but that 99 percent of the 21;
i a }
‘ng
ih ‘ue
é
million African, colored(mixed race) and Asian athletes still compete
only at club level, which is totally segregated.
This segregation of the races in sport is no exception. The
entire country is totally segregated under a racist system called
apartheid. Under this system, the white minority has total control
of the country. Blacks are not allowed to vote, to buy or sell land,
to move freely or to work or live where they choose. Their lives are
totally dominated by the Afrikaner government which is determined to
praserve its own domination.
Beginning in the 1960's the United Nations has passed a series
of resoultions calling for the total isolation of South Africa, It is
to he excluded from international affairs in the areas of culture,
sport, business, and diplomacy. Most members of the world community
voted for these resolutions and adhere to them. Still, the United
States government, which imposes sanctions against other governments
whose policies it finds repressive, such as Cuba and Poland, continuas,
under the Reagan administration, to “constructively engage" with South
Africa,
Since the rugby protest in September of 1981, anti-apartheid
activists in the Albany area have continued their effort to educate
the peoplo of the area about the evils of the South African system.
One of the problems in doing so is that South Africats government is
continually attempting to present the situation there in as positive a
wav as possible. It introduces minor reforms, which still totally
exclude the black majority from any of the rights of citizenship, as
signals to the world that positive change is coming to that tormented
land.
One of the most recent of such governmental gambits established
a three house parliament under which it was claimed more South Africans
were gaining basic political rights.
The facts about the new system, however, tell a different story.
Swe
3
As in the case of the one "non-white" player on the rugby team, the
new parliament is, as a reform, really just a sham to influence world
opinion. The new parliament was established by a government, not
sincerely moving to bring progressive change to the apartheid system,
but rather one datermined to further entrench the status quo.
This reshaped parliament, mandated in a new constitution approvad
in an election in which only white voters could participate, is made
up of three houses - one white, one “colored” (mixed raca) and one
Asian. No representation is granted to the black South Africans who
reprosent approximately 80 percent of the population of the country.
The very fact, that tho new parliament is itself racially segregated,
is evidence that apartheid continues, The white assembly is dominant
and the white ixecutive President (former Prime Minister P.W. Botha)
has broad authoritarian powers. Slacks continue to be denied the most
basic citizenship rights in their own land.
In spite of South Africa's campaign to convince the world commun-
ity of supposed reform in the apartheid state, the nows coming ont of
South Africa belies the latest propaganda maneuver. In the elections
to the new parliament in August, 198, a mere 18 percent of the eligible
"colored" (mixed race) population turned out to vote and only 17 percent
of the eligible Indian population eligible to vote did so. For several
months before the August elections, members of the United Democratic
Front, a broadly based non-racial coalition of over 600 groups, opposed
the new parliament. Members of the UDP have faced harassment and in-
timidation hy the South African Security Police. Just before the
election, leaders of the UDF and of the Transvan] and Natal Indian
Congresses (the latter formed over 90 years ago by Mahatma Gandhi)
were arrested by the police, The elections, which had heen held up by
the government as a manifestation of reform became, in fact, one more
occasion for government repression of any opposition to its policies,
evant
“ty
a en
silk . ‘
yy
The newly elected parliament is not truly representative of any but
the white population.
In recent weeks, the American press has also carried news of rent
strikes in South Africa by blacks. In South Africa, a black person is
not allowad to own a home. Blacks whose work is important to the govern-
ment in industry, in the maintainance of urban life or as domestic help
in white homes are allowed to live in black townships outside of the
white cities. Blacks whose labor is not needed to maintain white
sociaty are forced to relocata to government designated areas hundreds
of miles from the major population centers. These areas are called
homelands or “bantustans." In the homelands and in the townships, the
government in Pretoria, the capital, set up puppet governments which
are supposed to be the answer to aparthoids's eritics who say that the
black South Africans hava no yoice in government, The puppet govern~-
ments recently imposed rent tnereases on already financially overburd-
ened people. The result has been protest, The rent strikes have been
violently repressed by the police. Reports are that 31 South Africans
have died in these most recent protests.
