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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1977)
Portland Observer by L arry Baker #35021 O.S.H. Correa.ioDdent As one attorney would stress to another who may be fighting a prisoner's complaint, “You'd better have your stuff together, when the Attorney General's Office sends McCallister." (Meaning - you better know your law.) On November 2, 1977 - a strange event happened. Scott McCallister was extended an invitation to be the guest lecturer for 25 convicted prisoners in the Education Department, inside these walls at O.S.P. Many prison employees felt that this request was too extraordi nary and unusual for Oregon's Number One crime fighter to even accept. But McCallister did attend, along with Ste phanie Symthe, from the State of Ore gon's Public Defender's Office, who is an attorney. Ms. Smythe was also invited for her expertise in the same field of law. In the audience observing the lecture were three law students from the Univer sity of Willamette's School of Law in Salem. The Attorney General. Jim Redden, himself, would have swelled with pride if he could have witnessed the "Tiger" at work among his den of "lions". W ith an art of compassion and patience McCallis ter gained every inmate's and student's respect and attention. He answered the many constructive questions the prison er's asked about his office and about criminal and civil law. When the two hour lecture was forced to an end McCallister had motivated the students so that he was swamped with questions - he was still answering questions in the Education Department's hallway as the prisoners filed toward their cages (cells). For the student prisoner's had met The Scott McCallister, the teacher of criminal law. Scott McCallister the individual and person. The Scott McCallister who is Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oregon. The visions of a prisoner’s Number One Enemy in a courtroom slowly disappeared, because he had come behind the walls of this prison and left many of those students with the truth -- not only of how his office operates - but the truth on criminal and civil law in the State of Oregon. What was McCallister's reaction to the lecture he gave to the students: “This is the first time in five years with the Attorney General's Office I have ever been invited into O.S.P. to do such. I enjoyed it tremendously, that as a matter of fact 1 would someday like to become available to actually come back and teach a course in 'researching the law’ to this same group of men.” So once again “the laws of the jungle" avails - the tiger for its keenness, the lion for its powerful roar, but both are govern by respect for one anothers intelligence. Maybe that's what makes Oregon State Penitentiary so unique from any other state prison: because only such an event as this could happen here. by Pete Austin. Jr. #39023 A F R IC A , NOT OREGON!! America, Russia, and China are all trying so hard to get their hands on Africa, mainly because of its great na tural wealth. I f Russia gets it, it will be the first time in history Russia will have control of a great piece of gold. We, as Americans, would rather blow the place up before we ever let that happen! So the U.S. has to go down there and try and be friends. This is basically what Andrew Young is all about. This is why the Black man is in the U .N . today. Clifton Alexander. Jr. as Secretary to the Army, monthly mailings. W e us« the latest IBM automatic typing equipment. W e’re located at 3933 N.E. Union Ave Telephone: 281-5606 r*. His business has grown, as we have, with the finest staff of CA R PEN TER _____ S. D E S IG N E R S and E S T IM A TO R S in the trade. • Additions also has his role to play; if the U.S. has to send troops to Africa why not let a Black man do it! But of all the world powers, we. the so-called free world, Democratic system, and so on, are the only nation with racial problems, so it is time for us to straighten up our arts. The Black hands which once picked cotton, now pick the presidents. We must become more aware of our futures as Black Americans, “it is not justice the whites are after, it's just us!!" Today in Oregon a Black child growing up sees but four kinds of white people, his teacher, social worker, storekeeper, and then probation officer. Is that hell on earth or what? Sure we can say we've been down so long that there is nothing left but up!! Our main crime in this racially overtoned state is being "Black." the sooner we realize this one basic reality we can start to make progress. I have been Black all my life, can you dig it? “PRECIOUS" Woman of mine precious jewel I am your man I am forever and always with you nothing can change nor undo the love we share nothing can erase the years we have yet to spend, together for each day our love will grow and each coming day will be the present living for the future discovering in each other something stronger than love for like Lime, life goes one and so will we because we are life and time is on our side and we are