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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1979)
Pag* 2 Portland Observer Thursday. July S. 1979 EDITORIAL/OPINION The Biko Legacy: Part II by N. Fuugat K umbula Bill attacks busing This has been a good week for the advocates of civil rights for the nation's school children. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that northern school districts, which were segregated through school board policies rather than by law, must desegregate. The Portland school district, which has always considered itself above the law and so far has managed to avoid the mandates of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, may well find itself in court now that this issue has been settled, The Portland District has been fortunate that in the 25 years since the 1954 decision, no person and no organization has come forward to file a suit. There should be no problem in proving that the district was segregated by board policy and that it remains segregated. With growing sen timent against the district's discriminatory ac tions, the district has little time to take action to avoid that inevitable suit. Although Monday's decision was good news, a bill pending in Congress could bring an end to school desegregation. In another attempt to block busing for desegregation. Representative Ronald Mottl of Ohio has introduced a con stitutio na l amendment that w ould ban the assignment of students to any but the closest school. This amendment, if it becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution, will effectively block effor ts to desegregate the public schools and to provide equal educational opportunities to Black and other minority children. The amendment, which needs a two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate, is expected to come to a vote on July 24th. Tied up for four years in the Judiciary Committee, the bill was brought out by a petition signed by 218 Representatives. It takes a vote of 146 to stop the bill in the House. What happens now depends on the people. Elections are coming soon and our Represen tatives too often find it is easier to go with the majority than to take a stand on controversial issues. Those who oppose desegregation will take every op p o rtu n ity to influence their Representatives. Supporters of desegregation must exert all the pressure possible to obtain a No vote. Telegrams, telephone calls and letters are in order and without them the recent gains will be nulified. The Portland School District will have the right to discriminate forever. Take it out of schools Again this year charges of Rose Festival racism were raised—but this time the issue was raised by students. Students at W ilson. Adams, Washington-Monroe, and Jefferson questioned what they considered unfair tactics in the selec tion of the Rose Princesses and the Queen, and in other Rose Festival activities. Year after year a carrot is held out to Black students—they are selected by their classmates to represent their school —but the dream of becoming Queen can never come true. Let the Royal Rosarians and the Rose Festival Association have their Rose Festival. The Rose Festival does give Portland —the "C ity of Roses"—somewhat of a distinction and apparent ly it is good for business. Other cities have their festivals and Portland should too. But whether the Rose Festival should continue to use children is another question. We all know our schools are racist, but why add to that in justice by allowing an outside group come into the schools and create a situation that discriminates in its effect, even if not in its intent. The students who elect Black Princesses to represent their schools know they can’t win. The young ladies selected—even though they have high hopes —know it would take a miracle for one of them to wear the crown. Is it fair to these students, and to their white classmates, to use and to abuse them in this way? We believe that all Rose Festival activities should be removed from the school. Any young ladies who wish to participate in the court selec tion could do so outside the school system and without the implied credibility school district par ticipation provides. Operated in much the same way as the Miss Oregon and other contests, the court selection would deal w ith adults who perhaps would be more able to handle the discrimination. At least the discrimination wotifd not be perpetuated or supported by the tax sup ported school system. Another Point o f View Bus bias rule gives schools time fro m the Oregonian While it is good news that the Portland School District can expect federal desegregation funds fo r the com ing fiscal year, the anticipated Washington, D.C., decision must be recognized for what it really is —a reprieve, not a pardon. A find ing th a t Portland's desegregation program does not constitute illegal discrimination in nc way lifts the burden from the School Board to erase the obvious inequity of the present busing system. The 16-month effort by the Community Coali tion for School Integration, a citizens' group, placed before the School Board last winter a clear picture of those inequities. Though Portland's busing program is labeled volunteer, establish ment of Early Childhood Centers in Black neigh borhoods has forced middle-school youngsters there into schools elsewhere in the city. In ad dition, though many white children are bused, they go in groups from one neighborhood to another. Black children from the King School area, as an example, are scattered among 42 dif ferent schools, effectively desegregated, perhaps, but unfairly isolated. It may be only a quirk of circumstances or timing that Portland faces no court order to desegregate. In parts of the South, the U.S. Justice Department has stepped in quickly when segregation of schools is resolved by placing the entire burden on Black children. That Portland's independent effort hangs by a thin thread is further illustrated by the finding of investigators from the regional Office for Civil Rights supporting the charge of illegal inequity. The Washington office is expected to announce that, even though Blacks are disproportionately burdened, the Portland district's program is not illegal—therefore is entitled to federal funds — because its system is not under court order. At least one Black parent has vowed to contest that decision in court. The school district's board, administration and citizens have the ability to achieve an equitable, acceptable desegregation program. Two new board members may represent the catalyst. The breathing room expected with the Washington reprieve must be used affirmatively. The alter native is not a light sentence. A polarized com munity and court-ordered busing are more likely. PORTLAND OBSERVER The Portland Observer (USRS 968 080 » published every Thura day by E x« Publiehing Company, Inc.. 2201 North KiMingeworth, Portland. Oregon 97217, Poai Office Box 3137. Portland. Oregon 9 /? 