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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 30, 1978)
. 7 Page 2 Portland Observer Thursday. March 30. 1978 ■ Through the eyes o f Mr. W. We see the world, through Black eyes Blame unfairly placed on residents Nordstrom announced Thursday that it was with drawing from plans to build a distribution center on Union Avenue Nordstrom gave community conflict as the reason for its withdrawal, citing its previously stated position that it would come to the community only if it found no community opposition. The project, which was proposed and would have been funded by PDC, would have brought from 80 to 300 jobs to the area so was hailed as a boom to economic development. Hopefully it would have inspired other businesses to follow suit. Of course there was no guarantee that Nordstrom would hire more community residents and minority people than other businesses on Union Avenue, but Nordstrom had pledged to do so. Of course Nordstrom wasn't involved solely because of generosity, but had a good deal financially. The drawback to this plan was that although Model Cities committees and others have long promoted redevelopment along Union Avenue, this project would have extended to Sixth Avenue, two blocks east of Union This would have involved the removal of a number of homes. Opposition to the project seemed to come mainly from those who lived along Sixth Avenue and in the immediate surround ing area -- people who have purchased their homes at great personal sacrifice and do not want to leave them. Nordstrom and PDC should have realized that they would find some elements of opposition in any community where they proposed eliminating family homes. The King Neighborhood Association held a series of meetings to attempt to get the details about the project, relocation benefits and procedures, and financial arrangements. A vote on endorsing the project was scheduled for March 28th. Nordstrom withdrew on March 23rd although they had com mitted themselves to wait until after the election. So the citizen decision-making process was interrupted before it could come to a completion. Now some of the city officials, as well as the Oregonian, are blaming the people. No, the people cjid not turn down the project. Some wanted and others did not, but they were not allowed to come to a consensus. And contrary to the Oregonian editorial, the community leaders were not "out shouting no, whipping up distrust..." We do not know of one "leader" who said "no." Like most responsible leaders they were waiting for the citizens to make their own decision, then would have supported the citizens and helped insure their rights were protected. Other projects will be proposed for this area and their acceptance will depend on including citizens from the beginning and being able to answer their questions and alleviate their fears. Then when this happens — and when the city and the press stop blaming the victims economic development will progress. Government rationalization protects racists The recent cross burning at the home of Jess and Corol Bryant has been called a prank by Federal Attorney Sidney Lezak. The local FBI, which investigated the incident, found it was not racially motivated. A cross burned at the home of a Black family and its not racially motivated? Lezak must think Blacks in the state are complete fools and whites are ignorant. The burning cross itself is racist. The three grown men who perpetuated this crime and any of those who conspired with them before or after the fact know this. They didn't chose a Black man's home by accident! Perhaps Lezak has a reason to pass this cff as a little joke Maybe he is covering up the cover up. The men involved have admitted their guilt but their names have not been released. Why not? Every petty shoplifter has the honor of having his name printed even before proven guilty. But men who burn a cross on a fellow employee's yard are protected. What has not been made clear is that these men were federal employees, on federal time, using federal materials and a federal vehicle. Yet these men are on the job today — no disciplinary action has been taken by the U.S. Department of Interior. The case has been referred to Washington to determine if the federal government should prose cute. As Lezak said, this determination will be made on motive and it has already been determined that the motive was merely a "joke". This is not the kind of case that can be swept under the rug to protect the federal government and its employees. These men should have been fired on the spot. Now they should be terminated and their supervisor who did not discipline them asked to resign. Multnomah County District Attorney Harl Haas should act quickly to prosecute. There is no reason to wait for a federal decision on an act that occurred in Portland. If prompt action is not taken and if these men are excused for their illegal acts we can expect those with Kian mentality to continue with their little "jokes". If cross burning is allowed to go unpunished will night riders and lynchings come next? Listen, d o n 't o j o r r y i ! ! Believe m t V o lk s ,‘t l i t r t / s no ntfcd t o V r e t ) X m su rs t h a t cross barnina u>as onlu a c k ilA is k prank 111 \rx ___ ) / f ( f r r, u n ' c rf r g fr f f f ff. ff , , f t ■V P o rtla n d O b s e rv e r Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company. 