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P o rtlan d , O r.g o n
U « OHLY N E W 5M P »
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
, H t W H O lt W lo t WO, LD , HA, , W
Black Caucus holds Coavention
by Lenwood G. Davis
(
ever
n » , „ d , y j ul> 6,1972 |Q< R>f {Qpy
Caucus asks end
to lawlessness
1 lie Oregon W ack Caucus
liekl (lie fir s t Oregon Wack
Alter tie finished, lie received
P o litica l Convention at the
a standing ovation, fie had
Portland
State U niversity
captured die mood of the au
Educational Center at 2611
dience with his s tirrin g de
N J i. Union Ave., on June 30
liverance.
anil July 1st. Registration of
I he program continued with
delegates was held Prklay
I lie Congressional Black
die keynote speaker being in
more are caused by officials
afternoon from 5:00 p.m. to
Caucus dsked fo r a meeting
troduced by l ee p . Brown.
who find it e'pedient to serve
8:00 p.m. Shortly thereafter,
with all members of President
Imamu Vernon sukumu, West
business interests and In g le r
the convention convened with
Nixon's Cabinet to "discuss
Coast Chairman of the Con
the Black National Anthem
government o fficia ls rather
tfreir responsibility" fo r what
gress of African People and
than people with no power.
being sung by Yvonne Brown.
was described m four days
West Coast Co-Convener fo r
T e s tim o n y v a rie d w id e ly .
Next, Kev. James I). Manning
ol learings as "ram pant law
die National Black P olitical
I here were many charges of
dellveied tlie Invocation,
lessness
within
the
gov
Convention. He cited the role
outright dereliction of duty
Eddie Kohenson, P olitical
ernm ent."
of tlie c iv il rights oigamza-
s im ila r to the documented one
Convention Chairman tlien in
Representative Ronald V.
lions and how tle y must change
that the Agriculture Depart
troduced l ee P. Brown, P re
their philosophies and become
ment refused to spend at least
silin g Chairman, who gave
of the hearings, said each of
more Black oriented.
7 lie
$500 m illio n authorized by
the welcoming address. Be
the dozens of government
speaker based hrs address on
Congress to feed the hungry,
declared:
agencies mentioned w ill also
four main topics: Public of
even though m alnutrition is
‘ ‘ On le lia lf of the Oregon
be dsked to explain formally
fices; community organiza
still
widespread in some
Black Caucus, I extend to you
the accusations made against
tion; coalition; anddisruption.
areas.
gieetlngs and a warm welcome
trem
md
to
take
corrective
He elaborated on each of the
Others were more subtle,
to Ore Oregon Black P olitical
■ tl ' “ w ithtti 90 Jays."
above areas.
like the accusations of D r.
Convention.
Imamu Vernon Su kumu
I lie caucus Is "considering
sukumu also compared the
Sidney AAolfe of Washington*!
We are coming together at
initiating lawsuits in those
plight of Blacks in Portland
health research group.
a time of great c ris is . Yet
played a sign if team role in
instances fo r which we deter
with those in other areas of
plans for a Black Caucus.
Wolfe said the asbestos in
« ir coming togetlier is In It
Oregon’ s history. Yet we are
mine there is no other re
the country,
lie also , e-
Between December and now,
dustry forced the Labor De
self a sign of tremendous
course.”
Heliums
said.
s till noi reaping the leneflts
ceived a standing ovation.
tlie founders* dreams have
partment to back away from
prom ise. Irvleed, ( iregon his
“ Nobody ever said demo-
of our forefather's labor.
Jolin Toran, chairman of
come true. I ro tte r sees ttie
a recommended warning label
tory Is being made this week
crocy
is
easy,”
he
told
Wit
Ihetefore the time has come
Agenda ami Resolution Com
Caucus as an organization that
"Danger, contains
end.
This Convention re
fo r Black people In Oregon to
nesses on tie final day. " | t
mittees, gave thedeleg ites in
is continuing to grow and ex
a s b e s to s
f i b e r s . . . may-
presents the surging of a new
unite art) (ace the challenge
is
totally
impossible
when
the
structions
on
tlie
different
pand its activities.
cause asbestosis and cancer."
