Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2017)
8 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES January 2017 Riverdale senior is political activist looking to improve education By Jack Rubinger The Southwest Portland Post Riverdale High School senior Gabe Abdellatif said he is reaching out to elected officials, school administrators and others to address urgent concerns impacting all young people in Portland. Those concerns include the results of our recent national election, ethnic diversity, and key Portland school district policies currently in place. Abdellatif is the youth liaison to Portland city commissioner Amanda Fritz. The two met in mid-December to discuss youth reactions to the outcomes of the election, and about what they want their elected leaders and other adults to do to support those feeling frightened and vulnerable. “Meeting with Gabe always leaves me hopeful that the next generation will keep pressing forward in positive directions, and I am determined to do my part to support them in their journeys,” said Fritz. Abdellatif and Fritz are actively talking about the issue of making TriMet youth passes available to all students in Portland, year round and for every student. Earlier in the year Abdellatif said he participated in Portland’s Black Male Achievement Program. Abdellatif said that he and several other black youth helped the city’s Office of Equity and Human Rights plan a community event to spread awareness about the reform of Measure 11, an Oregon law passed by initiative petition in 1994 that requires mandatory minimum sentences on certain major crimes. Abdellatif and others have expressed frustrations with the law as they believe there are currently large racial disparities amongst those convicted. Abdellatif said he counts President Barack Obama as one of his inspirations. He said he also looks up to Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. The teen said he was attracted to Riverdale High School mostly because of its small size and teacher support. One drawback? The school’s lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Over the past year Abdellatif said he has collaborated with faculty and students to develop course work that explores whiteness, privilege, and allyship — a practice of identifying bias in oneself paired with an active and consistent practice of unlearning and re-evaluating. As a member of the Multnomah Youth Commission (Portland’s youth advisory board), he said he focuses on improving local policies that directly affect youth. Serving on the Education/Youth Voice Committee, Abdellatif and his fellow youth commissioners have pushed to decrease rates of chronic absenteeism in local high schools. Last year, Abdellatif and others met with groups in alternative schools and traditional schools struggling with chronic absenteeism to obtain input on their policies. The committee is currently advocating delaying school start times. Reasons cited included the physiological (in regards to adolescent health) and societal (in regards to decrease auto accidents) benefits of delaying school start. Most p a re n t s s e e t h e struggles their teens face with getting up in the morning. Gabe Abdellatif (center) is an active member of the Black Male Abdellatif doesn’t Achievement organization. (Photo courtesy of Gabe Abdellatif) take much time off express my feelings regarding what in the summers either. Last summer, is happening in the world, and stand he participated in the SummerWorks up for what I believe to be right. It was program and was matched with a paid not uncommon for my family to have internship in the office of Multnomah a spirited discussion about politics County Chair Deborah Kafoury. around the dinner table, even when I He said he provided general office was still very young,” said Abdellatif. support, supported constituent Abdellatif said he plans to study either relations, and also attended meetings political science or sociology in college. about Portland’s housing crisis. After college he said he sees himself “Like others on the Multnomah Youth either working for the government, a Commission, Gabe is knowledgeable, non-profit or a social organization to thoughtful, engaged and constructive. make changes specifically in the realm He keeps me informed on the priorities of education. He said he would also of youth, since the youth commissioners like to spend some time with Teach for choose which issues to pursue,” said America after college. Fritz. Abdellatif is a member of Riverdale’s There’s a certain type of person that site council. He said he participates in gets politically active relatively early in Model United Nations, and competes life. Abdellatif’s parents have been on with Riverdale’s mock trial team. For board since he was just a child, when fun, he said he enjoys spending time he hosted a mock presidential election with his friends, cooking, photography, in kindergarten. and reading about social justice. “My parents encourage me to Parker Realty, Inc. Heart of Multnomah Village $365,000 Just listed! Only feet from the center of the village, this row house has a plenty to offer. Two master bedrooms, two full bathrooms plus a half bath. Impeccably cared for by one owner. Living room with hardwood floors and a fireplace. Main floor is all hardwood including the kitchen. Largest backyard around. Oversized single garage plus off-street parking. Jeff Parker Your Neighborhood Realtor Since 1980 The inventory of houses for sale in the Portland Metro area remains at historic lows. High demand for homes in our area coupled with low interest rates and lack of homes for sale translates to higher prices! If you are thinking of selling contact us today for a free market analysis. FAMILY-CENTERED MATERNITY CARE 503-515-4040 • 7830 SW 35th Ave., Portland, OR www.parkerrealtypdx.com Help Wanted: Advertising Sales Rep. The Post is seeking a freelance advertising sales representative to sell advertising to neighborhood businesses. B2B sales experience required. Work out of your home office, flexible hours, deadline oriented, excellent commissions. Great for second income, semi-retired or college student. Please email resume and cover letter to Don Snedecor at don@multnomahpost.com. No phone calls please. Happy, healthy babies start with happy, healthy families. At OHSU Family Medicine, our team supports all your family’s health needs during this exciting time. From your first pregnancy test, through baby’s first steps and beyond, our family is here to help yours flourish. To learn more, visit www.ohsu.edu/fmmaternity