Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1978)
; 1 Page 2 I Portland Observer Thursday. February 16. 1978 We see the world Through the eyes o f Mr. W by Harold C. H i through Black eyes A backward glance and a forward step Board ignores chance for citizen input The Per» land School Boord once ogam reiected on opportunity to include the public in its deliberations. The Board must now appoint a person to replace Robert Ridgley who is resigning from the Board June 30th. The position or School Board member is, of course elective and hod the Portland district not hove asked the legislature to change its election date, this position would have been filled ot the May 1778 Primary Election The last session of the legislature, at the reques’ of the PPS Board changed the election date from May to April — then rather than shorten existing terms by one year they were extended one year. The Committee *or Quality Education for A ll Children asked the Board to include citizens in the election process by inviting community organizations to nome members to a selection committee. This committee would screen applicants and refer a limited number to the Board The Boord, as carefully expio nea by Board member Jonathan Newman and others, has the responsibility of naming the new member No one would question that - they merely would like to hove participated in the first steps of the process. Bu’ as Prank McNamara explained no one else could be trusted to share this important responsibility. So the Boord appointed three of its members - predictably .-ataman Newman, Frank McNamora and Gladys McCoy — to bring three nominees to the full board. The year 1978 » an election year lor Oregon, the Governor's race, city and county race*, school boards, etc In this election year it is important that people t i color re examine the »sues that affect their hves Jobs, housing, and education are the primary areas that affect people of color What must be asked in this election year is. who ha* given the moat in the past and present in support of your needs and interests'’ Have politicians knocked on your door This is Block History Week and although little has happened in Portland to remind us of this annual event, it is a time that we should use to look bock on our history in order to gam courage for difficult decisions ahead. Oregon's record is not good. Although Block people played important roles in the discovery and by Bayard Rustin settlement of O eg o n , the framers of the Oregon The Republican party is showing a new Constitution were careful to legolly bar Blacks from interest in Black voters, until now the economic, political and social participation. Our most solidly Democratic group in Am en early history is not only a blot in the reputation can politics. The most dramatic indica of this great state, but it established an atmosphere tian af this is that the Reverend Jesse of racism that still pervades our society. Jackson was invited to address a recent meeting of the Republican National Com It is in looking backward at the hardships and mittee, In addition, party chairman Bill indignities forced upon Oregon's Block citizens and Brock has announced a well financed the long struggle to overcome this history, that we program to recruit Black candidates and can not only gain insight on the present but a vision convert Black voters. of the future. It is my conviction that Blacks should 1978 will be a crucial year to Black Oregonians. It always be ready to re-examine our ■s election time again. We will see a stream of political behavior, to explore new alter political candidates tracking into our community, natives, and to entertain novel ideas. We asking for our votes. Some of these people will can only benefit from a senous discussion of every conceivable political strategy. I f never be seen again; some will appear in another this Republican initiative helps to spark two or four years when it is election time ogain. such a discussion, it could make an Black citizens are becoming more sophisticated important contribution to the develop and more demanding The political process has ment of an effective Black political been learned through broken promises. This year strategy even if. as I suspect, the initiative is rejected as offering very little those votes will be much harder to get. This year's to Blacks. cana-dates will be judged not only on the record but on firm, hard public proposals and the power to There is as yet no rush of Blacks to the deliver those proposals. Nebulous platitudes about Republican party. But that there is a equal opportunity and serving the poor will not be willingness to consider the ides says enough this time around — we will want to know the something important about the present political situation. Blacks are disappoint - specifics of the offer and will set the price high only during election ume. or have they kept your concerns in mind after they are in office? Has the rate of employment decreased in your community? Have the elected officials helped to improve the housing environment tn your community? Have they addressed the basics in educa tion for your children, not just the arts? These areas are important, but they