p®ö• 2 Portland O b u rv « r Thursday. M arch 22. Ig fl)
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EDITORIAL/OPINION
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Jim Crow extended to South Africa
by N. f-ungai Kumbula
Don't skip this this one!
On a number o f occasions, the
week, for a six day work week during
gives him two days o ff per week but
U.S. government has expressed op
which they are on call 24 hours a
her neighbors paid their servant less
position to South Africa's apartheid
day.
for more hours o f work. ‘ Americans
On April 3rd, the citizens of School District No.
system
and
called
for
a
peaceful
solu
in the May Primary - asked the Legislature to
In South A frica , projecting the
need
to be warned about the dangers
1 will elect a new School Board. Four members of
change their election date so nobody would tion to the country’s race problems.
image o f ‘ excellent’ race relations
o
f
generating
hard feelings among
However, when called upon to take
the Board are up for re-election and any changes
back home, the U.S. embassy was
come. They have a decided advantage if the the necessary steps to facilitate this
neighbors by overpaying,* she con
generally seen as the most likely
could bring a change in the balance of power.
tends.
grass roots” voters stay home and only the elite peaceful resolution, the U.S. has
place
where
South
A fr ic a ’ s
Many citizens from all parts of Portland have
Sue Gordon, however, feels that if
venture forth to play Democracy.
backtracked, sidestepped and,
segregatory laws would be first chal
foreigners
coming into the country
complained about the School Board, not only
There is no excuse to skip this one — our generally refused to meet the
lenged This booklet, which is being
would treai their employees more hu
about the decisions it makes but about the way it
problem
head
on
Blacks
in
Africa,
children deserve better.
passed out over the embassy counter,
manely, more decently and pay them
the U.S. and the rest o f their sympa
treats the public. Frank McNamara's sarcastic
has exploded that myth. It urges a
reasonable
wages, they could act as a
thizers around the world have repeat
remarks and Jonathan Newman's enormous
•practical respect fo r the reasons
powerful pressure group to improve
edly called on the 350 American cor
behind this way o f doing things’ in
yawns do nothing to foster faith in the Board.
things in South Africa. It could have
porations to withdraw their S3.5
explaining
the government’s restric
a
ripple effect across the country.
No matter where people live or what issues
Each prisoner leaving an Oregon penal or cor billion in investments and for the
tions on domestic workers. Since
More advice from the guide:
concern them, they are upset and angry with the
rectional institution gets $100 a the gate. This is government to close its embassy in
they have to live in the "servants'
“ Be kind and generous.” The
Board.
Pretoria
but.
these
simple
measures
supposed to get him through those first difficult
quarters” at the back o f the em
booklet advises, “ to a point . . . pass
Now is the time to make this anger felt.
ployer’s house, they arc not allowed
weeks - when he has no job, no home, no have been conveniently ignored.
along
used clothing, utensils, and ex
Even the Carter Adm inistration’s
Citizens can sign petitions, can speak at school
to bring their spouses or children
money - and is out of touch with the present.
tra foodstuffs but not in excess.
human rights stand does not seem to
with them and their movements are
meetings -- but the only way to make changes is
“ They (the servants) have a ten
How long can a person who has no family, or have been extended to Southern
severely
restricted through the pass
to throw them out.
dency
to take you for granted,” says
whose family is already overburdened just trying A frica . Economic sanctions were
laws.
Penn. " I f you give your boy a coke
And what is the projected response to this
to survive - live on $100. How long before he passed against Uganda because o f
Jane Penn, AW C president, de
on a hot day, he w ill expect three the
great opportunity? About 10 to 15 per cent of the
human rights violations but similar
feels the pressure to commit another crime?
fends the booklet and terms it neces
next day.” (Doesn’t this sound dis
registered voters will bother to go to the polls.
sary to avoid violating South African
HB 2865, sponsored by Rep. Sandy Richards, action on South Africa was blocked.
turbingly familiar???)
Now, this insult to all Black people
Those most affected by the School Board's
laws and being ripped o f f by
W illiam Johnson, the U.S. Coun
would increase the "gate” payment to $350 - has been taken a step further by the
dom estic servants. Sue C o rd o n ,
decisions - and those most insulted by its mem
sel
General to South Africa, ques
more realistic but hardly adequate. HB 2861, actions o f the U.S. consulate in
National Organizer o f The Institute
bers - will stay away.
tioned
about the A W C booklet
sponsored by Rep. Wally Priestley, would boost South Africa.
o f Race Relations Domestic W ork
denied any official sponsorship and
One reason people will forget this election is
There is a booklet being circulated
the payments to $500. These bills need your sup
ers Employment Project, disagrees
claimed the book had never been
that it is all by itself on April 3rd. The School
in Johannesburg among the wives o f
port. The hearing on HB 2865 is March 30th
contending that when one comes into
subm itted to the consulate fo r
American housewives telling them
Board - fearing that great outpoaring of voters
an exploitive situation, one does not
8:30, Room 350.
review. Doesn’ t that sound like a
how to treat their domestic servants.
necessarily have to jo in in. “ I t ’ s
lame excuse to you?
