i
b
Portland Obaerve,
Fighting the PMSC 'blacklist’
Behind the wall
(Continued from Page 1 Column 6)
Then I began to get a twinge of what I
disregarded as a sixth sense while at
P.M.S.C., the final interview for the job
was with the director and his supervisor,
who looked vaguely familiar.
He had
the door to open he sees a reflection of
it slowly enters the vein. The liquid
been on the board of one of the delegate
by Jim Hall »37727
himself in a front window, coat collar
begins to turn red. He squeezes the bulb
agencies asking P.M.S.C. for more money
pulled up. hunched over from the cold and
slowly, ever so slowly, until nothing is
near the end. Then I was asked to w rite a
It's one o'ciork in the morning. He'»
the pain in his body. “God. is that me'.’",
job description for myself that should
left but a tiny speck of blood at the
walking down a deserted city street. He
he wants to scream in his misery.
have been available with the announce
bottom of the drqpper.
walks with his hands in his pockets and
Finally, to his relief, the door opens. No
Now his whole body has relaxed, and
ment
and to spend money as needed. It
his shoulders slumped. He is cold. There
words are necessary in this house.
there is a slightly smile on his face as he
could have been the perfect opportunity
is a fear in his eyes and a pain in his body
They’ve got it down to a constant routine
for development if...If the director hadn't
sighs, "ahhh.“ He feels warm, secure,
that he can feel from head to toe. His
always the same quality and quantity
been stuck at that level for nine years...if
like he's the "Lord of the W orld." and all
muscles spasm, his mouth salivates, his
of drug, always the same price. This is
there had been adequate compensation
his subjects worship him. Ah yes, nobody
stomach churns. He even feels ugly, like
the "shooting gallery."
for a sixty hour w eek...if there had been
could feel this good, this secure, this
a monstrous caricature of a man. He holds
As he hands his money to the man he is
loved.
career ladders and incentives...if there
a tw enty dollar bill clutched tightly in his
given a small rubber bag in return. He
He opens his eyes - time has passed.
had been authority to go with my
sweaty hand. This trembling bit of
heads to the living room where there are
He withdraws the needle from his arm,
responsibilities...if there had been a bud
humanity is a drug addict and he needs
always two or three people sitting
cleans it, wraps it back up into its plastic
get and accounting procedure that I
a fix. His bones even hurt.
around, eyes closed, listening to soft
cocoon, and replaces it in his sock. As he
asked for, to plan in by departm ent...if I
"Oh God, dear God. let him be home,
music, all alone in their own world.
prepares to leave the house he catches a
didn't smell a set-up when I found out
please let him be home.'' he thinks as he
He takes a small plastic package from
glimpse of himself in the m irror.
that the supervisor is "incidentally" the
totters down the street. A t times, during
his sock. The man has already furnished
“W hat the hell," he thinks, a little
son-in-law of...Connie McCready. How
moments like this, he remembers the
him with a glass of water. He makes
skinny but that just makes me look more
could I feel secure spending money
ifood old days before his habit got so
preparations - empty bag into spoon, add
aesthetic.” He combs his hair and winks
without adequate procedures being in
heavy. The times when he still had his
w ater, stir. He smiles to himself. "It's
at his image in the mirror.
place, especially after the allegations of
car and a nice wardrobe for a good front -
almost like cooking a quick meal. A meal
As he walks out the door he's still
mismanagement against P.M.S.C.? How
and a woman that cared about him. But
for a king, for a sick junkie." he thinks,
wearing that dreamy, contented smile.
could I feel that there was a future in that
that's all gone now, and all that's left to
He pulls his coat closer around himself
as he continues his cherished ritual -
Bureau for me when a management
remind him of it is the healed scars on the
and looks thoughtfully up at the dark,
match to spoon, cotton in spoon,
appraisal that condemned much of what
inside of his arm. That, and the ache in
needle in cotton. Now he is trembling
gray, stormy sky, as he says to himself,
was and was not in practice in the Bureau
his heart.
even more than he was outside.
His
“Hell, it ’s not so bad out here. I t ’s nicer
of Parks and Recreation and drastic
f inally he reaches the connection's
forehead is beaded with sweat. He ties
than when I went inside. This weather
reorganization was recommended. This
pad. “Thank God. he's here," he sighs as
his arm off and places the needle lightly
sure can change quick."
time, I listened to my twinge and listed
he knocks on the door. As he's waiting for
against his skin. He U ps the dropper, and
the areas of concern, discord and malaise
in a letter, turned it in with my resigna
tion, and split.
collective body and second largest con
Observer: But let's get back to
To the Editor:
We. as inmates, suffer everyday. P oliti
centration of Blacks in Oregon, shall not
P.M.S.C. How did you get involved in the
cally and sensitively.
Is it something
be intimidated. W e will exhaust our
first place? I thought you were politically
My name is Woodrow V. Broadnax. I
unmentionable that you cannot compre
selves politically to curtail violence. W e
and philosophically opposed to every
am th irty years old. I consider Portland
hend we are suffering?
