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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 1974)
Black Press - voice of freedom School District replies (Editor's notv: This in the second of tw o articles written by (he Portland School District in response to recent questions about the Portland School d is tric t rinsed in the pages of the Portland Observer.) Efforts to hue additional quulibed Black employees id all levels i l l the school ills triet continues in the Port land Public Schools. II the accelerated effort priHtuees results equal to or lielter than those ol the past five years, there should tie little room for complaint. A recent statistical analy sis I April, 19741 completed by the district's Management Information Service shows '.that 7 percent of the dis triet's employees ale Black today. In l!Mi9 only I percent were Black For the statistically minded, this represents a 119 percent gain in Black employment in just five years. In all the district employs 5,702 persons today ranging from leathers to custodiulis 'l'he total number of cm plovees in 1909 were 0,321. greater than today, and 100 ot them were Black Today then are 112 Blacks out of a lesser total number of eiu plovees. Suite 1909 the district has mailt a concerted effort to tiring Black employees into the district at all levels School officials are pleased, lull not satisfied, with this increase. They recognize that more can anil need* to lie done. But. some of the improve mellts are nolle the less Slg nificant . . . . . . there has been a change from 99 Black teachers in 1909 to 147 tisluy. . . . there were five Black building administrators out of 279 in 1909 and there are 27 out of 202 today, a gain of I It) percent. . out of 3,015 total in struetional stall in 1909, 11)4 were Black: out of 3,492 today, 107 ure Black There have also been gains at the upper administrative levels of the district as well, figures comparing 1909 with 1971 show that in the cate gory of central, area ad mimstrators anil specialists, the number of Blacks has doubled, while the total number of persons so classi lied has been reduced from 102 to KM. <>r the 102 in 1909 there were 0 Blacks. 'Imlay out of 130, there art 10 Blacks for a 100 percent gain in Black employment in this category. figures for cafeteria, cus tmiial, maintenance and mis cellaueous employees show much the same trends. In one instance, that of cus todial employees, the five year review shows a loss rather than a gain in total Black employment In 1909 the district had II Blacks in the 006 roan custodial work force. Today there are It) Blacks out of 100 custodial staff members. Aides, interns and secre tarial clerical categories have also shown gains over the five year perusl Only 2 of 29 interns were Black in 1909. Today 17 of 21. or 01 percent, are Black, out of a total ol 103 aides. 124 are Black In the secretarial clerical category, there are ® expert World’s Foil Spokane,USA Moy <1 - Now. 3 6 months of international magic! Starstream' The world s entertain ment center of gravity just shifted — to Spokane Washington and World s Fair 74 The biggest shows, the brightest stars — from performing arts capitals of the globe Ballet musicomedy opera sports, rock, symphony, theatre, country music The most ex citing extravaganzas, the most im portant names in show business — internationally1 Plus a parade of fascinating na tional pavilions, domestic exhibitors, adventure, original thrill-rides, foreign dining and shopping — on a scenic river island site For a free packet of show schedules, ticket and lodging infor mation, and a World s Fair preview mail the coupon now1 10 Black employees today, while there were only 7 in I'»,'i Prior In 1909 the employ menl figures on the nuiulier* ol Blacks hi the district are sketchy at best But schuol ollleiuls believe the im mediate past anil the future are the most signifiraiit and they are looking ahead. They lully expert to maintain and improve that record, even though only 5 percent i l l the total jHqiulation of the school district is Black, while some 7 peri l nt ol the sehtMil d istric t's employees are Black In all. the district, which is larger than the city ol Portland in both geography and imputation, has 122.131 residents. Ol that total, 21.127 an Black \\ hdc school officials are conscious ol the need to continue ulbrmative action, they do leel pride in a five year record ol improvement. More inqiorlanl Iv, they leel statistics prove conclusively that the Board and ad ministration have made an effort unequaled m the state, county, and m etropolitan areu. i>\\ Spokane Washington 99210 PLEASE SEND FREE your W orlds Fair 74 vacation preview and entertainment packet An initiative petition for a measure to be placed on the ballot for the next General Election in November ex panding veterans' loan eligi tid ily has been undertaken by the Oregon National Guard Association. The National Guard As sociation decided to follow the initiative petition route, involving the procurement ol some 55,000 signatures, to the voters since past efforts to place the measure on the ballot by referendum through the Legislature have been to no avail. The matter was held up in the last regular session for further study. The drive fur the neces sary signature, was nfficallv launched at the Guard z\s sociation’* annual convention in Portland April 27th The proposed m easure would liberalize eligiblity for Oregon citizens to obtain State veteran's home and farm loans, to include Viet nam veterans, active re servists and National Guards men In addition to eligibility granted under present law, the proposed measure would expand the cut off date for |., State Z'P criticism We don't believe in it. Or ridicule, humiliation, pressure or embarrassment What we do believe in is understanding and respect. fM isn't have ta ba atsas anyimcs a d k . Fellowship Baptist Church ( arpents Itali 4737 V Ixunbard Street 2225 N. Ixtmbard St. Tues. 9:30 a m Mon 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Thurs. 9:30 am- Extended Care Bldg Emanuel Hospital 3001 N. (iantenbein Thurs. 