LUTHER
It details how to handle them, what
shocking how q u ic k ly overseas
By Brumsic Brandon. Jr.
Mrs. Tutu secs it that way. “ I f the
to pay them, what hours they work
people get corrupted by this
U.S. consulate gives it out and the
... I DIDN'T WANT
per day, how much time they can
system.”
hardcore ,
consulate is the official representa
TD CREATE A
have oft and, above all, to ‘ respect
YOU FAILED THIS
Some excerpts from this notorious
CREDI » L IT T GAP
tive o f the U.S. it doesn't matter
the laws o f South Africa that govern
TEST.. JUST AS I TOLD
guide offer a clear insight into the
FOR TOO
whether one person actually wrote it.
THE CLASS TOU
the movements o f the Africans.’ The
racism inherent in the authors):
It becomes the American way.”
WOULD
blatantly racist booklet, put together
The guide repeatedly refer to A fri
Further questioned why the con
by the American W om en’ s C lub
cans as “ b a n tu ” , a term that
sulate distributes the guidebooks
(AW C ) is taken right out o f 'Jim
Africans hate, according to Mrs.
which are clearly offensive to Blacks.
Crowland.’ The cover bears the stars
Leah Tutu, Director o f DWEP who
Johnson explained that that was be
and stripes even though the Ameri
goes further to point out that even
cause it was the only guide available.
can consulate denies that it is an of
the South African government has
I--- I
v
1, for one. feel that the State Depart
ficial publication.
excised the term from all its official
ment which o ffic ia lly opposes
The book is aimed at American
publications.
racism, should take appropriate ac
direction. “ Nearly everyone I'v e
Coalition to find the best ways to
housewives and tells them points on
The guide also quotes $115 as the
tion against Johnson. He may not be
talked to agrees that the scattering is
adopt the Coalition’s propoasls and
how to set up home in Johan
amount necessary for a family o f five
directly responsible for the booklet
to reopen discussions o f student
unfair. Most agree that it’s not fair to
nesburg. The section that Africans
(Continued from page 1 col. 3)
to live above the Poverty Datum
but he is guilty by association.
desegregation. At the same time he
put all o f the burden on Black fami
have found most offensive is the one
He would not advocate election of
Line (PDL). This figure is $78 below
Would he be passing it out i f it
lies. These people could be mobilized
would w ork w ith the white com
dealing w ith ‘ domestic servants.’
advisory committee members, but
that quoted by the Johannesburg
contained a n ti-w h ite epithets?
to participate in a good program."
m u n ity to b u ild support, since
These
people
cater
to
all
the
needs
of
would attempt to influence the selec
Cham ber o f Commerce which
Would he allow his office to handle
whatever m ethod is used it w ill
Scott prefers a volunteer solution but
these housewives: cooking, cleaning,
tion o f persons who would have di
quoted $193. W hat the A W C
it i f it contained Nazi anti-Jewish li
if that is not forthcom ing would
require the involvement and support
dishwashing, laundry, car washing,
verse opinions and who would exert
booklet was recom m ending was
terature? Somebody needs to ask the
support a desegregation program
o f a large segment o f the w hite
gardening, everything. As one South
leadership.
paying
domestic servants an average
State D epartm ent why it has
population.
that is mandatory for whites.
A
fric
a
n
Black
put
it,
‘
We
do
One area where Scott advocates
$28.75 a week. M rs. Penn says,
remained silent when one o f its em
As a member o f the Board he
V erbout likes neighborhood
everything for the white man except
more citizen input is in the budget
“ Americans have a tendency to over
ployees has so clearly violated State
schools and does not favor middle
would encourage the Board to work
breathe for him .' These ‘servants’
process. He favors citizen budget
pay." She says she pays her “ boy,”
Department policy. Could it be be
schools. “ Most people want their
with the Coalition and others to find
make as little as $40 a month or $10 a
task forces that would participate in
a 35ish Zimbabwean $86 a week and
cause
the victims are Black?
an equitable program.
