Portland observer., January 26, 1978, Page 2, Image 2

Page 2
Portland Observer
Thursday. January 26, 1978
involvement road to progress
We see the world
by Harold R. William«
through Black eyes
PDC plan poses serious questions
The residents o f a fo u r-b lo c k a re a b o rd e re d by
U nio n a n d 6th A ve n u e , S kid m o re a n d Shaver, fa ce
the d e cisio n o f w h e th e r th ey w ill le a ve th e ir hom es
a nd be re lo ca te d in o rd er to cle a r the la n d fo r
c o m m e rc ia l d e ve lo p m e n t.
The a re a contains fo rty-six re s id e n tia l b u ild in g s ,
possibly sixty re sid e n tia l units. Som e o f these hom es
a re in g oo d re p a ir; others c o u ld be re h a b ilita te d
th ro u g h cu rren t fe d e ra l program s.
O f first concern is the p re fe re n c e o f the residents
a nd w h e th e r th e ir desires a n d th e ir rig hts w ill be
h on ored .
H ow w ill the ch o ice be m ade?
The
sta te m e nt was re p e a te d ly m a d e by Tom K ennedy,
re p re se n ta tive o f PDC, th a t th e p e o p le do h ave a
choice b ut no clear p la n to o b ta in th e ir consent w as
o u tlin e d . W ill they be p o lle d in d iv id u a lly , or w ill
th ey h ave an o p p o rtu n ity to m a ke this d ecision as a
u nit? H ow m any decisions to le a ve a re re q u ire d
b e fo re the others are fo rc e d out? W e have seen the
fo rce d re lo c a tio n o f residents o f th e Em anuel a nd
school w a re h o u se sites a nd it has n ot been p le a sa n t
to w atch.
W hat becom es o f th e o ld e r h o m e -o w n e rs or th e
lo w -in c o m e fa m ilie s w h o w ill be m o ve d to high-cost,
h ig h e r fa xe d hom es? W hat w ill h a p p e n to those
w h o o w n th e ir hom es or w h o a re still p a y in g sm all
p aym en ts on lo w -in te re s t m o rtg a g e s o b ta in e d ten or
fifte e n years a go w h e n they fa ke on n e w m ortg ag es
w ith la rg e p aym en ts a nd h ig h e r interest?
A n d w h o is to d e cid e w h e th e r a d is trib u tio n center
fo r N ordstrom s is the best use o f th e la n d ? H o w does
the p la n to d e m o lish sixty re s id e n tia l units f it w ith
the C ity's proposed H ousing P olicy w h ic h hopes to
e x p a n d liv in g units a nd b rin g fa m ilie s back to the
C ity? H ow m an y ch ild re n liv in g in this a re a w ill be
p u lle d o u t o f the Portland Public Schools a n d into
suburban schools, at a tim e w h e n th e school district
and the C ity c o n te m p la te sp e n d in g thousands to
e ntice ch ild re n back to the P ortland schools.
U nio n A ve n u e o b vio u sly needs e c o n o m ic d e ­
ve lo p m e n t. The p e o p le in the im m e d ia te a re a need
jobs. But w ill N ordstrom s h ire residents? W hat is
th e ir a ffirm a tiv e a ction record? W h a t w ill be the
e co n o m ic g a in to the residents be?
If th e decision is m ade that these hom es sh o u ld be
d e m o lis h e d a nd the la n d is c le a re d fo r co m m e rc ia l
d e v e lo p m e n t, w h y sell the p ro p e rty a t m in im a l cost
to a p riv a te com pany?
A fa r b etter p la n w o u ld be to fo rm a c o rp o ra tio n o f
the cu rre n t p ro p e rty ow ners. Let PDC p urchase and
cle a r the lan d -- then sell if back to this c o rp o ra tio n at
m in im a l cost fo r d e v e lo p m e n t th ro u g h one o f the
fe d e ra l program s fu n d e d fo r this purpose. Then the
c o m m u n ity w o u ld b e n e fit th ro u g h o w n e rs h ip a nd
co u ld in turn d e v e lo p o th e r p ro p e rtie s.
So fa r m ost o f th e e c o n o m ic d e v e lo p m e n t in the
A lb in a a re a th a t w os p ro v id e d by g o v e rn m e n t
p ro gram s has g o n e to th e C ity, P ortland C o m m u n ity
C o lle g e , the P ortland School D istrict a n d p riv a te
e nterprise.
