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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1977)
9 Pag« 2 Portland Observer Thursday. November 3, 1977 Black parents key to improved education W e see the w orld by Herb L. Cawtborne through B lack eyes *. • Stranb: Good start, long way to go— Next Wednesday night two organizations -- the St. Josephs Masons and the Albina Ministerial Alliance -- will honor Governor Bob Straub for his efforts on behalf of affirmative action. This presentation is mainly due to Harold Williams, the state's affirmative action officer, who credits Straub with his success in placing approximately three hundred minorities and women in state jobs. Williams feels that the atmosphere set by the Straub administration and Straub's support of the affirm a tive action program have enabled him to success fully promote minority hiring. This event in recognition of Governor Straub's efforts is not an endorsement of his re-election nor an expression of support by the Black community as a whole. Although there are many Black citizens who believe the Governor is dedicated to strength ening opportunities for Black people and that he has done more than any previous governor, there also is dissatisfaction. It is true that the Straub administration has expanded minority hiring and has established a Minority Business Enterprise Program. But there are still no Blacks at the top levels of state government and there are few in managerial and supervisory positions. The Governor recently passed up an opportunity to appoint a Black person to head a major state agency -- a Black who had received the highest recommendation and who appears to be far more qualified than the person selected. The state's Minority Business Enterprise Program is unique and offers an opportunity for minority business to participate in state purchasing — but so far the program has concentrated on janitorial and service contracts. There is disappointment that the Governor — perhaps the first Governor of Oregon to campaign for office on a platform of expanded minority opportunity — has not been stronger in his leadership in this area. The Governor has a difficult election campaign next year — no matter who the opponent turns out to be. The Black community — which will be more organized and more unified than ever before -- could be the deciding factor in a close race and Blacks have not yet made the important decision of whom to support. We would like to see the Governor use his remaining year inofficeto move out boldly and earn the whole-hearted endorsement of the Black voters. Coalition supports African liberation A Coalition for Human Rights in South Africa has formed to protest recent actions in South Africa and to support the Congressional Black Caucus' policy recommendations to the U.S. government. Coalition members include the NAACP, Associa tion of Black Journalists, Black Council on Africa, National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, One Hundred Black Men, and others. Since October 18th nearly all Black consciousness organizations, the leading Black newspaper, and several hundred Black, colored and white leaders have been banned in a government attempt to stifle resistance to its racist policies. During the last twenty years thousands have been banned, arrested, imprisoned, and killed while protesting apartheid through non-violent demonstra tions. The recent step-up in government persecution can have no other result than to force the opposition into armed revolt. Only an international collaboration of nations bringing pressure on South Africa through economic measures will bring an end to the blatant oppression and prevent mass bloodshed. Only the condemna tion of the world will bring apartheid to an end and majority rule to reality. At t i lt monthlu conference f » M c jn tU btqoTi q u u rn t Cnntvncter-s •• • Ur »9 ¿11 o f ' D m ootj i t OMTumrstj jer stock * e tM c f' __ L itr o a n o i TTie. lau» bidcUr on tKis FEb stt-aawk, p ro ject is M î-C X T j C o n îr u tt ion # a minority {ïrm L Ballot Measure #2 being sponsored by Senator Ed Fadeley (Dem-Eugene) and the Effective Energy Policy from Oregon Citizens Committee contained a hidden agenda not apparent to the otherwise well-meaning citizens voicing their sup port. The language of the bill, is vague enough to lead such groups as the Trojan Decommissioning Alliance and Forelaws on Board to deny their support. Put into practice Ballot Measure #2 would supply state funds to groups now furnishing the greatest amount of electricity to the public. The stipulation would earmark public money to private utilities, a se riously questionable action when so many non-profit groups are clamoring for mo ney to Finance alternative energy genera tion projects. To the Editor: Concerning the Bakke case and State Senator Vern Cook's recent letter (10-22 77): All are entitled to an opinion, but we have reason to expect intelligent and progressive opinions from public office holders. Not only are the state's law makers expected to represent their con stituencies. but are acknowledged lead ers that the public receives direction from as models in comparatively guaging their own individual attitudes and opi nions. First of all, there will not be a winner or loser in the Bakke case. There will be a clarification of how affirmative action may be implemented. To encourage the public to choose up sides only fosters divisiveness. All concerned can WORK T O G ETH ER towards remedies. When taken beyond group interests, our desti nies are inextricably bound. Make no mistake, this game is for keeps and we all win or face impending ruin. Secondly, "reverse discrimination" is an emotion baiting misnomer. The relatively power less, oppressed minority cannot "reverse discriminate" against the powerfully, op pressing majority. Furthermore, affir mative action has nothing to do with "expiation of society's guilt." It address es a need that if left to time and several generations would constitute a potential ly fatal wound in the very fabric of this nation. Progressive thinking, concerned people will not allow this to happen. Rather than play on the publics emo tions or cater to narrow selfish interests, our leaders should encourage high ideals and realistic viewpoints in society; a more difficult job. but one worthy of the highest respect and a proud legacy to future generations. - in principle - than one can be half dead or half pregnant." It is no more right to discriminate in favor of the son or daughter of someone like State Senator Julian Bond, the scion of a wealthy. Black Georgia family, to prevent the admission of Tom or Jane Brown, the white child of a $2.30 per hour nurse's aide, to the medical school than it is right to discriminate in favor of the admission of a white. Protestent son of a wealthy doctor for admission to the University of Oregon Medical School, as we used to do here. Affirm ative action can only be justified tfct aita» [fier tbt KClIltnî Mu ke kas used k*e mit s ta «cfctire « monta {•ruS.bu j H llI ftaplv 1 — WIJI Catherine Siegner to remedy