Black political awareness. It
of die future in Oregon. Since
overwreirnmg
mass
of
A
m
eri
committee meetings and what
H ill Denton, Membership
"In other words, industry
reflects not only a national
we have been pan of Oregon's
can people di not have the
was expected from each. The
Chairman of the t regon Black
had convinced the liepartment
Black movement, but also an
past, likewise we w ill be pan
information to make sophisti
different committees met well
Caucus, spoke of the different
of Labor that tliey don't want
Independent Black s p irit for
cated decisions."
of its future. Be conclude.!,
into
the
wee
hours
ol
tlie
morn
ty|ics
of
memberships
open
to
to let any mere workers know
those of us in (iregon.
in part, fry surmising:
o r g a n !z e d by ilellum 's
ings putting togetlxsrari agenda
Blacks ami gave the ju s tifi
they're being exposed to can
I would hope that as we
"So, Brothers and Sisters,
st.Hf, the hearings loosed what
and drawing up resolutions to
cations for die different types
c e r," Wolfe said.
meet todevelop * Black ageida
let us consider issues anil
seemeil
to
le
an
unending
to
r-
txr presented Saturday.
of rnem lerships. Iheessence
Representative P a rre n M tt-
for Oregon, we keep in mind
programs.
Let us Join to
nsnt of complaints that gov- chell (D.-M d.) said the thou
Registration continued on
of Denton's remarks was that
the economic, cultural and
gether in nation building. Let
vernment
agencies
sabotage
Saturday
morning
letween
d die Oregon Black Caucus
sands of examples in oral and
spiritual depression of Black
us seige the tune, fo r tune
the rights of the poor and
8:00 - 11:30 a.m. with a con
Is lo become a viable organi
written testimony "have been
people. We must address our-
is o u rs ."
m in o ritie s , with no recourse
tinental b r e a k f a s t being
zation it must have broad sup
overwhelmingly conclusive in
sleves to that degradation. We
available for those who get
served.
Kay Jemigan, Convention
port from all facets of the
th e ir indictment o f federal of
must
move
toward
tire
l»irt.
Co-Cha irwoman, Introduced
I lie General session started
Black community. Therefore,
ficia ls fu r failing to carry
development of a society that
die ExecutiveComrnittee: I n ;
I le complaints touched v ir -
shortly a fte r 9;30 a.m. John
different meinbei ships must
out
their
congressionally
represents our interest as
P. Brown, Cbaliman of tie
aally
every
agency
of
the
once again make announce
be made available to include
mandated responsibilities."
Black people. To do this,
federal government and its
Oregon Black Caucus; octe
ments and gave instructions
all members of the Black
"W e heard during these
we must organize an) unify
local operating arms, from
W. I rotter, Vlou C hm m an;
to the delegates. 7'hedifferent
community.
four days how Jeparcnent
to advance the society we
John Toran, | reasurer; Julia
justice
to
food
stamps
and
committees continued to meet
I >enton verged I rom his pre-
w ant."
after department simplv re
education.
Robertson, secretary.
untn l.': ■■■i, *
( I■ c UVei -
[w rs , text, and like a bouthern
fuses to obey the law,” he
Brown gave the historical
Ocle W, Trotter gave a
And through it Here seemed
tlon terminated fo r lunch. At
Baptist M u. is le r, became ve iy
said, and the costs - - “ those
background of Blacks earliest
brief history of the origin of
to be a feeling that although
IH 5, ire afternoon sessions
emphatic
and
emotional,
ami
which can he estim ated"—
a rriva l in the State of Oregon.
tire Oregon Black Caucus. A
some problems stem from
leg.in a lter tlie Black National
drove his point home by con
he found "sta g g e rin g ."
Be stated that tlie firs t Black
group of Black people met at
malicious employees, even
Anthem was led by Reverend
cluding that 1« w ill do any
man came to Oregon In 1788.
M t. Angel In I lecember of last
E llis Casson. Between 1:45
thing In his power to help
Be declared that Blacks have
year and tegan to formulate
his young Black b ro ile rs .
