Portland observer., November 24, 1977, Page 3, Image 3

Portland Observer Thursday, November 24, 1977 Page 3
Book explores welfare movement
From behind the wall
"A Passion For Equality”
b» Mrrs Raker 435021
O.S.P. C a rre » sNtdent
The rain fell softly upon the high walls
and gun towers at 0.8.1’. The clock in the
brightly lit visiting room showed 6:00
p.m. usually at this time on a Saturday
night the area is closed
but on this
night, eight individuals gathered for a
speeial and memorable «erasion...a prison
wedding.
On November 12.1977 I‘etc Austin and
Rut hie Reason stood at one another* side
for the first time after being separated
by bars, locked doors, guards, and Ore
gon's criminal law. Both were trying
very hard to control their emotions of
excitement. after being denied for over
a year every request and opportunity to
share a simple visit together on a visiting
day.
Ruthie. dressed in a long, beautiful,
blue jay colored stunning evening gown,
her hair covered by a turban headdress
made of the same material, l ’ele pulled
ner\ ously at his blue prison denimprcss
is I shir, and pants because he had spent
the day preparing himself on exactly
what he would say to this beautiful Black
28 year old woman w ho on this night
would become his responsibility. To love,
honor, respect and protect. Doing this
isn't anything new. for Pete and Ruthie
had once lived together for a period of
time ithree years) prior to his inearcera
lion. Ruthie had given birth to their son
named Koehel. who at this time was in
California being cared for by Kuthie's
parents.
Shortly after Pete received a sentence
of ten years for robbery in Multnomah
County. Ruthie herself became involved
with a crime and w a s sentenced to seven
years at the Oregon Uomen's Correc­
tional Center, which is located next door
to O.S.P. in Salem.
Pete, a Black man. age SS. had chosen
his best friend. W illiam Parmer, also a
prison inmate, to be his best man.
William and Pete spent much of their
leisure time working out with weights
and discussing novels they have ex
changed between one another over the
past year.
A few moments before the actual
wedding ceremony was to be performed.
Reverend Raymond Helseth. the Proles
tant prison minister at O.S.P., spoke
privately with the couple, bringing it to
their full attention the important steps
each was about to take within the next
hour.
Standing only a few feet away. Jean
I’eacock, the O.W .C.C. matron, who had
brought Ruthie to O.S.P., stood nervous
|y with a camera, ready to snap the
couples' picture at every opportunity.
Because of the prisons rules and regula
tions only a one hour time period is
allotted for any prison wedding to be
performed, and this was the First of three
to be performed that night.
Also, within the same visiting room, off
in a corner quietly in conversation were
three more people Pete had befriended
during his imprisonment at O.S.P. Sandy
Moore. Pete's counselor, who is the only
woman counselor at O.S.P. She has
helped Pete over the past few weeks go
through all the red tape for the approving
of the marriage.
Bill Barrington, a correctional officer,
who had been given the job, for prison
security purposes, to be at this wedding.
Barrington, who has worked at O.S.P. for
two years thought a great deal of Pete,
because of the respect he has received
from Pete whenever he was working in
his cell block. Both of these individuals
were aware it would not be until 1981
before Pete's next appearance before the
Oregon State Parole Board.
As for
Ruthie, the Parole Board had denied her
until 1978.
Then there was this Reporter who had
spent many hours working with Pete, as
he, along with other staff members of
"Behind the Walls" column gathered
written material from the prison popula
tion over the past nine months to be
printed in the Portland Observer.
As everyone stood listening to Rev
erend Helseth administer the marriage
vows, a sense of reverence, along with
sadness, was felt for these young people,
who have to endure these conditions for
such a sacred event.
This Reporter asked Ms. Moore just
how many other weddings she has at­
tended, out of her 130 prisoner case load.
The reply was between seven and nine,
throughout her 18 months of employment
here. Moore, even remembered counsel­
ing one of her inmate clients through his
divorce and re marriage. She stated she
still has mixed feelings about prison
marriage, because of the many hardships
that may follow.
