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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 1978)
Hra France» Sohoen-Xewspaper Roos U n iv e rs ity of Oregon L ib ra ry tugene, Oregon 9/403 PORTLAND Gladys McCoy wins commission race OBSER/ER Vohuae 8 N». 22 Thursday, May 25, 1978 10c par copy Gladys McCoy was an easy winner in the race for the Democratic Party nomi nation to County Commiasion, Position 5. Competing with six other candidates, Mrs. McCoy received more than 3,500 votes more than her closest contenders, former State Representative Harvey Akeson and Gresham councilperson Paula Bentley. Mrs. McCoy will face an easy race in November with the Republican candi date, Carl Neuberger. Berna Plummer, Republican candidate for the same position, was defeated by Neuberger. Carol Bryant lost out in her first bid for election, trailing four-term legislator Dr. Howard Cherry in Legislative District 14. After running a hard-working house to house campaign, Mrs. Bryant came in second in a field of five. Representative Gretchen Kafoury eas ily defeated her opponent to win the Democratic nomination for District 13. She will be opposed by Fran Ariniello, an Ja»«« O. PUntoo, Vice President ef Eastern Airlines, discusses N A A C P Convention with Robert Butler of Travel Roberts. W a n e Nana of Padfie Pewar aad Light receives N A A C P certificate al achievement trees Andrea Hollie. Als» pictured are Jaases O. Plinton. Bobbie Naan aad Thomas Keaaedy. NAACP Convention provides Portland opportonity by Jee McHenry The final meeting of the NAACP's Blue Ribbon Committee was held at the Hilton Hotel May 18th. In an address directed to the members of thia committee, James 0 . Plinton. Vice President of M arket Development for Eastern Airlines stressed the importance of viewing the world from an interna tional perspective rather than a parochial view. M r. Plinton stated. “Very important in this global view is the understanding of the fact that there is no one in Portland today who is more than 24 hours away from any place on the earth's surface. “You see. the problems of the whole world today are in Portland's backyard. And at the same time Portland is a fish bowl, open to the view of the rest oi the world M r. Plinton went on to explain the significance of his global view in relation ship to the NAACP's National Confer ence to be held in Portland July 3rd-7th by stating: "Portland is a showboat and it is an opportunity also, because the N A A C P has a new face, a new body, and a new modus operandum. even though the goals are the same the methodology is much more 1980 role." According to M r. Plinton, Portland's character is an ideal crucible in which to test this new methodology, an opportu nity tor Portland to prove to the world that Portland's way is the right way. I t doesn't have anything to do with race or the racial identity, or the racial objectives of the N A A C P. The objectives are not racial; the objectives are not only na tional. they are international, and so is the impact. According to M r. Plinton the future of this nation’s ideology is going to be benefited or deterred by what goes on in Portland and by the fallout of what goes on here st the NAACP's National Con vention. “W e are, as a nation, working in a world of international alienation on the political, economic and industrial sense. W hat better opportunity to befriend and orient that alienated world around us, the OPECS, European Common M arkets, the Organization of African U nity, the Orga nization of American States, than by our actions here in Portland and by our interaction and cooperation with the N A A C P National Convention.” In M r. Plinton’s view, the world will look to see how Portland, as a total community, will respond to the influx of Black people from all over the nation for that will represent the nation's attitudes as a whole. active member of the Irvington commun ity, in November. Wally Priestley received the Demo cratic nomination for District 16 with a win over four time challenger Ron McCarty. Evie Crowell, in her first political campaign, came in third with a creditable thirty per cent of the vote. Preistley will face Republican candidate Bruce Broussard in the General Election. A surprise to most political pundits was the resounding victory of State Senator Vic Atiyeh over former Gover nor Tom McCall for the Republican nomination tor Governor. Atiyeh was the party’s choice in 1974, defeating State Treasurer Clay Meyers. He was subse quently beaten by Bob Straub. McCall's political career ended on a sour note as he castigated the Republican voters . , , “M y whole problem is that I am so progressive . . . so many Republicans wanted to shaft me." Claiming to have an ability that Atiyeh does not possess to get Democratic and Independent votes, he said, “this is the night that Straub probably was re-elected by 200.000 votes.” McCall blamed his defeat on a “hatchet job” by the third candidate. Rep resentative Roger M artin, and the fact that the young voters who he