are not enough. Have the basics, reading, w riting and arithmetic been addressed fairly m the schools m your community? Don’t let your attention be attracted by the politician's pretty words and fancy promises, hut look at the bottom line; ran they produce, will they produce, have they produced? If these things tally up in the Black, you know who to support If they tally up in the red. which is the Inst column, then you know who not to support. The bottom line is the issue for people of color in the election year of 1978. Republican Party beckons Blacks Black History Week 1978 they can find them W ith the passage ol the Voting Rights Act and growing political participation. Black votes have become decisive in more and more elec twns. most dramatically in the last Presidential election. The possibility that Republicans might be able to win more Black voles is not inconceivable There have always been *ome Republicans, such as New York Senator Jacob Javits, who have won - and deservinglv so large numbers of Black votes. And like other voters. Blacks are increasingly willing to split their tickets. The road from deciding not to concede the Black vote to the Democrats to actually winning significant numbers of Blacxs to the Republican ranks is likely to be a long and difficult one. I t will take more than an attractive candidate here and there. It will require more than the tokenism and public relations gimmickry of inviting a civil rights leader to speak to Republican meetings. The decisive factor will be the program, policies, and three tion of the Republican party, i t is only a slight exaggeration to say that the Republicans will be able to attract Blacks only by moving closer to Democratic positions. The prospects of this happen mg are not great. The Republicans have, if anything, become more, not less ronser ed with the performance of the Carter vative in recent year* and there is no administration. Many feel that the solid indication that this course is about Democratic party is beginning to take to be reversed. Even Republican N a Blacks for granted. Consequently, there tional Chairman Bill Brock, who is spear is interest in discovering some means to heading the drive for Black support. regain political leverage. rarely voted correctly on any civil rights Although it is a break with their recent issues as a Senator from Tennessee. past, the Republicans have reason to be There is no sign that the Republicans interested in Blacfc voles. If they hope to have recognized the fundamental incom compete on even terms, with the Demo patibilily between their traditional pro crata. they need to seek votes wherever grams and the interests of their const! tuency. on the one hand, and the needs of the Black community on the other It might even be speculated that the Republican* do not really hope to win a m ajority of Black vote* and that their goal is actually much more modest; to increase their share of the Black vote from less than ten perceni to perhaps twenty or twenty five percent. W ith the declining importance of traditional civil rights issue*, those Blacks whose class interests largely coincide with the Repub bean philosophy may well he attracted to that party. It would not be surprising, if for instance. Black businessmen join white businessmen in finding the Repub bean party a more congenial home than the IYemocrats. For the overwhelming majority of Blacks however, there are serious limits tions to the Republican option. It would seem both counterproductive and foolish to attem pt to punish Jimmy C arter for being too conservative, too much like a Republican, by embracing real Republi cans who are likely to be even more conservative, even more unwilling to undertake the ambitious, activist pro grams necessary to overcome the prob lems afflicting Black Americans While we should welcome the newly-discovered Republican interest in Black voters and help them to understand our problems, our main hope for salvation is likely to be in other directions. As of now. the Republican party, 'though not all Republicans) is rightly considered the enemy of Blacks in the working class and Blacks who are econo mic outcasts If and when the Republican party stands for progressive measures that will alleviate poverty and social injustice, then we can Lake their wooing seriously. JLcÜMl tú Editto Defends Priestley record To the Editor: sen la live Priestley were passed and. or adopted by the House. This compares 1 just read Herb Cawthorne s column with 25 for Representative Howard supposedly about E rie Crowell. While I Cherry. and 24 for Representative Vera usually find his ideas to have value and to * Kata. In the Senate it compares with 21 show insight. I was amazed by the lack of for Senator Bill McCoy and 34 for Senator information he presented about Ms. Cro Steven Kafoury The charge that Repre well and by the unsubstantiated "pereep sentative Pnestley is unable “to intro tions" of Representative W’ally Priestley duce legislation and get it through" from District #16. appears to be refuted by these figure*, 1 am not Black and I do not know Ms unless other Portland legislators are Crowell, though I have heard her track equally ineffective. record