The situation in South Africa, for the majority of its people, Is
one of repression imposed by a minority racist regime, The government
is making a concentrated effort to convicne the world that it is work-
ing to better the situation. The latter is true; it is working to
maintain a systom where human rights are denied to the black majority.
When the people from Albany protested the rugby game, the issue was not
the right of athletes to play a game. The issue was, and remains, one
of individual freedom and democratic self determination, When people
from Albany boycott an entertainer who has violated the international
cultural boycott of South Africa, the issue is not the right of enter-
tainers to entertain freely. The issue is that South Africa ruthless-~
ly deprives the majority of its people the basics necessary to maintain
human dignity.
cn atl
Lg Her ae
%
WA
Albany's involvement in a human rights movement to end the apartheid
system is a causa for civic pride. Our city is noted for its leadership
role in recognizing, and exposing propaganda exercises of the “outh
African resime., Albany has earnod a place in the forefront of the anti-
apartheid movament in the United States.
*
Septembor 1h, 198k
we
mn wont tier IM
vena Lada a
iiwigea UNIUN Ra NS One R
LETTERS AS HY ROSEN SEES IT
South Africa —
To the Editor:
In recent weeks anti-apartheid activists have
made local elected officials aware of the objection to
the appearance in our area of entertainers who have
performed in South Africa.
Why the protest? In South Africa, the government
practices a racial policy called apartheid. Under this
system of white supremacy, non-white South Afri-
cans, who make up over 80 percent of the population,
are denied basic human rights.
The United Nations has taken a firm stand against
apartheid. They have called for the total isolation of
South Africa. One of the means of isolating South
Africa is the cultural boycott. It is a sanction
imposed against wrong. Because the United Nations MEDICAL
has requested that the international community TREATMENT
honor the cultural boycott, entertainers who perform
in South Africa are doing so in violation of an IN THE OUT. SIDE
international ban.
Thousands of entertainers honor that ban ~ some
don't. Those who violate the ban use the argument
that entertainment transcends politics or that it is
art for art's sake. In truth, culture is very much a
part of a country's politics and an entertainer who
decides to perform in South Africa is indeed taking a
Stand and is siding with the rulers of that country’s
racist regime.
People in the Capital District should feel a sense of
pride when a protest and a picket is set up against
entertainers who have performed in South Africa. It
means that our community is taking part in an
international movement against tyranny and oppres-
sion.
EILEEN RAWOLA
Capital District Coalition
Against Apartheid and Racism
Albany
Clean air
To the Editor:
I am writing to thank you for your paper's
thoughtful articles on the Clean Indoor Air Act
(A.2746a /S2366) and the tactics used to defeat it in the
Assembly this year. However, there is one point that
I would like to clarify.
In 1983, the governor lent his name to the Clean
Indoor Air Act and i rated it into his legislative
am because he believed that it was a public
th issue that deserved his attention. I hope that
my comments about the time that the governor's
staff was able to put into the bill this year were not
misleading.
I do not believe that the extent to which the
ernor supported the bill in any way related to its
fate on the Assembly floor. This measure’s import-
ance was only underscored by the governor's
decision to include it in his legislative program.
The bill was defeated because of the lobbyi
tactics of the very powerful tobacco interests, and
never meant to imply that anyone other than the
tobacco industry should bear responsibility for the
Citizer
WASHINGTON ~- On Memorial Day weekeo
residential candidate was in Mexico denouncis
nited States for “arrogance.” Not long ago this
have been considered a sacrilege against the me
have died for this country, as well as a suicidal po
bill's defeat in the Assembly. move; but it was all in a day’s work for Jesse Jackse
I hope this clarifies any misunderstanding about The most important fact about the Rev. Jackson
my comments. that he is a black candidate; it is that he is a ¢
ALEXANDER B. GRANNIS Democratic candidate, a man of the party ef 6
Member of Assembly * MeGovern, Edward Kennedy, Bella Abzug, Ri
Albany Clark, and those 10 Congress-critters who re
praised the Communist rulers of Nicaragua for “op
up the political process” in that country.
0 M0 Dewtmcenvete: anette Senin Bem ohnn Ken vie F tanditonal beatin
Mate .ranortina
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