•*»q« 2 P o rtla n d O b»< rv»r A p ril 10
EDITORIAL/ OPINION
Cable TV: Now that's entertainment
by N. Fuugat F um bula
White America ignores African refugees
The m ost desperate and m ost ig nored
refugees in the world are the Somali and Oromo
people w ho are m oving from Ethiopia in to
Somali. Although the U.S. government is con
cerned about revolutionary socialist movements
m the horn of Africa, and is providing military
assistance against the Peoples Reouhlic of
Ethiopia, the plight of the people is being largely
ignored.
The UN High Com m ission fo r Refugees
recognizes that Somalia has the largest refugee
camp population in the world. On February 1st,
there were approximately 1.5 million refugees -
about 16 million m camps and the rest absorved
into the countryside. Sixty percent are children,
with 150,000 under six years. Thirty percent are
women. An estimated 1,000 to 2,000 arrive each
day.
For a nation whose estimated per capita in
com e is about $70 per year, the burden is
devastating. The refugee population now makes
up one-third of the nation s 3.7 million people.
For centuries the Somaiies have eked out a
subsistence in the inhospitable desert. The
newcomers are a burden to limited resources
but, more important, they threaten an ecological
imbalance that will cause drought and famine.
The im m ediate need is fo r fo o d , shelter,
clo th in g and m edical supplies. The S om ali
government has asked the U.S. government for
help, b u t there has been no substantia l re
sponse. Despite their numbers and the political
com ple xities, A frica n refugees have never
received much attention. There is no sense of
urgency and little publicity.
While the American people argue about the
Boat People and other refugees from Southwest
Asia, and while our government welcomes them
by the thousands, the Black refugees of Afnca
and Haiti are forgotten.
For our purposes, probably the
best feature o f cable television is
com m unity cablecasting. This is
»hen one can watch local events.
Just imagine: whole programs de
voted to such community events as
African Liberation Day, Women’ s
Day, African and Carribbean coun
tries, independence celebrations,
Kwanzaa, N e ig h b o rfa ir, Rose
Parade, Black Educational Center
activities, community workshops of
all kinds and anything else that
might be going on in our neighbor
hood.
W HAT b O you
T R iN K y o u 'r e
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To
How many times have you found
yourself flip p in g fro m one TV
channel to the next lo o kin g fo r
something worthwhile to watch only
to find each as bad as the next?
Then, you might turn to the radio,
but there again only to meet with no
better luck. Doesn’ t it make you
wish, not for the first time, that you
could watch what you wanted to
»atch or listen to what you fancy in
stead of making do with what's o ff
ered?
The advent o f cable television to
this starved P o rtla n d m arket is
about to change all that. Instead of
five channels we have now. there
would then be anywhere from Thirty-
five to a hundred or more channels
to choose from. So vast is the po
te n tia l that no one can, at this
moment, say with certainty, what
the maximum number o f channels
will be. Just by flipping the dial, you
can choose from local, national or
in te rn a tio n a l news, educational
classes, drama, art, first run movies,
sporting events from around the
corner or around the w orld or a
program about your own neighbor
hood.
C urrently there are eight com
panies vying for the Portland fran
chise east o f the river. Liberty Cable
Co. already operates on the west-
side. The Portland City Council will
be meeting before long to decide
which of the eight applicants will be
awarded the franchise. It is in the in
terest o f the Black com m unity to
.examine each o f these applicants
and see who offers us the best deal.
M in o rity input is very im portant
ORCGO a P
t u e ’v e GOT P iX N T Y OF G ooo
W H /re K o e * HCAC"!
Trade and the Black worker
By Norman Hill, President
A. Phillip Randolph Institute
Once again the unemployment
rate among Black workers has
reached the 12^» mark, nearly dou
ble the overall rate. And once again,
economists have failed to explain
the economic depression in the
Black com m unity. So we ask:
Where have all the jobs gone? Why
do skilled and well-educated Black
workers, especially in urban areas,
face so many workless and payless
days?
Part of the answer can be found
in the general economic stagnation
that has plagued the United States
for nearly a decade. But there is also
another explanation, an explanation
which few economists, business
leaders and politicians are willing to
deal w ith. And that is the jo b -
destroying role o f internation al
economic policies, which allow
foreign nations to flood American
markets with imports.
This is not to say that most un
employed Black people would sud
denly find jobs if all imports were
banned. They most certainly would
not. But a substantial body o f evi
dence points to a direct linkage be
tween imports and the loss o f a sig
nificant number of Black jobs.
As an example, consider recent
developments in the auto industry.
At the present time, nearly 200,000
workers, many of them Black, are
out o f work because of the slacken
ing demand fo r Am erican-m ade
cars. While the lower demand is par
tia lly related to the poor mileage
ratings of most U.S. automobiles,
and the general dow nturn in the
economy, it is also linked to the in
flux o f cheap, fu e l-e fficie n t cars
built in Japan and Germany. Last
m onth, fo r instance, Am ericans
bought 177,500 Japanese cars, an
increase of 86^0 over January, 1979.
And 22(ro of all cars now purchased
in the U nited States come from
Japan.