7:00 p.m. O ther A M and PM classes in all areas of Oregon and Southern Washington For further information call Collect Portland (503) 297 1021 Weekdeays 0:30 5:30 weio ^ waiche ^ ® 4 Freedom's Journal was founded in New York City in 1027 by Samuel Cornish and by John 11. Kusswurm, re puled to lie America's first Black college graduate I Bow doin, 1020). Historians agree that it was the first news paper owned and edited by Afro Americans. The fol lowing excerpts from the first issue's editorial state ment dearly delineates its main objectives were to communicate and record the problems and achievements of Black Americans. lit is the opinion of this writer that the Portland Observer p erp etu ates this honored tradition..) To Our Patrons In presenting our first number to our Patrons, we feel all the diffidence of persons entering upon a new and untried line of business But a moment's reflection U|Hin the noble objectives, which we have in view by the publication of this Jour rial; the expediency of its appearance at this time, when so many schemes are in action concerning our people encourage us to National Guard seeks veteran loan law expo M hospitality services ' PO Bo« 1974 Depl by James Rogers, Professor, PSU service from 1905 to 1975. and would permit active re servists of the armed forces as well as National Guards men who have served 10 years in reserve and Guard forces in Oregon and w ho are bona fide residents of tIn state to bi-comc eligible. Further, a veteran, not now eligible, but who has been a hona fide resident of Oregon for at least two years from the date of separation from active service and is now a current resident of the State, also would bo eligible for a Ioan. The promised expansion of the current program would lie at no cost to the Stale since bonds are issued and an interest rate charged in excess of this cost to cover ov erhead. Colonel (retired) Tom Wood of Salem, president elect of the Oregon National (iuard Association, feels that the priqioscd expansion of the present law would boost the State's homebuilding in dustry. provide jobs, aid Vietnam veterans, and would provide an added incentive (or retaining reservists and National Guardsmen. C o u n ty ------ It’ontiiiued from pg. I. col. 91 office We have no im mediate prospect nf being able to appoint a PARI) Director since the hiring freeze is predicted to last until July I. Wc arc also re- advertising the PAKD Dir ectorship in order Io obviate the possibility of anv criti cism regarding the compre hensiveness nf our recruit ment clfort. and we will assemble a selection com miltre snlclv for the purpose of helping us select a PARI) Director. For these, and other, reasons, the appoint ment of an interim adminis tralor seems necessary. "I have appointed Mike Adler to the position of In terim Administrator until July I or until a I’ARD Director is selected. During the next 2 ' months, he will devote about one half of his time to this role (more if necessary). "I have asked Mike to ail minister the affairs of the office rather than assume the broader rule of being the director of PARD. I am asking each of you to con suler him as your supervisor during this interim period. Although nn departments exist, staff members and now Interim Directors have been hired and funds are being spent. Members of the United Affirm ative Action Com mittee charge that Jewell Goddard. Jack Chapman and the Division of Human Ser vices has again broken the intent of the freeze on hiring. The Board of County Com tmssioners declared a freeze on all county hiring until an affirmative action plan can be implemented, but the I county continues to hire (M-rsonnel, justifying numer oils jMisitions of all types as "emergencies". The I AAC also charged that they were informed that the Board meeting of April 25th was cancelled, but were not informed that it had been rescheduled. Oregon law requires that all meetings of public boards lie open and announced and that all parties known to I m - in terested in a meeting be in formed. come boldly before an en lightened publick For we believe that a paper devoted to the dissemination of useful k n o w led g e am ong our brethren, and to their moral and religious improvement, must meet with the cordial approbation of every friend to humanity. We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepre sentations; in things which concern us dearly, though in the estimation of some (are) mere trifles; for though there are many in society who exercise towards us benevolent feelings, still iwith sorrow we confess ill there are others who make it their business to enlarge upon the least trifle, which tends to the discredit of any person of colour: and de nounce our whole body for the misconduct of this guilty one. Wc arc aware that there are many instances of vice among us. but we avow that it is because no one has taught its subjects to be virtuous: many instances of |ioverty lyetl no sufficient efforts . . . made to correct or teach them how to husband their hard earnings, and to secure to themselves com Sheriff's seek reserves Sheriff laiuis Rinehart. Director of the Multnomah County Department of Public Safety, has announced that a membership drive will b< launched to recruit volun tie rs for the Department's Reserve Officer program Lieutenant Thomas Saw ver. who commands the Sheriffs Keservj ,( )fficer eon tingent at the Ojierations Division H eadquarters in Gresham, stated that at least KH) interested applicant* arc needed to begin necessary interview s and testing. Academy training lor sc lected candidates is slated to lu gin in late May or early June Classes are conv ientlv sehcdulcd during weekday evenings for those who hold full time occupations. The Sheriffs Reserve is a self administering, volunteer organization which operates as a vital section of the Operations Division Present m em bers include citizens who hold a variety of oc rupalion* and serve as Re serve Officers during their s,nire time hours. Engineers, teachers, salespeople, clerks, students and pilots are now among those who participate in this community active role. Individuals who feel they are qualified to fill this unique, challenging, educa live and interesting need are invited to write or call the Sheriff's Personnel and Training Section, 9755 N.E. Hancock Drive. Portland. 