If the C ity a n d PDC tru ly w a n t to d o
s o m e th in g in n o v a tiv e , le t them d e v e lo p the e c o ­
nom y o f the p e o p le a lo n g w ith the d e v e lo p m e n t o f
the lan d.
Not qualified to teach ?
A re professors in state c o lle g e s a n d u n iv e rs itie s to
teach or to d o research?
M a rg a re t S im e ra l an
econom ics professor a t the U n iv e rs ity o f O re g o n , w as
d e n ie d re n e w a l o f her co ntract because she has not
p u b lis h e d a research p a p e r in her th re e years at U o f
O.
A c co rd in g to U o f O President, W illia m Boyd, the
u n ive rsity has an u n w ritte n ru le , “ p u b lis h or p e ris h "
because p u b lic a tio n by fa c u lty a ttracts research
d o lla rs. Ms. S im e ra l is co n sid e re d an o u ts ta n d in g
teacher by fa c u lty a n d students a lik e . She e njoys
te a c h in g a nd w ishe s to d ire c t her e n d e a v o rs to
te a c h in g a n d sp e a k in g to c o m m u n ity g ro u p s on
issues th a t co nce rn her.
Research has a p la c e on the u n iv e rs ity cam pus, but
sh ou ld it fa ke p re c e d e n c e o ve r te a c h in g . M ost
ta xpa yers b e lie v e th e y a re s u p p o rtin g a system o f
c o lle g e s a nd u n iv e rs itie s to e d u c a te o u r citizens,
citizens.
Some p riv a te u n iv e rs itie s h a v e re a ch e d th e p o in t
w h e re research is the p rim a ry g o a l o f most
professors. They use th e ir te a c h in g p o s itio n s as a
source o f in c o m e so th e y can do research. A lth o u g h
some o t these schools h a v e p ro m in e n t persons on
th e ir fa c u ltie s these professors h ave no in te re s t in
te a c h in g a nd th e students a re n e g le c te d . The fe w
w h o e n jo y te a c h in g a n d c o u n s e lin g th e n le a v e fo r
fe a r o f th e “ p u b lis h or p e ris h " ru le .
Further, c o m p e titio n a m o n g professors fo r fa v o r o f
the d e p a rtm e n t heads, a n d th e re fo re b e tte r a ssig n ­
m ents a n d fe w e r te a c h in g re s p o n s ib ilitie s , d riv e s out
others w ho se th e o re tic a l bias d iffe rs fro m the
d e p a rtm e n t h e a d or w h o a re n ot so g o o d at "b r o w n
n o s in g ."
W ho can g a in in this sort o f s itu a tio n ? N o t the
student, a nd in the lo n g run , n ot the school.
If is hard to b e lie v e th a t U o f O has co m e to the
p o in t th a t a g o o d te a ch e r w o u ld be re lea se d
because she h ad n ot p u b lis h e d fo r th re e years.
M a yb e it w as r e a lly because she is a w o m a n a nd a
socialist.
Progress At Any Cost!!!
ûon't worry about Tht
íes in t k t community.,
uiken you’re s€t to inotfe,
in ,u t I! k»ve them o u tjli
Whnt is Affirm ative Action - Is It A
I -aw? Is it rules and regulations, person
nel procedures, social and cultural dif
ferences, religion or the pursuit of happi
ness?
In truth, Affirm ative Action is all of
these. One aspect that has not been
addressed is what is the responsibility of
each individual to themselves. In trying
to reach higher goals in today's society,
one has to understand that the climb to
success is a rugged one. The approach
that one uses to reach the top of the
mountain has to be mapped out in this
manner. How many resources do we
have available in the form of education,
skills, political awareness and community
unity? I f these basic tools are not in your
bag for life, then there is not hope for
success; failure will definitely be the
reality. This is the basis that I appeal to
you.
The reason for Affirm ative Action is
simple, who will survive and who will
eat? Too often when a law is passed,
giving one hope and guidance, people alt
down and think that is all that needs to be
done and the goods of life will be given to
them on a silver platter. It is time that
people understand there is no silver
platter and no one is going to give them
anything.
There have been laws on the books
speaking for the rights of people for
centuries, yet, in 1978 we are still asking
for those rights in the form of Affirm ative
Action.
