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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 1977)
" - ■ W Portland Observer. From behind the wall who specialise within the criminal justice field. Le. (attorneys, judges, law-makers, ate.) professional people licensed to in terprets nolo contendere, voir dire, res judicata and all the other language incarcerated prisoners may have heard within their appearancee in The only sad part of this legal class, is those individuals are attempting to learn is this reporter's observation, that such classes should be first instituted within each and every county jail - so as an individual goes through the different processes of the laws and courts, he or she may have knswlsfgs of. But that coot money, money that the Oregon taxpayers would have second thoughts in paying for Another main statement repeated over and over through the newly developed Legal Law Clam. "I could not trust my attorney." or “my attorney sold me out." A basic law clam established in county jails would eliminate much of the suspi cion and strengthen the relationship in confidentiality between attorney and client privileges, especially where the cam may be the detained incarcerated client may be Black and the attorney is white, with the accused criminal charges being major. The above statement is an area where the professionals become very evasive in discussing, because it exposes bias within their racial convictions. A fter all of the manipulation, fenesse shouting and plea bargaining hm ceased, and the final curtains (sentencing) are drawn, many of them inmate students' confusions and frustrations become the property of one man. behind them walls. Inmate vs. H.C. Cupp. Superintendent, the Correction's Panacea. The Rehabili- tator. The Keeper of the Keys, a job no one really wants and only a few can do - trying to straighten out the lives of society cast-offs and socially unaccepted. This year, many laws were passed in the criminal justice field by our state legislators. Laws which clearly may mean for some of us here in prisons that all doors have been shut, except the ones you came in through, "The Courts". Having knowledge of laws is a very precious tool for the individuals in O-S.P.’s Legal Law Clam, for there are a few of us behind them walls who still claim our innocence. i «M M This win be just a short article about the recent raise the legislature» made in their salaries by 28%. In 1975 they voted to cut them in the next two y e a n from the $487 per month plus $30 per day expenses to $400, but apparently they do not want to follow their own laws if it does not benefit them. One grant problem is the employment situation and inmates from the Oregon State Penitentiary. Most are released and then seek jobs, so that they, as much m the ones who elected the legislatures are the ones who will have to foot the bill for this added expenditure of 23%. Not too many years ago legislatures worked for very little and were actually more dedicated to helping their fellow man, that is thorn who had elected them in the first place, but now the name of the game is money. Of course many legislatures will try to justify the raise by mying that they have rising expenses, family, etc. to support. Have they given any thought to the poor inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary making 50c per day working in the laundry, furniture factory, or the like. Them men have families and expenses too, which increase and will continue to incream just as long as the legislature «rill not make a move to cut rather than incream their huge salaries. Inmates released from the Oregon State Penitentiary have an extremely hard time in just finding a job, but to see the legislature, who are supposed to be setting good examples grasp for more and more money, you really begin to wooder who the real robber is. by Ray Charles Maple I Black Culture, President! by Clean R. Amate For the past two years the O.S.P. Black Culture Organization has heqn working very hard to develop a self-supporting program that might answer to the needs of the large Black population housed at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Such a program was brought to the attention of the institution officials, which was ap proved unanimously, so at this dste The Uhuru Club is in the business of hobby. In turn the different articles that are p re duced will be placed out at the Hobby Shop (entrance to the main gate) for sale. Under the conditions submitted to the O.S.P. administration, that all members must contribute either in funds, material or time to the production of different craft that will be sold at a reasonable price. i.e. (leather purses, billfolds, key- purses. painting, silverwork and many other items). The Black Culture Organization should be overly grateful to one member who worked aimlessly and dedicated many of his free moments working on the propo sals and having meetings with the powers to be thought out over the past two years, when all hope seemed gone of such a project becoming a reality. W.D. Norris, the Seargent at Arms for the Black club just wouldn't give up such a worthy project and «rith his keen insight he knew this was a big move that would be an asset for all his Black brothe» inside these walls. Take a bow, Mr. W.D. Norris. B ER K E LE Y, C A L IF . - Graduation day. These are magic words for any college man or woman, hut particularly hearten ing for a minority student. J'our years of sacrifice and study culmmite on the day the graduate receives hid diploma, lie feels a flush of pride...anq wonders what to do with his educate Luther Strong, Jr. bodes that minority student considers the N*vy. The 42-year-old son Luther and Opal Strong of Portland, Oregon, is in a posi i ' s «f tion to know. He’s d li lieutenant cornmsn der in the naval r«4er reserves - one of forty Campus Liasion Officers (CLO) through out the United States who deal exclu sively with minority officer recruitingon college campuses. Strong, special assistant to the v^e- president at the University of Washing, ton in Seattle, feels' a Navy career “is a satisfying and rewarding outlet for a dedicated man or woftian's skills. “Intelligent