Portland observer., December 02, 1976, Page 2, Image 2

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Page 2
Portland Observer
Thursday. December 2nd. 1976
The •lection analyzed
W e see the world
through Black eyes
Courts
racist
Willie Norris, the last living "Scottsboro Boy" has
been pardoned by the Governor of Alabama for the
alledged rape of a white woman 45 years ago.
Throughout the long years of litigation and the
longer years of imprisonment, Norris has maintained
his innocence and that of the other eight men.
Over the years, books have been written and
television programs produced telling the story. The
one inescapable theme of all of htem was the great
doubt over the guilty verdict and the racial
discrimination practiced before and during the trial.
Yet it has taken 45 years for justice to be found and
the lives of eight young Black meii have been
destroyed.
We cannot assume that much has changed during
the past 45 years. The cry of "rape" is enough to
send a Black man to prison for life, and in some
states to the death chamber.
We cannot assume that we in Oregon are free
from discrimination in the police system and in the
courts. It is still impossible to find a jury that is free
from bias. The white jurorists of Oregon — although
denying the overt racism so blatant in the South 45
years ago — have found a way to isolate themselves
so effectively that they have never had a Black
acquaintance or fellow employee. What about a
recent graduate of Jefferson High School who in four
years in that school never had one Black friend?
Does that spell racism?
Our state can't afford to be smug because we do
not have the overt racism exhibited in Alabama. We
must understand that every Black who faces the bar
of justice in Oregon is already guilty — guilty of
being Black in a system where even his attorneys
and judges do not understand the unique problem
he faces. Oregon has its own "Black rapist" and
when his story is finally told it might parallel that of
Norris.
It is ironic that this pardon should occur on the eve
of the nation's first execution for many years. It
should remind us that not only is the dealth penalty
unequally applied, but it is final. Norris narrowly
escaped execution three times. If he had not been
fortunate enough to have his sentence commuted to
life imprisonment, he would not have been around
today to receive his pardon.
Designed to fail
Commissioner Jordan's testimony this week on the
CETA Manpower training program are what many
people have been trying to say since the federal
manpower programs began.
The programs are supposedly to train the "hard
core" unemployed — those who hove little educa­
tion, no training or job skills, and little if any work
experience. Many of these persons need the basic
elements of education — simple reading and
arithmetic - as well as specific job skills if they are
ever to be meaningfully employed. Very few of
these individuals can be put in a three or four month
on-the-job training placement and then be able to
compete in the job market.
Yet the government draws its guidelines to
require the impossible. The high rates of failure seen
in the CEP program and the early CETA program are
to be expected if the "hard core" are really sought.
Sad as it might be, a short-term program cannot
make up for years of discrimination and neglect.
If the government wants quick training or re-train­
ing of those who ore educated and skilled and need
only learn a particular job, it can have success. But
if the government wants to reach those most in need,
it will take time and money and even then will have
its failures.
NAACP election / Thomas Kennedy
(Continued from p. 1 col. 6)
tions. through the education and com­
munication process. Once I am elected. I
hope the educators, affirmative action
offices: public officials will start pooling
their resources to bring these kinds of
events about - through workshops and
seminars, given on Sundays or Saturdays
and instead of just meeting, using the
meeting as a working meeting.
suit you for this role in the
I came from the State of Washington in
1973 where I was the human rights staff
for the state of Washington and I worked
in that endeavor for over six years. I was
acting deputy director when I left. I also
attained a position as affirmative action
office for the State of Washington; wrote
the first affirmative action program for
School District 81 in Spokane; helped
found the apprenticeship program for
electrical carpentery outreach program
in the Spokane area, which has the
highest percentage of minority appren
ticeships in the NORTHW EST; was one
of the founders of 8CAVRP (Seattle
Central Area National Registration Pro­
gram) where we registered over 6,000
people in two years; worked very, very
closely with Charles Johnson and Don
Haley and other members of the NAACP
in the state of WAshington; and also. I
am a national member of Human Righrts
Workers of America where I work
nationally with civil rights problems.
Although I am out of the civil rights filed
I keep colse contact with the associates
that I have made over many, many years.
I feel that I am very, very qualified in
certain areas as far as penal systems are
concerned as I was the acting adminis
trative assistant to the Walla Walla State
Peniteniary Warden for over a year on
problems they had with riots and things
there, and I resolved some of the pro­
blems the state had in that era.
jsb? W ill taking
an the
ye ar jab? Do you fsroee
any areas of conflict of interest?
