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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 1977)
Pige 2 Portland Observer Thursday. » . 1977 Competency in language vital Wi? see the world by Herb Cawtberne through Black eyes Out the window? Out One day last week. Malcolm Cross, director of the Civil Rights Division of tfie state Bureau of Labor, climbed out the window of his office rather than accept a subpoena to appear in the U.S. District Court. Cross' testimony was wanted on a race discrimination case filed against the Civil Rights Division by Walter P. Williams, a former employee. When attorney Roosevelt Robinson appeared at the Civil Rights Division offices to serve the subpoena. Cross' secretary spoke to him, then told Robinson he would not be free for thirty minutes. When Robinson returned, he found that Cross had climbed out the second story window, dropped to the ground ond left. Robinson also attempted to serve Labor Commis sioner Bill Stevenson and his assistant Dale Ward. After speaking to Stevenson, the secretary told Robinson that they were in a conference and could not be disturbed long enough to receive the subpoenas. This is a serious dereliction of duty for men whose jobs it is to enforce the law and protect the rights of minorities. The entire affair became a big joke at the State Office Building, but it is no ,oking matter. How con the director of the Civil Rights Division command the respect of his staff or of those he must investigate? Why should a guilty employee respond to a subpoena sent by an agency that shows no respect for the judiciary process? The fact that the court had depositions from these men or that they wanted to be free to attend a conference in San Francisco is of no consequence. Is their comfort or convenience to be placed above a man's judicial rights? Bill Stevenson was elected with the support of the Black community ond with the pledge that he would improve the functioning of the Civil Rights Division. The time has come for him to deliver. We believe Malcolm Cross' behavior in avoiding a federal court subpoena is grounds for dismissal. Oregon Affirmative Action in ACTION!!!! l<anguafce may be thought of as the reconstruction oif the world with words. It is vital lor human beings are inspired, manipulated, broadened, moved to ac tion. and consoled by the thoughts gen erated by language How we look at tbs world may be in large part a matter of how we use language. Language and the ability to communi cate are very closely related. I f any community of people intends to get things done for itself in this world, it must cultivate the widest use of all communicative forms available to it. I realiw many consider this sort of discussion to be esoteric, high brow, and less important than more obvious politi cal concerns. But consider this: only through unproved communication can an oppressed people control the thoughts aiid images which affect their lives. Indeed, communication is central to unity, coordination of direct action, and critical analysis of our leaders. Without the ability to develop strong communicative abilities in every child, the Black community will never truly heed Franz Fanon’s important advise, “...for ourselves and for humanity, com rades, we must turn over a new leaf, we must work out new concepts, and try to set afoot a new man.” Communication is the key to changing how we think and to dedicating ourselves to the efforts to “set afoot a new man - Especially is learning the standard forms of English critical to the progress of each Black child. Not only should our children be encouraged and prodded to learn to analyze its elements and struc The purpose of the coalition is to identify common concerns of the com munity in connection with desegregation and to insure the kind of equal educa tianal opportunities that will maximize each child's potential. To enable the coalition to realistically make recommen dations to the Portland Public School Board, the coalition plans to study and analyze the desegregation policy and practices from 1965 through 1977. The coalition recognizes that a project of such a scope will require the resources and experience of a variety of people, therefore a broad spectrum of community encouraged for this participation. There is a need for coalition membership to cut across all racial, economic, neighborhood and organizational lines. "Neglect nothing that can increase y o u r s t a t u r e .* * Stendhal Grabbling: Next target of ’iavestigators’ ? million athletic complex - including a 32.000-seat stadium and 10.000-seat As sembly Building - was within their grasp During the campaign before his re-elec tion Governor Edwards showed up at a Grambling game. Throughout that swing, he seemed to be a real-life Santa Claus, pulling a stadium out of his bag at one stop, a coliseum at the next. etc. But Grambling’s bid for an athletic complex was thrown for a loss when somebody found out that the entire college budget was $5.3 million in a r rears. lik e the first Moses. Eddie Robinson may have to view the Promised Land Portland O bserver Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company. 