Page 2 P ortlan d O bserver A p ril 17. 1980
EDITORIAL/ OPINION
Student need music
Last week the Portland Public Schools
presented its first city wide music festival in
ten years - with an All-City band and five high
school choirs.
For many years prior to 1970, every high
school and many elementary schools had a
band, orchestra and choirs. Students com
peted for positions in all-city bands, orchestras
and choirs on the high school and elementary
school levels. Instrumental music was
available to students at the fourth grade and
above. Group and individual com petition;
school, district and state music festivals; par
ticipation at sports events and parades, and
the prospect of scholarships, all gave music
students the same kind of aclaim and self
esteem that athletes now enjoy.
Now few high schools have quality music
organizations and music in the elementary
schools is almost non existant. For example,
Benson once had a band envied all over the
state but now, with 1600 students, Benson
has one full-tim e music teaching position.
Most elementary schools have less than one
full time position and many have none.
The excuse often given for not budgeting
funds for music education is that not many
students seem to be interested. This is a
fallacy, since children are not provided training
in the elementary and middle schools. How
can they aspire to join the high school band if
they have no way to learn an instrument and if
no high school band is there to draw their in
terest?
Music is important - not only as a way to
allow students to develop skills, to build self
esteem, to develop school spirit and to par
ticipate in school activities - it is also an impor
tant part of a comprehensive education.
The School Board should include music in
its budget as a regular academic program.
Then perhaps once again the public will pack
the auditorium to hear school children per
form.
Unfair choice
Some County Commissioners are fussing
about Gladys McCoy's intention to attend the
selection of the national Mother of the Year in
Phoenix during the county budget hearings.
Mrs. McCoy was named Oregon Mother of the
Year and believes she has a responsibility to
represent the state, the prisoners who
nominated her and the committee that chose
her.
If she goes to Phoenix, Mrs. McCoy will be
absent for the vote. The commission doesn't
think the vote can be moved up or back a day.
If one of the four men on the commission
was in contention for Father of the Year, we
doubt that the rest would be so stubborn
about it.
Mrs. McCoy shouldn't have to choose be
tween her job and this honor.
Rusunungoko rwe Zimbabwe:
April 18, 1980
by N. Lungai Kumbulu
At the stroke of midnight tonight,
Thursday A p ril 18th, some clown
called Prince Charles, heir to the
British “ throne" will hand over the
instruments of power to President
Canaan Banana o f Zim babwe.
President Banana w ill then turn
around and proclaim Comrade
Robert Mugabe Prime Minister o f
the United Republic o f Zimbabwe.
A twenty one gun salute will shatter
the early morning silence and , while
the British flag, the hated union
Jack, symbol o f eighty nine and a
h a lf years o f oppression comes
down for the last time, Zimbabwe’ s
bold red. black, gold and green will
go up to the accompainment o f
Zimbabwe’s national anthem.
Zimbabweans and their friends
around the world will observe this
momentous
occasion
w ith
celebrations o f their own. This is the
day that they have waited for for so
long and a day they have prepared
lo r fo r more than twenty years.
A fric a ’ s newest nation is fin a lly
born, a new member o f the
Organization o f African Unity, the
United Nations am! the rest o f the
international community. Having
been ostracized for so long, during
the days o f “ Rhodesia,” Zimbab
weans are s till reeling from the
speed w ith which they have re
entered the in te rn a tio n a l com
munity.
The African community here in
Portland will not be left out of all
these good happenings. The
Association o f African Students at
Portland State University is hosting
an independence party for Zimbab
we on Saturday, the 19th at King
Neighborhood Facility. Festivities
will begin at 7:00 pm and conclude
about 1:00 am. Friends, allies,
neighbors, supporters and all in
terested parties are urged to attend
this the celebration o f the most im
portant event to take place in Africa
for a long, long time.
There w ill be speakers, African
and American music. African food
and a whole lot o f dancing going on.
A lter the long, hard struggle, we are
entitled to a celebration to end all
celebrations. Since the African
students w ill be forking out more
than 51,100.00 to put up this event,
they are asking a small donation of
53.00 per person to defray some of
the expenses. Tickets can be pur
chased at the door. Portland Obser
ver readers will be interested to see
the happy conclusion o f the story
they have followed for the past four
years. Don’ t miss it. The African
Fam ily is coming back together
again.
A fte r
all
these
years,
rusununguko rwe Zimbabwe (Zim
babwe’s freedom) is a reality. Zim
babwe’ s independence was made
possible by the support and
cooperation o f the entire continent
o f A frica and this is a very good
omen for the future.
