Portland observer., February 02, 1978, Page 2, Image 2

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1‘iigi' 2 Portland O bserver Thursday. February 2. 1978
Jordan deserves respect
W e see the world
bt Herb ( awlhurnc
through Black eyes
NAACP energy statement errs
The NAACP is co m in g under h ea vy fire fro m o the r
c iv il rig h ts g roups o ver its rece n tly a d o p te d e n e rg y
policy.
The p o lic y w as w ritte n in an e n e rg y
co n fe re n ce h e ld in N ove m b e r a n d a p p ro v e d by the
NAACP N a tio n a l Board in January.
The p o lic y has bee n in te rp re te d as p in in g w ith the
o il co m p an ies a n d co rp orate interests in an e ffo rt to
d e fe a t the C arter A d m in is tra tio n ’s e n e rg y p ro g ra m .
The p o lic y is an a tte m p t on the p a rt o f the N AACP to
look past c iv il rights per se a nd in v o lv e its e lf in the
g re a t issues th a t u ltim a te ly e ffe c t the lives o f Black
p e o p le . That in te n tio n is g o o d — b ut based on the
p o licy sta te m e nt itse lf it a ppears that the le a d e rsh ip
o f the e n e rg y co n fe re n ce was co op ted by the e n e rg y
industry a nd w as re p re se n ta tive o f it ra th e r th an o f
the NAACP constituency.
The NAACP e n e rg y sta te m e nt is based on fa lse
assum ptions a nd th e re fo re reaches fa u lty c o n c lu ­
sions.
The NAACP sta te m e nt is based on th e th e o ry: No
g o ve rn m e n t co ntrols = h ig h e r co rp o ra tio n p ro fits =
increased co rp o ra te d e v e lo p m e n t in the g h e tto =
m ore p b s fo r Blacks. The th e o ry is false.
The sta te m e n t says, "S in ce the e a rly 1960s g ains
have been m a d e to w a rd b rin g in g th e n a tio n 's Black
citizens into th e m a in stre a m o f A m e rica n e co n o m ic
life . This has occurred la rg e ly d u rin g a p e rio d o f
expansion in the e co n o m y w h ic h created new
o p p o rtu n itie s fo r jo b s ."
A lth o u g h the sta te m e nt
associates the e xp a n sio n o f e m p lo y m e n t o p p o rtu n i­
ties w ith the e xpa nsion o f e n e rg y resources, w e
kn ow that the e xpa nsion o f o p p o rtu n itie s fo r Blacks
cam e fro m court orders and g o v e rn m e n t re q u ire ­
m ents re su ltin g fro m the C iv il Rights M o v e ­
m ent o f the 1960s. These o p p o rtu n itie s w e re b o u g h t
w ith b lo o d -- not w ith o il.
The sta te m e nt says, "O v e r the n ext fifte e n years
w e must u n d e rta ke to re b u ild a nd re v ita liz e our
cities and urban areas w h e re a very h ig h p e rc e n ta g e
o f Black p e o p le liv e ...A n a b u n d a n t e n e rg y s u p p ly
w ill be necessary if w e are to have a ny chance to
m eet these c h a lle n g e s ." The sta te m e n t assum es th a t
an a b u n d a n t e n e rg y su p p ly w ill insure re h a b ilita tio n
o f the cities — that som e o f the o il p ro fits w ill tric k le
d o w n to the citie s' poor. Yet in th e years o f m assive
e ne rg y co m p a n y p ro fits h o w m uch o f these m illio n s
have been used to re b u ild the in n e r cities? W h a t
little has bee n d on e, w ith fe w e xce p tio n s , has bee n
fin a n ce d by th e fe d e ra l g o v e rn m e n t.
W e also sh o u ld k n o w by n o w th a t " f u ll e m p lo y ­
m e n t" does n ot m ea n e q u a lity . R em em b er W o rld
W ar II w h e n e v e ry o n e had |obs — w h e re w e re the
Blacks? On th e d irtie s t a n d lo w e st p a y in g jobs, liv in g
in se greg ated h ou sin g a n d g o in g to se g re g a te d
schools.
