Page 2 Portland Observer Thursday, December 28 1978
• *
A C ourageous Gesture
w? see the world
An Open Letter to Charles Jordan
through Black eyes
Why not Mel?
k season to give
by Herb L. Cawtborne
Your letter to the Board o f
Education last Monday evening was
extremely well received. It will assist
us in keeping perspective, always re
membering that this is not a personal
battle between individuals but a
widespread concern which influences
many aspects o f the city. Your timely
letter helps to maintain a positive
tone. The tone must be one o f
cooperative venture; in this there
must be the understanding that,
though we have been sharply critical,
we do not intend to embarrass or
malign the integrity o f the Board of
Education or any o f its members.
For helping us to remember the spirit
that has molded us together, we
thank you.
It s happened again! Blacks have been fo rg o t
The Christmas season is a tim e of giving - or is
ten and Oregon will be depicted as an "all w h ite "
it? Friends exchange gifts - children find their
state.
presents under the tree. But is there too much
The Portland Rose Festival Association float to
hustle and bustle to remember the others?
be sent to the Pasadena is a salute to sports — yet
How many give to those outside the circle of
all of the six Oregon athletes pictured are white.
their family and closest friends? How many give
The float has beautiful pictures of six Oregonians
to strangers or those w ith special needs?
who made their marks in the world of sports.
There are many in need - in need of money for
Then there is a copy of the Trailblazers' logo.
groceries, for ciothing, for utility bills and other
Why are all the athletes pictured white? We
household needs. Many do not have a decent
realize that although Blacks helped discover and place to live. Others are w ith out jobs and need a
build O regon, they have been erased fro m
helping hand.
Oregon's history. Our schools hardly teach about
There are people in jails, in nursing homes and
Black contribu tions to the United States, let
hospitals who need the g ift of a friendly visit - a
alone to Oregon.
Your courageous letter provides
few dollars to meet some personal need. Some
additional thrust to the aspirations
Usually they do remember Blacks in sports. It is
need a little understanding and compassion .
o f the Black community. We have
about the only place Blacks are thought to excell.
Most of us are where we are because someone
been patient. We have studied for
Yet the Rose Festival Association has chosen
else helped. How many have good jobs w ith the
ntteen months. For one, we have
been definitive about that which will
only white athletes.
city and state because someone in a poverty
serve us best. We have remained ac-
program
had
the
patience
to
teach?
How
many
Surely Mel Renfro was “ great" enough to have
hold
good
positions
because
someone
else
was
been included. An outstanding athlete at Jeffer
brave enough to pave the way?
son High School and the University of Oregon
And how much is returned to those w ho still
he played with the Dallas Cowboys for twelve
are
in need?
years. He repeatedly was chosen for the pro All
Star team and played in the Super Bowl. He sur
passed the highly touted Terry Baker (who does
appear on the float,, a team mate at Jefferson
The one thing that the Arab oil
who did not make it in the pros.
boycott o f 1974 demonstrated was
Once again. Blacks have been “ fo rg otten" as
the interdependence o f our modern
Oregon shows its finest to the world.
day nations. One o f the more impor
'W
I
live participants in a m ulti-racial,
city-wide Coalition, and our voices
have been heard. So often Black
people dismiss the political process
before it has begun. As you have so
often pointed o ut. Black people
many times come with sharp com
plaints but with no plan o f action.
The Coalition is a prime example o f
how we can proceed toward orderly
change.
Y our
well-expressed
thoughts encourage us to go fo r
ward.
Moreover, your letter and the
commitment it represents w ill be in
strumental in rekindling hope among
us. After Dr. Blanchard’s apparent
rejection o f the pairing concept,
many Black people considered that
to be the end o f the political process.
Dr. Blanchard said, “ no,” so there’s
no use in continuing to fight. The
legal alternative is now the best road,
some people believed. Yet the
political fight has just begun. A legal
challenge, which I firm ly believe
Black people will win, is not the best
means by which to solve this
problem. Your strong and positive
voice helps to rekindle the faith in
our own efforts. This we need in or
der to communicate, to believe that
change is possible, and to grasp
positive opportunities when they
come before us.