believes support him did not vote. Other surprises were the State Se nator M ary “W endy” Roberts’ win over A F L C IO official Nellie Fox for Labor Commissioner and the good showing of Ruth McFarland in the Superintendent of Public Education race. McFarland, an instructor at M t. Hood Community Col lege. started her campaign at a slow pace and spent less money than most state wide candidates, but she came on strong in the late weeks and received enough votes to put the race in a run-off at the November General Election. Since Super intendent Verne Duncan failed to get fifty percent of the votes, he will meet McFarland in November. Rally honors African liberation by N. Fungsi Kumbaia This Saturday, May 27th, will mark another African Liberation Day, a day to stop and take stock of the liberation struggles in South Africa. It will not only be a show of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the struggle, but also an opportunity to reaffirm the tie that binds, to foster closer cooperation while we exchange ideas and strategies. To bring the struggle closer to home, this year there will be an examination of the shocking unemployment situation specifically in the Black community. The “official" figures are: Black adults 25-30% and youngsters (16-30 age group) 50%. The real figures are generally much higher and, in fact, among Black youth, the unemployment figure is over 60%. Not only are more jobs needed, they must be decent jobs because the vast majority of those who are "employed” are underemployed. The twin evils: unem ployment and underemployment are de stroying the Black family, disintegrating the community as youngsters turn to dope and petty crime out of desperation. L et’s get together Saturday and discuss these problems - is there still a little racism left in Portland? How come we seem to be a lot worse off than anybody else in terms of jobs? Saturday's program starts with a march and rally from King School to Irvington Park at 1:00 p.m. A t the park, there will be speakers giving an update on the situation in Southern Africa focusing on: a) The pseudo-settlement in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and the continuing armed struggle; b) The recent violation of Angola's territory by the mad dogs of the Vorster regime; c) The apartheid regime of South Africa itself after the Black uprisings - which by the way have never really ceased; d) American corporations keeping apartheid afloat; e) South A fri ca's ties with the U.S. and of course, JOBS (for Portlanders). Hopefully, out of Saturday's program, will come some viable answers to the problems of the Black community. To reiterate an old African proverb, “A child that never cries will die of hunger.” We won't get anything if we just sit hack and expect it to be served to us on a platter. The history of the civil rights struggle should be testimony enough. I f we want jobs, we have to demand them; if we want freedom, we have to demand. In either case, it is our right. W e do not have to beg anybody as if we were asking a favor. The struggle is the same. So let us link hands, join forces, consolidate plans, pool ideas and we will win! U nity is strength and Black strength (unity) is something that still has to realize its potential. So, come one, come all Saturday to get this all important business off the ground. Entertainment w ill be provided by sev eral groups including kids from the Black Educational Center, poetry and possibly a dramatic presentation. See you Saturday either at King School or the Park!! Vanport experience influences LIFE director by Marte» M hesüey This May 30th will mark the 30th anniversary of the Vanport Flood of '48, a catastrophe that virtually eliminated an entire city. W ith a population of 20,000, Vanport was the second largest city in Oregon during World W ar II. The flood was one of the biggest disasters ever to hit the Northwest. Although only three people died, thousands lost everything they owned. Those involved will never forget the tragedy and the ensuing struggle for restitution. One of these is Ms. Gertrude Crowe, present director of the L -I-F -E Center (Low Income Family Emergency Center) at 321 N .E . Russell. Ms. Crowe, in her early thirties when the tragedy struck, hasn't stopped her own relief work for the less fortunate in all these years. Remembering Vanport, Ms. Crowe still praises the good people of Portland who took refugees into their homes when it was necessary. An article appearing in the June 1st Oregon Journal of 1948 indicates the particularly interest ing situation brought about by the flood. It states Race I tees Lost In Relief Work and goes on to say race discrimination was forgotten in the emergency of the Vanport disaster, with townspeople and members bombarding the newly formed Urban League of Portland with offers to help house "Negroes." In pre-civil rights days, this is remark able praise for a city with the then racial constituency of Portland. Prior to 1940, the Black population of the greater Portland area was only 