Exactly at 6:37 p.m. Ruthie Benson
became Mrs. Ruth Austin by the laws and
in the eyes of the State of Oregon. There
was no wedding bouquet to be thrown
among the Maid of Honor and Brides­
maids. no champagne toasts spread
about, no music and dancing to highlight
this occasion. Just smiles and laughter,
congratulations and handshakes, as Ma­
tron Peacock snapped pictures of the
signing of the marriage license.
What had the State of Oregon awarded
this couple as a wedding gift? The chance
to stand and talk to one another for the
remaining period of time, until the clock
on the visiting rooms wall struck 7:00
p.m.
What was their honeymoon going to be
like? Until Pete obtains a parole or ends
up serving a full 10 year sentence? The
chance to meet right in the same visiting
room for a couple of hours with a small
table placed between them, and under
the watchful lenses of television cameras
and guards.
Just before leaving the room, this
Reporter was able to question Reverend
Helseth on his views toward conjugal
visits for married couples. He stated that
his feelings were that "home visits"
would serve a more valuable and decent
purpose. When asked what type of
counseling he holds with each couple
who marry within the walls of this prison
he stated that he tries to cover four main
areas: 1) Money: 2) Sex (as being
beautiful); 3) Communication between
one another; and 4) The need for religion
within the family.
- And Then It Was Over -
Upon departure, William Farmer,
along with this Reporter, had the chance
to kiss the bride and give our well-wishes.
But Ruthie will return to her room,
where tears may fall. Pete will return to
his cell, with a heavy heart and a
memory. William will return to his cell
and read a book. This Reporter will
return to his cell and try to write this
story of the night Ruthie Benson married
Pete Austin at the Oregon State Peniten­
tiary.
Who is to say this type of marriage
should not have happened - except Pete
and Ruthie? Or who is to judge their
reasoning in any manner?
No One, But God, Himself.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Board of Directors of the Multnomah County Library will hold an D.ien House
at the Albina Branch Library. 3605 N.E. 15th Avenue (Tradewell Shopping Center).
Saturday. December 3, 1977, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
December 6th Mt. Hood Community College presents the first jazz concert of the
school year at 8:00 p.m. in the College Theater. The Sounds of the Saints-Jazz Night
will feature the same groups that captured the best jazz band and best jazz combo
awards at last spring's Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival in Berkeley. Tickets are
12.50 for adults. $1.50 for students, and 75c for children. Call 667-7390 for information
or reservations.
December 11th The Community Choir sponsored by Mt. Hood Community College
will perform Handel's "Messiah” in the College Theater at 3:00 p.m. No admission
charge.
December 13th - A Christmas Concert by the Community Orchestra sponsored by
Mt. Hood Community College is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in the College Theater. No
admission charge
December 16th The Oommunity Band sponsored by Mt. Hood Community College
will present a Winter Concert in the CoUege Theater at 8:00 p.m. No admission
charge.
The zoo train will operate weather and crowds termit ling on weekends only during
the winter months. There will be a new schedule for the spring around March 1st.
The traditional Christmas Vee.tera and Formal Dance will be presented by the
University of Portland Creative and Communication Arts Department on Saturday,
December 3rd in Mehling Hall Lounge. There will be two Vespers performances at
6:-'M) p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Dr. Roger O. Doyle, conductor, said the traditional event is “a
quiet and inspiring evening of Christmas music and by far the most popular concert
with the community and campus audience." Following the Vespers Concert will be the
Christmas Formal Dance, sponsored by the Concert Choir.
The Fourth Annual University of Portland Christmas Messiah Sing-la will be held
at 6:00 p.m.. Sunday. December 11th. in Buckley Center Auditorium.
Featured will be a semi-dramatic choral presentation from the Christmas section of
Handel's "Oratorio." The University Community Orchestra will also perform.
Originating in New York over a decade ago. the Messiah Sing In has drawn wide
participation from groups across the country. Audience participation will be
encouraged, according to program conductor Dr. Roger 0 . Doyle. The Sing-In will
-ondude with the "Alleluia" chorus. The public is invited, free of charge.
Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst will hold a Holiday Bazaar and Food Sale in the
church gym. at 935 N.E. 33rd Avenue (one block south of Sandy Boulevard) from 10:00
a.m. Saturday December 3rd to 5:00 p.m. Hand crafted gift and novelty items,
homemade candy, bakery goods, and a few choice antiques suitable for Christmas
giving will be featured.