A letter from Rocky Butte
To Whom It May Concern:
the hold-up man...” We would like
o f twelve white middle class jurors.
WE, the inmates, minorities and
to add that the picture the victim
The law says that a defendant has
poor whites o f Rocky Butte jail, are
was shown presented Mr. Campbell
the right to be judged by a jury of
taking on this struggle against the
his peers; but the word, peers, takes
in a full beard and large unkempt
invasion o f our privacy, as human
A fr o hair style. Never-the-less,
on a totally different definition in
beings, who have certain Civil and
when showing evidence at a evi
the courtroom. As defined in the
Constitutional rights that are being
dence hearing the district attorney
Webster’s dictionary: Peers means
■ ignored in the Oregon Judicial
made a motion to the Court to have
(equal or matched); meaning that
System. Time and tim e again,
M r. Campbell clean-shaven when
the people judging you should be in
m inorities have been brought a-
the trial starts; even though there
your same race, religious, social and
gainst an unbalanced show o f
was not one statement made to give
economic background; i.e. the same
justice, in the Oregon Judicial
the Court probable cause to grant
as the defendant, or the person they
System. To show that these ac
such a motion in favor of the state.
are judging. But due to the lack of
By Charles Jordan
cusations are not unlounded and
The evidence that was given clearly
participation from minorities, and a
Commissioner o f Public Safety
that the com plaint is valid and
showed from witnesses fo r the
effort on the part o f some district
should be heard we will show a few
defendant that Mr. Campbell had a
attorneys to exclude minorities, the
cases
o f power abuse and neglect o f
beard and large A fro haircut. There
right to a jury o f your peers seldom
To many o f us, police work holds approaching cars for minor traffic
is issued or perhaps a verbal war
Civil and Constitutional Rights, due
were fo u r witnesses that gave
exists,
thus making the guilty verdict
some mystique simply because we violations) THEREFORE:
ning.
to the defendant. In any case where
testimony that M r. Campbell did
in minorities defendant’ s unjust and
do not understand what an olticer
3. You are advised to remain in
9. The o ltic e r w ill answer
the State versus the defendant.
not have a beard. No where in this
castastrophically high.
does and where responsibilities
your car unless the officer asks you
questions about a court date and
The
defendant
has
certain
safe
evidence
hearing did a witness for
began or end.
As we appeal to the people o f this 1
to step out.
explain the procedure for pleading
guards tor Civil and Constitutional
the State say he could not identify
Perhaps by discussing what oc
com m unity we wish to emphaise
4. The officer may Hash a light
innocent or guilty.
Rights which the Courts are sup-
Mr. Campbell because o f the beard;
curs during a KOU IIN E I RAI I 1C through your car (this is for the o f
and be certain that you understand
10. You are then free to go.
poze
to recognize and acknowledge
but never-the-less, on the whim o f
SIOP tor a VIO LATIO N , I might
that we are not attempting to change
fic e r’ s safety) and te ll you the
If you believe that you did not
on behalf o f the defendants. As
the district attorney that Mr. Camp
be able to alleviate some of the con reason for being stopped.
the Oregon Judicial System, but
violate any traffic laws and the o f
defendants we are suppose to be bell shave, the court so ordered that
cerns and mystique for those o f you
rather, we are trying to right the
5. You w ill then be required to
ficer is in error, by all means go to
given a fair and impartial trial; but
he do so. The granting o f this
who have not had such an experien show your driver’ s license and car
wrong that has befallen our
court. Make a notation o f the court
this is not always the case in Oregon
capricious m otion autom atically
ce as well as for those of you who
American
system o f justice, with the
registration...
date that appears on the ticket and
Courts. It anything there is a great
violated Mr. Campbell’ s civil con
hope that it will work just as hard
have and still, do not understand it.
6. ...So that this information can
show up!
show o f partiality in favor o f the
s titu tio n a l rights, not only as a
“ You are stopped by an officer
and e ffic ie n tly to prove our in
be verified. The officer may return
You will be given an opportunity
State
or district attorney. By this,
defendant, but as a human being. In
nocence as it does to establish our
for a traffic violation you commit to the police car at this point.
to present your case to the traffic-
we mean the judge usually rules in
this instance it clearly shows the
ted. You just d id n ’ t see the stop
guilt. We also ask you, as a collec
7. Your car w ill be checked to
judge. The officer will also present
favor o f the State or District A tto r close relationship between this judge
sign, or maybe you d id ."
tive group, that you will not make a
make sure it is not listed as stolen,
his case to the judge. At that point,
ney, whenever a matter has to be
and
district
attorney.