and qualifications discussed by Priestley's legislative philosophy is Black people I have come to know- and based on the belief that it is preferable to respect Representative Priestley. The vole for and initiate that which over the perceptions of him presented in Caw long term has relevance in accomplishing tborne's column are in error in several the social change necessary in a society respects with an economic system valuing profits Representative W ally Priestley, if one over people Many legislators have bothers to check, has a consistent record neither his insight nor his courage, so of putting forth socially meaningful pro some of the things he advocates will not posals In the last legislative session 28 come to pass in the short run. House measures introduced by Repre jaw r< i Open Letter Woodlawn It < H i > «Continued from Page 1 Column 3) « / r twcm months a ytA * Portland O bserver Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company. 2201 North Kilbngsworth. Portland. Oregon 97217. Mailing address: P.O. Box 3137. Portland. Oregon 97208. Telephone 283-2486 Subscriptions: 17SO per year in the Tri-County area. $8.00 per year outside Portland The Portland Observer '• official position is expressed only in (U Publishers 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 necesaarily reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer. New Y ork = MfMSiS Herrick Editorial A < N N A 1973 Se the »A m i nui . ___ b SOS»" '«MK» a wrea.AN'S #ne number should 6€ recorded in a c o n v e n ie n t PLAC E Sincerely. Ms. Lillie W alker. Chairperson Committee for Quality Education for all Children $7.50 in Tri—County Area $8.00 Othor Address _ _ _ _ __ __ ________ C ity ______________ _ MEMBER i Oregon iie Newspaper Publishers 1 Association I W p A C •e t» c t p Efí Founded TMS Claudia Fisher Nam« ___ ________ ____ __ _________ ____ 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place *? I O NPA 1975 A L F R E D L HEN DERSON Edñor Publisher W e are expressing our appreciation for your interest and concern about the issues in the community that affect parents and their children Your conti nued support and representation under often difficult circumstances helps us to keep going We are appalled at the insulting way in which you are addressed by other mem bera of the School Board and Admimstra tion. W e consider these insult* directed to you. our elected representative, a* a direct affront to us the electorate. .Although the board meetings are un doubtedly painful for you. you are being heard and appreciated 1st Place Best Ad Results O NPA 1973 5tk Place Best Editorial N N P A 1973 ? r r w d Class P«stage Paid at Portland Oregon 'SkßObc) IstPteee ty Service O NPA 1973 do the job Rather, in designing cumcu lum. well-conceived, systematic, organi zaUona: plans must be employed that allow for ethnically specific content to become integral parts of all aspects of the schools education program." The plan is a response to declining enrollment and increasing minority con eentration at Woodlawn Currently there are 228 students enrolled in the first five grades Minority enrollment has risen from 40.7 in 1973 to 58.3 in 1977 78. When renovation of the school for an Early Childhood Center is completed there will be five empty classrooms. Dear Representative Pnestley. But if there is value in raising issue* and in making us consider alternatives to w hat is presented by many public officials and much of the media in our daily diet of mediocre pablum. then Representative Pnestley is most valuable to us all And, he ia willing to engage in the unglamo rous tasks and grass roots work required to raise social consciences and make hopes into realities. Priestley is by choice a busy man. Unlike many legislators he. at an econo mic loss to himself, chooses not to be employed outside of the legislature. In stead he spends his non legislative hours concentrating on the issues that concern him. Certainly, as Cawthorne contends, his board of education duties are demand ing. but so are the money making jobs and outside activities of many other legislators which no one questions Ms. Crowell is a question mark. She has a small community track record She and others have been encouraged by the powers that be to run against Represen U tiv e Pnestley because of the headache* he causes them and because of the values be represents Often attempts are made to discredit Priestley, and thus to avoid the necessity of refuting his ideas. I am a woman who likes to support women and minority candidates. But. Represents tive Priestley is too valuable to be sacrificed for someone who has not proven herself just because of her sex and ethnicity. Priestley has for years proven himself to be quite able and pure in motive. He has a forthright manner and a friendly, non vindictive personality. He keeps a* alert with his constant monitoring of happenings, keeps us entertained with his wit and humor, and keeps us inspired with his courage to do battle for us at risk to himself A spark brings forth a flame. W ally is our spark |c » s M k gO w r p O Kacpi V f r p r a O bserver V A • b « o k J < > r Oup Sto»«-------------------------------------------- Box 3,3 7 97208