97220 12550172) for further information. forts. Education being an object of the highest importance to the welfare of society, we shall endeavour to present just and adequate views of it, and to urge upon our brethren the necessity and expediency of training their children, while young . . . and make a concentrated effort for the education of our youth. The civil rights of a people being of the greatest value, it shall ever lie our duty to vindicate our brethren, when oppressed, and to lay the case before the publick. We shall also urge upon our brethren (who are qualified by the laws of the different states) the expediencey of using their elective franchise: and of making an indepen dent use of the same. We wish them not to become tools of any party. . . . We shall consider it part of our duty to recom mend to our young readers, such authors as will not only enlarge their stock of useful knowledge, but such as will also serve to stimulate them to higher attainments in science. From the press and the pulpit we have suffered much by being incorrectly represented. The virtuous part of our people feel them selves sorely aggrieved under the existing state of things they are not ap predated. Our vices and our degrada tion are ever arrayed against us. but our virtues art- passed by unnoticed. And what is more lamentable, our friends, our friends to whom we concede all the principals of humanity and religion, from these very causes seem to have fallen into the current of popular feeling and are imperceptibly float ing on the stream actually living in the practice of prejudice, while they abjure it in theory, and feel it not in their hearts. Is it not very desirable that they should know more of our actual condition, and of our efforts and feelings that in forming or advocating plans for our amelioration, they may do it more understanding^? In the spirit of candor and humility wc intend by a simple representation of facts to lay our case before the publick, with a view to arrest the progress of pre judice, and to shield our selves against the consequent e v ils.. . we must be firm and unwavering in our prin ciples. and preserving in our efforts. If ignorance, poverty and degradation have hitherto been our unhappy lot: has the Eternal decree gone forth, that our race alone are to remain in this state, while knowledge and civilization are shedding their enlivening rays over the rest of the human family? . . . a l l (this) serves to prove the real necessity, at present, for the appearance of the Freedom's Journal. Portland/Observer Thursday. May 2. 1974 In conclusion, whatever concerns us as a people, will ever find ready admission into the Freedom's Journal, interwoven with all the principal news of the day. And while everything in our power shall be per formed to support the char acter of our Journal, we would respectfully invite our numerous friends to assist by their communications, and our coloured brethren to strengthen our hands by their subscriptions, as our labour is one of common cause, and worthy of their consideration and support. And we do most ernestly solicit the latter, that if at any time we seem to be zealous, or too pointed in the inculcation of any important lesson, they will remember that they are equally in terested in the cause in which we are engaged, and attribute our zeal to the pecularities of our situation, and our earnest engagedness in their well-being. The Editors. Freedom’s Journal. March 16, 1027 Straight answers to the most often asked questions about your electrical service: Have you requested an additional rate increase? Yes, we have. vpe \vbv PGE has submitted proposed re vised rate schedules to the Public U tilitie s C o m m is s io n e r w h ic h would produce an increase in rev enue of about 10%. We are not alone. Increased de mand and rising costs have forced e n e rg y s u p p lie rs a c ro s s the country to seek higher rates. One utility in the southeast was recently granted a 90% increase. Bonneville Power anticipates up to a 27% in c re a s e th is year. B oth P a c ific Power and Northwest Natural Gas have requested more money. And you know what has happened to the cost of fuel oil, gasoline, food, clothing, taxe s... just about every thing has gone up and up. Nobody likes to pay higher costs. But if you compare the increase in cost of your PGE e le c tric ity per kilowatt hour with what it cost 10 or 15 years ago, you will find it has gone up less than most other prod ucts and services. We appreciate your understanding. Send for PGE s Straight Answer booklet If the Statue of Liberty were torn down tomorrow, it wouldn't tie much more shocking than what's already happening. A third of the nation's 10,000 registered landmarks already have been destroyed in the name of progress or a parking lot. Stoji needless destruction. Support National Historic Preservation Week starting May 0th. Conservation Center of Portland General Electric Co. P. 0 . Box 1788 Portland. Oregon 97207 PUTEP (Continued from pg. 1. col. 91 included: Larry Colton. Bernadine Gilpin. Bruce Literal. David Masunaga, John Pace, Cot Irell White and Aldeata Williams. The 1973 class included 9 members who are currently school district employees: Janice B arrett, Linda Beasley, Lena Bemberry. Geoffrey Brooks, Ida Greene, Jean McKenzie, J im - Nunn, Curtis Nettles and Janies Robinson. Preservation is more than saving Mount Vernon. It is preserving a settler's sod hut in Nebraska, converting an old railroad station into a restaurant, or turning aban doned factories into colorful shopping complexes. Let it happen in your community support National Historic Preservation Week, May Re-elect " ill” Democrat State Representative District 15 Elect McCoy Committee, Dennis McCormack, Treasurer, 7433 N. Lombard. Portland, Oregon 97203 15/74) 0 12. I Page 3 I