2201 North Killingsworth, Portland. Oregon 97217 Mailing address: P.O. Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208. Telephone- 283-2486. Subscriptions: $7.50 per year in the Tri-County area, $8.00 per year outside Portland. Second Class Postage Paid a t Portland. Oregon The Portland Observer's official position is expressed only in its Publisher's column (We See The W o rld Through Black Eyes). Any other material throughout the paper is theppinion of the individual w riter or submitter and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer. ALFRED L HENDERSON Editer/Publisher National Advertising Re;»resentative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. New York MEMSCT Oregon I Newspaper _____ Publishers linas I Association member H ÍE V W P M P E fí Auoclotion • Foondod f * M There is very Uttle said about the agonies that a Black man goes through when he cannot provide for his family, (A few weeks ago. my wife, M rs. Cal R. when he has to see his children short Williams, w rote a term paper for a changed because he does not have the graduate class on the Black family. I tools or resources to make it more found what she had w ritten to be the comfortable for them, the agony that ho m ost moving and heart warming essay goes through when he sees his wife that Iv e ever read. I have decided to cannot have the basics that other wives share her work w ith you in a two part have, which are the simple comforts of series.) life. No one has explored the heart of the W riters are constantly pointing out the Black man, the mental anguish that he contributions of the Black women. For goes through. example in this month's Ebony magazine He's cold, yes. rough, yee, sometimes there is an article entitled “How to has a lack of understanding, true; com Handle a Beautiful Woman," where one passionate; loving and likes to be cud producer stated that he tries to make dled; frightened, more than any one can each woman in his dance troupe feel that he's directing all of his attention to her. “I ever envision. He is lonely and alone, peaceful, only in the quite moments in try to make her feel that she is impor himself. Many say he will run away from tant." This is the one thing the Black man responsibility, no. Responsibility has run wants, to feel that he is important and is away from him. Does he love his desired for more than his physical appeal, children, yes. Does he care for his wife but for w hat he has to offer. It is our job and is he gentle, yes. as Black women to make our men feel These are areas that have not been that they are important in the home, as explored before so he covers up his true well as in the w ork force. feelings and acts unconcerned, because to In the December issues of the Crisis show compassion, society has taught the magazine, also a Black magazine publish Black man is to show weakness. ed by the N A A C P , there are a number of There are only a few avenues the Black articles on the subject of Black people, man has to build foundations for his they are, "The Power of a Black Mother's Touch," "Motherhood in the Black Com family and they; the community, the church and one other has been his athletic munity." Like everything else these articles make reference to the Black wo ability, his skill to sing and dance which have shortchanged his abilities in other man. that's good too. but a very impor areas, such as science and other areas tant individual is being left out. and it is that are moat important to make life showing up in our children and in the worth living. marriages of our young Black people. T he Black man has had to take second W hy not “The Power of the Black seat not because of his incompetence, but F ath er’s Touch" or “Fatherhood in the because he is the most feared and Black Community"? revered man to ever walk the face of this August 1977 Ebony cover read - "The earth. Society has tried to exterminate Black Woman: A Historical Perspective, him, has brutalized him, has humiliated The Black Women, Sex And The Black him and yet he comes back strong, Woman, W here The Black Woman smiling with dignity, humility willing to Stands Today. Black W oman/Black man, push on at any cost. That is why society Has Something Gone W rong Between would like to push him back into the Them? W hy should there be something wrong with the Black man and his closets because they have not been able to rid themselves of him and of the guilt. woman. by Harold C. W illiams 1st Place Community Service O N P A 1973 1st Place Best Ad Results O N P A 1973 5th Place Best Editorial N N P A 1973 HoooraMe Mention Herrick Editorisi Award N N A 1973 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place ty I JldtM for what they have done to the Black man, but inspite of all this the Black man is the most forgiving and u n d e rs ta n d ^ human that ever