It
also
shows
1. The officer w ill turn on the
thorough
investigation o f your own
and your name and driver’ s license
the judge will make the final deter
taken into consideration, and
how the judge leans in favor o f the
overhead emergency lights or the
to
determine
if our complaint has
w ill be checked to make sure the
mination.
usually the defendant rights have
district attorney’s office and brings
police car - this is not to bring at
the merit we feel it deserves.
license is not suspended and there
A tra ffic violation is a serious
been ignored or disrespected. Some
into existence the partiality between
tention to the situation and em
Your involvem ent and par
are no warrants for your arrest.
matter and should be dealth with
o
f the rights the defendants have:
judges
and
district
attorneys;
and
it
barrass you, but to get your atten
ticipation
is desperately needed in
8. When all this in fo rm a tio n
accordingly. REMEMBER T H A I
First Amendment, the Freedom of
stands to give a strong case to the
tion and provide protection while
this
struggle
to correct this terrible
checks out, the officer may issue a
FIN E YOU W ERE G O IN G TO
Speech and Expression; the Fourth
tact that the judge does not view the
you are talking.
wrong that is being perpurtrated on
c ita tio n (ticke t) fo r the tra ffic
PAY? Join me next week for what
Amendment, the Right to be secure defendants’ witnesses in the same
2. The officer will walk up to your
def endants in the State o f Oregon.
violation or sometimes at the o f
can happen if you do not follow
in his person from unreasonable in
light as the States’ witnesses, thus
car. (Officers have been killed while
There are several ways o f
ficer’s discretion, a warning citation
through!
trusion; the F ifth Am endm ent,
giving us again our basis for our
assisting, and enlightening yourself
rights
pretaining
to
self
complaint: that o f power abuse and
in this area. First, attend some of
incrim ination, along with the due
partiality.
the hearings a n d /o r trials in the
process laws; which means the State
We selected this case as our
District and Circuit Courts and ob
has to show probable cause before
example because we have all o f the
serve the proceedings; ask questions
they can search your person, violate
facts in Black and white, and it may
o f the lawyers about the defendant
your premises, or ask you to submit
be viewed an analyzed for fact and
and his C ivil and C onstitutional
to any unusual acts they m ight
Dear Editor:
selves, their mates, children, parents
must come in the form o f gifts, as I
content o f truth.
Rights. By all means, explore both
demand o f said defendants; such as
Thank you for featuring me as have not legally and fo rm a lly
nor the Black community politically
But, there are other cases, such as
sides of this issue, because it is just
the asking o f blood, the removal of
“ Citizen o f the Week” in your April
or economically.
established a “ Law School Fund.” I
the case o f Mr. Anderson B Boyd,
as much a crime to convict an in
facial hair, the donning o f costumes
10, 1980 pu b lica tio n . In most
For those o f you brothers who are
hope this clarifies the issue as I
who was placed in jail without due
nocent man of a crime he did not
and certain clothes and so on. The
respects your article was accurate,
responsible, you shouldn’ t have
would not want anyone to misun
process or probably cause; later to
commit as it is to actually commit a
defendant also has the safeguard of
Battering and appreciated.
derstand how their generosity would
been bothered by my statement. But
be convicted; Mr. Boyd is Black.
crime or violate any statute. Also,
presumed innocence until proven
However, there are two items in
be accountable for tax purposes.
to the rest o f you brothers who
The case of Mr. David M. Robin
bear in mind that everyone in jail is
guilty. This means the defendant
need o f c la rific a tio n : One, the
complained about what I said, you
And second, "lack of responsible
son, who was denied the right to
not necessarily guilty, or innocent,
does not have to lif t a finger to
"C h a rlo tte W illiam s Law School
need to be about the business o f
Black men” was taken out o f con
change to a more competent and
just because he is in jail. Observe,
prove anything, because the law
F und,” and tw o, “ Responsible
redefining yourselves as Black men,
text. That is not to say that 1 retract
adequate lawyer; Mr. Robinson is
see the almost all-white jurors con
clearly states that the burden o f
Black men."
particularly in relationship to other
my statement, but let me embellish
white. The case ot Mr. Alan Dale
victing Blacks, Mexicans, poor
proof to demonstrate guilt on the
First, I do need and would greatly
Black people.