There is no reasoneto b e lie v e th a t the c o rp o ra tio n s
w ill invest in the in n e r cities — b u ild fa c to rie s a n d
housing — w h e n the p a tte rn has b e e n to e x p a n d in to
the suburbs a n d the ru ra l areas It's e a sie r to b u ild in
the A rizo n a desert than to re b u ild H a rle m .
The sta te m e n t then criticize s th e C arter e n e rg y
proposal because it m ig h t result in h ig h e r o il a nd
n a tu ra l gas costs.
The N AACP's a n s w e r to th e
p ro b le m , d e re g u la te n a tu ra l gas so the o il c o m p a
nies can m a ke la rg e r p ro fits , so th e y can fin d m ore
n a tu ra l gas a n d e v e n tu a lly lo w e r the p ric e . W hat
re a lly w o u ld h a p p e n is th a t the p ric e o f n a tu ra l gas
w o u ld skyrocke t a n d the residents o f the c itie s o f the
east a n d the m id w e s t, th a t a re d e p e n d e n t on n a tu ra l
gas fo r heat, w o u ld free ze.
D u rin g th e g re a t
g a s o lin e " s h o rta g e " the p rice o f g a s o lin e d o u b le d
a nd it is s till d o u b le d in spite o f a n a b u n d a n c e o f
g a s o lin e
The NAACP had b e tte r be co n c e rn e d a b o u t the
cost o f o il a n d n a tu ra l gas, as w e ll as e le c tric ity , and
rather, th an respond to C arte r's p ro g ra m by a s k in g for
the d e re g u la tio n o f n a tu ra l gas — d e m a n d price
co ntrols on a ll e n e rg y sources
They a lso sh o u ld d e m a n d a fe d e ra l in v e s tig a tio n
o f the increase in e n e rg y costs, th e g a s o lin e
"s h o rta g e ", th e o il c o m p a n y p ro fit structure, a n d the
w ith h o ld in g o f fu e l d u rin g th e 1977 fre e z e w h e n
m any p e o p le fro z e to d e a th because th e y c o u ld not
g et fu e l. (The re c e n t TV e xpo sure o f p ro fit-m a k in g in
the re s e llin g o f o il to a F lorida u tility s h o u ld be
s u ffic ie n t to re q u ire an im m e d ia te , th o ro u g h in v e s ti­
g a tio n o f th e e n e rg y f ie ld . ) Or b e tte r yet, th e NAACP
sh o u ld c a ll fo r n a tio n a liz a tio n o f th e e n e rg y industry.
The N AACP also attacks th e C arter p o lic y : "T he
N a tio n a l Energy Policy, h o w e v e r, seem s to c a ll fo r a
re tre a t fro m n u c le a r e n e rg y on the basis th a t the
e n v iro n m e n ta l a n d s a fe ty costs m a y be to o h ig h ,"
The NAACP is co n c e rn e d a b o u t sa fety, b u t this must
re m a in in th e b a c k g ro u n d as lo n g as fo u rte e n
p e rce n t o f Blacks a re u n e m p lo y e d a n d th e e a rn in g
g a p b e tw e e n Blacks a n d w h ite s is in cre a sin g . This
p o s itio n m ig h t be v a lid if n u c le a r e n e rg y w o u ld
g u a ra n te e Black e m p lo y m e n t. It does not.
C arl R ow an a n d o thers h ave b la m e d th e NAACP
stand on d o m in a tio n o f the e n e rg y c o n fe re n c e by
re p re s e n ta tiv e s o f the o il in d u stry.
A re tire d
e x e c u tiv e o f O k la h o m a N a tu ra l Gas C om pan z
c h a ire d the N AACP e n e rg y task fo rc e , " w h ic h w o
d o m in a te d b y o thers re p re s e n tin g the o il a n d g t
in d u strie s d ire c tly , or the fre e -m a rk e t v ie w p o in
g e n e r a lly ."
