Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current, March 21, 2013, Image 30

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Eugene weekly., March 21, 2013, Page 30, Image 30

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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2013)

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Newspaper Page TextBY DANTE ZÚÑIGA W E ST WHO GOT GAME? Why so few African-American hunters? I recently took a short drive north to interview Donny Adair, president of the Afro-American Hunting Association. Adair is a Paciﬁ c Northwest outdoorsman who’s hunted everything from burly southern whitetail deer to the wild turkeys of Eugene. The former UO student and current Portland resident had a lot to say about his mission to promote hunting and outdoor pastimes among the African-American community. We know from the Fish and Wildlife Services Stats that only 2 percent of Afro-Americans in the country hunt. How many hunters of color do you think exist in the Pacific Northwest? I think we are undercounted. There aren’t a lot of us, but I think we are undercounted for sure. There are more here than you would think, but it’s not like the South where there are black hunting clubs. We are more spread out here. Why aren’t there more African-American hunters in the U.S.? Some of the reasons include the urban setting most people of color grow up in. And the fact that there is less land ownership among us — ‘cause a lot of hunters hunt on land that is theirs or land that belongs to their families — but also the media constantly associating us with violence, ﬁ rearms and crime. At this point, a lot of black folks are scared of ﬁ rearms and want nothing to do with it because of that association. The economic factor is also part of it. You have to have a car or a truck, you gotta have your guns, your ammunition, the licenses, the tags. I mean, if you’re not a middle-class person it’s pretty hard. EVENTS CALENDAR What responses have you noticed from white hunters in the Northwest with regard to your cause and what you’re doing? The everyday ordinary hunter is OK with it; but I haven’t encountered a lot of enthusiasm for inclusion. The issue for some people is that they don’t even want to talk about race. And that is totally normal and natural for them as white people who were raised not to judge people by the color of their skin. But how do you know whether or AAHA PRESIDENT DONNY ADAIR CENTER not you are treating someone in an offensive WITH SONS DONNELL RIGHT AND KENNY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL DUCK HUNT manner if you don’t know anything about them and their culture? But they don’t want to talk about it. I ﬁ nd a lot of people are OK Would you say that hunting is a privilege at this point in our society? with what I am trying to share, but nobody has jumped out to Yes. It is deﬁ nitely a privilege. A lot of times, our people say, “Man, let’s help you recruit more,” or, “Man, we need can’t afford to do it. It’s hard for a lot of people to get past more articles written about this.” Again, we are going to have the economic factor. to do this ourselves, recruit more and write more about it. What can we do to increase the participation of Afro-Americans and other minorities in hunting and the outdoors? First of all, depict us in the outdoors. If you look in an outdoors magazine, the only brother in it is some guy on a Viagra ad. I mean, really. When people ask me that question, about how we can increase participation of people of color in hunting, I tell them: Depict us in the outdoors. They don’t. Another thing we can do is adopt programs at the state and local level to introduce people of color to the sport, similar to the programs that have been set up to introduce women and youth. Do you think people of color are wary or apprehensive of enlisting the help of such programs? Yes. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We have to meet people where they are. When an outﬁ tter or guide says to you, “Sure, we’d love to have more colored guys get in on things with us,” don’t get upset, just educate that man. We have to work with outﬁ tters, guides and mentor programs. No one is going to do this for us; we have to go out and do this ourselves. And I’m OK with that. I don’t want anyone to give us a handout. I just want them to open the door. S ACRED C ALL OF THE S HAMAN An apprenticeship that initiates you into the healer’s path with skill and integrity. Learn to remedy spiritual illness, cultivate well-being, and receive transformative empowerments. Our 18th year. Starts April 21, 2013 A LIDA B IRCH 541.686.1610 WWW . ALIDABIRCH . COM Have you met many outdoors writers of color writing articles of such nature? No I have not. I have had a sports editor in Pittsburg write about people of color getting involved