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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1978)
Portland Observer Thursday, February 1®. 1978 Page 3 BL From behind the wall by lorry Baker, O.S.P. Correa.tondent Theresas no lighting, no stage props, no draft curtains, and no orchestra. There «a no box office where tickets might Ive been purchased from....bat Z** theihow Meat go on ..the audience was the), the director, the assistant, the preside!, along with the actors and and the show did go on. i State Street in Salem. Oregon, •wept night, a small group of Ttbed the cement steps and filed t wooden polished doors and rounded reception desk in a nt room. On one of the walls t which struck 7:00 p.m. and a ng... It is unlawful to have in such following items as weapons narcotics, and other contra band; maiding the wearing of any blue denim c |h pants or trousers; by the Order o, H.C. Cupp, Superintendent ■ Oregon » Skti Sate ~ Penitentiary.' The grup was joined by the Chaplain. Raymotx^ielaelh. who were then lead through darge metal detecting machine, down a wng carpeted hallway with barred widows on one side and a large barred car on the other. A guard was busily hading out keys, making out reports, nd constantly monitoring the many caarra screens assembled on the Bill» Whitmire, «39007 Aeat. O.S.P. Correa,tondent Juliua D. Snowden «38011,, Poetry Editor wall. room was filled with laughter, tears On one wall was placed a sign reading: (lowed and prayers were said. A long "Master Men's Meeting. Tonight." An standing ovation, by the prisoners and electronic barred gate slowly began to guests, rang out in the room for the open and the group filed through. To a following individuals and their excellent few it was merely routine, but for others performance. The Cast First Present it brought out hidden fears when the bars er, Harold Easton; Second Presenter, loudly slammed shut behind them. Anoth Joanne Easom; Father. Gerald Paine; er barred gate opened and the group was Mother, Lyn Pierce; Brother, Robert lead to a solid steel paneled door which Willoughby; Son, Jim Morehead; and was opened by a guard. Assistant Director, Nancy Will. Upon entering a small hallway and Sitting in the audience was the Presi turning right the group found themselves dent of the Gallery Players, Lea New, greeted by a mass of men of all ages, and a noted Ca.iitol Journal reporter, Al races, and sixes but each of the 78 men Jones. who were assembled inside the large There was one woman who was sitting visiting room brought forth smiles, greet among the prisoners, who had been to ings, and even some hugs and kisses. other Master Men’s Ceremonies many Many in the small group melted in with times before. Mrs. Winnie Combs made the mass to find seats in the audience. this extra ordinary event possible. In this brightly lit room, the atmosphere Upon the groups departure there was a of a prison will partially vanish for the slight note of sadness expressed by this next hour because of the presentation O.S.P. Correspondent - sadness because this small group had brought inside the only 78 inmates benefitted from the walls of O.S.P. performance. The Gallery Players pro The prisoners focused their attention duction of "The Prodigal Son” was such a on the recently released stage play, “The beautiful play and should have been seen Prodigal Son." by R.H. Ward. by the other 1.400 prisoners who had to The cast had driven from McMinnville, sit in their cells that night. They, too, Oregon, to display their talents in this might have been able to return to their interpretation of the beautiful Bible cells when it was over and turn their story. Before the night was over the thoughts toward....words of God. LOVE WORLD The bloodwithin that yot bestir waters The seed f love That it night blossom and bud. by John Aikin I have been employed at O.S.P. since August 13, 1951. I am the Unit Systems Manager in charge of the case work The hopeiand dreams That wbm my mind occur Are the puls that is watered by a belief Willie Barrett | right | talks with hi. counselor, Comusol Maruaka. by Willie B. Barrett »34638 There is definitely a need for more minorities in the field of counseling, within the Penal System in Oregon. With the population of minorities increasing at about the average of nine percent each month these inmates need some type of representation. Someone that can recognize the problems that they have been faced with before being incarcerat ed, and during their incarceration. What I have noticed during my ¡near ceration is that white counselors can't deal with problems related to minorities. Since I am Black, and my viewpoints are from a Black perspective I've noticed that Black inmates and white counselors often get off on the wrong track, simply because they cannot relate to one another. Mainly it’s the fact that the counselor can’t identify with the Black inmate because, whether you want to recognize it or not. Blacks are different and their problems are different. Blacks come from different lifestyles B akke case discussed Even as rflower wilts And din crumbles back into the ground So too do hese hopes and dreams Fade an die until they be no longer Found, no by feel, sight or sound by Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference Yet, even is a flower must prepare o meet its end, by dropping Seeds thatl produce itself a thousand fold. Your lor does protect and evermore defend The seedsrf hopes and dreams That within my mind unfold by Daniel R. Deaver PARTI RIENT LOVE POEM FROM PRISON I wanted » write you a love poem Filled w ill hidden life Like an enectant mother. You could lave laid your hands on pregnant lines And felt to kick of connotation Curled feta like in meaning. Bringing t term the terms I needed Was such ang labor I used attractions. My rhythm were the rhythm of breath. But the pom was born in pain And enterd the world with a raucous cry. I gave it ». Maybe