1,931. In 1945 it had jumped to 15,000. with many housed at the newly constructed city of Vanport (Vancouver Portland). About twenty per cent of Vanport was "colored" and thia represented about half the Black popula non of Portland. Built during the war effort to house migrant Kaiser ship yard workers, it was the largest federal housing complex of its kind in the nation. By 1948, Vanport was mainly a vet erans' city handling the post w ar over crowding. The majority of Vanport'» population was poor; one fourth of the city was on welfare. However, there was never any discrimination or segregation in housing, "except by choice," stated the Housing Authority of Portland, which took the place of Mayor and City Council for Vanport. Ms. Crowe claims that there was no discrimination in Vanport City, although in Portland one could find numerous "we cater to whites only" signs. Although President H arry Truman had declared the entire Columbia River basin a disaster area, many victims were left entirely to their own devices with no aid from public agencies. The State Welfare Division decided after Truman's declara tion that it was a natural disaster and that the refugees were not entitled to relief. Surplus war property and army and navy materials were offered, but the Housing Authority of Portland did noth ing to find replacement housing. I t was the Red Cross that came up with one million dollars in aid and who conducted evacuation and relief planning despite statements by the district army engineer who, up to within hours before the dike broke, was still giving reassurance of “no danger" and claiming in the event of flood. Vanport residents would be given 36 hours advance warning. The Red Cross paid no attention and was ready when disaster struck. In addition, news articles at the time claim almost every family in North Portland turned out to offer shelter to their neighbors. Many church groups were helpful, like the Church of Christian Scientists who gave 52,000 in aid money. The Y W C A opened its doors for refugees and there were even a few landlords who made some empty apartment quarters available. Vanport was much more than just a physical disaster. I t was also a triumph of human involvement and charity. Ms. Crowe, understandably, has much faith in charity. In 1966, Ms. Crowe and Rev erend Samuel Johnson, present director of Highland Community Center, and others put together the L -I-F -E Center. “People cume when they need, and then give when they can," so states Ms. Crowe. She prefers to think of the L -I-F -E Center as a survival service ex change. Between 1,000 to 2,000 people are serviced every month, and most of the budgeting for the Center comes from charity monies provided by agencies like United W ay. Originally the L -I-F -E Cen ter was funded by President Johnson's Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). However, when public funding ended, it was only through the hard efforts of Ms. Crowe and the Reverend Johnson that the L -I-F -E Center kept going. Ms. Crowe had learned a lesson from the Vanport experience. W hat does the L -I-F -E Center offer? Under present guidelines, a person in need can come in once every two months and will receive a large box of food stuffs and clothing. A typical food box might consist of dry beans, bread, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, potatoes, chicken backs, cole slaw, cottage cheese and a macaroni casserole. For those without cooking facilities, a different basket is made up. Much of this food is brought in by the Tri-County Community Council In te r agency Food Bank, a food salvaging project servicing the tri-county area. The Food Bank distributes the surplus foods they collect from wholesalers and bak eries, supermarkets and produce ware houses, to 25 member emergency helping agencies. Only a small monthly fee is charged to help with the Food Bank's expenses in running the trucks. In the past month, the Food Bank has given the L-I-F-E Center over 2,672 pounds of food. A t an estimated value of 50c a pound that's over a thousand dollars worth of food recycled into the community. Gov ernment monies are only involved so far as paying C E T A employees like Dan Mullins, a driver for the Food Bank, and Robert Williams and Albert Forthan, workers at the L I- F - E Center. Yoa're Not Begging Unless they are handicapped, a senior citizen, or sick, a donation of time and service is asked in return at the Center. “You're not begging.” These were Ms. Crowe's words for a man who had shown up in tears because he couldn't even buy peanut butter for his kids after the IRS took his paycheck. People seeking help are put to work making quilts, helping to package food baskets, sorting, painting, cleaning and helping the drivers. People from the court are allowed to work off community s e rv re time and often want to stay on. Everyone involved in every aspect of the Center has nothing but praise. “The attitude here is always positive," says Robert Williams, the administrative assistant. The L I-F -E