children - especially small children -
form ulating the budget. C urrently
to go to school near home. There is a
Scott believes he would effect the
the budget is drawn up by the ad
great interest in Portland in neigh
Board as a leader. Experience in
m inistration, w ith m inor changes
borhoods -- in preserving and
planning, budgeting, community in
made by the Board. Scott would
revitalizing them - and the school is
volvement gives him a perspective
prefer a process that would allow
important to the neighborhood. No
and self-confidence that would not
citizens to determine the use o f funds
school should be closed, but every
allow him to become “ one o f the
in the local school, at the area level,
To the Editor:
effort should be made to find shared
fam ily” but he would remain inde
Federal government could create for
deserves our thanks.
and in the central administration.
uses for the buildings to keep them
pendent. “ There are some followers
Oregonians
i f they pre-empt local
I have introduced a resolution
“ In the current process no one
A California Federal Judge recent
open.” Although not a proponant o f
on the Board and I think I could get
control. In New York the Federal
(H
JM
4) in the Oregon legislature to
looks at the individual school to see
ly struck down a state statute requir
some o f them to follow me.”
middle schools because he sees no
government recently abandoned a
support this amendment and to give
how the money is used, whether the
ing a proven system o f handling
educational advantage, Verbout said
nuclear waste storage facility. The
Oregon, and all states, the right to
staffing is done in the best way to
highly dangerous radioactive wastes
if a neighborhood came to the Board
New York taxpayers are now being
veto such federal decisions.
promote better education. I doubt
be implemented before more nuclear
w ith overwhelming support fo r a
forced to pay more than $1 billion in
I f you agree that Oregon should be
that School Board members ever get
reactors may be sited. This is an ill
middle school, he would not deny
decontam
ination costs. This cost
able to override such federal man
out to many schools. I wouldn't ex
(Continued from page I col. 5)
wind which may blow our way.
their request.
figure is the Federal governments
dates, please write me at the State
pect them to lo o k closely at 95
over town would have sent their
The Federal government, since it
Verbout deplores the attitude o f
own
estimate
and
the
cost
could
be
Capital
in Salem. Also write your
schools but the local people could
children there. It wouldn’t matter
began the headstrong rush to make
much higher.
the district adm inistration toward
look at each school.”
own
state
legislators and congres
where the school was located if the
our country dependent on highly
teachers. Teachers are not respected
One chance exists to preserve state
sional
representatives
urging them to
The budget process, he believes, is
eduation program were superior.”
questionable unproven nuclear tech
for their ability and those who get
c o n tro l. An amendment to the
support this local control.
the best way School Board members
The same would be true o f the
nology, promised a “ solution” to
along best are the ones who obey and
Department o f Energy authorization
can learn about the numerous school
elementary schools in Albina - if the
the radioactive waste problem. To
bill would give states the veto power
ask no questions. Those who “ rock
programs and evaluate whether they
Sincerely yours,
educational programs were superior,
date the millions o f tax dollars speni
the boat” arc pushed out.
over federal decisions in siting waste
should continue. For that reason the
Rick Bauman
there would be little white resistance
on these problems have produced no
facilities. Senator Mark Hatfield has
The d istrict lacks planning, he
budget process should be a major
State
Representative
to desegregation. In fa ct, white
advancement towards a solution.
believes. Most programs are thrown
co-sponsored this amendment and
endeavor o f the Board and should
parents would move in to take ad
Even when a solution is found, if
together
to
meet
a
crisis,
with
no
heavily involve the public.
vantage of the schools.
ever, the expense o f implementing it
long range plans. Programs are ad
W HO EVER SAID
T hta bkic k woman could be
Scott is concerned about the per
Verbout considers desegregation
will be staggering.
THE « A N W HO DISCOVERS
A m en ta sh o p * shes a United
ded or taken away with little con
formance of the classroom teacher.
Megfo
College F und graduate
to be a complicated problem that
A CURE FOR CANCER
The Federal Departm ent o f
sideration o f their reltionship to the
wlio < ould d ed r ate her hie io
IS GOING TO BE W H ITE
“ T oo much emphasis is put on
requires the efforts o f the city, coun
r in d in g a cure for can* er A cure
Energy
now
wishes
to
deny
the
states
school. This lack o f planning affects
OR EVEN A M A N ’
tr>a« c. ould save thousands of
curriculum and not enough on teach
ty and school district. He is not sold
any rights over the question o f siting
hves each year And Fill every
hiring. I f the district had educational
ing,“ he said. “ A good teacher will
block
person » head with pride
on bussing, at least in its present
permanent nuclear waste storage
goals, it could hire teachers whose
So support black education
teach. The assumption seems to be
form. “ I was shocked when I first
Send your check to the United
fa c ilitie s w ith in the states. This
training would suit them to fu lfill
^fegm College F und B o xQ 500
that teachers have a minimum com
saw the C o a litio n 's map showing
would override the existing Oregon
F as t62 n d S t fNewVork N Y 100?»