Affirm ative Action as it is practiced
today cannot deliver because the will of
the people is not involved. This has
happened because people have allowed
themselves to become lazy. Affirm ative
Action is what you want for yourself. Are
you willing to be affirm ative for a better
way of life and to act now to assure that
that way of life becomes a reality. Some
people think Affirm ative Action is a
handful of jobs and a contract here and
there. W ell, it is and it ain't.” I t ’s only a
beginning. Communities must unite and
develop long range goals relating to
employment, education, housing and poll
tical representation. This is the founds
tion that must be built in order for
Affirm ative Action to have a lasting
effect on your lives.
Communities are not speaking up poli
tically, assuming that someone else is
speaking for them and looking after their
interest. History should tell you this is
not so. Children in the public schools
must be given the basic tool of education
in order to survive in this hostile society.
The church must speak to the needs of
all people especially for those who can't
speak for themselves. Communities must
become politically active and elect repre
sentatives that will speak for the commu
nity's interests. These things make true
Affirm ative Action.
Too long disadvantaged people have
been fighting over crumbs. It is time that
they share the loaf of bread and begin
anew. I f this can happen, then Affirma
tive Action will be a reality.
School District, city relationship questioned
To the Editor;
Obscenities
“Politics make strange bedfellows" is
the cliche', and thanks to the intelligent,
incisive w it of Mrs. Vesia liv in g , we
have the corollary analogy of “shacking
up politically. The "marriage" referred
to is between the city and schools. I
would like to see that concept expanded,
(e rta in ly , as Mrs. Loving stated, mar
riage would be too legitimate, too legal a
status for this assignation.
1 am not a peeping tom, and I think we
do have a case of consenting adults here,
but as a Black citizen!?) I must invade the
privacy of this coupling and snatch the
covers off. • I want to know who is
assuming what position. Is the city or
schools being seduced? Who is giving up
what?
W hat perversions are being
practiced?
No doubt this will be considered
obscene or my w riting about it maybe
thought pornographic to those in power,
but as a Vietnam veteran, I can tell the
reader firsthand that the abuse of power,
with their children, while scattering the
military or political, to dominate people is
Black poor around the city.
Thus
the real obscenity, not sexual analogies.
achieving what the “liberal" Newman
The racism of that foreign war and this
Plan and schools could not do in the face
400 year old domestic war is obscene, not
of opposition.
my analysis. I m not sure who is playing
Since the Vannport floods, the unity of
the whore, who is the pimp, whether
the Black community geographic and
there is a high class call girl or common
political, has declined precipitously. It
street w alker making connections in City
has reached the point where Black folks
Hall or at the School Administration
Building, but I do believe that the Black can now be useful in obtaining federal
money and the power it generates for the
community is getting raped (again).
Of course the more serious crime is city and school officials. Yet, the same
Black poor population that generates this
against the children, our children, our
resource
and political power receives
future. It is a crime against humanity, a
poor services, poor education, and few
violation of human rights that allow a
jobs
people to control the destiny of their
Self-determination is being thwarted in
children.
The proposed commission
Portland and South Africa, while racism
should be aborted unless it assures our
behind closed doors or on the street, is
children's right to a full life. The ballot
business as usual.
But "racism" like
and courts must become sanctions
"marriage" is not analytically precise
against other morally degenerate “inten
enough. W hite supremacy is far more
tions”.
accurate in concept and best identifies
These lessthan-honorable intentions
the intent of these liberal proposals.
are in the city's housing policy too, which
would "gentrify” valuable inner-city pro
Donald M. Fuller
perty with white middlers who once fled
Reconsider Krugerrand sales policy
To the Editor:
M r. J. Richard Nokes takes the Port
land City Council to task for it's 3-2 vote
asking Portlanders not to buy the blood
stained Krugerrand. Although I was far
from surprised by his position, I could not
help but be disappointed at this position
taken by such a self-styled community
leaders.
A close look at Nokes' article conveys
the impression that he was far from clear
what the vote was all about. I don't think
that the vote was intended to tell the
people of Portland what to do and what
not to do. Nor was the reference to the
newspapers, radio and television to tell
them what to and what not to broadcast.
My understanding of the word "reconaid
er” is, simply, "think about it.”
The positions taken by the Honourable
Commissioners Jordan and Schwab and
Mayor Goldschmidt were intended to
affirm their opposition to the policies of
the South African dictatorship. I, am a
student from Zimbabwe ("Rhodesia") and
today, am essentially a man without a
country because of the “South African
mentality." It is because of South Africa
that the lan Smith regime has survived
so long, carrying on it's reign of terror.
The purpose in trying to stop the sale
of the Krugerrand is to cripple the ailing
South African economy.