on that statement by saying I do
Bradley, denied the due process of
whites, and see if the “ peer” jury
State. But in Oregon Courts even
appreciate any financial assistance
have and have had responsible
law. Mr. Bradley was taken to the
members are the “ equal" or “ mat
this safeguard is taken away,
anyone would be willing to provide,
Yours in the struggle
brothers in my life. But in a general
scene o f the crime and placed in
ched” counterparts o f the defen
because they put the burden to show
as tuition alone will cost me 55,(XX) sense, many brothers here in Port
Charlotte Williams
front of victims without proper line
dant.
innocence on the defendant.
per year. But those contributions
land are not responsible for them
up procedures, thus tainting the
Yes, we need your help in this
Something the law clearly states the
identification; Mr. Bradley is white.
m atter, fo r w ith o u t it we are
defendant doesn’ t have to do. To
The case o f M r. Raymon King,
doomed to an unbalanced system of
1st Place
give credence to these accusations,
denied the right to due process o f
justice. Each day that this is allowed
Community Service
we will show some particulars from
The Portland Observer IUSPS 959 6801 is published every Thurs
law and the right to be taken before
ONPA 1973
to continue there are loved ones,
the case of the State o f Oregon vs.
day by Eme Publishing Company, Inc 2201 North Killingsworth,
a judge within seventy-two hours af
families and friends that have to
Portland. Oregon 97217 Post Office Bo» 3137, Portland. Oregon
Dennis E. Campbell, accused o f
1st Place
ter arrest, fo r arraignm ent, as
face these one-sided proceedings,
97208 Second class postage paid at Portland. Oregon
first degree armed robbery.
Best Ad Results
required by law. Mr. King is Black.
and everyday there are crimes o f in
When this crime was alleged to
ONPA 1973
Subscriptions »7 50 per year in 'ri-County area $8 00 per year
Also the case o f Arthur C. Valles,
justice in the courts o f Oregon.
outside Tri County area P ostm aster Send address changes to
have been committed in A p ril o f
who was denied access to a lawyer
With this in mind your time, con
the Portland Observer, P O Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208
5th Place
1979, Mr. Campbell was wearing a
w ith the understanding o f the
sideration, cooperation and in
Best Editorial
full beard and large Afro-hair style;
The Portland Observers official position is expressed only in its
Spanish language or a translator,
dulgence is warmly accepted in the
ONPA 1973
the suspect in this crime was said to
Editorial column Any other material throughout the paper is the
Mr. Valles was violated because he
above m atter. O ur appreciation %.
opinion of the individual writer or submitter and does not neces
be clean shaven with a short Afro-
was never made aware o f the con
cannot be expressed in words, but
Honorable Mention
sarily reflect the opinion ol the Portland Observer
hair style. M r. Campbell was not
ditions o f his probation. Mr. Valles
Herrick Editorial Award
know that we, and our loved ones
apprehended
immediately after this
283 2486
is Spanish.
NNA 1973
will be aware of your actions.
crime so the victim has not been able
N ational A dvertisin g R ep resentative
These are just a few o f the cases
Written by: Mr. Dennis E. Camp
A m a lg a m a te d Publishers. Inc
to see Mr. Campbell in person, but a
2nd Place
where
minorities and poor whites
ALFRED L. HENDERSON
bell.
N e w York
picture o f Mr. Campbell was taken
Best Editorial
are being denied their civil and con
Editor/Publisher
Signed by the follow ing Rocky
to the victim to see i f an iden
3rd Place
s titu tio n a l
rights.
Another
Butte inmates:
Community Leadership tification could be made. Ti ? victim
frightening aspect o f the Oregon
ONPA 1975
said that he could not make any
Judicial System is the lack o f
1. Anderson B. Boyd
identification at all. The v ic tim ’ s minority jurors. This problem is one
Oregon
•=!
2.
Steven Benfield
3rd Place
N ewspaper
o f the most severe problems facing
3.
James
Tylor
I
Community
Leadership
Publishers
PER
only comment, and he pointed to
minorities because most o f the time
4. Larry J. Bankston
”
ONPA 1978
* X A ssociation
Astoci*r>on f o v n d U t U t
M r. C am pbell’ s picture, saying:
a Black man, a Mexican, a poor
3. David Siraknam
"...h is complexion is the closest to
white, has their fate left in the hands
6. Prank L. Williams
Notes from City Hall
Letters to the Editor
Many responsible, but not all
PORTLAND OBSERVER
is 1
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