(Please turn to p.8 col.-U
«
e
.
ael^a/e to ike Democratic Convention
Wools
Boys Choir
tours Hawaii
Leonardo W uuds, II year
hours a week and study musi
old son of M r. and M rs. W il-
two to four hours each week
liam Wools, will tour Hawaii
They are required to xeep
with the Portland i regon Buys
school grade point average t
C hoir.
3.5. The chi n r also prov ide
The choir, made up of 20
social activities fo r the boy
boys ages 8 to 12, is d e .li-
and their fam ilies.
cafed * the devalopment f
The choir was honored ear
music appreciation, . Dividual
tie r this year by jn uivitatio
expression and se lf-d isci-
to become one of only 14 boy
pline. The boys perform as
choirs in the 1 nited Mates t
accomplished musicians and
send a delegate to the In
have attained acclaim as one
ternational Boys C hoir Con
of the finest boys singing
gress in the Netherlands.
groups in the nation.
The c h o ir w ill appear ot
I he group v.as organized in
the Islands of Hawaii, Mau
l9,19 by its d ire cto r, j , ;eph
and oahu, from July 27 tc
I.. Correa.
August 9.
Ihe boys practice four
-xo
ease tu
rn to
tc p.8 col.3)
(Please
turn
■rook* attends integration
conference
by Gladys McCoy
Happiness is participating
In tie 1972 Presidential Elec
tion!
It was a very th rillin g anil
rewaring experience to have
been elect«! a delegate to tlie
National Democratic Conven
tion. To have served on the
Platform Committee with our
text I , s. Senator, Wayne
Morse, was a bonus.
My experience on the P lat
form Committee gave me new
hope that tlie democratic pro
cess could work. As I watched
people Hom tremendously d i
verse political persuasions
work together, having leen
(Milled together under tlie new
rules of the National Demo
cratic Committee, new ex-
pectatlons were raise-! and
re a lize !. There was a sense
of commitment of the goal
ol defeating tlie Nixon admin
istration. Compromises were
w ork«! and m inority reports
returned when feelings ran
high on certain issues. There
was respect and enthusiasm
when the 20 years olds, able
to "th in k on th e irle e t" pushed
hard fo r Issues of Importance
to th e ir peers. The 60 years
olds, fo rm e r congressmen,
farm ers, retired teachers,
and homemakers were ably
represented.
A solidarity
plank adopted by the blacks
ami Chicanos was accepted by
tlie en tire committee fo r the
record. These were tlie In-
Cklents that renew«! my hope
President
of the Irvington
(-') C i t i e s , C om m unities,
ar*l faith In a process that
Community Association and
Counties
and
Environ
can sometimes be te rrib le
an Executive Board m em ter
ment
slow and painful'
of National Neighbors, attend
(<)
Education
What of the Issues? I be
ed that organizations nation
( s) C rim e, l aw ami Justice
lieve (he Issues were real
al meeting in Baltim ore.
(6) Farming and Rural T ile
and ol vital concern to all of
Residents
of interracial
(7) Foreign Policy
us. There were presented as
neighborhoods from 36 cities
(8) The People and tlie Gov
a re a rlt ot some twelve hear
met recently in Baltim ore to
ernment
ings field tn every region of
plan practical help fo r em
the country. They represent«!
battled changing neighbor
ttie iniMit of Citizens who te s ti-
Ihe work, however. Is not
hoods faced with problems of
fi« l before Hearings o ffic e rs
over. The convention must
exploitation, apathy, and the
from the Platform Committee
threat of decay.
vote on tle se planks as well
and other community leaders
as the m inority reports which
I lie National Neighbors
who helped. Furm ersenators
often were rejected items In
conference
responded en
Wayne Morse anil Maureen
the regular planks. Tlie min
thusiast ica II) to a proposal
Neuberger serv«! as Hearing
o rity reports w ill Include such
by the staff d ire cto r of the
Officers at the San Francisco
Items as fusing fo r school
United states Commission on
hearing June 12, on Corporate
desegregation, abortions, the
C ivil Rights that m ultiracial
Responsibility and Consumer
$6,500 guaranteed annual in
living be subsldiz«! by cash
Interests. It Is a good plat
come fo r a fam ily of four
payments to fam ilies making
form . It can 1« charactlzed
ami tenant control of federally
housing moves that would in
as a "P eople's P la tfo rm ",
owned and subsidized housing.
