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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 1980)
Pag« 2 Portland Observar April 24. 1900 EDITORIAL/ OPINION Africa in the news by N. Fungai Kumbula Two commissions: Not one 'he Black and Hispanic communties have asked fo r state com m issions to study and document the problems faced by those groups in O regon and to address rem edies. The governor has replied with an offer of a joint committee on minorites, and has appointed a Task Force to study the feasibility. That his com m itm ent is to one commission and not tw o has been ably represented by his em ployees. It should be clear by now that a m inority commission is not what has been advocated by these groups and a minority committee is not acceptable. It is true that Blacks and Hispanics suffer the same injustices and are subjected to racism and discrimination. But the types of repression and the effect on peoples with diverse cultures and b a ckg ro unds are d iffe re n t and the corrective measures will have to be different. Hispanics themselves are diverse enough to have a w ide range of specific and unique problems. For example: Am ong those con Z IM B A B W E : sidered as Hispanics are Chicanos, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Latin Americans and persons from other Spanish speaking areas of the world - each group w ith its own history and culture. There are urban and rural residents; perm anent residents, m igrants and fo rm e r migrants; native born Americans, recent im migrants and illegal alliens; those who speak only Spanish and those w ith only Spanish sur names. A commission w ould be kept busy dealing w ith the problems and needs of these vastly different groups of people, let alone tackle the problems of Blacks. The Bureau of Labor and Industry already has the power to carry ot the broad functions of a minority or human relations commission - to investigate institutional racism and educate the public. W hat is needed now are separate Black and Hispanic com m issions th a t can docum ent and address problem s unique to their own communities. A joint commission would only defuse, con fuse and divide the effort. Roberts provides leadership Oregon C om m issioner ot Labor and In dustry Mary Wendy Roberts is to be com mended tor her call for a special session of the legislature to plan for the growing economic crisis. Commissioner Roberts is responsible for apprenticeships, wage and hour com plaints and civil rig h ts c o m p la in ts. In tim es of recession and rising une m p loym ent these areas are critically affected. Opportunities for a p p re n tice sh ip s d im in ish , em ployers are unable or unwilling to pay wage claims, and as competition tor jobs increases discrimination prevails. Commissioner Roberts points to a 20 per cent drop in housing starts and a projected annual decline of 50 per cent; the closing of plyw ood mills thro ugho ut the state; a $25 m illio n cu t in the H ighw ay D e partm ent budget, layoffs and profit losses by major em ployers. A lth o u g h O re g o n 's e co n o m y is in te r dependent with that of the nation, she said it is not productive to merely blame outside forces b u t leadership m ust be exercised w ith in Oregon.” Prior to the proposed legislative session, her Bureau w ill assemble technical inform ation, economic analysis and indices and seek com m unity participation in determining how the Bureau can best address the economic con dition. When Wendy Roberts was campaigning for office she said she would not merely sit back and let problems come to her desk, but would aggressively pursue the problems and issues that relate to employment and industry. This action is evidence that her campaign promises were more than mere words. It is rewarding to finally see a state agency take the re sp o n sib ility to tackle problem s th a t are critical to the least served members of the public. I o the community: Once again, we wish to express our graiiludc tor your show o f sup port As you may know the P.P.S. Hoard ot I dotation has made some d e c isio n s related to educational issues raised by yourselves and the H U I However, we believe actions taken so tar are not enough regar ding the fu tu re ot our ch ild re n ’ s educational needs. The struggle still ahead ot us may not end in a matter ot days, months, or even years, but we must maintain the highest level ot com m itm ent and sp irite d cooperation for the benefit o f our children. We ask, therefore, and believe your continued support is crucial/needed. Permit us to express a special Thank You by recognizing the support from the follow ing organizations who publicly backed the B.U.F. plan: A lbina M in iste ria l Alliance, African Student Union - P.S.U., Black Caucus - P.S.U., Committee to Support The B.U.E., Fight Back, N.E. Coalition o f Neighborhoods, N.E. M in o rity C ontractors Association. Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs, Oregon Fair Share - A lbina Chapter, and T .H .E . C.R.I.B. Although we have recognized the above named organizations, we Join movement for public power To The Editor: In 19X0 Oregonians have a unique opportunity to gain control over their energy future. Already citizens in fourteen Oregon counties have placed measures on the November ballot for form People's U tility D istricts (PUDs) and start the process o f replacing PGE and PP&L. PUDs offer consumers local control over energy decisions and lower electric rates. To provide renewable sources of power for our new PUDs and assure Oregonians a reliable supply o f safe electrical energy, Oregonians for U tility Reform, Sen Walt Brown, Senator George W ingard, and LWEB Commissioner John Bartels have sponsored the “ Oregon Renewable Energy Development and Conservation Act o f 1980“ initiative petition. Petitions are now available for signature gatherers since the Oregon Supreme Court rejected Pacific Power and Light’s challenge of the ballot title. I he renewable energy petition will finally allow us to get the con servation done and renewable energy sources underway. The initiative implements Oregon Con stitutional A rticle X l-D to make existing state bonding capacity available for low-interest loans to individuals, businesses, local governments, and consumer-owned u tilitie s to develop solar, wind, geothermal, alcohol fuels, low-head hydro, wood-waste, and conser vation. In 1980 Oregonians will be able to vote on the "Oregon Model” o f public power and renewable energy newly, every week now. As in Zimbabwe in the latter stages o f the war, white farmers are beginning to run away and the regime is righteously angry. LIBERIA: Over in M onrovia, Liberia, one dictator W illiam R. Tolbert woke up one recent morning to discover his head was missing. Under Tolbert and all his predecessors, descendants o f former slaves who went back to Africa to settle, the wealth and power had been controlled by less than five per cent o f the population. The m ajority, the indigenous people, were excluded and their anger and frustrations have been rising over the years as times get rougher and rougher. April 11, Master Sgt. Samuel K. Doe led a group o f junior officers, stormed the presidential palace and took over. In the fighting that en sued, Tolbert, his son A.B ., who was in line to succeed him were both killed as were several o f his close aides. Government o ffic ia l who were arrested following the coup are to stand tria l shortly. Doe has vowed to stamp out corruption. CHAD: The on again, o ff again ceasefire in Chad seems to have broken down for good this time. The forces o f Defence M inister, Hissein Habre seem determined to fight it out to the finish against the combined forces o f President G oukuni Queddei and the other members o f the “ u n ity” govern ment. Meantime, southern leader and vice president Wadel Kamougou has also entered the fray against Habre. As the fighting rages in the capital o f N ’ Djamena, 100,000 o f its residents have already fled. tty Charles Jordan Commissioner o f Public Safety I f you believe that you did not violate any traffic laws when cited by that police officer, go tell it to the judge! Your failure to appear in court or dispose o f that tra ffic violation can be serious! REMEMBER IH A I TINE YOU WERE GOING TO PAY? “ YOU FORGOT TO PAY THAT FINE TOR A C IT A T IO N wish to also express our ap YOU RECEIVI D SIX MONTHS preciation to the hundreds o f in AGO. THEN, OF COURSE, YOU dividuals and/or parents who have FORGO I ABOUT THE COURT given their time, money, and sup D ATE, S IM P LY BECAUSE IT port to the B.U.F. either publicly or JUST D ID N ’ T S L IM T H A T privately. Also, we are S ER IO U S.” W ELL! IT IS acknowledging the support given by SERIOUS! A tty. Derrick A. Bell, Jr., newly A bench warrant has been issued appointed Dean o f the University o f for your arrest and your driver’ s Oregon School ot l aw; Mr. Herb license has been suspended. This Cawthorne, P.P.S. Board member, warrant may be served at your home and Mr. Lucius Hicks, III. or your place o f employment. Respectfully, It you are stopped by an officer under these circumstances it is very Ron Herndon serious! Even though you are stop ped for a minor tra ffic violation, Rev. John H Jackson you must appear before a judge for Co-Chairman, B.U.F. the previous vio la tio n and your failure to appear in court. You will be asked to step out o f your car and the officer will hand- when we collect the necessary 55,(XX) cutl you. You will be searched and signatures to place the “ Oregon "taken into custody.” Renewable Energy Development REMEMBER IH A I FINE YOU WERT GOING TO PAY?" and Conservation A c t” on the ballot. Write Oregonians for U tility Reform, P.O. Box 12763, Salem, Oregon 97309 for information and petitions. Sincerely At this point, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST. The of ficer will have you sit in the back seat ot the police car. You will be driven to the Multnomah County Booking Facility located at 1021 S.W. Fourth where County correc tional officers will receive the Port land City Police Report and take you into their custody for booking. The police officer is released o f the responsibility for your custody at this point. W H A T IF I WAS STOPPED W H IL E D R IV IN G ? C A N MY CAR BE TOW ED? HO W DO I FIN D IT AFTER MY RELEASE FROM TH E M U LTN O M AH COUNTY BOOKING FAC ILITY? It there was a passenger in the car at the time o f your arrest, that per son, possessing a valid d riv e r’ s license, may be allowed to drive your car (with your permission) to a place o f your choosing, if that auto is not needed for police evidence. Otherwise, upon your release from custody, you should call the Bureau ot Police A u to Records Division at 248-5720. I f you car has beeen towed, this division o f the Police Bureau can direct you to its location. You will, have to pay, in cash, a towing bill o f $31.45, plus a 55.00 per day storage fee if your car is im pounded four hours or more. These charges are due to increase July 30, 1980! “ HOW DO 1 F IN D MY CAR AFTER MY RELEASE FROM THE M U L T N O M A H C O U N TY BOOKING F A C ILIT Y ?” If, in another example, your car is illegally parked when towed, you will be required to pay the fine in addition to the tow ing b ill and storage fee. If