anaher will adopt thoae lines. Words arenever the thing. Fashion m fertile when I come home And touchng you will be my poem. Davis «36586 American State Bank 2 8 2-2 216 2737 N.E. Union . . . UNION OR COMPANY DENTAL INSURANCE is a valuable asset. . . your health and appearance COMPLETE COOPERATION* ON ALL DENTAL INSURANCE CLAIMS WE HANDLE ALL THE DETAILS OF COMPLETING YOUR CLAIM FORMS N O APPOINTMENT NEEDED Come in at your convenience PARK FREE-Any Park n Shop Lot HOURS: services and the transitional movement of inmates. Occasionally in the past a Governor has stipulated that new ap pointed judges make a tour of the institution. I his tour of the institution was just about what is given to most people who come for a tour, such as college students, women's groups, or people who have some clout with the state government. W hat is truly needed is for a judge to come to the institution to spend at least a full day if not two, being with the officers in the cell blocks, in Segregation, and on the recreation yard. Another portion of time needs to be spent viewing the Hospital facilities, the School. Library, and at least an hour in discussion with a caseworker as to the problems that are faced in the everyday life of a prison worker. A few minutes spent in the visiting room observing the activities of the outsiders in their conversations with the inmates would also be very helpful. E ield Parole Officers and Community Corrections Centers Staff: It is a proven fact that Regional Parole Managers very eagerly search out Penitentiary counse lors as replacements for vacancies or newly created positions in the field. These men do a better job as field parole officers. Part of the reason is that they have everyday confrontation with in mates and gain a considerable maturity. My suggestion is that it be mandatory for any newly appointed field service work ers of the Corrections Division, whether it be in parole or in a work release center, that that individual spend no less than one week inside the Correctional Institu tion and the Penitentiary. They should work with the caseworkers and observe all functions of the institution life. I believe that this is a necessity if we are going to have a better understanding of the inmates' problems, whether he is locked up or on the streets, under a parole or work release situation. U 5 p .. Saturday 8:30a. as. to I p.aa. Dr. Jeffrey BRADY, Dentist handicapped, and underprivileged na tions...to name a few. We have accorded preferential consideration to establishing and supporting a new nation for the The current fever and fervor about oppressed in the Mid-east...and justly so. "reverse discrimination” threaten to se t It is clearly within the Judeo-Christian back racial progress to an extent that's ethic to engage in special (preferential) frightening beyond belief. There seems mission and ministry to those who are to be a general retreat from aggressive most in need. Luke 5:31 reads, “They affirmative action programs in this coun who are well need not a physician, but try, and the Bakke case poses an ominous they who are sick.” The Old Testament is means of having the retreat formalized quoted in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the by the U.S. Supreme Court. Allen Bakke, Lord is upon me...to proclaim release to a white man, sued the California Medical the captive, the recovery of sight to the School at Davis because at the time of his blind, and to set at liberty those who are rejection Blacks were admitted who were oppressed.” less qualified. His contention was The thematic score indicates that God upheld by the California Supreme Court is witnessed identifying with the poor, and is now being argued before the U.S. and commissioning special (preferential) Supreme Court. ministries to deliver them. Some of the facts peculiar to this case Our nation has achieved a level of have received little notice. greatness because of its relation to such a 1. Bakke has been denied admission to body of ethical and moral principles... several medical schools across the coun even if mostly in declarations and pro try for reasons that had nothing to do nouncements. The nation must not with race. 2. Whites who had no better reverse its commitment to racial equity overall scores than Bakke were admitted1 by surrendering to arguments and code at the Davis school, but Bakke only words designed to raise emotional tern objected to the Blacks. 3. Professional peratures rather than levels of under schools have historically utilized multiple standing and fairness. Our national factors in admissions policies - only one commitment to justice can be measured oi which is test scores. Other factors directly and precisely by the intention include geographical residency, age, alu- a lly of programs to close the gap. We • m rii relationships, military service, etc. cannot be effective in such policies and It also needs to be said that hardly programs without establishing goals. anyone can deny that the purpose of Quotas ’ has become a nasty word, medical schools is to meet a societal need partly because it has been used to - health care, and there is hardly a discriminate on bases of ethnic/religious greater social need than a larger number origin, and partly because it has been of minority physicians. Further. I submit used as a club to beat affirmative action that a lower test score does not neces programs into oblivion. But the truth of sarily indicate that the applicant is less the matter is...that an affirmative action qualified to study and practice medicine program without goals is like sailing a or any other profession. The lower test ship without a compass and port of score may indicate that the applicant's destiny. And no matter how well-mean experiences simply do not relate as well ing some opponents of preferential treat as a competitor's to the test inquiries ment or goals may seem, the alternative which are usually developed