2201 North Kiliingsworth. Portland, Oregon 97217 . Mailing address: P .0 . Box 3137. Portland. Oregon 97208. Telephone: 283 2486. 2Í S ubscriptions^.50 per year in the Tri-County area. 18.00 per year outside Portland. I Class Postage Paid at Partlaud, Orogoa f 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 Porthu* A L F R E D L. H EN D ER SO N Editor/Publisher 1st n ace ty Servite ONPA 1973 from the other side of Jordan - if he sees it at aU. The special sesa»c of the legislature may come up with something this month. But because of white backlash reaction to the deficit, earmarking money for Gram bling probably isn’t politically smart at this time. Still, Robinson accentuates the poai tive. “The name of my game is competing," he says. “I'm gonna compete.” Instead of complaining about the facili ties Grambling doesn't have. Robinson shows prospects of a global schedule. He also shows them a well-travelled road to professional football. Robinson knows where these kids are coming from, because he has been there when things were a lot worse. He shows them what they want to see: a way out. 1st Place last Ad Resulta ONPA 1973 5th Place Best Editorial N N PA 1973 Herrick Editorial Award N N A 1973 In light of this, the coalition would like to extend an invitation for active partici pation and involvement to all the people of the Portland Community. Any organization or individual who wishes to have an official vote in the coalition must do so by writing a letter of commitment hy October 15, 1977, to the Coalition Chairman. Harry Ward, e/o Metropolitan Human Relations Commis sion, 430 S.W. Morrison - Room 312, Portland, 97204. If you are interested in serving on a committee, call H arry Ward at 224-1870. AU meetings of the coalition will be open to the entire community and all who attend will be allowed to voice opinions and/or become actively in volved. In the initial stages the coaliton has formed the following committees: committee's functions «rill be: al coordi nate the work of the main body, b) review the work of the other committees, e) carry out other duties set forth by the coalition. available technical assistance and other resources necessary to fulfill the tasks of the coalition. hy a l bowl. When the other state schools were integrated six or seven years ago. a few prophets of gloom predicted it would be the end of the line for Grambling. The Black talent figured to be split up a dozen ways, and Grambiing still isn't able to recruit the best white athletes. Racial prejudice isn't the only reason. When prospects visit Grambling what do the coaches show them? The ld year-old stadium that holds 18,000 spectators? The 25 year-old gymnasium with a caps d ty of 4,000? The three tennis courts? A couple of years ago, Robinson and other Grambling officials thought a J7.3 “there is no reason to assume that a child cannot learn several dialects of English, $7.50 I Publishers Association 31 toe, which will develop a process to insure maximum community involve ment. 4) Research Com m ittee, to develop specific areas on which subcommittees will focus, such as Early Childhood Centers, Middle Schools, Administrative Transfers. Magnet Programs. Multi cul tursl Preparation. Jefferson School Popu lation, and others. The coalition is convinced that the nature of such a project is far reaching in terms of power to effect change; we also recognise that such a project will require much dedication and time commitment from the participants. We hope that all interested organizations and individuals will affirm their interest by sending a letter of commitment by the October 15th deadline and assume an active role in this vital community effort. The next coalition meetings will be Thursday. October 6th, 7 : » p.m., at the King Neighborhood Facility. 4815 N.E. 7th. Sincerely, Harry C. Ward, Chairman (Continued from page 1 column 6) he should do what his attorney advised. He also implied that if he were to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, that be would return to O.8.P. but would stay from six to nine months, that thia was the usual stay of those in similar circum stances. Also he was told that patients progress from maximum security to minimal security where be would have a degree of freedom. Robertson said his attorney advised him to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, telling him that he waa sure to he convicted and would go to prison for twenty years. The insanity plea would only put him in O.S.P. for a while. He said Ady never advised him that he could not appeal this plea and he did not under stand that he would have no trial. He thought he would waive only the right to a jury, but would be tried by the judge and would have an opportunity to state that he was not guilty due to self-defense. “I never said I waa guilty. I always said it was self-defense. Whether 1 was crazy or not had nothing to do with that. I t waa still self-defense.” Robertson said he was under such pressure at Rocky Butte that he was unable to make a sound decision. Fol lowing his return from Oregon State Hospital, he had been continued on injections of stellazine which made him restless and unable to sleep. Thia, together with being confined alone in a small cell with nothing to read or occupy