The desegregation issue is a city
wide concern. A court-ordered ap
proach will divide the city and bring
to it the d is to rtio n o f negative
publicity. No effective program of
desegregation has ever been achieved
without strong leadership from city
elected officials. Your decisive action
at this time not only reflects your
sensitivity to the Black future, but
also your understanding that a
positive and speedy resolution to the
Coalition’s concern is healthy for the
City o f Portland.
Thank you for your aggressive
and wise leadership. I promise you 1
will do my best to hold the spirit o f
your words close to my heart as the
discussions on desegregation in Port
land continue.
Rhodesia: The politics of oil
by N. Fungai Kumbula
It wasn’t just gasoline that con
payers money was worthwhile.
tinued to flow but also the rest o f
The revelations about all these de
those imported goods that were sup
ceptions have only just now come to
posed to be cut o ff after the imposi
light as result o f the recent scandal
tant aspects o f this abject lesson was
tion o f UN sanctions. Oil, however,
that the B ritish government is
just how easy it is for some countries
provided a stark insight into some o f
currently involved in. Jorge Jardim,
to economically strangle others. At
the workings and p rio ritie s o f
who used to be the governor o f
the moment no one would doubt the
capitalism . Evidence recently
Mozambique until the Portuguese
tact that if the Arab nations o f Saudi
brought out at “ Oilgate" hearings
were
booted out three years ago, has
Arabia, Libya, Natar so wish, they
(Continued from page I col. 6)
(B rita in ’ s very own scandal a la
A great difference in the value of
just
published
a book in which he de
could
bring
Western
civilization
to
a
between $5,000 and $10,000. Twelve
Watergate) shows that, the British
Recipients varied somewhat by
homes on which loans were made
tails
these
and
a
whole host of the dirty
virtual
standstill.
per cent of whites and 14 per cent o f
government, while publicly condem
geographic area. Most St. Johns
was found. In Northeast homes were
tricks that foreign companies and
A
few
years
before
the
Arab
oil
Blacks
received
over
$10,000.
Ring Smith and calling for his down
recipients received DPL loans.
clustered at lower values, indicating
some government engaged in in cir
embargo, the UN had had pretty
In assets. 84 per cent o f the Blacks
fall. was actually turning a blind eye
Amounts ranged from J 1.006 to
that loans were largely restricted to
cum venting sanctions. Though
much
the
same
idea:
impose
sanc
had
less
than
$500
as
compared
to
60
Io all the British companies that were
$18,391 with tw o-thirds between
low-value homes. In Southeast
H arold W ilson who was prim e
tions against Rhodesia and force Ian
per cent o f the whites. Although 13
trading
with the Rhodesian regime.
$2,000 and $9,000. Monthly income
owners with much higher valued
minister
at the time insists he had no
Smith
and
his
reactionaries
to
extend
per cent o f the whites had assets o f
W hile in M arch 1968, George
ran from $130 to $1,921 per month,
homes were able to obtain loans. In
knowledge
o f any o f this until after
voting
rights
to
all
the
people
o
f
over $3,000, only 2 per cent o f the
Thompson, the Commonwealth Sec
with an average of $724. Thirty-nine
Northeast 22 per cent o f the homes
he
left
o
ffice
, Jardim says the
Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was a small
Blacks did.
percent made less than $500. per
retary, was credited w ith these
were valued at under $10,000 as
government
knew
from the word go.
country,
about
the
size
o
f
California
The homes o f 31 per cent o f the
famous last words: “ No other coun
month. Over 50 per cent had assets
compared to 5 per cent in St. Johns
It knew and even tacitly approved
but
with
only
one
fourth
as
many
Blacks receiving loans were valued at
o f less than $1,500.
try does more in the field o f sanc
and Southeast. In St. Johnsthe
the use o f dummy companies in
people (5 m illio n as opposed to
under $10,000 and 65 per cent under
tions. I do not claim any special vir
In Northeast loans ran from $162
largest number, 40 per cent, were
South Africa that were used to tran
C
a
lifo
rn
ia
’
s
20m.)