O r is the
are not racist. W e will embrace those
thing P.M.S.C. stood for. Wasn't your
my home. I am an inmate at Oregon
Observer mainly interested in filling a
who embrace us.
W e need you, the
work there a contradiction to a strong
State Penitentiary »39989.
void in its paper while Baker raves of
pipeline to the community, to understand
self-reliant position for Black people?
Presently, it too is my home. There are
possible future syndications and his ob
emphatically that we are being crushed,
Fuller: How indeed. You are right of
definitely expectations of Black fellow
session to present positive views, at our
and need your support. W e need you to
course, I did and still feel that the U.S.
ship within, that the "Behind the W all"
cost, for some egotistic adventure?
know the truth about the racism which is
Government offered a carrot in the “W ar
column's purpose is to expose injustices
The sum total of the population here is
inherent within this institution.
on Poverty." O .E.O . and later C.S.A.,
and views of Blacks incarcerated at
1,500.
I t is overcrowded and w ith
The negative, in response to our prob
“community-based programs", to literally
O.S.P.
Yet. M r. Baker chooses to
lems are positive steps to inform the
summer near tensions are beginning to
make jack asses of the Black community
stereotype these views as negative and
overload. W e Black, as well as other
community and keep them aware of what
as they chased that carrot; to skim the
cares to exploit the column with what he
is really going on "Behind the W all."
ethnic groups do not total fifty percent of
most “m ilitant” off the streets and turn
refers to as positive news. Which doe»
the population. Which means that the
We are not satisfied with M r. Baker's
rhetoric without a plan into the same ol’
not concern or benefit our position in this
performance. No we do not have any
caucasion is the m ajority over all. Both
white plan tation by pulling the cart of
institution or on the streets.
dislike for M r. Baker, we feel he should
Black and whites are suffering, which
white supremacy a little longer. This
I ask. M r. Baker, is the “Behind the
breeds confusion.
embrace our position and set aside his
meant that those who came off the street,
W ail" column of the people or the
other ambitions. W e are foremost. And
Some confusion is in regards to the
then had a stake in exploiting other Black
administration? W e do not care to have
the tru th is our major concern. L et me
M atrix System, which in itself is faulty. It
people on behalf of the Euro-American
the column cluttered with news such as.
reiterate, we are suffering. I t is tim e you
encompasses double jeopardy, it sets
“system" they had been trained to func
John Aikens carrying a Bible, when Ira
ridiculous maximum sentences. A man is
began to work with us to better our
tion within. I could blame those who call
Blalock constantly states obacentities on
sentenced by the court and if enough
condition.
themselves radical Black leaders (the
our beliefs and goals, yet he demands
aggravation is involved can be re-sen
It is your condition, we are of the
militant Integrationists; Panthers, and
time with little care toward our rehabili
tenced by the parole board, that is double
community we will eventually return to
the separatists: Nationalists) for not
tat ion. If it ts of the people then express
jeopardy and an infringement on proper
the community.
having their own alternative plan to
and champion the peoples' cause.
jurisprudence.
Can you embrace us dehumanized,
direct the Black community as did G ar
I a«k the Portland O bserver to keep
Another negative factor which exists is stagnated as you go forward?
vey or the Muslims.
The Poverty
positivity as a factor as it pertains to the
racism and expectations of racial vio
Programs, however, with all their faults
inmates and not so much the adm inistra
lence. Let me say once again we are the
W e need your Solidarity and Support
did provide opportunity to many, to learn
tion and our incarcerators.
W e are
minority here. This is another breeder of
Woodrow V. Broadnax
organizational and administrative skills.
suffering. This is the negative and the
confusion and fear.
How we as a people have used those
UHURU
roots of some of the problems.
It is not a rare occurence for a Black to
2805 State Street
opportunities for our development is
be denied even the right to eat where he
Salem, Oregon 97310
another m atter. W ith so much work to be
desires in the chow hall.
W e. as a
done, there should never be unemploy
ment if we work just to meet our needs,
as a people. I could blame them, but that
to comprehend the rhetorics associated
large.
Should the recipient of such
would not be fair, because no one was
with constructive change or individual
material become incapable of accepting
prepared for the “spontaneous combus
progress.
the contents as valid or factual, whether
tion" of the sixties. Yet, our present
Regardless of race, creed or nationality
it be w ritten , voiced or opinionated, it is
condition of enslavement is clear when
there is always an existing minority
not only the right of the people, but their
Black people still have to seek employ
compelled through lack of incentive or
appointed duty to question the validity of
ment, a house, food or clothing from the
initiative to topple the apple cart leading
refutable or questionable statements.