crease integration.
streaking to the rights ami
In accepting the m inor«) re
Delegates to the conference
securities ol every group.
ports there was general con
also adopted a self-help pro
believe iliere may he two
sensus In the group that while
gram of a nationwide network
c ritic is m s
that could le
we may not have agre«l with
of task forces to develop in
level«l at tlie platform , one
the report. In fairness ami
formation ami resources that
might be the lack of a sepa
with keeping with the s p irit
can help local neighborhoods
rate plank devoted entirely
ot ttie reform ruleseachposi-
maintain viable m ultiracial
to financing — on tlie federal,
tlon should enjoy open dis
communities.
state and local levels, as well
cussion (part of the slow,
John Buggs, d ire c to r of the
as spending fo r the political
painful process). A t the con
federal government’ s c iv il
process itself. Aside from
vention the overriding factor
rights agency, told the grop
the fact that many of us have
w ill be " w ill it help the Demo
assembled at Morgan State
not felt the political process
cra tic Party candidate and
College June 9, “ We're not
served our lest interest, some
w ill it help to defeat N ixon."
winning.
We’ re losing the
of us have been deterred from
Two events of value to me
fight against s p r e a d in g
participating by the cost of
personally during the com
ghettos,” and suggest«! that
involvement beyond tie pre
mittee meetings was tlie op
a “ massive does of corrective
cinct level. |f the process
portunity to co-chair hear
action" Is need«; to reverse
Is to work democratically we
ing! on tlie quality of life for
the trend toward an increas
must correct this deficiency
the Washington, D.C. area and
ingly polarlz«! anti segregat«!
in o ld e r to insure broad re
to serve as one of ten dele
society. He propos«1 that the
presentation. The other c r i
gates at the hearing before
federal government adopt a
ticism might le that there was
tlie National Association of
plan to pay a white fam ily
not any overt e ffo rt main
Counties.
$l,000
In cash fo r moving to
taining balance letween In
Because the substantive
a neighborhood with a 15 to
come ami expenditures at the
changes that affect our lives
20 percent black population
Federal level. However, tie
come through the political
and
a black fam ily $ 1,000 fo r
m ajor candidates think they
Process, | would encourage
moving to a neighborhood only
can win with this platform.
greater participation in poli
8 to 10 percent black. His
That Is Important.
tics. The reform rales adopt
plan would pay Increasing sub
The platform planks dealt
ed by the National Democratic
sidies as the degree of pio
with:
Committee promise that broad
neering
increased, until a
(1) Jobs, Prices and Taxes
representation and Involve-
white taniily moving into an
(2) Rights, Power and Social
ntent can lie meaningful ami
all-black neighborhood would
Justice
productive.
lie paid $5,000 and a black
1
In stan t Earnings from Day o f Deposit
per annum com pounded d a ily and p a id quarterly
imaai
••*•<••• ©loaiaagga,
Roban H H a n n P i . , . <9 O t h e .i - Phon. ??«
M om . O il,c . r i.n x h n Blrtii P o ill.n d O r.g o n S72O4
neighborhood would also get
$5,000.
Buggs said tie program
vvoul cost about $1.75 billion
to pay half a m illio n fam ilies
taking advantage of the offer,
an amount he described as
less than one twentieth the
cost of keeping the war active
in A letnam.
I he task forces on pro
blems faced by m ultiracial
communities was propos«! by
a national committee charged
the cry fo r help from local
groups.
"J u s t as all of our neigh
borhoods have made com
munity self-help into a potent
force, so our communities w ill
now help each o th e r," said
Ruth steele, vice-president of
National Neighbors and ch a ir
man of the committee. "W hat
worked in Portland, (iregon,
w ill probably work in Carol
C ity, F lorida, because the one
neighborhoods like ours is
they face the same probl
w this country no ma
where the) are.
"O u r job now is to
out what has worked and i
can help. AAe w ill make tl
information available to
the grass-roots orgamzatu
trying to do something 3b
unethical re il estate practu
and the need fo r quality in
(Please turn to P.3 co l. 31