Ort agairt off again Blacks in politics discussed By DEAN WHITE Staff Writer On again-off again disenfran- chisement from the system is the cause of apathy in Black participation in the political arena according to a CSUN Political Forum panel discussing "Blacks in Politics." City Councilman David Cunnigham; Wendall Handy, Republican candidate for Secretary of State; Norman Hodges, Republican candidate for the 31st Congressional District; and Attorney Miles Brown said that Blacks need to be repoliticized. "The history of Blacks in politics has been a constant on again-off again involvement with the system," said Cun­ ningham. "Blacks have gotten used to this and have become photo: Scott Spiro apathetic about what their participation can do." Handy "They need to ask participation," said Hodges. like others." he said. it was important for Blacks to Some of the apathy may be themselves 'What can the "We need to get rid of the Cunningham al.so felt that take a greater interest in the due to an imbalance of political candidate do for me?' and then attitude that one vote doesn't Blacks are thwarted political system. "Most Blacks affiliation in the two-party vote." count." psychologically from voting. are doing battle with the system. According to Handy Hodges feels that political Cunningham claims there are "Blacks in California have decision of whether or not lo and Hodges, a majority of competition in the Black schemes to make it difficult for migrated her primarily from the participate," said Brown. "Tlie Blacks are associated with the community would insure that Blacks to vote. "Volunteers South. They are used to the choice is clear. If we want the Democratic party. Black interests are taken into may tell them that they are not tactics used there to keep them political system to consider "Blacks need to get away account by both parties. on the voting list and not tell from voting and so they say Black interests, then the Blacks from the idea of voting along "As long as there is no them how to appeal. They are What the hell."' are going to have to participate strictly party lines," said challenge, there will be no not recruited for registration AU of the panel members felt on a greater level." Heib , lhe working man's candidate By DEBBIE GOFFA 'I'd rather be saiUng."' he said. He example, if an auto does not meet these Ck^y Editw cautioned the audience about commerical goals, then people wiU pay premium taxes Democratic gubernatorial candidate Herb deception and added, "Words don't mean a when they purchase it. Hafif blasted his opponents and the non- thing." "Why penalize people who repair their re^)<Mi^v«D9«8 of society Thursday in the Hafif also suppcn-ts Proposition 9, which homes just because it increases the values Open Fon»b. woukl limit campaign spending, but said it of those homes. Taxes should not be in­ I^)eakiig to tcerawd of about 'SOO as part doesn't correct the pn^km of the $20,000 creased when a guy gixes up his house," of the Caitfomia PoUtical Foruni, Hafif or $80,000 campaign contribution. He abo Hafif said. "Utilities are another item which strongly mtidzed the commercialiun of at said he wcMild Uke to see x*orporate and should not be taxed. I fought the bill that least two major opponents in the guber­ unk>n (»>ntributi<ms prohibited. eventuaUy passed not too long age which natorial primary race, less than a month The relatively unknown candidate who, approved such taxation." away. last October, managed to attract mcnre than Proposition 5, which would aUow for a "Peotde will vote in the same way they 7000 people in the Long Beach Arena for a diversion for some of the gas tax revenues will grab the half-empty box of Post poUtical raUy, called himself a conservative to be channeled into a mass rapid transit Toasties. They'll vote for Jerry BrGwti democratic who won't make i»-Mnises. system, also has Hafif's support, as does because they've heard his name more of­ He txM the crowd that he is against the question of abortion. ten," Hafif said. dangerous substances and against sub­ The 43-3re«'-<^-lawyer complaiiMd of the sidizing their sale. That includes, tobacco, "1 would rather have you hear my Ufe plastic era we live in. which breeds plastic drugs ami akohoL What he doM support is story," he explained, "No my rhetoric, so pdiitics, but said he is not running a plastic the EngUsh system that treats junkies in you'd know where I'm coming from. I did campaign. hospitals by treating them with methadone. not come on campus to promise instant "I think I am a man who cares, admits "The state should not fegislate m<Mral solution'. when he's wrcmg, and has the abiUty to habits," Hafif explained. "But the govemor Although