in the outdoors, but he was white. The only black writers I know of who’ve written about this kind of stuff are myself and my son Donnell. What do you think about hunting around the Eugene area? The hunting around Eugene is good. Man, the turkeys are about to overrun that place. I’ve been on two emergency turkey hunts there already this year through the emergency hunt program. What would you say to people of color looking to get into hunting or the outdoor pastimes? Find a mentor or partner you can grow with. Read all you can. Go to seminars. Book guided trips when you can afford it, but mostly try to develop some partnerships. And as you get older, think about buying your own property. Dante Zúñiga-West is an Afro-Latino writer and outdoorsman known to some as “The Backwoods Blaxican.” He grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and now makes his home in Oregon. His ﬁ ction has been published in various literary journals. His novel Rumble Young Man Rumble is awaiting publication in 2014, on Black Coffee Press. CLASSIFIEDS To place a classiﬁ ed ad: CALL 541.484.0519 EMAIL classy@eugeneweekly.com WEB classiﬁ eds.eugeneweekly.com WRITE 1251 Lincoln St. Eugene, OR 97401 VISIT our oﬃ ce Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EVENTS FREE INTRO CLASS Sun. 3/24 12:30-2pm. Wanted CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck. Running or Special topic Co-Dependancy: Mindfulness, Yoga, the Journey with Els van der Horst at Eugene Yoga 3575 Donald St. www.elsvanderhorst.com Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www. cash4car.com (AAN CAN) THERAPEUTIC TOUCH WORKSHOP Learn ener- HAVE YOU GOT A TALENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOWCASE AT THE LANE COUNTY FAIR. sing- getic modality that promotes relaxation, balance, and supports one’s own healing. Sat & Sun - March 23rd & 24th - 9am to 5pm - $165.00. Call Cordy Anderson RN for more info or to register 541-870-5627 ers, musicians, dancer, jugglers...give me a call or email if you are interested. Ask for Bill Shreve 541-484-0519 or bills@eugene- weekly.com Misc. BULLETIN BOARD 3635 H Hilyard ilyard Brain Balancing Meditation Series Monday 4/1-4/29, 7-8:30 pm $30 series, $8 drop-in, passes Mehtab/ Jerry 503-522-5337 Intro to Kundalini Yoga Spring Beginners Series Wednesday 4/3-5/5, 7-8:30 pm $36 series, $8 drop-in, passes Simrat Kaur 541-343-7825 Winter Farmers Market Saturday at 8th & Oak St. Downtown Eugene 10am - 2pm 30 March 21, 2013 • eugeneweekly.com White Tantric Yoga coming May 4th Powerful all-day Meditation Event! www.yogawesteugene.com Classes EUGENE FENCERS CLUB Modern Olympic Fencing. Foil, Epee & Saber. USFA/USFCA Certified Coaches. Roosevelt Middle School, Tuesday & Thursday, 6-8:30pm, 541-688- 6574, eugenefencersclub.org Opportunities ICE HOCKEY! ANYONE CAN PLAY!! Adult, non- checking, coed ice hockey leagues and classes in Eugene! No skating experience necessary. Classes with free loaner gear starting soon! 541-357-7166. icecenter@ gmail.com www.icecenterhockey.org PLAY RUGBY! EUGENE REIGN IS RECRUITING PLAYERS & FANS! Training Mon & Wed 5:30- 7:30pm at SEHS soccer fields. No experi- ence necessary! eugenewomensrugby. com FILTERED CIGARS Better Than Cigarettes. Only $12.99+ per carton. Large cigars. Pipe tobacco. $5 off your first order. (800) 613- 2447 Coupon code: “ALT” www.cigartiger. com (AAN CAN) Pets L I N E A D S : $ 1 1 / 3 LI N E S A D D I TI O NA L L I N E S : $ 4 PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6293 Void in Illinois/New Mexico (AAN CAN) H E L P WA N T E D CARPENTERS ASSISTANT Transportation & some tools, min. 3 yrs exp. Responability & committment to quality a must. Send resume & work related references to: krummholzpine@gmail.com COMPUTER KEYBOARD & DIGITAL CAMERA SKILLS! WANTED SOMEONE TO LIST ITEMS ON EBAY, MUST BE ABLE TO TYPE 50-60 WPM, GOOD AT DESCRIBING ITEMS, GOOD LISTENER, FAST LEARNER, DETAILED WORK, DEPEND- ABLE. 15-20 HRS/WEEK. $9/HR DEP ON EXPERIENCE. EMAIL RESUME &/OR JOB EXPE- RIENCE TO: ORR1115@GMAIL.COM GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY Everybody Deserves a Good Home. Fri-Tues 11am- 6pm, Closed Weds & Thurs. 88530 Greenhill Rd, 541-689-1503 green-hill.org Look for our Pet of the Week! $DANCERS$ Tired of your current club! SWEET ILLUSIONS has day & night shifts SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE $$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! S.A.R.A.’s Treasures Gift & Thrift Shop. Volunteer, Donate, Shop, ADOPT! 871 River Road, Open Daily 10am-6pm. 541-607-8892 sarastreasures.org Look for this week’s Rescued Cat. Adoption/Family Services ADOPT: A BEAUTIFUL HOME, LAUGHTER LOVE ART MUSIC, MANY OPPORTUNITIES AWAITS FOR 1ST BABY. EXPENSES PAID. ASTRID 1-800-844-1670 available. No experience, can train. 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