around is to condemn Blacks and other minorities white, middle-class experiences. to devastating deprivation, and the na A Black who has achieved in spite of tion to explosive, social chaos. the handicap, inflicted upon him because If we really intend as a nation to of his Blackness, and has made it to the enlarge the number of Blacks in profes point of applying for graduate training - sional schools, and eliminate discrimina could make a lower score on tests and still tion in employment, we simply must act be equally or more qualified in motiva with DUE regard to race. tion, determination, achievement, and The honored phrase "without regard to ability. race or color” is a beautiful ideal toward The issue at stake, however, is the which we must pilgrimage...but until we national commitment to remedy histori get there... "without regard to race or cal and current racial inequities. The color"...always leave the folks of color median income of Blacks is little better "WITHOUT." than one half that of whites (and that’s Preferential treatment need not be a worse than it was several years ago). The permanent way of life where race is joblessness among Blacks is more than concerned, but it is presently a necessary double that of whites and even more way of combatting racial discrimination invidious among Black youth. These and the effects of generations of that evil. inequities are due to racial discrimination Let us hasten the day when we can truly in employment wage policies and training carry on “without regard to race or opportunities. Blacks who constitute color.” more than 12% of the population com To retreat from affirmative action now prise only around 2% of the physicians, is to invite disaster. The closing of doors architects and engineers in this country' for training and employment opportuni If the nation wants to close the gap...if ties to Blacks has a tone of finality simply America wants to live up to its claim to be not existent with others. the land of equal opportunity...efforts to If parents of five children recognize close the gap must be intentional, »refer that two of their children are ill, it is not ential and intense. The gap can be closed "reverse discrimination'* towards the no other way. healthy threesome to minister imme The cry against ,»referential treatment diately and preferentially to the un seems to be raised only when it is applied henlthy twosome. To be sure, such to Blacks, and other minorities. Other ministry benefits the family as a whole, wise, we have been preferential in almost for if the infected two are not treated, the routine fashion. We have been preferen survival of the entire family is in jeo tial to whites, veterans, the physically pardy. . foreign to anything that a white has seen Different speech, cultural differences, etc. So it is important that the Black prisoner has someone he can go to who can identify with his problems, and relate to them in a professional manner. Having U> go to a white counselor, whom one knows from the start won't be able to relate to their problems in depth, has it's negative points from the start - mistrust on the inmates part, and a sense of pessimism. We re dealing with things on a very professional level, and w ere concentrating on those inmates who do have problems and are sincerely trying to deal with those problems on a positive and constructive manner. The counseling staff now is under manned, which also has negative effects so there is a need for counselors assis tants with twice the number being minorities. At the present there are only thr®« "1inorities « the field of counseling at O.S.P., and though all of them do more then their share to try to deal with the situation: there is not nearly enough. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Title VII of PL 92-318, the Emergency School Aid Act, School District No. 1, Multnomah County, Oregon, announces the monthly public meeting of the Emergency School Aid Act Advisory Committee to be held 10:30 a.m February 21 in the Board Room of the School District at 631 NE Clackamas St. The purpose of the meeting is to review a grant application to the federal government to operate a special pilot program under the provisions of the above cited Act. Emergency School Aid Act Adviaory Committee Members: Allison Belcher, James Brooks, Anna Cruse, Jackie Ellis, Ora Hart E. Shelton Hill, Gail Ingalsbe, Linda Jacob. Al Jamison, Dominic Joseph. Connie Lee, Eileen Maloney. Maggie Marks, Costella McCullough, Leodis McDaniel, Donna Murray, Sharonda Peterson, Keely Pillette, Edna Pittman, Tod Rohrer, Julie Steffenoff, Doris Stevenson, Ben Talley, Joan Vranizan, Ed Washington Herman Washington, Kathy Wilson, Bessie William. WHAT HAPPENS K fA WEIGHT WATCHERS MEETING? Today’s Weight Watchers’ Food Plan expertly teaches you how to enjoy the most satisfying foods within limits—and still lose weight with out pressure or prodding. Our unique Behavior Modification method can help you develop the eating habits that will help keep you from going off your diet. Once you ve reached your goal, our Maintenance Plan will show you how you can eat all your favorite foods and still control your weight for life. So come to a Weight Watchers meeting today. You II see losing weight in a new light. EIGHT WATCHERS Losing weight never tasted so good The Authority. ( ^ Y O U ’RE THIS CLOSE TO LOSING WEIGHT. MARANATHA CHURCH 1222 N.E. Skidmore Sat. 9:30 a.m. EMANUEL HOSPITAL 2801 N. Gantenbein Emanuel East, Room B-2 (Nursing Home) Thurs. 7:00 p.m. For further information call Collect Portland (503) 297 1021 Weekdays - 8:30 5:30 WEIGHT WATCHERS S.W. 3RD A YAMHILL ST., PORTLAND, OREGON TAKE ELEVATOR TO 2ND FLOOR 3RD ST. ENTRANCE The Authority WEIGHT WATCHERS "The true science and >tudy of man it man." Pierre Charron IN T E R N A T IO N A L INC A N D ® ARE REGISTE RED TRADEM ARKS OF W EIGHT WATCHERS MANHASSET. N Y > W EIGHT WATCHERS iN T ER N A T IO N A L . tOZS