children of slave owners. T hat is the
towards constructive creativeness, as a
However, because of idiosyncrasy ne
statement of fact that makes a joke ot
whole, or. on an individual basis; how
cessitated in the realms of jealousy, envy
Black self reliance talk, and yet I am even
ever, those talented, knowledgeable
or pride the w rite r instead of the
more certain that that is where we must
enough, who are motivated by a set goal,
material/inform ation is challenged. This
begin to organize ourselves if we are to
will not with head bent low in shame or
within itself could be a solid step in the
survive, as a people. I say all this in the
fear back away; instead of fleeing they
direction of communication provided of
face of Black obsolescence in the “labor
will utilize these assaults as fuel for their
course it was presented in its proper
market", forced sterilizations and a whole
vehicle needed in what has proven to be
form, but when solicited in a derogatory
host of signals of impending genocide
OPEN LETTER
already a rough ride. Granted, criticism,
manner with verbal threats and/or abuse
planned for us.
constructively applied is not only accept
I believe that is then the tim e we should
Having given my position, my introduc
Fellow Humans:
ed. but for most greatly appreciated in
all stop for a moment and consider what a
tion to P.M.S.C. began on strictly survi
their struggle of obtaining their perspec
heavy Black Brother by the name of
val issues for myself and family after I
Jealousy, envy and pride are but three
tive goal! Many even go as far as opening
Curtis Mayfield meant when he said
returned from Nigeria. As an educator I
of the many diseases mankind through
means and requesting rebuttals of their
"W hy Don’t You Check Out Your Mind!”
had taken a leave for one year from
ignorance must endure in his endeavors
subject m atter from the community at
It is my contention that when a
Portland Public Schools and found that it
columnist is employed through or by a
took one year to get the visa and tickets
reputable newspaper, magazine, periodi
processed under the old Gowon Regime. I
cal...etc., avenues automatically become
had become the head of a fine arts
available for rebuttals or constructive
department in Nigeria and liked admini
critique.
stration, so that is what I looked for in the
I truly urge all readers or concerned
way of work. The critical point here is
persons who should from tim e to time
that without a degree or experience in
become outraged by certain articles or
administration I could not hope to get in
topics which appear in the column "Be
the door of Private Industry and Public
hind The W all" to remember first that
Education was trying to find ways to
this section is dedicated to the prisoners
gracefully let staff go across the nation. I
and others at O.S.P , thus, if a discre
then saw the advertisement for a com
pancy (in your opinion) should appear,
munity relation^ specialist at P.M.S.C.
utilize your energy, energy generally
But when interviewed, Gil offerred me
wasted in the useless cultivation of
the position oi deputy and that was to be
jealousy, envy and or pride, not to the
the best and most intense "education" of
columnist per se but rather with support
my life, short of Officer Candidate School
able facts and information, exercise your
in the Navy, and that was really training.
right to a rebuttal.
In this manner
COMPLETE COOPERATION
Observer: You say “education” as
constructive production, changes for the
ON ALL
though there is a difference between that
better, for understanding towards a
DENTAL INSURANCE CLAIMS
and "training". W hat did you learn?
cohesive and productive community can
Fuller: I learned a lot about pressure,
and will be ours.
management tactics, politics and above
all procedure. Things the one year of law
WE HANDLE ALL THE DETAILS OF
Thank You,
school and my two degrees did not teach
COMPLETING YOUR CLAIM FORMS
Julius D. Snowden »38013
and years on (he street didn’t touch. As I
Poetry Editor for "Behind the W all"
put it into perspective now, the most
important lesson was timing; an inner
sense of what my next move should be. I
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED
Interested in current books about
did not pay attention to it or I would have
African
Liberation?
Come in at your convenience
gotten out in May of 1977. That was
before Gil announced his retirem ent, and
PARK FREE-Any Park n Shop Lot
I had been getting very concerned about
Larry Baker »35021,
O.S.P. Correa tondent
Phil U n e »39520
Aaat. Correa.tondent
Juliua I». Snowden »38013,
Poetry Editor
. . . UNION OR COMPANY
being that close to the top, yet not being
as prepared as I knew I had to be; seeing
the pressure on Gil.
The Board meetings that were becom
ing more and more bizarre; and the Board
Chairman's resignation.
If there is a
mistake I made it, not resigning on three
specific occasions. The first was when
Mrs. Benson was ejected physically from
the Board meeting, the second was when
the new chairman was elected and resign
ed. and the last was when the Board
Chairman, Bob Rogers, sat in on a staff
meeting. A t each event, there was some
reason to believe that I was doing a
greater service for the community in,
“nothing personal ”, as I was told later.
(Shades of the Godfather.) It never is
when there is political power involved.
All I thought I had to do was run a tight
ship fiscally and build bridges with the
community by providing the services and
advocacy needed. But let me be very
candid, I had a family to support and little
time to look for another job while trying
to learn that one
The process had
worked you see, and I actually felt
“responsible", M y real “education" began
just before Gil left and continues to this
day. when I try to put these pieces in
order. I will take those lessons to Africa
or wherever I go.
Oregon and this
sophisticated Euro-American slave sy
stem that supports white supremacy
around the world has not finished with
me, I ’m sure, nor I with them.
than I could do out of community action, if
given the chance, and I had begun to
believe that it was a personal matter
involving Gil.
There was of course.
5 SHOP
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