The United Methodist women of Patton Central Church will sponsor a Bazaar in
their "Friendship Hall." 5023 N. Michigan Avenue at Alberta Street, on Saturday,
December 3rd. from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Snack Bar will be open from 10:00 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. A Buffet will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Adults, $3, children,
under 12. $1.50. Proceeds will go to missionary and philanthropic projects.
Willie Pritchard, tea, (center) sings with the-Portland Boys Choir. The Choir is
seeking members for its Resident Choir, directed by Azamar Glenn. Call 254-7762 or
281-8393 for information.
American State Bank
2737 N.E. Union
by Nick and Mary Lynn Kotz
W.W. Norton A tom iany, New York
"There is shame in the welfare system
but the shame is not yours," George
Wiley used to tell welfare mothers.
Today, as President Carter attempts to
sort out the "mess” in the welfare
system, a new hook suggests that the
welfare explosion of the late 1960’s and
early 1970‘s may have been created in
part by one man - the late George Wiley.
“A Passion For Equality," to be pub
lished on August 29th by W.W. Norton &
Company, Inc., by Washington authors
Nick and Mary Lynn Kotz, examines the
life and times of the controversial Black
leader who drowned in the Chesapeake
Bay four years ago.
Why did the nation's welfare rolls
suddenly skyrocket, more than doubling
in a few years? Why did the effort at
welfare reform fail during the Nixon
Administration? What are the necessary
political and social ingredients for a
successful reform from the present Con­
gress and Carter Administration? These
crucial national issues and many others
are probingly explored in this book.
The authors weave together two sto­
ries, both crucial to an understanding of
the problems of welfare, poverty, and
race still confronting the country.
The first story, seldom told or frankly
explored, is that of the so-called “Talent­
ed Tenth,” the minority of upper class
Blacks who achieved success in America
in the years before the civil rights
movement, and often had to purchase
that success at the painfully heavy cost of
separating themselves from their Black
heritage - in the process becoming
“white Negroes.” Such was the case with
George Wiley, who at an early age was
emerging as one of the nation's leading
research chemists. The book relates the
crisis faced by the Talented Tenth when
the civil rights and Black nationalist
movements arrived, challenging the for­
mula for success and the life style of
Blacks such as Wiley. In trying to resolve
that crisis, Wiley faced the taunts of
fellow Blacks who accused him of forsak­
ing his race. Wiley underwent a painful
struggle to resolve that dilemma, in the
process discovering his own Black roots
and committing himself to the struggle
for equality. As Dr. Kenneth Clark, the
nation's most eminent Black psychologist,
said of the book: “The Kotzes have
skillfully captured the human dilemma
faced by George Wiley and other Blacks
and described by W.E.B. DuBois: 'One
ever feels his twoness, an American, a
Negro, two souls, two thoughts, two
unreconciled strivings; two warring
ideals in one Black body.' ’’
Wiley was a complex man. He devoted
GEORGE WILEY
one portion of his life to a highly educated
white woman; another portion to the
poorest and most downtrodden of Black
women. Part of him was always the
intellectual, the scholar; yet another part
was always the activist. Describing the
book’s treatment of Wiley’s inner strug­
gle and the larger struggle for social
justice, Studs Terkel commented. “It is a
book of glory."
In its second theme, the book contri
butes new information and insights into a
traumatic period of American history,
explaining the rise of the civil rights
movement, and dissecting the events and
reasons for its eventual collapse. The
book presents one of the first treatments
of the civil rights movement in the North.
And it deals at length with a unique
phenomenon; Defying the theories of
political scientists, Wiley successfully
organized thousands of women into his
National Welfare Rights Organization,
forcing reforms in the welfare system,
and helping to precipitate the welfare
crisis that faces the nation today. At the
end of his life, Wiley founded a new
Movement for Economic J ustice, pioneer
ing in the new efforts, now spreading
around the country, to build coalitions
between poor, working class, and middle
class people, to achieve populist reforms
in the society.
The book provides perspective to the
current national debate over welfare
reform and suggests how the country can
achieve meaningful reform.
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