She (South
Africa) needs the money from these sales
to buy more guns, bombs, jet fighters,
build more prisons, and torture chambers
so she can go on harassing, torturing and
murdering innocent civilians whose only
crime is to fight for the self same
freedoms that the American Founding
Fathers fought for.
Of the City Council, a M r. Claggett
asks, “Do you know how many American
jokes are involved and do you intend to
jeopardize those jobs?" I suppose Nokes.
Claggett et al would sacrifice 25 million
Africans in order to save a few hundred
American jobs!
Wg Africans always
wonder why it is that when it comes to
American affairs, there are always so
many people ready to defend the cause of
freedom, equality and justice but when it
comes to Africa, the almighty dollar
always comes first.
The argument that a boycott of South
Africa would hurt Blacks more than
whites does not hold because it is the
Africans who started calling for the*
boycott. To the Mayor, Commissioners
Schwab and Jordan. I say: “Bravo! Your
efforts are very much appreciated." I
would also like to commend M r. John
Donaldson. Professor Kenneth Holmes,
the American Friends Service Commit
tee, the Portland Committee Against
Racism. Portland State University's Dr.
William H. Little and all other organize
tions and individuals who have joined in
this fight against oppression.
As to
Nokes, Claggett, Ivancie and McCready,
one word will suffice: R E C O N S ID E R .
N. Fungai Kumbula
(A 23-year-old Zimbabwe national and
third year student at Portland State
University. |
Appreciates editorial concern
To the Editor:
I am w riting to thank you for the
excellent job done by the Observer staff
concerning and informing the Black com
munity, as well as the City of Portland
about the redistricting proposal which
was presented to the Portland School
Board in June by School Board member
Jonathan Newman. The plan would have
denied Black students from Boise and
King Elementary Schools an opportunity
to go to Jefferson High School after
October 1, 1977, after graduation from
Boise and King, even if they had a desire
to go and lived in the area.
It was through your endless efforts and
courageous approach in keeping the
unpopular proposal and issues before the
public, that the unjust plan has been
dropped. W ithout your perseverence in
dealing with this in the Observer, the
“Newman Plan" like all other bad plans
and programs that the School Board have
forced upon the Black community. The
Newman Plan would have been shoved
down the Black community’s throat, no
m atter how bitter the taste was.
I, as well as others, know that the
defeat of the "Newman Plan” was more a
test of principle, rather than a solution to
an unjust and complex problem. In fact it
was just one drop of rain in a bucket of
sand. But now that the door has been
opened to the community I hope Black
parents take the opportunity to demand
fair and just treatm ent for their children.
Once again, thanks for a good job well
done, and I take my wig off to the
Observer (smile) for their devotion and
service to the community.
"M ay God Bless!"
Sincerely,
Vesia Loving
Message to Black Americans
P o rtla n d O b se rv e r
Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company, 2201
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ALFRED L. HENDERSON
Editor/Publisher
V '
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N N P A 1973
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 rite r or submitter and does not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer.
Honorable Mention
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N N A 1973
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(Continued from Page 1 Column 6)
- Black family incomes average only
52 percent of white family incomes.
Ixjss than half of all Black people
over age eighteen have a high school
diploma.
- Unemployment rates for Black
Americans have been double the rates for
white Americans for two decades.
- Twenty-seven percent of our Black
families still struggle to survive on
incomes below the poverty line.
“These are only a few of the facts, but
the point is clear. We are a long way
from our goal of a society with equal
opportunity and justice for all. In moving
toward this goal, our focus today must be
on jobs
decent jobs, gixxl paying jobs,
jobs with a challenge, jobs with a future.
"That is why my first priority, and I
think it should be yours, as well, is
passage of the Humphrey Hawkins Full
Employment Bill. This bill will commit
the government to full employment in a
politically accountable manner that has
never existed in the past. It will make full
employment the central focus on our
nation's economic policy. It will result in
a new and unparalleled push for full
employment in America.
"Don't listen to those who say this bill
is watered down and not worth fighting
for. Most of these people have no idea
how national economic policy decisions
are made. Many of these instant experts
have never taken the time or trouble to
read the bill. Some of these comments
tors are trying to kill the bill by
convincing its supporters that it is mean
ingiess.
“I will never deceive you, and I belie
you know it. This legislation is a must,
is no miracle cure, but it is an indisper
able step toward economic justice. V
must keep up the fight. If we do. I assu
you it will be well worth every effort yi
make."
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