Other industries have also lost
jobs because o f imports. A study
published by the National Commis
sion on M anpow er shows that
200,000 apparel jobs disappeared
during the period 1964-75. At the
same time, over 100,000 jobs were
lost in the radio and TV industry.
And nearly 100,000 jobs in the fu r
nace in d u stry were elim inated.
Moreover, the study concluded that
import-related job losses were most
prevalent among “ lower wage,
somewhat-less-unionized employees
who were more often m inorities,
women, older workers, less formally
educated, a n d /o r p a rt-tim e em
ployees.” In short, the poorest and
most defenseless people are once
again called on to make the greatest
sacrifices in the name of an abstrac
tion called “ free trade.”
To make matters worse, the enor
mous outflow o f American capital
into low-wage Third W orld coun
tries also contributes to the erosion
of jobs. W hereas in 1950, U.S. cor
porate investment in foreign coun
tries was SI 1.8 billion, the amount
had grown to a staggering SI 18.6
billion by 1974. And the impact of
this on jobs is clear: A study com
pleted by a group of Cornell econo
mists for the State Department con
cluded that 1.06 m illion jobs were
elim inated
in
the
domestic
economy. W ithout a doubt, many
o f these jobs would have been held
by Black workers especially women
and young people.
If unemployment among Blacks is
to be lowered to a manageable level,
then
Black
people,
their
organizations and their political al
lies must begin not to focus on inter
national economic policy as a key
issue in the 1980 presidential elec
tions. U nfortunately, none o f the
candidates— Dem ocratic and Re-
publical— has demonstrated much
concern with the’ problem. But as
the campaign progresses, Black
people must raise the issue; they
must raise it forcefully, and they
must insist on a response.
PORTLAND OBSERVER
1st Place
Community Service
ONPA 1973
Th« Portland Observer (USPS 969 680, » publ-.he<j every Thue»-
day by Eue Pubhsh.ng Company Inc 2201 North K.ll.ngeworth
Oregon 97217 Poet Oft,ce Bo, 3137, Portland, Oregon
Second claea postage paid at Portland, Oregon
1st Place
Best Ad Results
ONPA 1973
Subscription» »7 50 per year in Tri County area »8 00 per year
Outside Tri County area P o stm a ster Send address changes to
the Portland Observer. P 0 B o , 3137, Portland Oregon 97206
5th Place
Best Editorial
ONPA 1973
The Portland Observers official position is expressed only ,n its
Editorial column Any other material throughout the paper is the
opinion of the individual writer or submitter and does not neces
sarily reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer
Honorable Mention
Herrick Editorial Award
NNA 1973
283 2486
ALFRED L. HENDERSON
Editor/Publisher
N atio n a l A d v ertisin g R ep resentative
A m a lg a m a te d Publishers . Inc
N e w York
L
'ER
PER
Aaxot.af-on - Founded 1 MM
O regon
^ ■ |f Oregon
■ ■
■ ■ » •
ew spaper
spaper
N N ew
Publishers
Publishers
Association
A ssociation
2nd Place
Best Editorial
3rd Place
Community Leadership
ONPA 1975
B
K
3rd Place
™
ONPA 1978
¡H Community Leadership
A change in the City’s 77-year old
Civil Service System has finally come;
however, the real work lies ahead of
us.
At its April 4 meeting, the Portland
Civil Service Board unanimously ap
proved the proposed Affirmative Ac
tion Certification Plan to assist in
hiring minorities and women for entry
level positions in city jobs. What this
action does is provide an OPPOR
TUNITY; it is not a gift. That oppor
tunity, as you know, carries great
responsibility. Not only must we
come prepared for the tasks at hand
but we owe it to ourselves to perform
in such a manner that it will pave the
way for others to follow .
The opportunities are there but for
many o f us, it w ill require some
"rethinking” in terms o f jobs and
careers. Take law enforcement, for
Fauntroy
(Continued from P 1 col 5)
approximately 1:00 this Saturday,
Apnl 12.
At 2:15 this Saturday, Congress
man Fauntroy w ill speak to the
Oregon Education Association's
political endorsement convention at
the Wilsonville Holiday Inn.
From 5:00 until 6:45, the Congress
man will be the quest o f honor at a
reception at the home o f State
Representative Gretchen Kafoury,
1508 NE Stanton. Donation for the
reception is S 10.00.
At 7:00 Congressman Fauntroy will
speak on Senator Kennedy and his
campaign at the Mt. Olivet Baptist
Church, NE 1st and Schuyler. A d
mission is free.
If time permits, the Congressman
w ill attend a champagne sip fo r
Commissioner Charles Jordan Satur
day evening at the Galleria.
Congress Fauntroy w ill depart
Portland fo r W ashington, D.C.
Saturday night. For more in fo r
mation call Ed Leek, 239-0505 or 249-
8179.
and so anyone with any suggestions
reaches the airwaves.
should contact the Portland Ob
Q uality Black entertainm ent i
server and leave name and
w oefully lacking in the “ C ity o
suggestion.
