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
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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»
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ke kas used k*e
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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
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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
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