This is a commitment that you make
personally - you have to realize that you
can’t be all things to all people. The first
thing to realize is how much you are
willing to go yourself. I talked to my
supervisor and I ’m quite sure he talked
to his Commission that we both work for.
We cleared this before I even threw
my hat in the ring. Ther is a policy here at
PDC that we have time to do community
related stuff. I replaced Mrs. Hazel Hays
and as you know in the 60’s and the early
70’s, she was out picketing for civil rights,
working here, so its not that confining.
Besides if the cause is right and is just,
the Commission has an attitude that they
will back the right cause and the right
issues - the human issues. Remember
one thing, this commission has based its
foundation on the safe and sanitary
restoration of a community. That is not
only physical; that is mental. There are
mental problems, social problems to be
adjusted and I think they would under­
stand this.
I don’t think that the whole burden of
running the chapter would be on the
president. I think this had been too much
in the past and I hope to have capable
vice presidents and committee chairmen
who can share the responsibility in
attending meetings and also making
proper reports back to the major body. I
would give the most action to people that
should have the action - the people who
are directly involved - and let them have
the day to day operation of the NAACP
rather than the proaidant. I aae my role
mostly as organizing, moral building,
pushing people into positions that can be
beneficial to our total community and
convening the meetings. I don’t have to
be the spokesman for everything that
comes along. I think that we have capable
young people and older people and middle
aged people in the community that have
an ability to articulate problems and to
resolve them just as well as the Presi­
dent. I think if we decentralize that base
we will have more people involved. That’s
how I see my role.
If there was a reason to sue PDC or
HUD. then I can’t take the blame of any
agency or the city once a committee has
found that there is probable cause to
believe that injustice has been commit­
ted. Then I would turn that responsibility
over to that chairman and explain to
them, the city or my bosses, what is hap­
pening to them.
If they asked for my suggestions, I
would give them in behalf of the commun
ity and also in relation to solving the
problems we have. I t they didn’t ask me
my advice it would be up to the commit­
tee to do the best it could to make the city
agency, or whoever it might be, adhere to
the law.
We are involved with the H CD (Hous­
ing and Community Development) pro­
cesses with the NAACP. I prepared the
city answer for the N A A C P and there has
been no conflict there. My role is not
directly involved with H U D so I see no
problem there. We encourage anyone in
the city employment to take full part in
the community activities - to be commit­
ted to the community. The mayor himself
has been very active in his community in
getting neighborhood people involved. I
feel I can do no less.
Portland O b server
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The Portland Observer's official position is expressed only in
its Publisher's column (We See The World Through Black Eyes).
Any other material throughout the paper is the opinion of the
individual w riter or submitter and does not necessarily reflect
the opinion of the Portland Observer.
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Aasociabon - Founded 1886
November 3rd had hardly arrived
before everyone was analysing the presi­
dential race. President Ford had yet to
awaken to receive the final results, but
everyone was asking, what went right for
Jimmy Carter? What went wrong for
President Ford? Who elected the Preei
dent?
One thing„waa sure. Mr. Carter had
carried the solid South. Not since 1848
when Zachary Taylor had been elected
had we voted for a man born and raised in
the Deep South.
But the phrase “the South” might not
really be telling the whole story. The
impact of the Southern vote came from
greater Southern voter turnout.
While Northern industrial cities voters
were going to the polls in leaser numbers
than 1972, in Georgia voter turnout had
increased from a measly 30.3 per cent of
registered voters that voted in 1960 to 43
per cent. Granted this might be home
state pride, but in Louisiana, 24 per cent
more voters turned out than in 1972. and
in Mississippi 28 per cent more voters
went to the polls than our last preside»
tial election.
Not only was the Southern voter going
to the polls, there was a new voter. There
can be little question that the Voting
Rights Act, first enacted in 1966. is
beginning to produce s voter of a
different profile.
(Continued from page 1 col. 3)
paidcn, Ruby (Bates) Schut, one of the
two women who has accused the nine
“Scottsboro Boys” of rape, died of natural
causes at the age of 63 in Yakima,
Washington, the New York Times re­
2nd Place
Editoria)
3rd Place
— fry
O N P A J 975
has been robbed, nor expunge from his
memory, the long nightmare to which he
was subjected, this act of compassion by
Governor Wallace and the Alabama
Board of Pardons and paroles is praise
ported.
Mrs. Schut had filed a 12.5 million suit
against NBC television as a result of a net
work television program entitled. "Judge
Horton and the Scottsboro Boys," that
the network broadcast some time ago.
She had charged the network with
slander, libel and breach of privacy.
