Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-12-11

Henry r. Thomas, head resident
Of Phyllis Wheatley House, MIN
neaPOlls Red Feather agency.
BY Henry n. Thomas
The 1869 Golden Glove Novice
Tournament came to an end last
Friday at Phyllis wheatley House.
The Glen-Lake Hopkins Team won
the team trophy. jeff Arnold Of
Unity House received the best
boxer trophy, Robert Rodriguez
Of Phyllis wheatley House was
judged the top fight Of the tourna-
ment, and the Sportsmanship
award went to Richard Schultz Of
the Firefighters. Clifford Z. Ruck-
er, president Of the Board Of Dir
ectors Of Phyllis wheatley House
presented the awards.
The tournament was very sue
cessful as a wholesome outlet for
the more than IS boys who par
tiSipated. From the point of view
Of adult interest in youth there is
much room for Improvement. The
lack Of support by parents and
adults gives one cause for concern.
Boxing like any other sport gives
to the participant a wholesome
leisure time activity and at the
same time affords to him an OPP
portunity for recognition. To be
on a winning team, whether in
the Rose Bowl or College Bowl
or boxing enables the Individual
to win recognition and approval.
There are other kinds Of reccgni-
tion which may not be approved
by society but may be group APP
proved. A boy may receive recog-
milton from his group by stealing,
fighting in the streets, or engaging
in other forms of delinquent be-
havior. At least such a boy re-
ceives recognition.
Boxing and other competitive
activities which are conducted
according to the rules Of sports
manship and fair play affords an
opportunity for n boy to gain
socially approved recognition.
Parents and adults have an OBJ
legation to support those activ-
tiles which gives to the partici-
pant the opportunity for recOg-
milton.
There is a need foe adult sup
port and attendance at all events
in which youth are participating.
We believe this to be true whether
the event is sponsored by a school,
church or any one of the 60 Red
Feather Agencies.
The presence of adults at such
events is concrete evidence that
adults do care what happens to
young people. Giving a little time
to support an event sponsored by
or for youth, volunteering as a
leader or advisor to a youth group,
is infinitely more important than
saying q good word to the proba-
ton officer or the Juvenile Court
Judge after a boy has committed
an offense. Time spens in working
with and supporting those projects
and programs designed to meet
the interest and needs Of young
people Is much more effective than
panels and mass meetings prompt
ed by an incident or the congrega.
ton Of youth on a given corner.
We do not believe that the
small percentage of young people
who attract our attention by
their socially unacceptable be-
haviOr are any worse than that
small group who attracted the
attention Of their elders several
generations ago.
However, we are concerned with
that too large a group Of young
people whose use Of slang, pro-
family, and lack Of social graces
sets them apart from others. Most
adults can overlook the swagger-
ing tilted walk and the interjection
Of man" in every sentence, but
obvious and uninhibited crudeness
is another matter.
Again, as adults we have a re
sponsibility. Young people learn
more by examples than by words.
The don't do as I do, but do as I