It
was
to
ta
lly
$15,000. W hite owned homes
tue. It is British duty,” the British
to $16,006 with an average o f $5,738.
valued between $15,000 and $20,000
ship British oil to the “ rebels” . The
dependent on the outside world for
averaged
$20,000
in
value.
Only
2
Monthly incomes were from $140 to
company,
British Petroleum con
with 39 per cent between $10,000 and
current inquiry will hopefully estab
all
its
oil,
automobiles,
light
and
tinued to supply oil. The British
$2,096, with an average o f $822.
per cent o f the Black owned homes
$15,000. In Southeast, homes were at
lish who was guilty o f what decep
heavy machinery, rubber, books,
were valued at over $25,000 whereas
government owned 51% of BP and
Half of the people had assets of less
a higher value, with 31 per cent bet
tion and show the people involved
etc.
etc.
11 per cent o f the white homes were.
40% o f the other m ajor c u lp rit,
than $500. Average values of homes
ween $ 15,000 and $20,000 and 31 per
for what they are, cutthroat capita
It, therefore needed the world
Royal Dutch Shell was B ritish
was $15,133. Sixty percent o f the
Blacks
receiving
loans
tend
to
have
cent between $20,000 and $25,000.
lists
who will stop at nothing to get
more than the w orld needed it.
recipients were Black.
owned. American companies were in
slightly higher income and less assets
At the highest range, ten per cent o f
that alm ighty d o lla r. They have
B
rita
in
,
the
form
er
colonial
ex
on this devious scheme too. The
than whites. They are less likely to
In Southeast recipients received
the Southeast homes were valued at
already stepped over the bodies o f
ploiter, had actually suggested sanc
shady
representatives were M obil
more DPL loans than any other
receive
no
interest
deferred
payment
above $25,000 and only 4 per cent of
thousands o f Zimbabweans.
tions
as
an
alternative
to
sending
in
and ( altex (a subsidiary o f Standard
loans than whites. Loans are
loan. Amounts ranged from $917 to
the Northeast homes.
In this country, even though Mobil
troops after Ian Smith and Co. had
Oil o f California and Texaco). Never
$18,444 with an average o f $6,207.
somewhat
larger,
but
the
value
o
f
the
In monthly income, people in the
and Caltcx violated U.S. law by con
severed
all
links
with
Britain
in
1965
ones to be left out, the French sent in
M onthly incomes were $172 to
homes on which the rehabilitation is
Northeast fared somewhat better.
tinuing to trade with the Rhodesian
when they signed the UDI document.
their own oil company too. Total.
$1,573 with an average o f $720.
done is less. Blacks are less apt to
Thirty six per cent of the recipients
regime when the U.S. had pledged to
To the outside world, and to a lot of
This very ’ kind’ gesture on the part
Average assets were $3,319. Houses
receive DPL loans and HCD loans
had incomes under $500. and 67 per
honor sanctions, as o f now, no legal
us inside Rhodesia at the time, this
o f these ‘gentlemen’ assured Smith
were assessed at $18,454.
but
receive
a
slightly
higher
number
cent under $1,000, as compared to 39
action
had been taken against them.
seemed a surefire way to bring the
o f all the oil he would ever need.
o f 312 loans. They seldom receive
per cent under $500 and 72 per cent
Far as we have been able to tell, none
G eographic differences
rebel government to its knees. Some
They were actually falling over each
PIL loans, those with the highest in
under $1,000 in St. Johns. In the up
was even being contemplated. Also,
of us were naive enough to believe
in trying to grab all o f the Rhodesian
Amounts o f loans varied by
terest
and
the
shortest
pay
o
ff
time.
o f course, the oil scandal is only the
per range, 14 per cent in Northeast
that the British and the rest o f the
trade.
location. In St. Johns very few (7 per
tip o f the iceberg. A lot that went on
had incomes over $1,500 and only 7
UN members would abide by the
Sex differences
cent) received loans o f less than
And, can you believe that, while
per
cent
in
St.