In d e fe n s e o f th e p o s itio n , Mrs. M a rg a re t Bush
W ilso n , C h a irm a n o f the N a tio n a l B oard a n d a
m e m b e r o f the Board o f D irectors o f M on san o
C o m p a n y w h ic h m akes o il-b a s e d p roducts, said,
"W h o g e n e ra te s jobs in this c o u n try? It's n o t the
p u b lic sector. The p riv a te sector does. G o v e rn m e n t
p o lic y o u g h t to do w h a t it can to s tim u la te the p riv a te
sector.
O u r m a in thrust is to m a ke c e rta in
g o v e rn m e n t p o lic y does just th a t." The fa c t re m a in s
th a t m o re Blacks h o ld h ig h fe d e ra l p o sitio n s th an in
a ll A m e ric a n in d u stry a nd business.
The N AACP has b ee n successful o v e r the years
because its c re d ib ility a nd its c o n stitu e n cy. Its
p o s itio n s h a v e b ee n w e ll rese arche d a n d d o c u m e n -
ta te d a n d h a v e w ith s to o d th e test o f the courts. The
NAACP w as resp on sive to its co n stitu e n cy - the
d is fra n c h is e d Black masses. If it loses its c re d ib ility
a nd loses sig h t o f its m ission — to re p re se n t and
p ro te c t the w o rk in g class Black c itiz e n - th e n its
p o w e r a n d respect w ill d isa pp ea r.
And we’re also suing ‘cause
my dicnt.too. is a victim
of reverse discrimination...
Corky
P o rtla n d O b s e rv e r
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O N P A 1975
In un interview with the New Republic
only a few months before his deuth. Steve
Biko, the South African Black liberation
leader who was murdered in calculated
cold blond, s|H>ke about t he need lor Black
Americans, albeit all Americans, to sup
port the struggle id' freedom in the
racially torn southern tip of a great
continent. W hat does th f African strug
gle imply?
“ So what it implies for the individual,"
replied lliko, “ is building up within the
United Stales a consciousness that lives
of whole population groups are being
brutalized by the system out here and
that there is complete exclusion of Blacks
from the political process, and what it
means.”
Not long after, Biko was
murdered. But the world remembers his
challenge. It was heard, of all places,
right here in Portland, Oregon.
It all started with the Metropolitan
Human Relations Commission, which on
November 21, 1977, expressed "its oppo
sition to the inhumane and racist policies
of the government of South Africa." It
urged that Americans reject the support
of South African racism through an
unwillingness to purchase the notorious
South African Krugerrand.
The Krugerrand, billed all over the
free world as “ the world's beat way to
own gold," serves as a source of revenue
for the aparthied system in South Africa.
The United States is its market. Gold is
sold, while the image of South Africa is
enhanced.
War bonds for the Nazi
regime in Germany art* comparable to the
sale of the Krugerrand on the soil of the
world's leading demoeraey.
City Councils in Denver, Chicago, San
Antonio, Ituylon, and Portland have
passed resolutions urging citizens not to
buy this coin of plunder. The develop
nient in Portland is of spcciul interest.
Charles Jordan, the Commissioner for
Public Safety, lead the charge.
In
opening discussion on the resolution
expressing opposition to the racial policy
of the Government of South Africu and
opposing sale of the Krugerrand. Com
missioner Jordan set the tone:
"The Krugerrand is just an unfortu
nate occasion that provides us with un
unsolicited opportunity to say that we un­
opposed to human oppression he it South
Africa, Montgomery, Alabumu. Uganda,
or Portland, Oregon."
The Commissioner identified his moli
vation later in the proceedings: "I huve to
live with myself, und I'm committed to
fighting human oppression regardless of
whether I'm on the Council or on Skill
Row and Burnside, and therefore I will
always fight it. I cast my vote Aye..."
Make no mistake ubout it, what Chur
les Jordan did took courage. And for
those Blucks who seem to hurbor little
more than negulive criticism, the ques
lion must be asked, "Would you have
done the same?" Pur those who appro
ciate the risk involved, Charles Jordan
deserves our respect. And he has it. At
the Payton Awards, conducted by the
Human Relations Commission, at which
Marie Smith received the honor for her
contribution to humun relations in Port
land, Charles Jordan was introduced.