live. Much has been said about the torture of the Russians, the torture of the Jewish people, the Indians, the Native Ameri cans of this land but little has been said about the future and agony of the Black man because everyone knows that he is the lifeline of this country. His blood, sweat and tears made this country. And for this country to recognize the contri butions of the Black man would mean they would have to give up and share some of the wealth and let the Black man take his rightful place in society. Every one knows but is not willing to give credit where credit is due and that is that the Black man is the father of civilization and the kind of the planet earth. There is none like him and there will never be another like him and the future without him will be no future. The past and the present is built on the blood, sweat and tears of the Black man. The family structure is built on the backbone of the Black man. The Black man is the reason we live in the present day society. The rich fertile is given by the toils of the Black man. The toils of the Black man are not just those of the fields, or the streets of the ghettos and the heart of the cities but the toils of the Black man are universal because he is the only true universal man. He can relate to all to be related to. The Black man’s peace is but a moment as he struggles for satisfaction over the body of his woman, when he reaches the ultim ate of ultimated. He recognizes that life to him is one minute and that minute has 60 seconds and each second repre sents one year so he has very little time if any, to waste but the Black man must move. He must move on inspite of his loneliness, he must push forward to the front and speak when society is not willing to speak, to be heard when no one wants to hear. to tko The economic* of crime To the Editor: It's well known that the vast majority of crimes are committed for financial gain. To get money. Setting aside for the moment those crimes of passion (murder, assault) and crimes committed by indi viduals who are mentally unbalanced to a greater degree than most of us (senseless murder, senseless arson, rape, etc.), I would like to express some ideas as to how the problem of "economic crimes" may be better dealt with than is present ly the rule today. First, in order to even deal seriously with the problem in my own mind, I have to assume that the powers concerned really w ant to do what's best by society - the average working, tax-paying citizens and the individual who commits economic crime. This is no simple assumption to make, as there is evidence that some would like to see things continue as they are and do in fact benefit personally one way or another; however, that's a subject in itself. Suffice it to say that the criminal justice system, etc. provides employment for many, keeps many out of circulation for whom the present system is not providing jobs anyway, and serves as a major tool of control -- control of political dissidents, those in political disfavor, minorities etc., - and is a means of dispensing the current line of thought of those who are in power (through inter pretation of criminal and civil law). The biggest percentage of those per sons incarcerated for economic crimes do not require the kind of rigid security typical of America's penitentiaries. I f I were ordered by the court to stay within the confines of an area in my neighbor hood equivalent in size to the area I am now restricted to by high cement walls and armed guards, I would do so volun tarily; that is. without being physically forced to. I f I were ordered by the institution personnel to stay in my bedroom or sleeping quarters between certain hours of the day, I would do so without having to be locked in behind bars in a steel box. In an enlightened 20th century that does seem quite uncivi lized, barbaric. W hy not involve the community in so-called "corrections" programs? I'm sure that if facilities were established in the neighborhood to house, monitor and work with those economic offenders, using qualified criminologists, paid super visory staff (neighborhood) and volunteer staff from the neighborhood or commu nity, the result would be a sincere effort by the community and the offender to deal w ith the problem. As it is now there is no obligation, other than a selfish one, on the part of the offender to check his/her behavior. W ith small facilities in the offenders own neighborhood (or as close as feasible), and people whom he knows personally working to help him / her, then there insures an obligation on the part of the offender to the commu nity. I would more strenuously resist the temptation to regress to my previous antisocial, uncivilized behavior, were I shown that my community and my neighbors were with me in my struggle to become a productive member of my community. Do you see what I ’m getting at? There should be no shame attached to ones struggle to better him /her self. I can honestly say that I did not learn moral values or social responsibility in school. Moat of our parents w ere either not qualified to give us all we needed to live a productive life in