Norris* freedom was won after all three
members of the Alabama Board of Par
dons and Paroles voted to grant him his
pardon. Governor Wallace, who had been
urged by N AA CP Executive Director
Roy Wilkins to grant Norris the pardon,
next signed the required documents, thus
dosing a chapter on a case that began in
1931.
N A A C P General Counsel Nathaniel
Jones said that: “We are interpreting the
pardon as a total absolution for Norris.
As I interpret it, he has been absolved of
any wrongdoing. We will interpret this as
applying to the others.”
“M r. Norris had done no wrong. The
injustice was committed by judicia I
authorities and citizens of the State of
Alabama when they convicted the inno­
cent Scottsboro defendants, one of whom
was Clarence Norris.
“Now, years later, in a different time,
in a different climate, the Alabama Board
of Pardons and Paroles, has moved to
remove a horrible stain by granting a
pardon to Mr. Norris.
“People with a sense of justice, this
month joined the N AACP in urging
Governor George Wallace and the Ala­
bama Board of Parolee.
“To them, Mr. Norris and the N AACP
are grateful. While no act of Alabama,
can restore to M r. Norris that of which he
Muzorewa
worthy.”
The others to whom Jones referred
were the remaining eight “Scottsboro
Boys,” all of whom are presumed to be
dead.
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Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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S.W. 3rd & Morrison St. Portland, Oregon
Take Elevator to 2nd Floor 3rd St. Entrance
Phene: »28-7545
The
b re a d
(Continued from p. 1 col. 6)
I have questions about Mugabe being
the leader of the guerillas. My own
experience with them has been that they
are an autonomous branch of the strug
gle. They are tired of the bickering
among the politicians and have decided to
carry on with the most important task
which is to liberate Zimbabwe. They
strike me as waiting for a leader chosen
by the people behind whom they will
throw their support. They sre fighting to
give Zimbabweans the freedom to choose.
(Editor's Note: The author, F U N G A I
K U M B U L A , born and raised in Zim­
babwe, came to Portland in September
1976 to study phsrmacy at Portland State
University under a foreign student scho­
larship from the State Board of Higher
Education.)
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1st Place
Best Ad Results
O N P A 1973
Honorable Mention
H errick Editorial Aw ard,
N N A 1973
In industrial state« of the Northeast,
the population centers such as Philadel
phis and Pittsburgh were producing the
kind of voter margin that is pure gold in a
dose race in a state with a large number
of electoral votes.
Another important factor In this new
coalition of voters was the return of the
blue-collar worker to the Democratic
column.
Sixty-one per cent of labor union
members voted for Mr. Carter and 61 per
cent of low-income people did the same.
Large city dwellers also voted 61 per cent
for the president-elect.
Some have sarcastically remarked that
Mr. Carter did not receive a mandate.
Well, neither did John F. Kennedy, but
he went forward to New Frontiers. Let’s
face it, no one has received a mandate in
recent years except President Johnson in
1964 and President Nixon in 1972. Talk of
a mandate is meaningless. Only one
message came through.
People voted th e r pocketbooks. The
voter that really swayed the election was
the voter who made up his or her mind
when he got to the polls. That voter was
obviously voting change, and change in
our economy was foremoat in their minds.
They voted against higher prices, unem
ployment, high taxes and stagnation.
An incumbent president enjoys a great
advantage in the media and in the ability
of that president to make the most
desirable economic conditions.
The amazing thing to me has been the
reaction of the people following the
election. I expected a feeling of doom and
gloom from all of my Republican friends.
Maybe they were prepared for the
inevitable. But, whatever the reason, I
keep hearing people say, “I didn't vote for
Carter, but its probably for the best. We
really do need a change.”
“It's as though we have moved out of a
period of our history, and now we move
on.
The same careful, almost deliberate
strategy that characterized the Carter
campaign now will move to Washington.
“I'm convinced that the new admini
stration will keep in mind those voters
who expressed their will in this election,
and we will have government with input
from many of thoee groups and forces
that have been excluded far too long.
Norris receives pardon
1st Place
y Service
O N P A 1973
5th Place
Best Editorial
N N P A 1973
If CBS is to be believed, they tell us 66
per cent of the white Southern voters
cast their vote for President Ford.
In Mississippi, where it was agreed
the presidential race would be close. Mr.
Carter won by a mere 11,537 votes. A
study by the Joint Center for political
Studies tells us that in Mississippi Carter
received some 136,000 Black votes.
The story is the same al! over the
South. In Texas, Louisiana, Maryland.
Florida and North and South Carolina.
Carter was receiving 94 per cent of the
Black vote and carrying those states.
Oregon Black History Project
Tri-County area $7.50 other areas $8.00
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