North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 11/27/1995

It's Monday November 27. Tonight a look at the changing face of North Carolina now. Good evening. I'm Bob Garner. Reed I'm afraid has the night off. We have a great show lined up for you this evening including an interview with agriculture commissioner Jim Graham beginning tomorrow. The state will be holding an agricultural summit looking at what lies ahead for our farmers and never at a loss for words commissioner Graham will give us his thoughts on the subject. Then Michel Louis will introduce us to a plan Hirst mother who swung into action to teach kids that there's more to martial arts than what they see on TV. But first it's obvious especially to regular watchers of this program that North Carolina is changing dramatically in almost every way imaginable. As you look around you notice that we're becoming a much more

ethnically diverse state with residents from all over the world. Tonight we began a five part series on how immigration is enriching and challenging all of us. It surely hasn't escaped your notice that the face of North Carolina is changing not only in the large cities but also the small towns like Siler City. When I started thinking about this story I was somewhat surprised to realize that in another town of around 45000 people my own children grew up in recent years with friends and classmates from Argentina Sudan Vietnam India Pakistan China Iraq way and Guatemala. Plus a few I probably forgot. We see the changing face of our state everywhere in the small markets that spring up to serve various ethnic groups in our schools English as a Second Language classes in the widening variety of restaurant cuisine and most importantly in the workplace since jobs are our biggest magnet. Nationwide nearly one in 11 U.S. residents was born in another country in North

Carolina the percentage is still much lower. Recent state figures aren't available since the last census was in 1990. But we do know that Hispanic immigration far outpaces that from other countries. The Latino population in the state is now estimated at 200000. Not counting another 40000 or so seasonal workers. Lisa Cruz won't go as the publisher of one of three Spanish language newspapers keeping their fingers on the Hispanic pulse in North Carolina obviously where there's the jobs people are going to move to. But also what's attractive for North North Carolina is that it is very family oriented. A nice pace of life no crime. You have a sense of community. You know that you belong there you can do something to help your neighbor. It appears that most Latino immigrants are moving to North Carolina after trying new ex-wife first in another state. And many of them are moving to small towns and rural areas where local resources are being heavily challenging.

Public health and family health and English a second language is a community college has done a lot of those kinds of things all in an effort to assimilate into society. And again there are some successes and there are some failures. The Asian population is also growing significantly. And somewhat surprisingly there are more people of Indian ancestry than any other Asian group in the large cities you can go to Indian restaurants where bread is baked in a tent. Special clay lined government and have you noticed how many motels are owned or operated by Indian families even in small towns. You can even attend a Hindu wedding like the one we visited recently in Morrisville outside Raleigh. We're almost deep in the heart of North Carolina yet we're in a Hindu temple and we've had a very traditional Indian wedding and I think that that's showing us that this area is going to be very diverse to be able to have these types of functions where maybe 10 or 15 years ago Hindu temple literally you know like untended temple would be here let alone a Hindu waiting

after India North Carolina's largest Asian groups in descending order come from China Korea Japan Vietnam and the Philippines for a long time there has been significant Asian representation from the professional ranks in the large cities and on university campuses. Now we're seeing more tradesmen and job seekers from Asian countries. And you know that not to be working and supporting him. And you're seeing people from a lot of different Asian countries aren't you. Yes a lot in here. Yes. Most Vietnamese and Filipino and Chinese people and American people have to as we'll see later in this series. There has been a major resettlement of Asians in North Carolina as well. And it's always the case that the first to arrive often feel a burden of leadership and service toward those who follow them.

Along is a mounting yard from the central highlands of Vietnam who settled in Greensboro. They've been less than ever live in this country especially I must say I've been happy. Most people in learning this job like to dance lesson everything involved are a bit what the doctor's office police or something like that. Many immigrants feel that while they may always be regarded as foreigners their children will be simply Americans. Parents struggle with the balance between sharing their children's desire to be quickly assimilated and their hope that the native culture will be remembered and treasured as well. Originally from Peru now lives in Raleigh you know the kids they don't want to tell them who are their parents. They always say oh the Americans aware I'm Harry.

But they never want to know who their parents are. But I think my children happy there would be be a for in there well anyway I'm going to be bad. There will have their roots from my side and also my husband. Tomorrow night we'll look more closely at Hispanic immigration to North Carolina from Mexico and Central America. In a few moments we'll have a conversation with one of the best known men in North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham. He'll talk about an upcoming agricultural conference. But first let's check in with the now news desk where shebeen bakery is sitting in for Michel Louis. Hi Shannon. Thanks Bob. Good evening everyone. The countdown is on it's sheriff's departments throughout the Tar Heel state as law enforcement officials get ready for the state's new concealed weapon law to go into effect on Friday. So far thousands of North Carolinians have taken the required training classes to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Friday is the first day you can find from home that law enforcement officials say there is a large for the permit and it