he is currently Usted low in the relate to petite," Hafif humbly claimed. of CaUfornia does have enough persuasive polls, the candidate who says he is for the "Look at Jerry Brown," he suggested. power to seek change in the federal law so people and against special interests, is "He's been a lawyer fcxr 10 years but has that the EngUsh syst^n could be im- confident that his opponents' poU strength never tried a case. Brown simply has a plon^nted." wiU deteriorate before the primary election damn good PR machine. A graduate of the USC Sehool of Law June 4. "I ikm't think the people are loolrag for a who also holds a B.S. d^jee in economics, People should be careful when Ustening boy go^wancMT," he exf^ioed, 00^ added, Hafif sakl .!» would implement a to political PR machines, he warned. "I feel "this is the most Mickey Mouse non- progressive tax syston. I can talk to construction people and to responsive sod^y ever. Peof^ are just Taxes should not burdmi the poor, but drug addicts, people on the wrong side of beginning to realize that there is a vote instead should conserve energy, provide the law and the right side of the law," he going on-" personal safety, ami protect the en- remarked. " I think I have enough ex­ "Instead of bumper stickors that support tivonment, he -explained. "These are the perience to develop people'; opinions a candidate, people have stickers saying goals that I would try to meet. For because I can relate to them." Page 2 Northridge Dally Sundial May 3, 1974 Cinco de Mayo: Chicano pride By YOLANDA HUERTA to be invaded and exploited. The benefit will last from 6-10 p.m. at 9550 MECHA The fifth of May, or Cinco de Mayo, is not only Haskell in Sepulveda. Price of admission is $5 On May 5, 1862, date of the glorious Battle of celebrated in Mexico where the people feel about per person, $2.50 for children under 12, and Puebla, the Mexican people defeated the French it as Americans do about the Fourth of July, but children under four will be admitted free. Tickets army, an army considered to be the best in the also throughout the United States, where or more information may be obtained by con­ world. Chicanos have pride in their Mexican ancestry. tacting the MECHA office in Sierra Hall North History reveals that Mexico was plagued by a On this campus, Chicanos try to involve their 106. government which exploited the masses and was community as much as possible in the Cinco de financially indebted to foreign nations, prin­ Mayo celebration. The entertainment is provided cipally Spain, England and France. solely by students and a few faculty members In 1860, during the Benito Juarez ad­ and takes place in the evening, so many parents ministration, the Mexican government found and other members of the surrounding Chicano itself with a bankrupt treasury and foreign communities can attend. powers demanding immediate payment. Mexico It is a spectacular event, enjoyable to watch realized it could not possibly pay these debts and and participate in, as do a large number of the requested a suspension of the payments. students in the Chicano Studies department. Kngland and Spain agreed on terms for future Most Chicano communities sponsor their own payments, hut France saw the situation as an celebration on Cinco de Mayo, and since it is opportunity to expand and gain control of impossible to attend all of these at one time, Mexico. Directing its forces inland, the P>ench many take place during the week of May 1-5. army invaded Mexico and attacked Puebla. On Saturday, the labor committee within Puebla was defended by Mexican soldiers MECHA is planning a benefit for the United armed with rifles and machetes, and the Farmworkers. It will consist of a traditional strongest factor in their military training was Mexican dinner, and entertainment will be love tor their country. This victory was im­ provided by El Conjunto Aztlan, a Latin Jazz portant for the future of Mexico because it group. Kl Conjunto Jarocho, Ballet F'olklorico demonstrated they would not allow themselves ;ind Teatro Aztlan. letters' express Jackson's emotions By GLADYS WELCH man to his parents, lawyer and friends. his younger brother, Jonathan, por­ Staff Writer The dynamic delivery of the words trayed by Sanders Metcalf. To Eleven years of prison confinement \J ackson wrote to the people he loved Jonathan. George pours out everything became a manisfestation last week for became embodied in poetry, dancing to that he has ever learned about how to theater-goers, when CSUN's Reader's the rhythmic sounds of Alfred Davis' survive as a Black man in a hostile and Theatre presented "The Prison Letters congos, as the actors' credibly recited the degrading society.