Applause filled the room
The Black
community of Portland seemed to la-
saying, I'hanks, Charles, for your cour
age "
The vote against the Krugerrand,
ult hough massively resisted by narrow
minded whites and particularly some
narrow minded local publications, was of
gn-at importance
For it must be
remembered that "as long us the Kruger
rand is sold in the United States. Amen
cuns will be contributors to the South
African minority government." As long
as we contribute, we loo are guilty of
murder, and oppression, and vicious
hatred. Rationalize as you will. Excuse
yourself if you must
The fan will
remain: If we do not stop to help the
South African Black liberation move
nient, we are contributors to the destruc
lion of humun life in that part of the
world.
The world is inter connected. What
each of us does us an individual affects
the well lining of those whom we have
never known und will never meet. There
fore, for the City Council to denounce the
Krugerrand as the manifestation of an
evil and racist regime in South Africa, all
in this City can be reminded that they
must not contribute, silently or in any
other way, to the continuation of a vicious
government und a small minority privi­
leged at the expense of those who are
suffering
For his courage. Charles Jordan de
serves our respect. For his courage, he
deserves our undivided support
Through the eyes of Mr. W .
bt Harold ('. W ¡Iliums
In the last nine to ten months there has
heen a lot of attention given to the Allen
Bakke case which is now waiting a
decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Allan Bakke, a white applicant to a
California Medical College, charged that
he was discriminated against when under
a special minority admission program
vacancies were filled twice in entering
classes for which he otherwise would
have been eligible. However, the Allan
Bakke case is not as important as the case
that is sleeping in the shadows, which will
have the greatest negative effect on
minorities since the depression.
The case to which 1 am referring is the
Ixtuisiana case. Brian F. Weber, a white
worker at the Kaiser Aluminum Com
pany's plant al Grammercy, contends he
w as denied admission to a special training
program because the company und th<-
United Steelworkers of Americu hud
agreed that half the trainees would be
Black, irrespective of their seniority.
The program was designed to help
move participants from unskilled labor
into craft employment and higher wages.
Under the labor-management agree
ment, the Black quota will end when the
Blacks' share of craft jobs in the plant
approximates the Black population per
rentage of the area.
The federal district judge agreed with
Welter that the training plan violated the
ban in the Civil Rights Act on discrimina
tion in employment based on race. Three
months ago, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals, dividing two to one. affirmed
that ruling.
If that decision is appealed to the
Supreme Court, the justices will be under
almost irresistible pressure to examine
and resolve this aspect of the "reverse
discrimination" dispute. If the court does
not accept for review the ruling by the
5th U.S. Circuit of Appeals, it will become
the established law in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia. Ixiuisiana. Mississippi and Tex
us. placing in question many affirmative
action employment progrums in those
states.
If this issue is not watched closely it
will soon effect minorities and women
nation wide. Then it will take another
fifty years to regain the achievements in
employment that were accomplished tar­
ing the '60s and early '70s.
NAACP Energy Policy
will be largely determined by the Policy
very disturbing to contemplate a future
The National Association for the Ad
choices being made now by the Admini
vancement of Colored People has for in which energy supply would become a
stration and the Congress.
many years been dedicated to the task of constraint upon our ability to solve these
While we endorse the Plan's objectives
defending the economic, social and politi­ critically important social and economic
of eliminating energy waste and to
problems which confront Black Citizens.
cal rights and interests of Black Ameri
improve utilization efficiency, we cannot
We have examined the Administra­
cans. The growing national debate about
accept the notion that our people are liest
energy has led us to examine this tion's National Energy Plan in the light of
served by a policy bused upon the
question to ascertain the implications for the agenda for economic growth and
inevitability of energy shortage and the
Black Americans. In an effort to gain a development for America's Black people.
