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FREEDOMWAYS           FIRST QUARTER 1968

then be the responsibility of the Afro-American community to recruit the most suitable people. In order to prevent the continued defilement of the lives of the embittered and estranged Afro-Americans, the recruitment policy must be aimed at attracting these individuals. If the present attitude of pride in blackness and "soul" is any indication, this should not be a difficult task. The important matter in this respect is that a prospective candidate must show that he possesses a usable skill and is competent in the performance of this skill. For reasons well known and too numerous to mention, many black Americans do not possess these skills. Consequently a program for voluntary repatriation must incorporate training and education as a key feature. The black Muslim movement has shown repeatedly that the black community has the capacity and resources to achieve human rehabilitation. By restoring a sense of identity and a sense of purpose, the Black Muslims literally rebuilt the lives of social and physical derelicts whom the established social agencies believed were beyond the pale. Since it is unlikely that a program of voluntary repatriation would attract extensive financial support, the black community must be prepared to meet a large part of the costs. In so doing, Afro-Americans  will demonstrate to themselves and to others that they are responsible masters of their destiny. But, is this not the true meaning of "black power"? If this phrase is not to degenerate into empty rhetoric, the idea of black self-sufficiency must be translated into attainable programmatic proportions. Within the context of voluntary repatriation, black power becomes a creative instrument rather than one which only has value as a social irritant.

If the United States government chooses to assist this venture, so much the better. A portion of the funds allocated to the various African aid programs could be reduced in part and combined with part of the money spent on the "anti-poverty program". It is quite possible that this procedure would result in a fiscal saving. Proponents of a voluntary repatriation program need not, and realistically cannot, demand governmental assistance. The one condition that is required is that the government will not obstruct the program, either covertly or overtly. This is not to be a clandestine operation but one that would be openly conducted under a set of international areements.

Obviously a plan of repatriation raises many new and vexing issues. Each of the involved parties faces certain risks. Long hours
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