a civilized society or were too busy just trying to provide for their children and survive. This is a deficiency that is prevalent in modem society and we must work to create a means of dealing w ith the resulting moral vacuum. P art of the problem of economic crime is tied to the nature of our economy. Every part of our system is influenced by our concept of the "free m arket" theory. The concept of “supply and demand". The concept has many obvious weaknesses and is approaching obsolescense, but in the meantime, there are people who would contribute in some way to thia complex and hyperactive system if they know how. I would say that at least 75% of those who commit economic crime would become productive citizens if they were encouraged (required) to learn a trade skill or profession. One area that is going to be commanding more attention is the environment, but it is not yet a “profit-making” endeavor to clean up the environment. I t w ill soon be mandatory and people should be trained in ecology and waste treatm ent now rather than waiting until it is “profitable" or has reached the crisis stage. Others who commit economic crime, but are already skilled in a trade or profession must be encouraged and helped to requalify them selves in another field, something per hap« that is not like “work,” something they enjoy doing. Most drug would also benefit by being encoura to acquire a trade, skill, or profession in addition to w hatever is done to deal with his/her drug problem. I think the most dangerous line of thought and the most unbecoming of an intelligent human being is the frequently expressed thought that “there is nothing we can do" and another, “it’s been like that for years,” implying that it can't or shouldn’t be changed. Sentiments such as these are an indication that the spirit which has always been manifested in human beings to accomplish the seem ingly impossible is at a low ebb and needs re kindling in many of my fellow humans. I know that man is capable of doing anything his intelligence is able to give thought to and only hope that I can somehow help rekindle that spirit in order that together we can change a few things for the better. Dennis Whitlow 837077 Work toward political development To the Editor: to advocate the relavent issues which affect our individual problems collective During a recent visit to Oregon, Julian ly- Bond stated in an eloquent speech before The disproportionate placement of an overflowing crowd at the University of Black leadership throughout the State of Oregon. T hat the condition Black A m eri Oregon allows for little or no joint policy cans seem to be caught in is a permanent making by Black leaders, who seem to social, political and economic crisis.-and struggle between the alienation of the most progress by Blacks has been decep Black middle class crisis, and the reality tive despite the previous gains made in the past. Throughout the State of , of the urban Black crisis currently de veloping in Portland N .E . community, Oregon for Blacks this seems to be a synomous with urban ghettos throughout widely agreeable issue. As long as we, Black America. the Black masses of the State of Oregon In a paper w ritten by Calvin Henry, remain passive in the policy making President of the Oregon Assembly for arenas of Oregon State government, the Black Affairs, Henry addressed the urban political priorities of the State will conti crisis in the Black community, by stating nue to ignore the socio-political realities that Blacks are not organized into effec of the Black masses of Oregon. tive pressure groups within Oregon, If we look at the course of legislative therefore giving a sense of powerless and policy that has passed through the frustration among Blacks, and remains chambers of the Salem W hite House one of the most pressing problems facing during the last few sessions, you would Blacks in Oregon today. Henry also think that the Black population of Oregon quoted that the Black population of was non-existent. In Albina Black unem Oregon will increase from it's current ployment alone is 23% , primarily within numbers to 40-45,000 people by the early the age groups of 14-25, and of the total 1980's. Economically as well as politically population 21,000 out of 29,200 Black Blacks have been victimized by an exclu families are low-income. 71% of the sionary mentality prevalent throughout States population is jammed into the Oregon today, and as long as we allow for fourteen square mile area known as N.E. our own efforts to result in political Portland. Yet little or no economic suicide we cannot overcome successfully. mobility exists for the m ajority of these Blacks who are subjected to the exploits Jerry Griffin tion of the welfare system, and the overall lumpen activity of the N .E. community in general. The situation offers little or no psycho logical relief to the younger Black citizens of the State of Oregon. Yet we allow ourselves to be labeled with the title of an established quota system, creating readily defined negro buffer zones. The Black masses of Oregon remain politically isolated from the State's ability