Johns
and
4
per
cent
in
never
made it into print because
sanctions
and
enforce
the
edicts
as
$2,500. In Northeast, twelve per
all this was going on, the British were
Differences are greater between
Southeast.
there was no “ Oilgate” to force it
strongly as the letter o f the law
cent received less than $2,500. North
m aintaining a blockade o f the
men and women. Over one third o f
out into the open.
stipulated. So, we considered it much
Black recipients
east led in the higher range, with 15
Mozambique port o f Beira through
the men received loans o f from
With all these underhanded deals,
more
than
just
a
moral
victory
when
per cent over $10,000. St. Johns had
which Rhodesia’s oil used to pass?
T w enty-four per cent o f the
$2,500 and $5,000, and almost 20 per
it is small wonder that the Africans
in 1968, the United Nations adopted
twelve per cent and Southeast had
They were spending $200 million a
recipients were Black. Blacks and
are now very skeptical o f any British.
cent received over $10,000. Over half
the British proposal calling for sanc
14 perr cent over $10,000.
year blockading Beira when they
whites had the same percentages in
American
or other Western efforts to
o
f
the
loans
to
women
were
between
tions
against
Rhodesia
and
thus
Loan amounts were set by deter
knew that the oil no longer passed
marital categories — 51 per cent o f
fin d a solution to the Rhodesia
$2,500 and $5,000 and one fourth
making it illegal for any member
mining the lesser of: the maximum
through Beira, but through Maputo,
the whites were married and 52 per
‘ problem.’ Having been sold down
received loans of under $2,500.
nation to continue trading with her.
allowable according to the loan type,
then called Lourenco Marques. So,
cent o f the Blacks. Twenty per cent
the
river that many times, they are
The
higher
the
loan
amount,
the
There
were
three
countries
that
the cost o f rehabilitation, or the
to the outside world, Britain was
of the Blacks received loans under
now
relying more and more on the
refused
to
honor
these
sanctions
—
more
apt
the
recipient
was
to
be
value of the equity. In other words,
really serious about enforcing sanc
$2,500 while 13 per cent o f the
one sure way to liberation, the armed
married. Fifty Five per cent o f the
South Africa, Portugal and the tiny
tions.
As
a
public
relations
stunt,
I
only the actual cost o f rehabilitation
Blacks did. Forty six per cent of
struggle. Sad to say, but there is
loans under $2,500 per made to per
African country o f Malawi and its
guess that $200m. annually o f tax-
and related fees would be loaned,
whites and 52 per cent o f Blacks
more bloodshed down the road
sons divorced or widowed, but only
self proclaim ed L ife President,
and only up to the amount o f equity
received $2,500 to $5,000. About
eleven loans of over $10,000 were to
Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Needless
held by the owner-resident.
twenty per cent o f each race received
divorced or widowed persons
to say, we were very disappointed by
this gesture of defiance and made
our views known in no uncertain
terms. But, little did we realize that
y rr» ai r ,. ,
Bank lhal lnlpKrarion built ’
1st Place
the very people who had dreamed up
¿ F i / N.E. Union
Community Service
the whole concept o f sanctions
282 2216
ONPA 1573
would be there to undermine them.
The British gave the impression
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that they were as anxious as we were
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Ml MBf y
lets
l i Oregon
I Newspaper
‘ Publishers
Association
to get rid o f Smith. He had just
twisted the tail o f the “ mighty
British, the very people who had
“ built” the largest empire the world
had ever seen. This little boy had to
be taught a lesson. So the British
made some very strong speeches in
the UN calling for strict observance
o f sanctions.
The Africans in Rhodesia waited
for the Smith regime to fall. The then
British prim e m inister H arold
Wilson, had predicted that Rhodesia
would fa ll w ith in three months.
What was strange and a little
suspicious to the Africans was the
fact that oil, which was supposed to
dry up in a few months continued to
pour in. Except for a brief period
when rationing was introduced in the
early part o f 1966, it was business as
usual.
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