Center is a meeting place where there is a sharing of ideas and information. They are not looking for people who are seeking only support. The idea of the Center, like the idea of charity itself is to give whenever you can. Ms. Crowe knows it works. I t worked after Vanport, and it's still working today. Mrs. Gertrude Crowe, founder and director of the L IF E Center prepares used clothing for those who need assistance. Educational Center offers youth conference Portland State University’s Educa tional Center is holding a “Black Youth leadership Conference," June 8th 10th at Camp Adams, at no cost to interested Black youths. The conference is open to high school seniors, students enrolled in community agency programs (agesl5 19), and drop Aid Africans Portland Citisens Against Racism is collecting clothing and other items for the freedom fighters and refugees in south ern Africa. Portland Citizens Against Racism will sort, crate and ship materials to the areas of greatest need. Items that are most needed are: • clean, durable men's and boy's doth (Please turn to page 2 col. 4) outs (ages 15-19), according to Lucious Hicks, director of the Ed Center. Enrollment is free on a first-come-first serve basis to the first 60 applicants. However, students with limited economic resources will be given priority. Deadline for applying is May 31st. Meals, lodging and transportation will be provided, but participants will be asked to supply their own bedding. The purpose of the conference, accord ing to Hicks, is to offer Black youths a positive learning experience and an op portunity to cultivate leadership poten tial. Participants will be encouraged to discuss concerns, ideas, and aspirations for themselves and for their communities, as well as to consider various leadership alternatives. Specific workshop topics include: “Edu cation: The Key to Success - M yth or Reality?" “Communicating Leadership Dynamics," "Non traditional Careers for Blacks in the 1980’s”; "Dynamics of Community Development”; and “Speak Out - Re assessing Our Values." Guest conference leaders will include: Herb Cawthorne. director of the PSU Educational Opportunity Program; Ca rolyn Murray, assistant professor of Black studies at PSU; and Louis Merrick, coordinator of special programs for the Oregon State System of Higher Educa tion. The idea for a Black youth leadership conference originated with Hicks, who attended a similar program in Los An geles when he was a high school senior. He sees the conference filling a need for “a continuing medium of communica tion and affiliation with the endless numbers of older Blacks who have the potential of helping Black youth realize their own leadership potentials." For further information on the confer ence, contact the Educational Center at 229 3864 or drop by at 4815 N .E . 7th. Judge discharges sex offender Judge Clifford B. Olsen has discharged a sex abuse charge against Kirby Boeckel after a jury found him guilty of abusing a sixteen year old Black girl. Boeckel, who is a twenty-two year old white man, and the young lady had been going together for some time when she and her parents told him that she no longer wanted to see him. According to evidence offered at the trial, Boekel went to see her early in the morning of October 17th. She called the police, who removed him to his car. He returned to her home immediately and then she called his parents. They took him home but he again returned to her home. He came into the home and struggled with her, forcing her to commit ora, sodomy. The police, responding to a call. heard her screaming, kicked down the door and saw Boeckel chasing her. Boeckel was charged with Sodomy I and Trespass I. The jury found him guilty of trespass I, a misdemeanor, and sex abuse, a class three felony. He was referred to pre-sentence investigation but left the state and had to be extradited from Idaho. Judge Olsen discharged the sex abuse charge, giving no sentence. Stating that although technically this was sodomy, the case was more one of trespass, he sentanced Boeckel to one year for tress pass and recommended work release. His flight from the state was not mentioned. The District Attorney’s office has received an indictment on failure to appear in the first degree and plans to prosecute on that charge. Deputy District Attorney John Brad ley, who prosecuted the sex offense case, told the Observer that the fact that this man was not sentenced for the sex offense is no indication of the District Attorney's office's intent to prosecute similar cases. T h e District Attorney did prosecute and the jury found the defend ant guilty. I hope that this case will not deter other Black women from reporting rape cases. This case did prove that a jury will fund a white man guilty of on offense against a Black woman. We want to prooecute; we want these crimes reported." Few Black women report sex crimes and Bradley is of the opinion that many Black women do not report cases because they are not convinced that the case would be vigorously prosecuted.