existing wrongs to identifiable individuals or to outlaw existing practices which effectively discriminate against a class of person. It should not be used as a justification for the explanation of a sense of guilt for someone else's sins, with the penalty to be paid by some innocent young person who believes that America is the land of the free with equal opportunity for all. Vern Cook State Senator Oregon State Senate Salem. OR. Come and enjoy "THE WAY WE WERE "o r rhe M ir ANMVEESAEY A « « N HOUSE REUBEN R. K I M M I <4 I 620 N. Fremonr Sr. W ttU N O V .9 .1 9 1 7 Tima 7:30 PJK. All classrooms open- meer th e teachers Program of slides, skits, music. M o vie for children The following is Senator (look’s letter: M M A I 4 1 A I Kl l l l l To the Editor: fertig The Governor and the Public Utilities Commissioner would be the sole deter miners of dispursement criteria and this fact alone is enough to raise doubts about the wisdom of passing such a measure. Don't be fooled by so-called "liberal” legislation. Head Ballot Measure 42 and ponder its real impact on Oregon's energy future. ! > / / - IW 7 Dennis Whitlow IQOQDÎ In rfU ÿiti m. To the Editor: 1. Recall the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa for consultation. 2. Downgrade the U.S. Mission in South Africa. 3. Eliminate the positions of U.S. Commerce and Agriculture Attaches assigned to South Africa's embassy. Put an end to all cooperative agree ments with South Africa, such as those with Treasury and Defense Departments. 4. Deny tax credits to U.S. businesses operating in South Africa. Develop tax disincentives to discourage new business ventures there. 5. Support the granting of aid to African countries through the Export-Import Bank — with the exception of South Africa. 6. End U.S./South African agreements on the sharing of nuclear materials and information; deny export licenses for such materials; specifically put a stop to the Commerce Department's sharing of nuclear information with South Africa. 7. Urge that this matter be brought before the United Nations Security Council for immediate action. .Great iJcaf II fallali H l.tU r . ItMktr».1 J Measure # 2 favors private utilities Senator takes wrong side [foresi. You d o *L need t o t s j In the forefront nt the cooperative effort to reverse the situation. If a child can do little more than disrupt the learning of others, the parent must be actively involved in altering the disruptive he havior. If a child has exceptional abilities, the parent should be in the leadership to see that the exceptional abilities are cultivated to the greatest degree pos sible. Yes, it is time now for more Black parents to come forward to say to school teachers, "I am deeply involved in this process of education with you.'* I have no Intention of minimizing the range of other issues which affect the education of Black children. Of course there should be more Black teachers. Of course there are many uncommitted and racist white teachers in the schools. Of course the overall attitude of the Ameri can society serves to dampen the motiva tion of Black children to achieve in school. But without the active and constant involvement on the part of more Black parents, many of the problems in educa tion for Blacks may be as bad fifty years from now as they are today. JLetiMt to the, Z iiiM The recommendations of the Congressional Black Caucus follows: Nerf Ouawufc later... Jesse Jackson has hit the nail squarely on the head: If Black children are going to start reaping the full advantage of the opportunity forged by the great strug glee of the last decade. Black parents are going to have to become more actively involved in the total educational process. It is true that most Black children in America face a tough existence. In spite of the strong gains made over the past twenty years, the young Black child still faces extreme difficulties. The nasty human elements born of poverty and prejudice are in too large abundance in his community. These influences - the dope dealer, the prostitute, the defeated, the criminal, the hustler, the indifferent - serve to call the worst from the child's spirit, rather than the best. Children must be steered away from these mean influences and guided toward the vast wealth of positive factors in the Black American community. Under today's circumstances, the Black child needs parental guidance more than ever before In Portland, as generally throughout the nation. Black students are taught primarily by white teachers in the public schools. This being a fact of life, there is no way to successfully manage the proper education of the Black child without a consistent and concerned cooperation between the Black parent and the white teacher. W hite teachers need help. They need assistance from Blacks in isolating the concerns to which they ought to attend. They need to be comfortable in knowing that they can seek the counsel of the Black community whenever they need it. On the other hand. Black children need the help of white teachers in unique ways. They need teachers who are willing to become involved in aspects of the Black culture and lifestyle. They need teachers who are willing to demand the highest quality work possible. They need teachers who can be committed to the preparation of young Black students who are strong and competent in facing the complexities of American prejudice. Therefore, Black parents must accept the initiative in education. I f a child cannot read well, the parent needs to be Bakke should win in his case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Reverse discrimi nation, like any other discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex or previous condition of servitude, is not only constitutionally wrong but wrong morally and in principle. As Thurgood Marshall, then counsel for the N A A C P and now one of the justices of the Supreme Court, said in arguing for outlawing racial segregation of schools, “one can no more be half right Met t form et staff members, jrathiut.es, parents, ''P.'T. A officers. Share memories of the "way we w ere'- 'TXtaij 1st Place P o rtla n d O b s e rv e r Community Service O N PA 1973 Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company. 2201 North Killingsworth, Portland. Oregon »7217 Mailing address: P .0. Box 3137, Portland. Oregon 97208. Telephone:283 248«. $7.50 Subscriptions:$7.50 per year in the Tri-County area. $8.00 per year outside Portland. in Tri-County Area Second Class Postage Paid at Portland. Oregon The Portland Observer's official position is expressed only in its Publisher's column (W e 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. ALFRED L. HENDERSON Editor/PubUsber National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. New York MEMBER Box 3137 97208 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association 1st Place Best Ad Results O NPA 1973 5th Place Best Editorial N N P A 1973 Honorable Mention Herrick Editorial Award N N A 1973 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place Community Leadership O N PA 1975 MEMBER PER Auoclalion - Foundad IM S »