and creative people aren't content to settle for second-best," he continued. “Navy officers aren't any different. They’re ambitious, and that's probably why they’re in the Navy. Skills are rewarded as well as appreciated.” Strong is no stranger to military life, having served in the Marine Corps for two years. “My experience in the Marines taught me a lot about self-discipline and its advantages,” he said. “Those who put their time and energy to gbod use are hound to make an impression on their superiors." As a CLO, Strong believe. he has a responsibility to “recruit people with a point <rf view. I want to know why they’re thinking of joining the Navy. If it's because they're expecting preferen Hal treatment by virtue of their minority status. I suggest they look elsewhere. They need to be committed to their Navy jobs and work as a member of a team. “I don’t want to paint a grim picture of Navy life,” he added. "The benefits are enormous. People form strong, lasting friendships. These factors are important, but they shouldn’t be the only reasons a man or woman accepts a commission." The C l / ) program, established in 1968, is a branch of the Navy Kecruiting Command. Strong recently attended the annual C I / ) conference here, which coin cided with the largely Black membership National Naval Officer’s Association con ference and a reunion among the ten surviving members of the first Black naval officers commissioned as a unit in 1944. The meeting included briefings and workshops by members of the naval reserve community from the field of education and officers on active duty working to improve communication in minority recruiting affairs. “Navy life is unique," Strong said. T m happy to see the Navy push its minority recruiting efforts. It gives deserving men and women a good opportunity to see just what the Navy has to offer." --■-«< - »---- -«- r O C I i l C « O tU rW r » Recommended Summer Reading: The Electric Bill Cutter’s Best Friend. Do-it-yourself H om e Insulation G uide There is nothing more important to saving energy than proper home insulation And this summer —before winter electric bills arrive —is the best time to do something about upgrading your homes insulation We've got just the ticket. It's our new Do-it-Yourself Home Insulation Guide, and it’s yours for the asking at any PP&L Power Saver Center. What'll it tell you? Page for page, it's got more information on insulation than you’ll probably ever use Such as: W here to Insulate: Floors: Ceilings The color of the aoul and the hearts of white mec. The beauty and culture of the black man. The days of bow aod the poet (800 yra). The attitudes of whites and the shadows hanging over them. The clouds over the heeds of every black, man. woman, and child. BUcfc to the bed color, "the white nw any." The outlaw to never dressed in white, or have you noticed? The moot dominate color of all to black. I f you are white, you are right " If you are black, get back!" "It's a damns shame." Walls: Ventilation and Vapor Control: Barriers ■SHWi OB MAN, I'M ONLY DOING MY JOB I looked at the man in front of me - I hate you. I said. W hat de you mean you hate me? You don't evei know me aaid he. Need I know you, the enemy who locks me up Each night barricading me from my rightful freedom....naid I? Ventilation: =TI| Tools required: N? :18 :15 : ,4 =13 12 Ohl Man! I ’m only doing my job Bald be. Huh, yeah, said L I heard that sound before, It's familiar ring in the slave ships and the gas chambers of Aueehivritx, TrebUnka, yes in Melai, even in Attica, I heard the man in the Gun tower utter the exact phrase as he took careful aim and put a well placed bullet in George Jackson’s bead. And now I hear it again. But you after all are merely a tool tricked, IsdocUtoMBd by press to frsodotn tbs place before your eyes - here "T O K E N NEGRO" I Keys and lock up those that shame your race. How to Order: Preparation: Safety Hints You. mindtoes one are a puppet, your strings pull By the dollar sign, hew can you realise the truth in what I say? Ask far forgiveness fsslisb otts* For in the end Ged will deride tho fate of your Betook at the Me and my Bi You then say.. Page 3 Strong recruits for Novy about something that has effected their lives, after the damage has been done It The Mack La w Cine The Black Law Claaa of the Oregon S U U Penitentiary waa founded last March under the heading of the Black Culture Organisation, in the future shall ba known as the O.S.P. Legal Law Class and will function under the direct authority of the O.S.P. Education De partment. This successful creative class will take off on this new avenue this summer, because apparently it has been a noticed fact that the majority of the incarcerated prisoners, not only at O.8.P.. but nation wide are unknowledgeable of the “due process" of law they have gone through after the last cell door has slammed or the last lock is snapped. Where time, and time alone has become their only ’Rights’ to freedom. Let's face it. In many cases juries have been wrong, judges have made mistakes, witnesses have lied, attorneys even have been prejudiced and the dollar bill has talked to much within our justice systems of today. A system where many have died to protect it and many have died violating it. but it is all we have to assure us that the “Rights" of all people are protected within the boundary of our fifty states under the U.S. Constitution. So until a more worthy or thorough criminal justice system is greeted and developed to replace what we have today, a class of twenty inmates at O.8.P. twice a month «rill volunteer two hours dealing with it and its concepts. They will deal with it. not only on a collective basis, but also in an individual manner, because their lives are at stake. The main question constantly being the focussing point of each session is "by law - why am I here?" These questions are being answered each first and third Friday of each month by volunteer guest lecturers, selected by the two inmate instructors, who govern the classes pro gress. The guest lecturers are people Thursday. August 18, 1977 commit in locking up ad Bieters sash night, 1st m Oh Maa.... J m only doing my jobl The People at Pacific Power