need for government to allocutt- an ever
What we see in the plan is an emphasis on
better understanding of the energy prob
diminishing supply among competing in­
lem. the National Board of the. NAACP conversation, and a reduction in the
terests. Those aspects of the Plan which
convened a Conference on Energy in growth of total energy demand and
would |ierpetuate price controls on newly
Washington, D.C., November 18 and 19, consumption. The Plan basically lakes a
discovered oil and natural gas and extend
pessimistic attitude toward energy sup
1977. leaders of our organization at all
those controls to new areas appear to us
plies for the future. It seems to make the
levels from every area of the country
to be incomputable with the need for new
came together, exchanged ideas among basic assumptions that (1) we will run out
supply development. We also believe
themselves and listened to experts on the of all primary fuels, except coal, relative
that many of the prohibitions proposed
subject from Government, industry and ly soon and 121 essentially nothing can be
with respect to the industrial use of oil
done to substantially increase or even to
public interest groups.
and natural gas will force the closing of
We are convinced that the nation faces maintain existing production rates for oil
many job producing industries in urban
a serious energy problem. The evidence and natural gas. This emphasis cannot
areas and cause a massive shift of
is overwhelming that the primary fuels satisfy the fundamental requirements of
industries away from areas where most
a society of expanding economic opportu
that supply our homes, factories, farms,
Black people live and work.
nities.
transportation systems and commercial
We recognize there is disagreement as
We think there must be a more
establishments are rising in cost at an
to whether the Plan does in fact offer
vigorous approach to supply expansion
alarming rate. It is also clear that our
more incentives for new supply develop
ability to supply the demand for oil and and to the development of new supply
ment. However, we are impressed with
natural gas from domestic sources is technologies so that energy itself will not
the conclusion reached by the Comptroll
become a long term constraint, but in­
diminishing while the level of imports of
er General of the United States in his
these fuels continues to grow. At the stead can continue to expedite economic
evaluation of the NEP:
growth and development in the future.
same time there appears to lie a myriad
",..(T)he plan's incentives are not
All alternative energy sources should be
of governmental constraints on the pro
greater than those which would be
developed and utilized. Nuclear power,
duction and use of coal, our most abun
including the breeder, must be vigorously
available if existing policy were conti
dant domestic fuel resources, and nuclear
nued through 1985...
pursued because it will lie an essential
power. Efforts to develop alternative
"Also, the Plan will reduce revenues to
part of the total fuel mix necessary to
sources of energy are confronted with
producers for most oil already discovered
sustain an expanding economy. Other
severe problems of raising the necessary
and may adversely affect oil companies'
alternative sources, such as solar, geo
capital in light of the many uncertainties
thermal, biomass, tidal, oil shale and
financial ability to support additional
regarding governmental policies.
exploration.
By not increasing the
Since the early 1960’a gains have been synthetic fuels from coal must also lie
developed and made commercially avail
financial incentives for additional ex
made toward bringing the nation's Black
ploration and by reducing companies'
able at the earliest possible time. A more
Citizens into the mainstream of American
’inancial strength, the Plan fails to come
positive attitude by the Administration
Economic Life. This has occurred largely
to grips with the problem of increasing
toward supply development is extremely
during a period of expansion in the
(Please turn to Page 8 Column 11
important because future developments
economy which created new opportuni
ties for jobs. However, a great deal more
remains to be done.
We still have
tremendous unmet social and economic
needs. The unemployment rate in the
*n T ri—County A re a
Black community is still twice the na
tional rate. Perhaps more importantly,
unemployment among Black teenagers
ranges up to 50 percent. Over the next
O th e r
fifteen years we must undertake to
rebuild and revitalize our cities and urban
areas where a very high percentage of
Nam e
____
Black people live. We need to revamp
urban and inter-urban transportation
systems to facilitate urban dwellers'
A d d r e s s __
access to places of employment.
An
abundant energy supply will be neces­
sary if we are to have any chance to meet
City ________
these challenges.
We note the historic direct correlation
between the level of economic activity
and energy availability and consumption.
Box 3137
S t a t e ___________ _ ______________
Energy supply development throughout
our nation's history has been critically
97208
important to economic growth. We find it
$ 7 .5 0
$ 8 .0 0
O b server