"THE FINE PRINT", by Michael Schrader -- # 38

"THE FINE PRINT", by Michael Schrader

SHOULD THE TRUTH BE SACRIFICED FOR MONEY?

(Written under the pseudonym “George Steinkrueger”. Published 15 November 1996 in the Community Banner. Posted in toto with Preface and Epilogue 14 May 2002.)

PREFACE -- This was the first of the Banner columns. My Little Rock, Capitol View - Stifft Station, was, on paper, one of the most ethnically diverse. In reality, it was highly segregated, with the white section of the neighborhood dominating the neighborhood association and its committees. I sat on one of those committees, dealing with Community Development Block Grants.

At one of those committee meetings, representatives of ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now!) accused the committee representatives of being racist and ant-Semitic. I am neither, and resented the implications. While there were those who did fit the description, many did not, and I thought it was unfair the be subjected to such accusations. ACORN threatened the committee that if we did not replace some of the members with ACORN members, they would play the race card, as they commonly did in Little Rock politics. I found that tactic despicable, and still do. I believe that fanning the flames of racial hatred is not the way to break down the racial barriers, as it tends not to breed trust and understanding but distrust, misunderstanding, and resentment.

Before I begin, let me introduce myself. I am the publisher of the Banner. George who? The gentleman pictured above is my great-grandfather, George Steinkrueger. Due to circumstances beyond my control (namely the randomness of marriage and birth), I do not share this name, although I believe that George lives on in me.

Why do I use my great-grandfather’s name? For several reasons. First, I value my privacy. Using a pseudonym allows me to write this column without the notoriety. Second, it allows me to observe people as they really are. After all, what person doesn’t clean the house when company is coming? I don’t want to be treated as company; I don’t want people to behave differently around me because they want me to (or are afraid I will) write about them. Let me state this up front: generally, I do not write about people. I do not name names. And I don’t name call. Period. That is not journalism and I will have no part of it. So don’t worry.

Just one final thought on the subject: the picture may or may not be indicative of my gender or race. By using my great-grandfather’s name and picture, I may be throwing a curve ball. Don’t assume; you may find out that you are wrong. And please don’t badger the editor; he won’t tell.

When deciding the articles to publish, the editor expressed concern about the ACORN article. Several people requested that the article not be run, for fear of offending ACORN and ultimately losing any hope of securing funds for this year’s CDBG proposal. I can understand the concern. After all, ACORN has a reputation for hostility. However, when good people are subjected to lies, innuendoes, and character assassinations, we should ask ourselves if it is really worth the money. Should we allow the reputation of our neighbors to be impugned?

The answer is NO! It is time to draw the line in the sand and say “enough is enough.” If we do not stand up for what is right, if we do not take the moral high ground, then our future as a community is pretty dim indeed. After all, if we can be bullied into submission this year, we can be bullied next year, and the year after that.

ACORN is right with its contention that the black membership on neighborhood committees does not reflect the black percentage of the population. However, this is not due to a conspiracy by whites; rather, it is consistent with the general apathy that pervades our community. The CV-SS Neighborhood encompasses well over 1000 households, yet on a good night, 30 people will attend a neighborhood meeting. The situation is similar in Hillcrest. And these are two of the strongest neighborhoods in Little Rock.

The use of offensive accusations and innuendo is not the way to solve the racial imbalances on neighborhood committees. Neither is threatening or bullying into submission. These methods accomplish nothing, with the exception of creating bad feeling and ill will. Rather, the way to solve the problem is to take 90 minutes once a month and get involved.

We must not allow the quest for money to get in the way of the truth. If CV-SS loses a project because ACORN is offended by the truth, so be it. We will at least be able to look at ourselves in the mirror every morning and know we didn’t sell our souls.

Whatever the cost, the people have a right to know the truth about these despicable tactics. In the end, the truth will set us free.

EPILOGUE -- I was much more altruistic in 1996 thhan I am in 2002. While George did not want to “name names”, there was an exception--people who have already been named. As for “name-calling”? Well, the rules changed during the Great Persecution of 1998. Now it is no holds barred.

I had another altercation with ACORN two years later during my 1998 mayoral campaign. Although philosophically I agreed with them on numerous issues, they would not endorse me because I pledged that, if elected, I would not let them play powerbroker with the minority community. ACORN’s motives really had more to do with maintaining their grip on power than in promoting the minority community.

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