. 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
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■V
P o rtla n d O b s e rv e r
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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