will take about 90 days for the permit application to be processed. A group of North Carolina lawyers says they're ready to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow that North Carolina's congressional districts are constitutional. The three lawyers including North Carolina Central University Chancellor Julius chambers will argue against an appeal that challenges the General Assembly's creation of two black majority congressional districts back in 1992. In June the Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia congressional district was unconstitutional because it was drawn for racial motives. However Chambers says he will argue that race was not a primary factor when drawing North Carolina's districts. Meanwhile the relationship between blacks and whites in North Carolina is the focus of a new poll conducted for The News and Observer newspaper. According to a statewide survey of 601 registered voters almost twice as many whites compared to blacks think race relations are good in the Tar Heel state when it comes to race relations over the past year. Around 40 percent of both blacks and whites

feel that race relations in the state have gotten worse. And on the subject of affirmative action less than 30 percent of the whites surveyed want to maintain it compared with 62 percent of blacks FCI marketing of Chapel Hill conducted the survey. The state's first citizen advisory council for the Neuse River has a lot of hard work to do according to Governor Jim Hunt at its first meeting today told the group that he wants them to help clean up the Neuse River. But he says that will require the council to make decisions that are politically unpopular. Residents from the 17 counties that border the river make up the new council. They want to find out why millions of fish died in the river this summer. The traditional ram trademark that's identified the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for the past 50 years got a facelift. Today university officials unveiled their new RAM trademark this morning. The new logo features a new horn design and a more determined gleam in the Rams eye. The new RAM will work with the traditional RAM in promoting the university. The new logo was created by a

New York designer to give the trademark a more contemporary flair. And now let's take a look at tomorrow's weather. It will continue to be warm with highs ranging in the low 50s in the northern mountains to around 75 near Wilmington. The majority of the state can expect cloudy conditions although there could be a few breaks in the clouds along the coast. There is rain forecast for the western part of the state. In business news it's been a rough year for the textile industry. Ten North Carolina textile plants have closed down over the past few months costing the state almost sixteen hundred jobs. One industry expert says an increased number of imports has hurt the industry. But he says technological advances have also helped eliminate jobs however better times may lie ahead. The chief economist for the American textile manufacturers Institute says the worst has passed with exports of American made textile goods seeing double digit increases in Winston-Salem more than 5000 people may soon have a new boss. The Masque Corporation which owns the Lexington Drexel heritage and universal home furnishing groups says it's selling

its furniture operations. New York based Morgan Stanley Capital Partners is buying the furniture groups for 1.1 billion dollars. Wall Street picked up right where it left off last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 22 points to close at fifty seventy point eighty eight. It's the third straight record close about three hundred fifty six million shares traded hands on the Big Board in New York. Meanwhile the Standard Poor's 500 index was up a point. The Nasdaq composite index also ended the day slightly higher. Now for some stocks of North Carolina interests. Thank the the

the the starting to hundreds of North Carolina farmers politicians and business officials will gather in Raleigh for the governor's summit on agriculture. One of the officials featured in the summit is state Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham. Shannon Vicary sat down with Commissioner Graham earlier today to find out more about this unique today of that. Thank you Commissioner Graham for joining us tonight. Thank you very much you know you to be with you. Well it's nice to have you here and thank you for taking some time out of your busy day I know you've been very busy setting up for the governor's agriculture summit. Tell us a little bit about that if you are excited about the first civil rights group culture and we've been talking about and I hope it's going to be successful I know it will be because it's an opportunity for us to let the people of North Carolina know about

the untold secret my judgment. Bible food bible I go through what it means to go out and also for environmental procedures now that we have an outstanding probably have excited about it and I look forward to your new go to a project of this summit all right because your hope will be an annual event. Right. Let's talk a little bit about the program the actual program of the summit what are some of the issues that you all will be focusing on some of the issues that's your voice your people certainly but environment and it will be a panel. With Libby to the need for our girl Cory Rowan County farmer and I think if you think bloats effect though with the world of our market today we have Mickey Kantor whose foreign trade with the United States will be with us he's the outstanding man in the future of

production but CEO yonder there we're going to have to start up on my first bank Farm Credit be just that and really it's an exciting time and I hope those who who have no robot will could we have over 500 people registered and not the sort that makes us feel good but it proves here again that people who take food for granted and yet I repeat it's a story you don't tow and it will be a chance for the summit or agriculture or enough thing that we both remember. There's no want people there's no one group no one but the commodity responsible for our environment. It's something for all of the people in the run all say it is about as well as rural urban land

but if we go to all work together and solve no one people no one can moderate for the entire hour probably now have patience and of course you're referring to the problems the hog farmers have been facing going home far you get to further where we're not born in Turkey you know never wanted and repeated evacuation that's right and and we're proud of the whole going to do it over to a country and it's certainly going to have to work with it. Work with it we will. We'll do that in fact that it was covered on all four. Great to back a year ago but the back and you know we're the third most diversified in this nation and that's I think be proud of it as we leave the 20th century of the 21st century. We go to the place of the problems and certainly hope we're doing new summit. People come way better and for good reason all of it because we we've got a great

university system research people Marty group a Board of Agriculture a regular business council all working together for the business of North Carolina and that's the purpose of the fact that eggs are cooked and megabit or certainly his pork to our state and used up think about how much we spend each day for the food bowl share the food dollar. And when they get to people 2 percent right now make up was a great percentage of our people. It certainly shows how North Carolina's agricultural interests are such a big interest you mentioned a moment ago about tobacco and let's talk a minute about tobacco next month is the FDA its comment period is over for their proposed regulations for tobacco. If you were to talk to perhaps some young people who were interested in getting into farming What would you tell them about tobacco farming.