you feel your car was towed in error or the charges were excessive, you can appeal to the City o f Port land (either the A uto Records Division or the Commissioner o f the Office of Public Safety) to get reim bursed tor the amount you paid to recover your car. IF I HAVE BEEN ARRESTED BOOKED IN THE C O U N TY F A C IL IT Y A N D T H E N IT IS D E C ID E D T H A T 1 M UST BE HELD A T THE COUNTY JA IL. W H A I HAPPENS TO MY PER SONAL PROPERTY? Can it be seized? Yes! If there is anything on your person that the officer feels could be used as evidence! In this instance, the procedures tor handling your personal property are ditterent. I f you are interested, join me next week! PORTLAND OBSERVER 1 st Place Community Service ONPA 1973 day by Exie PuMshmg' C o m p a r . ^ n ^ ’^ o T N o r't'h V li' David McTeague 290 18th St. NF. Salem, Oregon 97301 P o la n d , Oregon 97217. Pos, OWce B o ^ 97208 Second,,ass postage paid a, P o X o T o r e ^ ' S8 “ r Folk Art exhibit wrong To The Editor: Society to set a "high prio rity" for a A statement “ Black women in photo inventory o f individuals and Oregon do not quilt...” appears in group quilts made by A fro - the ethnic arts division o f the Americans who live in Oregon in current Oregon Folk Art Exhibit at cluding accompanying photos o f the Oregon Historical Society. Such persons. information is scheduled to travel to My we expect a future exhibit other points in the United States. postscript "Get It Right?” It would appear that tax- Sincerely, supported agencies and endowments would NOT knowingly assent to be Mrs. OslyJ. Gates captive or accomplice to “ irrespon sible" distortion. CC: Execu,ive D irector, Oregon I challenge the Oregon Historical Historical Society affair. SOUTH A FR IC A : The shock waves from the people’ s victory in Zimbabwe have not yet settled in this racist nation. The fa llo u t is being felt in various forms: some of the politicians and pro-government papers are calling for dialogue with the real leaders o f the A frica n people, the ones the government labels “ radicals" and not the “ uncle Toms” that the regime has dealt with all along. The level o f g u e rrilla a c tivity w ith in South A fric a has also escalated d ra m a tica lly since the beginning o f the year. January 25 saw three brothers take over a bank, hold 25 whites hostage and demand the release of an ANC leader Nelson Mandela. A fter a gun battle with police, the three guerrillas, armed with AK-47 rifles were killed. Two of the hostages were also killed and eleven were wounded. A police station was attacked with rocket propelled grenades. Two policemen were killed and several others wounded. The guerrillas escaped and have never been found. The police station was located in the heart o f Johannesburg. The people have organized several highly successful Heroes Days for their comrades who fell in combat. The funerals fo r some o f these guerrillas were attended by more than 30,000 people. Also, despite the supression o f free speech, a petition to free Nelson Mandela has so far been signed by almost 50,000 people. Out in the country, whites believe the civil war is already under way. Incidents o f clashes and at tacks on settler targets in the Messina area and other areas o f northern Transvaal bordering on Zim babwe are being reported Notes from City Hall Letters to the Editor An open letter from BUF The democratically elected government o f comrade Robert Mugabe is moving swiftly to return the country to norm alcy. The one m illio n refugees who had tied the country side and set up squatter camps out side Harare ( “ S alisbury” ) have begun to move back to their homes even before the government has stepped in to help. The In te r national Red Cross is coordinating efforts to move them. The government is also moving swiftly to dismantle Smith’s concen tra tio n camps ( “ protected” villages’ ), which at the height o f the war housed more than half a million Blacks. One o f the most significant changes has taken place in the press o f Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting C o rp o ra tio , ZEC, (radio TV), the Zimbabwe Herald and The Bulawayo Chronicle, the two major dailies all o f which up until two months ago used to be mere extensions o f the South African press, now sound more like the press ot free Africa. No longer do they only feature Blacks when they have been arrested fo r something. It is now dominated by stories o f Blacks being promoted to all kinds o f positions, efforts being taken by southern A frica’ s free state to develop and reduce dependence on South Africa. For the first time in its history, the press o f Zimbabwe is actually attacking South Africa. Here in Portland, the celebration tor Zimbabwe’ s independence was a major success. It was a most in spiring evening to see that many people come together to celebrate the happy event. Except for one drunken fool who caused a few problems as the party was winding down, it was truly a “ comradely” 1 st Place Best Ad Results ONPA 1973 - the Por/ZandO forner, P 0 Box 3137. Portland O -e g o n ^ T x « ' ° ° P 'n 'o n o t the . n d ^ a T ; ; ^ ; ^ ^ ^ ’^ n ' T senty reflect the opinion of the / - „ m ^ i l ^ e r 5th Place Best Editorial ONPA 1973 " neC9S Honorable Mention Herrick Editorial Avvard NNA 1973 283 2486 ALFRED L. HENDERSON Editor/Publisher . N ational A dvertieing R epresentative A m a lg a m a te d Publishers. Inc N ew Vorh 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place Community Leadership ONPA 1975 — M W MfMBtR N e N P A peh A ssociation . fo u n d e d IM S -- l ' " — ______ ASSOC l a t i o n 1 W 3rd Place Community Leadership ONPA 1978
