Larry L. Rose

Sunday, May 7, 2000

Community must look beyond the misinformation and divisiveness

   Our community is nearing a development plateau but some people and organizations don't get the vision, or can't see the forest for the trees.
   In a few years we should have a better airport, performing arts center, sports arena, beach development, aquarium exhibit, expanded art museum, large-screen theater aboard the Lexington and more university growth. Working together, we'll have extra attractions, better schools and more jobs.
   Why just envy Texas' growing cities? Why not become one?
   We're not going to become one until we get beyond being offended by minor tiffs, perceived slights and misinformation.
   In reporting Corpus Christi Independent School District news events as the district attorney's investigation worked its way through the legal system, some have taken a hostile stance toward the Caller-Times for sharing information with the public about a public board.
   Dr. Xico Garcia, commander of the Hector P. Garcia Chapter of the American GI Forum, in a recent television interview said the Caller-Times doesn't write positive things about Hispanics. He plans a demonstration. Our work is available in public libraries for all to see. Everyone in South Texas easily can see how unfounded this charge is simply by looking at the record.
   Community misinformation is all over; it's on radio; it's in the school-board race when a candidate won't share positions on the issues with readers; and it makes reporting difficult when the leader of an organization refuses to be interviewed by our Hispanic reporters. And that leader is Hispanic.
   Maybe looking at what we, the messenger, face may offer insight into why this town isn't where it ought to be among leading cities in growth, amenities and stature.
   Here's how two local organizations worked together against great odds and got results.
   In 1991 the American GI Forum filed six racial discrimination complaints against the Texas National Guard.
   Caller-Times reporter Tyrone Meighan uncovered many things the Guard denied were a problem. But many stories led to revelations, and some revelations went beyond discrimination, such as missing and stolen equipment, and cheating on fitness tests (this affected promotions).
   Gov. Ann Richards appointed a special investigator to look into the numerous issues.
   After 150 stories in the Caller-Times over three years, some local South Texas Guardsmen received back pay, retirement benefits and reinstatement to the Guard. The Texas National Guard also instituted a new equal-opportunity policy because of our investigation, and top Guard officials accused of wrongdoing were forced to resign.
   The Caller-Times investigation received industry awards, but two others stand out. We were among five finalists recognized in Dallas for the Texas Legacy Award for Public Service, for outstanding communication efforts that improved the lives of Texans.
   The other award was for outstanding investigative reporting. That award came in 1992 from the local chapter of the American GI Forum.
   The Caller-Times has reported and written numerous stories on the GI Forum, including two special sections. We flew hundreds of issues of one section to the GI Forum's national convention in Colorado Springs, Colo., so others could see the accomplishments of our local organization.
   Reporter Mary Lee Grant's 1998 series about colonias in Nueces County included the work of Dr. Xico Garcia who was running medical tests on colonia residents. Grant also worked on the colonia series with Gilbert Jasso, then civil rights chairman of the GI Forum. During work in the colonias, both Grant and Jasso became infected with tuberculosis.
   The number of stories about theGI Forum, the three-year Guard investigation, the colonia series, all were important. But so have been news stories about the CCISD. To borrow from a statement of our owners, Scripps Howard: "Opportunity is central to the promise of America, and schooling is opportunity at its most basic. When education is effective, young people's chances in life are improved and the nation's spirit and economic competitiveness are enhanced."
   The Scripps Howard motto says: "Give them light and the people will find their own way."
   This applies to our reporting on the colonias and the National Guard. And it certainly applies to our reporting on the local school board.
   When the newspaper in November held a week-long community conversation and community meeting on racism and ethnic friction, where were those now crying racism?
   What's going on in Corpus Christi is that intelligent and capable people are magnifying the minute, blocking the vision and the possibilities of a great city.
   The divisiveness on the school board is a reflection of the community. Imagine how difficult it is to help our community and our residents achieve greatness when our own leaders and organizations obscure the vision.
   (Larry L. Rose can be reached at 886-3749 or by email at rosel@caller.com.)
  

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