Roses.” Cable TV would change al
I have been doing some checking
that. There is a com pany callet
o f my own and so far have been
Black Entertainm ent Television
most impressed by a company called
BET, that can provide to cabl<
Cablesystems Pacific, Inc. The local
companies such film s as "S c o ti
company is 50-50 Canadian and
Joplin” starring Billy Dee Williams,
Am erican owned. It has been
‘ Across 110th Street,” with Yaphet
operating in Canada for more than
K o tto , “ Book o f N um bers,”
twenty years. Cablesystems got into
starring Raymond St. Jacques and
community cablecasting more than
“ Em peror Jones,” w ith Paul
ten years ago and, i f some o f the
Robeson, just to name a few. The
things they have done in Toronto,
same company can also supply
Canada, can be duplicated here,
"The Blues According to Lighting
P ortland w ill never be the same
H o p k in s ,” “ Roberta Flack and
again.
Donny Hathaway,” “ The Cry o f
In Portland, a non-profit organi
Jazz,” and “ B illy Paul and The
zation called Portland Community
Staple Singers” for example. I bet,
Cable In fo rm a tio n C o rp o ra tio n
none of these movies or musical
(P C C IC ), that w ill manage the
classics have ever even made it to
public and community access chan
Portland yet. With cable TV, they
nels w ill be formed. These are the
will be just a flick o f a dial away.
channels, o f which there will be five,
Once hooked up. cable TV can
that w ill feature com m unity
also be used to contact such im
programs. One w ill be on a “ first
portant emergency numbers as the
come, first served” basis and the doctors, police, ambulance or fire
com m unity can borrow the cable department. The PCCIC has also
equipment from whatever company
mandated that one o f the access
eventually wins the Portland fran
channels be reserved for the deaf.
chise. The idea is that people from
You can also vote, pay bills, do your
the community who want to film a
shopping or "a ttend" classes, say at
p a rtic u la r program so it can be PSU.
shown on the community channels
Not only will the arrival o f cable
will be able to do so simply by con
TV ,n P o rtla n d , in the eyes o f
tacting PCCIC and the cable com Cablesystems, improve the quality
pany.
o f news and sport coverage,
This is where Cablesystems d if
showcase com m unity happenings
fers m arkedly from other com
and events, expand and improve the
panies. W hile each cable company
q u a lity o f Black entertainm ent,
w ill have to provide its TV equip^
provide greater and more direct ac
ment to com m unity groups,
cess to important emergency num
Cablesystems goes fu rth e r by
bers, o ffe r unique new op
providing the technical assistance
p o rtu n itie s to m inorities in this
and showing the people how to im
unique new field, but will also put
prove the quality o f the programs
Blacks in charge o f programming
they
produce.
In
a d d itio n ,
Cablesystems would have a ioca! about Blacks. The setting o f the
cable system w ill have to comply
originating channel to cater to local
with all city codes for equal oppor
talent. Instead of the two minutes or
tunity as well as the hiring o f the
less that we get on the commercial
staff to run the system once it’s in
networks once in a blue moon, we
place. The deadline for submission
will be able to have whole programs
o f the applications is A pril 30th so,
devoted to community events. Bet
rush in those suggestions to the
ter yet, these will be programs done
Portland Observer.
by Black people for Black people.
Cable TV can provide that rarest
For once we will have control over
ot opportunities: “ program m ing
the kind o f news about us that
x Blacks, with Blacks, by Blacks.”
instance. It is a relatively new field
merits, abilities and potential, the
which tra d itio n a lly, has not been
also know that I would not hesitate t
cultivated as a career for minorities
remove anyone from amongst m
and women in the home, educational
ranks who does not, and will not, pei
institutions, schools or neighborhood.
form. My employees have a respor
The reasons are many; however,
sibility not onlv to themselves but ti
changes are taking place and we
me and the public as well, who
should begin thinking about it
deserves the best.
seriously as a profession. W e need to
Nothwithstanding those concerns,
explore other options, career options
overcoming barriers, hard work and
where our presence does and can
perseverance are no strangers to us.
make a difference.
We have grown to accept them as part
Many issues were raised at the Civil
of our lives due to the nature o f our
Service Board meeting, some of which
society in which we live. And, our
were age-old arguments w ithout
survival has depended on it. It has
validity or substance. However, one
made the difference between failure
which seemed to repeat itself was the
and success. However, for us to con
fear that if the door was opened,
tinue to progress, we are going to
those for whom the door was opened
need to start working on attitudinal
would not carry their fair share of the
changes with respect to career options
load. Be that as it may, anyone who
available to us.
knows me knows that I will not hold
hands. For, as hard as I work to make
We cannot and should not forget
opportunities possible for those who the past but we must not dwell on
are qualified and who demonstrate backward glances and trip over some
that they can stand alone on their own
present opportunities.”
NOMINEES WANTED
Nominees requested fo r members to P o rtla n d ’ s C itizer
Economic Development Advisory Committee to the M ayor
M onthly meetings to discuss C ity policies and programs or
jo b , incom e, business, neighborhood and dow ntow n
development issues. Two year terms. Women, minorities en
couraged. Submit names by May 1, 1980 to:
BUREAU OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
620 S.W. Fifth Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204
For more information call Ann Witsil (248-4293)