0 i Second class pottage paid at Portland Oregon Subscnptiona * 7 .SO per year m Tn C o u n ty area. *8 00 par year outside Tri County Area P ostm a ster Send addret» changes to the Portland O tn arrtr, P C Box 3137. Portland. Oregon 97208 The Portland O b te n tr 't official position « expretsad only in it» Editor«l column Any other material ¡hroughoul the paper is the opinion of the individual w riter or subm itter and does not n e c e s e e n ly reflect the opinion of the Portland Obterver ALFRED L. HENDERSON Editor/Publisher N a tio n a l A d v ertiain g R ep resentative A m a lg a m a te d P ublishers. Inc N e w York 1st Place Community Service ONPA 1973 1st Piece Best Ad Results ONPA 1873 5th Place Best Editorial NNPA 1973 Honorable Mention Herrick Editorial Award NNA 1973 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place Community Leadership ONPA 1975 3rd Piece Community Leadership ONPA 1979 a m o c )« i < oxi 4 roundad taas ■ V tr « I Association V - Looking back at the very short life o f Steven Biko, one can quickly see that he was following in the noble footsteps o f the Tshakas. Dingaans, Khamas, Moshocshoes, Mzilikazis, Soshanganas, our Kings o f old who so v a lia n tly fought against colonialism and the colonization o f South Africa. He was also building on the foundation laid down bv the African National Congress, the Ran Africanist Congress, the Mandclas, Sobukwcs, Luthulis and thousands o f other South African Blacks who have fought against apartheid and its inherent injustices from the turn of the century to the early '60s. What Biko did was to take the struggle a bit further, give it more sophistication and make it relevant to the '70s as well as make it inter national in scope. When we left him two weeks ago, he was busy explain ing the concept o f Black Conscious ness to followers and critics alike. Black Consciousness was being ac cused o f tormenting “ reverse discri m ination’ * but Biko patiently ex plained that all “ BC” wanted was to raise Blacks to the point where they could begin to do for themselves, to be their own leaders and be in a position where they could influence the course o f the struggle. Then, and only then, could they join with other non-Blacks in fighting apartheid be cause then they would have their act together and would be able to play a pivotal role instead o f just following along like sheep. An old proverb goes: ‘ understand ing your enemy is winning half the battle* Biko understood that in a country like South Africa, with such a rigidly censored press, it was very important to get the word out. Here in the U.S. during the pre-civil rights days, every Black knew that he or she was not “ supposed to ride at the front o f the bus, to eat at white establishm ents, attend certain schools or live in certain neighbor hoods.” Everybody knew that but it took the M artin Luther Kings, the Malcolm X 's, the Hamptons, the Rap Browns, Eldridge Cleavers (the old Cleaver, not the preacher!) to ar ticulate the thoughts o f the masses. It took these leaders to tell the people the courses o f action they could take to challenge these injustices. This was the challenge facing Biko: to get the word out, tell the masses what action could be taken. He knew that similar attempts at challenging apartheid had failed either because when the Africans took to arms, they were subdued be cause they did not have the necessary m ilita ry hardware or, when they demonstrated peacefully, they were either simply mowed down (Sharpe- ville) or arrested en masse. Biko want ed to avo d these two evils: he did not want anyone getting killed nor did he want anyone getting arrested either BUT, the revolution would not com promise. Though often referred to as the South A frican version o f M artin Luther King, this is an oversimplifi cation. Biko tended to fa ll somewhere between King and Malcolm X. He had to because, like everyone else, he knew there was no way apartheid was ever going to be overturned without violence because it is a violent system. What he may have been saying can probably be summed up like this: “ when you get in the water, do not flail your arms or legs. Just lie still.” Would you take such advice? O f course not. You would sink like a rock if you did. Biko had seen so many people whisked o ff to ja il for the slightest of offenses and he knew that the slightest reference to violence on his part would net him a life term. So he decided to challenge apartheid through its own contradictions. He believed that South Africa had not completely abandoned the rule o f law, that she still clung to some sem blance o f legality and this is what he was going to exploit. He was going to work just within the law . As long as he broke no laws, even if he bent a few. South Africa could not touch him. He had also become quite an inter national figure, more sought after than most members o f the South A frican parliament. Though there was and still is a “ legal” opposition party, Biko had become the voice of opposition. TV crews from Australia and Canada, just to name two, had trekked to Williamstown where he spent much o f his last days to inter view him. Knowing how hard South A frica was trying to improve her image abroad, Biko felt that this in ternational reputation gave him add ed protection, im m unity almost. This, as we shall soon see, was the one fatal oversight. Biko’ s message to the people could be summed up in one very short sen tence ‘apartheid has got to go.' This was nothing new. What was new was that for the first time in almost two decades, somebody was saying this out loud and saying it to the entire cross section o f South A fricans. What was also very new was that this latest messenger did not seem at all bothered by the presence o f BOSS (Bureau o f State Security) agents who