Election '88:
Where Do We Go From Here?
January 1989

Now that the elections are over, where does the American political system go from here? "Election '88: Where Do We Go From Here," an original production of North Carolina Public Television, examines the outcome of the election and asses it's impact on the black community.

The program was videotaped on Friday, Jan. 13 before a live audience in the Memorial Student Union of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, N.C.

Distinguished commentators provide insights about the future of the black agenda. The four panelists debate very different perspectives about the outcome of the election. Jack Gravely, a special assistant to the president for affirmative action at National Public Radio, believes that the election was good for certain segments of the black community. He finds that entrepreneurs and historical republicans will have an entre into the white house. Charles Hayes, U.S. congressman for the first congressional district of Chicago, explains, "I don't look for much change under this administration. The congress has a tremendous responsibility to give some sense of direction in trying to stop the poverty in the black community. " Pluria Marshall, chairman of the board for the National Black Media Coalition states, "I think this is one of the few times in my life time when I've seen a president elected where black people will benefit significantly." Frank Ballance, senator for the second congressional district of North Carolina, believes that the new administration will not bring about major change.

Although the panelists have different perspectives about the outcome of the election, they believe that the way to build political strength in the black community is to elect strong local candidates, encourage voting, and capture mass communications.

PANELISTS:

Frank Ballance, Senator, 2nd congressional district, N.C.

Jack Gravely, special assistant to the president for affirmative action, National Public Radio.

Charles Hayes, U.S. Congressman, 1st district, Chicago.

Pluria Marshall, chairman of the board, National Black Media Coalition

The panel discussion was moderated by Valeria L. Lee, Chair of the University North Carolina Center Public Television and Program Development Officer of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The Executive Producer is Dr. Paul Vandergrift.