Sort of a good question and one I think this year coming off want to go back a year if we had enough because of the strength of a program in maintaining a quota and maintaining the the rules that we have now. No one advocates. But that's one we all get clear right now because we don't advocate it but I never ride today. You're we've been trying to diversify and the different thing but the back. Production But you know no one good Bardi of any kind of Nocona books in the future plans that can produce war dollars from economic standpoint. And that's one of the reasons we diverge Bacco debacle is that people go into things like ornamental greed out for Christmas trees. Right now great interest you know is not in the dollar and all of those things but I would encourage those that

had about 11 hours they would reduce it to somewhere in the world like I said before the world is our market and it goes for tobacco use drop of thing for four billion dollars. That won't solve the billion dollar that is what tobacco. So certainly we will be hearing a young man award I think kerja good fruit would try to find something else to join would it do to the words you already have people diversified. OK. Well Commissioner GRAHAM We certainly appreciate you coming in and then you're sharing some of your thoughts with us and what it was flouted. Thank you very much. The

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers have recently been quite popular among young children. However some parents have developed concerns that the youngsters might act out the show's martial arts scenes and hurt themselves or another child. A plan Hirst mother decided to produce a video that demonstrates the techniques plus the philosophy of Taekwondo. The martial art which is used in the show Michel Louis introduces us to Taekwondo for kids who. This action packed yet educational martial arts video was fascinated by the television character

Michel's concerns about the violent tendencies associated with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and search for an alternative activity for her. I did some research. I really like Taekwondo that stress about the benefits of the mental exercise as well as physical stress things like your teacher. Respect your elders principles that I like as a parent. And it was the most martial art in the world with over 20 million students participating in over 100 countries. Over 1 million students constantly asked her if he was doing his correctly producing videos.

Kids out of the ordinary. However it appears that the reaction from this martial arts video is extraordinary. Just thinking that maybe a few other children would be interested in something like this because I wanted to give parents a way to focus all this energy that children have and the excitement and give them a more responsible way to show a martial arts. So I was really surprised quite honestly with the parents of the real excited about it it's been a real good resource to offer those who are already enrolled in Taekwondo. Master Edward G Robinson of the universal taekwondo Academy in Aberdeen North Carolina is the featured instructor in the video Robinson is a former Pan Am champion and a two time European brother weight champion. He sees the video as part of his duty to teach youngsters that true martial

arts go beyond the kicking and punching that seen on television and I would say that they need someone to guide him in appropriate matter to teach them the right way. Because Dave how Rangers is this. TV is entertainment for the kids but some of the kids might take a lot of the actual techniques you know or whatever out of contents and use it around a word to hurt another kid. And that's my only concern. Begin by getting into your front stance raise the right this to the center of the chest. The Taekwondo for kids video demonstrates basic exercises stances kicks and punches terminology and philosophy are also explained. Yours truly decided to go for some of the more advanced taekwondo training which involves clips and take downs. M. Robinson was more than able to accommodate Taekwondo for kids has also received attention on the national level. The video has been featured on television programs and written about in major newspapers like this.

True GOD Esther Robinson says the attention his school has seen from taekwondo kids makes you more determined and bringing up the best of his young students. Respect folks you know most important thing the most important issue should I say a school doing good in school. That's my whole heart my whole reason a rhyme for talking to a 15 year old any bridges a Redbelt lives by the principles of Taekwondo. Although Annie is a North Carolina State Champion she keeps her art in perspective. Taekwondo teaches you to take yourself in you're in danger before and it teaches you to respect people and try to work things out. Was it appears that Taekwondo for kids will be soaring to new heights. Two more videos were intermediate and advanced youngsters will be released this fall. Reason says the video is not designed to take the place of martial arts classes

she suggests that anyone who plans to train in taekwondo or any martial art should be taught by a certified instructor. Well that wraps it up for us we hope you'll visit with us again tomorrow night. I'll have part two of my series on the changing face of North Carolina. And we'll also talk with the state's secretary of commerce day Phillips about his recent trips to Hollywood trying to drum up more movie business for the Tar Heel State. And John McElwee will tell us about an Asheville based theater group that's planning to take the American classic The Grapes of Wrath to Ukraine in the former Soviet Union. You won't want to miss it. Good night everyone. And think

you're you're you're you're wrong on both.