followed him everywhere he went. These agents stood helplessly on the sidelines, vainly trying to in timidate him They could not arrest him until he had committed some o f fense and that he stubbornly 'refuted’ to do. What he had also discovered was that most o f the lower echelon law enforcement personnel were not too conversant with the finer nuances of apartheid. They merely carried out orders handed down from above. Several times when he was arrested, he was able to exploit this ignorance and successfully use it to extricate himself from their clutches. For that reason, they began to have a healthy respect for him and not to harass him unless they felt they had an ironclad case. Time and time again, he proved a very slippery customer. Another thing that made Biko's approach different than that o f his predecessors was the concept o f Black Consciousness. There were similar efforts before but none so ex tensive, so well thought out and so well articulated. Biko always reminded me o f a Muhammad A li fighting a Sonny Liston. Knowing that just one well placed uppercut would probably lift his head clear o ff his shoulders, Ali danced, bobbed, weaved and pep pered Liston w ith lightning jabs while staying safely out o f reach. Before long, Liston was confused, befuddled: no one had lasted but a few rounds against him Then, at the critical moment, W H AM ! and Son ny Liston's reign was over for good. s Biko was no doubt using the same strategy By staying within the law, he was untouchable and yet how ef fectively he chipped away at apar theid! In BOSS circles, he was known as the most dangerous man they had ever come across because he was so cunning, so good at working just within the limits of the law, un derstood the law so well (so he could not be railroaded) and so good at ex tricating himself out o f any brush with the law. Next: Biko's "escapades” and his ideas on leadership. Black journalist, white press by Ullysses Tucker, Jr. Once I attended a workshop for Minorities in the Media, and asked a prom inent jo u rn a lis t whether Black com m unication students should seek employment with the Black press or white press? She an swered “ B O T H !” , and went on to a rticu la te that “ we, as Blacks, should never build up an establish ment while neglecting the whites, no matter what the profession.” How ever, this is still a predicament that many Black university students con front in America. Should I get a job with a white or Black newspaper/ radio-television since there are only a few Black owned radio and TV outlets in the nation? An in d iv id u a l who is money oriented would immediately express, "w h o e ve r pays the most bucks, Blacks have no media.” Others, who want to utilize their potential, con template the issue more deeply. They feel that the Black press is vital, priceless, and the key to enlightening Blacks about our past, cultural at tainments, and overall progress in A m erica. M any Blacks have developed this skill and do not see its possibilities. It’ s important that we comprehend the art o f written ex pression. For example, when students arc faced with writing assignments they regress to the “ illcteracy m yth,” or the “ l-can’ t-write blues.” Both are “ self-defeatist” states of mentality. What many fail to perceive is the fact that every aspect o f communication, with the exception of body language starts with “ a word . whether it’ s TV scripts, presidential orders, d irty letters, memos or w ritin g poetry, for that matter. For people to say that they can’ t write is just like saying that they can’ t communicate, that they arc only receivers not trans mitters who give output. This output is highly necessary. M any erudite Black scholars define the writer as an “ artist,” an individual with a “ social mission.” This mission is made palpable daily, whenever we pick up Ebony, Jet, or this paper for that matter. The writer/ journalist reports news to the public, constantly feeding them This is im portant to the definition o f news and the preservation o f the Black press: “ News is information that is report ed. I f not reported, p rin te d or broadcast it’ s not labeled as news.” This is the foundation for the Black journalists’ "social mission ” The white press (not to sound racist) is famous for distortion, not dissemination o f news concerning Blacks. We have traveled back to the journalist’s earlier statement. If the Black journalist does obtain a job with the white press, he or she should not be considered as a spy or token by that institution. -The role of the Black jo u rn a lis t is im p o rta n t, because they are role models and can help other Blacks look at themselves positively. As fa r as accusations directed towards the Black press, it’s been called “ advocacy journalism ” ; that which supports a cause, issue or a concern. What is it that the non Black press prints, or supports? i t ’ s from this that we can draw two conclusions: The idea o f objectivity should not be a hassle. We have shown what the “ Black press” is. Therefore, we should articulate from a perspective, not objectively. Once these “ seed thoughts” are im ple mented in society, the Black reader- ship will realize that “ objectivity is a tool used to repress idealogy.” Finally, this country is one that’ s filled with racial injustices, economic problems, and educational malfunc tions. These negatives will not disap pear overnight; not with the advance o f the space age, nor through “ band- aid” programs that are supposedly going to help the existing circum stance«. As long as the United States of Am erica remains a “ subjective nation,” there will always be groups supporting concerns and causes. The Black press is r- ogressing at a "m ellow pace,” but it’s enlightening many people and deepening its goals. Once T. Thomas Fortune (ex-slave, jo u rn a lis t and publisher) stated. “ Black people wish to plead their own cause. Too long have others spoke for u s ... ” Questions? Let the Consumer Information Catalog help you find the answers. It lists \ j I over 200 helpful jMTxfr- federal publica tions with ■BB» i answers to a whole lot of questions about — your home. • ■*Tee. health, finances, and much more. For your free copy, write: Consumer Infor mation Center. Department C. Puebio. Colorado H1009. I H 'lM 'l.ll S ' l U * , ' « / V i l i IM II-ll. «Ih « I C lH IM IIIM H t ill. H lll.lH .H I <','111,1