his time, made him willing to do anything to get out of Rocky Butte. Also his trial had been postponed and extending his confinement in Rocky Butte. Robertson's former attorney. Clem mens Ady, testified that he had not explained to Robertson that he could not appeal after the insanity plea. D r. Cloyd testified that he did not have access to Robertson’s file and did not remember the details of the interview with him, so could say nothing definate. but he did admit under questioning that he might have said something to imply on early release from Oregon State Hospital fol lowing an insanity plea. Robertson testified that he was imme diately sent to Oregon State Hospital and has been held for 13 months in maximum security. Robertson believes that he is being held because of his unorthodox religious beliefs and because he will not admit to guilt or insanity. “If I would say I ’m crazy they would let me out when I am cured,' he told the Observer, “But I refuse to do that. I was somewhat known in Portland because of passing out litera ture and I am being confined to a mental hospital as a political prisoner ” in Tri-County Aroa $ 8 .0 0 z > t - . New York Oregon Newspaper He had only his street English, his instinctive language. It was not refined; it was basically limited to the purposes of the hustler life he had known. But when he tried to w rite Mr. Muhammad, he became so frustrated that he went to a dictionary, and studied it from A to Z. Only then could he feel comfortable writing and speaking his ideas. Still, he went further. He studied logic to sharpen his thinking. He read and read and read. Undoubtedly. Black children should learn to use their language in every way. And we as parents and relatives must insist that school teachers adhere com pletely to this demand. In addition, each one of us will have to do our part. A strong knowledge of language will help our children follow the star that guides them. As Malcolm X pointed out. “It is always better to form the habit of learning how to see things for yourself, listen to things for yourself, and think for yourself; then you are in a position to judge for yourself." For Black children to he in a position to think and judge for themselves, they must learn to use the language in the most flexible manner possible. OSH 'roMrood’ N ati— I Advertiamg Representative M tM M * and where it is appropriate to use them, without weakening his selfconfidence, self identity and racial pride." .As a matter of fact, the failure to learn the standard written and spoken English ■nay be mare damaging to the individual's self-concept, identity and pride. Remember how Malcolm X felt when he tried to write his feelings to Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the religion he intended to adopt? His efforts while still in prison allowed him “to set afoot a new Often, jM vt, Many diverse groups, organizations and individuals have launched a compre hensive. broad-based community coal) tion to study Portland School District's desegregation policy and programs. ntinued from page 1 column 6) pie. I ’m trying to do what 1 believe in. I ’ve got my feelings, and it really ts me..." t is also distracting, to say the least. 11 want is some freedom and peace of id." Robinson adds. iobodv investigated Grambling when Tigers were playing on a stretch of coin Parish sand more suitable for lels. But now that they are playing ere the sun never shines (if you know i football field that has a roof over it. chances are good that it s on the ers’ schedule' and challenging big e schools for bluechip prospects, y r e practically living in a goldfish tura, but they shouk1 also he instructed on how to use the standard forms of English to better themselves, their peo pie, and the world in which they live. 1 must agree that the initial discussion of the place of Black English was neces aary and worthwhile. It highlighted some of the racist and very negative aasocia tions white teachers attached to those who spofce differently. The controversy has forced many teachers to kook at their attitudes. Some have come to appreciate the inherent beauty in the Black dialects. This has been well and good. But the momentum ha* gone too far. I have taught many Black students from the Portland Public Schools. Too many of these students have had an inability to effectively use their language. They have not been well versed in the coherent and expressive use of the only language they know. And. given the struggles against racism and discrimination which face them, this Is tragic. Many of our young are caught in the middle. For the moat part, they do not understand the inner workings of the Black dialect, which they speak primarily by instinct. Yet. many of them do not uaa the standard forma with maximum com potency either. In the whirlwind of confusion of the place of Black English, the Black child has been the loser. There are thorn who feel that school can destroy the identity and selfhood of the child by demanding the achievement of U»arning certain grammatical and structural forms of English. However, as Joan C. Baratz indicates in Teaching City Zip M ÍM M » tktAJUfNÆL N E T ip fÏP E R Portland Observer 2201 N. Killin09worth ¿57’• * —