together and no one can change us together we will stand among or against the world!! John L . Smith #34923 Madison joins health board Leearthur Madison. Coordinator of Counseling Services at the Center for Community Mental Health, has been appointed to the Residential Care Facili ties Licensing Board. The appointment, made by Mayor Neil Goldschmidt, is for a three year term. As a member of the Board, Madison will visit residential care facilities to determine if they meet the minimum standards set by the State of Oregon. Residential care facilities are “homes operated with twenty-four hour supervi sion for the purpose of serving persons who by reason of their circumstances or condition require care while living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit." Madison's appointment to the RCF Licensing Board comes shortly after he was named Coordinator of Counseling Services at the Center for Community Mental Health. A United Way agency located at 6329 N .E. Union Avenue, the Center provides individual and group therapy to adults, families and children. The Executive Director of the Center is Ocie W . Trotter. On Friday, November 18th, a Black South African, Thami Mhlambiso was in Portland to speak at an event sponsored by Portland Citizens Against Racism, the American Friends Service Committee and the Free Southern Africa Committee. Earlier in the day, M r. Mhlambiso testi fied before the State Board of Higher Education in Eugene and was influential in determining the eight to three vote in favor of divestment. Mr. Mhlambiso is a representative of the African National Congress at the United Nations and in North America. The African National Congress (ANC) is a South African liberation organization that was first established in 1912 as a means of resistance to the white govern ment's exploration of African land and suppression of African voting rights. In 1960 it was outlawed as a result of its participation in a nonviolent campaign against the hated pass laws. It is still officially outlawed in South Africa, but has an office in New York and works with the United Nations and people in this country to bring greater awareness of the problems that the majority of people face in South Africa. The following interview was written up from a conversation that Rick Hillman of K IN K radio had with M r. Mhlambiso. RH: What is your goal or vision for South Africa? TM : M y goal is to see a South Africa free of apartheid and exploitation. I would like to see it a country of equal opportunity which reflects majority rule inform and action, so that all South Africans, regardless of race, color or creed, will feel that they have a place in the sun. RH: W hat kind of support is there for apartheid within South Africa? Aren’t there whites who are anti-apartheid? TM : The question is, are there whites who are willing to join in the struggle against apartheid? Ninety-eight percent of them support the government. The opposition is a drop in the ocean. Opposi tion creates struggles within families. It is not easy to be ostracized from your family because you take an anti-apartheid stand. Actually, the situation is Franken stein that has been created. We say, before it swallows everyone, it should be destroyed. RH: W hat do you think of the vote by the State Board, eight to three in favor of divestment? TM : The State Board vote is a signifi cant step because it can give lead and direction to many institutions in this country, but it is just a first step. Also important, however, is that it is an indication to Vorster that the U.S. is no longer able to be a willing accomplice to the Vorster government. RH: How is the exodus of white technology to be avoided in South Africa? TM : There is always a scare that if the white man leaves the country, there will be a decline of standards. I think what people are really asking by this question is "W hat kinds of concessions are you (Blacks) willing to make to the whites? Take the example of Mozambique. There the Africans were fighting the ;iolicies of the Portuguese, not the white people per se. Today skilled whites are welcome to stay if they give up their excessive privileges. We are not saying we are going to dump the white man in the ocean. We know that many whites are leaving. But also many have no other home and are prepared to fight and die to stay. A t this point many whites are still afraid (because of government reprisals) to fight against apartheid, but many will change. RH: Is there any way that civil war will be avoided? T M : Well, you know that Vorster is intransigent. More than 42 detainees have been tortured to death, the press has been silenced, and so on. The only avenue left is for people to struggle. RH: What is your interest in the Kruggerrand (the South African gold coin)? TM : I would have an interest in the Kruggerrand if it were coming from a free and democratic society, if the ma jority of the people were to benefit from the sales. But you know the military budget is now some $3 billion and money made from those gold sales gives the government the foreign ex change they need to buy .arms. RH: What do you see in the future for South Africa? TM : Today in South Africa you have something that must be described as being very significant. There are up risings and freedom fighting in the streets. The government responds to that with door to door raids, banning and detaining of anyone who opposes the government. You have war in that country. The neighboring countries are willing to help Black South Africans to win their freedom, and Nigeria is also playing an important role in assisting. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) formulates policy as to how apartheid must be countered. RH: How does the struggle in South Africa relate to people here? TM : Afro-Americans know what seg regation is, they know what it is to suffer discrimination, therefore they can re spond to us when we testify to apartheid in South Africa. But we have to sharpen our approach so that people don't see the struggle in South Africa as one of civil rights, because it is a struggle for a transfer of power to the majority of the people. Furthermore, we recognize a bond unifying people all over the world. Black and white. Working people, who are unloading South African goods, making arms, are being exploited. Therefore, we support their struggle. This is not just a struggle of Blacks against whites. RH: W ill there be a total economic boycott of South Africa? TM : That depends to what extent violence will escalate. The more violent and terroristic Vorster becomes, the more he alienates people abroad. Then they will be led to disengage their business from South Africa. How would you like to retire on $250,000? Coalition seeks input The Community Coalition for School Integration will hold its second and third information and citizen input Forums on Wednesday, December 7th, Wilson High School and Thursday, December 8th, Lincoln High School. Both Forums will be held in the school Library and will start at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to become informed and to respond to the panel with their feelings concerning Portland's School Integration program. Some of the issues to be addressed are: 1. One-way busing and its effect on children and parents. 2. The distribution of minority teachers. 3. W hat the New man Plan is and its effect. 4. The absence of middle schools in the Jefferson area and its effect on other schools. For further information contact: Bob W right, Public Relations, 282-5413. Ask about IRA 'Individual Retirem enl Account For all the answers call 1-800-452-7167 toll free. 10 AM TO 7 PM Monday-Friday 10 AM TO 4 PM Saturdays 12 TO 4 PM Sundays Member KO.I.C. r n u n . .. w a n n Our Ded CAN SAVE YOU MONEY ON REMODELING . Residential-Commercial HOW? . . . W HY . . . • Offices • Stores • Kitchens • Baths • Spec. Cabinet work The NEIL KELLY COMPANY 735 N. Alberta, Portland, Or 97217 Call Now 287-417 b re a d ■9 Civil Rights suit (Continued from Page 1 Column 6) positions. According to Attorney Gen eral Jim Redden's report to the Emer gency Board, the added staff is made necessary by the great increase in refer rals of civil rights cases by the Bureau of Labor. W here previously the Justice Department received from 15 to 20 claims per year, it received 60 cases in July, 30 in August, and expects 20 to 30 by the end of December, “These cases take an inordinate amount of lawyer time in comparison to wage collection claims - approximately 10 to 15 times as much. The reason, of course, is that a high proportion requires extensive litigation proceedings prior to their resolution." The Department now has ninety pending civil rights cases, with five closed since July 1, 1977. The Department also has 382 pending wage collection rases plus forty new cases that have not been assigned due to lack of staff. Redden is requesting two additional attorneys and two Administrative Assis tants, which he expects will enable the Division to handle the Bureau of lab or cases within a reasonable period of time by July 1, 1977. Redden took office in January of 1977. MUSlÒ MILLENNIUM "Portland^ Ftn— t" In J a n and Soul Lpsl NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED MADE WITH PURE LIQ LO VEGETABLE SHORTENING Baked just right for you! Page 3 South African explains apartheid and exploitation From behind the wall When the name of Scott McCallister is mentioned among any group of prisoners at O.S.P. many feel a crushing fear develop. McCallister is known as the moat dangerous “T ig er” in the criminal and civil justice system working for the Oregon Attorney General's Office. McCallister has the reputation among the inmates as having the most skillful and knowledgeable mind to fight in a courtroom, if they are attacking their convictions through the legal avenues of an appeal, or a post-conviction. Also if they are attacking institution rules and regulations that govern this prison, for he is know*n as H.C. Cupp's Attorney on Law (H.C. Cupp is the Superintendent at O.S.P,). 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