those goals.
petency and that curriculum develop
the scattering of King students, it is
law which p ro h ib its permanent
The realtionship o f the Board to
GfVF TO TH!
ment will help them teach better. The
inconceivable that a school district
U H IT I D NEGRO COLL FGI FUND
storage
o f nuclear wastes in Oregon.
the Superintendent and the public is
A O H ndis a I l v r i q I n west
system provides the m ediocre.”
could do that to children and call it
One can see the problem s the
another concern. Verbout considers
« »Re Aaw«i«s>na Caw»«>> '
Scott says the district does not have
integration. There is no child more
the Board to be arrogant in its
an aggressive teacher recruitm ent
isolated than the one or two Black
dealings w ith the p ublic. The
program and even hires teachers in
children in a white school.”
Citizens Advisory Committees and
the fall, while most other districts
A lthough he opposes massive
the school advisory committees are
let Place
hire in the spring.
bussing, Verbout strongly favors in
used to dem onstrate citizen par
Community Service
There is no incentive provided for
tegration. " I think there are better
ONPA 1873
The Portland Observer IU S PS 968 «801 is published every Thur»
ticipation that doesn’ t exist. The
the good teacher and no rewards. No
ways to do it - changing boundaries,
day by Exie Publishing Company. Inc., 2201 North Killingsworth
members
o
f
the
CAC
are
selected
effort is made to retain proven teach
let Place
Portland. Oregon 97217. Poet OH.ce Box 3137. Portland. Oregon
developing magnet schools, and
because o f their relationships to the
Beat Ad Results
97208 Second cleat postage paid at Portland. Oregon
ers, and when they leave they are not
maybe some bussing. 1 think the
Board members or their pliability.
ONPA 1873
even asked why or invited to return.
money spent on bussing could better
Subscriptions 17 50 par year in Tr( County area 1 8 0 0 par year
Many are frustrated because o f their
A member o f the C om m unity
be spent on education, but that
6th Piece
outa.de Tri-County Area P o a tm a e te r Sand sddrea» changes «o
in a b ility to be effective. Verbout
Beet Editorial
C oalition fo r School Integration,
the Portland O b s e rv e r. P O Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208
doesn’ t mean that segregation can
would investigate new ways o f selec
NNPA 1873
Scott opposes the current desegre
continue." Bussing, in whatever way
The Portland Observer's oHicial position is expressed only in ita
ting advisory boards - perhaps
gation program of scattering Black
it is done, is a temporary answer and
Honorable Mention
Editorial column Any other material throughout the paper i t the
having the board appoint some
children among the districts schools.
Herrick Editorial Award
the eventual solution has to be in
opinion of the individual w riter or subm itter and does not
members and having others selected
NNA 1873
necessarily reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer
He is dissatisfied with the School
tegrated housing. This is the proper
by
neighborhood associations or
Board’ s reaction to the Coalition
role for the city and other govern
2nd Place
specified community organizations.
recommendations, but feels that the
ments - to bring new housing into
Beet Editorial
National Advertising Representative
Verbout’s
initial
role
on
the
board
ALFRED
L
HENDERSON
Board has made some concessions.
3rd Place
Amalgamated Publisher! Inc
A lb in a that w ould prom ote in
would be one o f questioning. “ I have
Editor/Publisher
Community Leadership
New York
He would like to see the Coalition act
tegration. And the school district
ONPA 1878
been a classroom teacher for a long
aggressively to force the Board to
must provide good schools that will
time and I know what questions to
negotiate the recommendations and
3rd Place
attract families
ask. I don't know all the answers,
Community
TJfìr*
not allow the Board to set the limits
Verbout was favorably impressed
but I know how to find them.” Ver
ONPA 1878
o f the discussions.
m i Mam
with the Coalition’s study. “ It made
bout would provide an independent
He thinks the Board is misjudging
Oregon
the School Board look rediculous.”
voice on the board - not afraid to
Newspaper
the public’s resistance to desegrega
As a School Board member he would
ask questions and not a fra id to
Publishers
tion and that it should lead in that
prom ote discussions w ith the
Aaaociaiien • founded 1888
disagree.
Association
How much is enough?
Bill Scott
Letters to the Editor
Support state control of nuclear wastes
Mike Verbout
PORTLAND OBSERVER
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