P aye b P ortlan d O bserver M a y 22. 1980
Behind the Walls
Cell Talk
D a v id W rig h t 0 J V h /6
A s s is ta n t E d ito r
/»» I a rri B a k er It <5021
O S 7*. ( o rr e 'p o iu le n i
A s m a r A h d u t S e iju lla , E d ito r
a k a Joe West 40404
I lic it arc nines when a prisoner
locked inside a prison can forget
sonic ol ilie simple ihmgs in litc lhai
arc lice Hui. il is sadder yet, when
those ihmgs are someihmg he or she
mas never regain again. I he one
tilin g ih.it comes lirs i io this
correspondent's mind, is having the
freedom lo sole.
Hoss strange il was lor me lo walk
around ihe “ Big yard” the other
evening, making small talk among
groups ol prisoners about which
candidate miglii win the Republican
race oi whai democraies are going
lo retain their seal in the legislature.
Wdiild you believe that most ol the
prisoners with whom I spoke, have
nevet cast a vole in a ballot box or
booth in then entire lives. Very lew
even knew one name ol a legislator
ot candidate running in the state
prim.us And it you think that's
strange, how about this; no one
cared.
Because ot the last article that the state ol Oregon in terms ol per
stores, that they are willing partici
"C ell Ia lk " featured I find myself centages, in O.S.P., is seventeen
pants in the destruction o f black
in the precarious position ot either times as great as the Black
lives.
printing a retraction or proceeding population in the state ol Oregon.
.. But, I don’t think that it’ s lair
lu ll steam ahead. The article was In many states the ratio ot Blacks
to lay all the blame on white people
based on racism and it was the sen incarcerated reaches tar beyond the
or the power structure because a
timents ol a majority ot Black in national percentages. Now the next
great many ol the problems that el
mates and not a ligm ent ot my
question you should ask yourselt is
lect Black existence in this country
w rite r's im agination . You can who runs the penal system in this
is because ot the apathy ol Black
believe me when I say that there
country? After you come up with
people in general. We don't seem to
were many comments made concer
the answer, ask yourselt what
care enough about each other to
ning "Racism O.S.P. Style” and at
majority ol people work in the in
prevent the injustices Irom hap
this point, I'd like to take things a
stitutions (whites or non whites)?
pening again and again. It's alright
step fu rth e r and give some
Who are the parole officers, police
it they o il the brother down the
clarification on the position taken o ffic e rs , judges and law makers
street or whartever, it’ s to easy to
previously.
(whites or non-whites), and then ask
w rite o il the large numbers ol
It’ s my sincere belie! that racism yourselt why more Black people
Blacks now confined in prisons all
isn’ t a sell sustaining mechanism don’ t pursue careers in law enforce
across the country.
that it has to be perpetuated by ment.
It’ s ridiculous lo say that people
people who have something to gain.
What it all amounts to is racism,
S ta te R e p re s e n ta tiv e N an cy Ryles IL) and A lic e Ford (R) discuss
like mysell are the problem when we
In other words, there is a measure ol genocide and profit. It amounts to
OSP co n d itio n s w ith J C. K eeney, A s sistan t S u p e rin te n d e n t.
had nothing to do with creating the
p ro fit in racism and how you killing two birds with one stone; you
condition that lead to our incar
measure that profit is up to you. But get a tremendous amount o f black
are so many inmates at the Oregon ticipating m O.S.P. church services
ceration. If people like mysell can
please bear in m ind that in a men and women o il the street, out
State P enitentiary not aware ot
on a Sunday morning.
be classified as criminal, then every
dem ocratic form ot government o f the jo b m arket, out o f the
who's who in state and local
I his bring up the fo llo w in g
Black person in P ortland is a
such as the one that exist in America
politics? I d o n ’ t believe there is question:
l or those ol us who've developed
educational system, out ol govern
crim in a l fo r not destroying the
-- someone has to lose, someone has ment, out ol everything and you
another state penitentiary in the
some political awareness over the
What would happen it he inmates
criminal atmosphere that leads to
to win. It’s my belief that il Black
United States that has had more
years can sigh w ith relief lo r
had the right to vole? Would they
create jobs fo r other people in
crime. I ’ m not trying to white wash
people are to be successful in their
personal contact w ith politicians
neither the Community Correction
return.
become more politically motivated?
my own crimes, I’m only pointing
struggle
lo r to ta l freedom , they
than this prison. During the past
A ct, the M etric System nor the
When things get a little slow, you
Who knows, maybe Jimmy Carter
out the need for Black moral con
must attack the pertinent issues on make new laws, create more social
two years we've had the opportunity
death penalty are issues concerning
or le d Kennedy w ould come
sciousness in the community. Black
all
fronts. “ Prison and its relation conditions and force more Black
to invite many politicians to lunch
the voters. Believe it or not, even the
knocking on these prison gates, l it
people control nothing -- not even
ship to Blacktolks is very important people into crime. It’ s a never end
and dinner on a regular basis. When
prisoners are silent about the need
teen hundred voles is a feather in
their own com m unity, not the
because the prison system in this ing cycle and it ’s Black people who
the legislature is in session, it is
tor a b ill being submitted to the
your hat il you are running lor o f
clothes they wear or the cars they
country
isn ’ t
designed
io are being recycled. They aren’ t
legislature lor Conjugal visits and
common to see a state Senator or a fice and you can obtain that many
drive or the schools that educate
re h abilitate B la ckto lks but to killing us anymore because there is a
state Representative lecturing in the
acquisition ol their own personal
from one source in Oregon. Maybe
their children. Nothing is going to
destroy them.
prison’ s education classroom or sit
television sets. Now it someone will
that’ s what the inmates should be
profit in incarcerating us. Plus, then
change until we recognize the d if
Prison not only destroyed the those ot us that are caught in the net
ting among prisoners in their club
shut Hal Haas's m outh to r a
pushing lor in the next legislative
ference between the victim and the
basic hum anistic a ttrib u te s in ol criminal justice are then pointed
meetings. But then again, what
minute, on his bid lor the state A t
session.. the right to vote.
victimized.
prisoners, it also makes money in out and used as justification for the
other prison in this country could
torney General's position, those
I l ’ s a proven tact that violence no
I
pray
A lla h
that
the
the process. I ry to imagine how perpetuation o f the system.
who pay taxes in Oregon won’t have
Imd the slate’ s Attorney General,
longer brings about positive change
inadequateness o f these lines sheds
many people are dependent on their
playing basketball and so ftb a ll
to pay out their hard earned dollars
m our penal institutions. Just lor
I he people that control this coun
some light on a very important issue
livelihood
in relation to corrections. try keep the small white people so
against the inmates, as I have w it
to build another penitentiary. I his
one example: II the law was changed
and I pray Allah that the need for
Crime prevention is big business in paronoid o f Blacks raping their
nessed here at O.S.P. On the up
topic seems to be the main thrust in
allowing inmates to vote, I bet you
articles such as this are soon erased.
this co u n try, every Black man, daughters, selling dope to their
swing, you can witness some o f the
Haas’s campaign.
each one could sway at least three
May Allah bless you and may the
woman and child in P o rtla n d , children and robbing their grocery
Now the question becomes, why
sentencing judges o f this state, par
relatives or triends to vote the same
path you walk be free o f stones.
Oregon has a market value ol zero
way, and a great many things would
when you consider the economic
suddenly change. Because, il all the
ST. A N D R E W S C A THO LIC C H U R C H
standing they hold in their com-
inmates team up along with relatives
806 NE ALBERTA STREET
281 4429
mniunity or in the slate. Count the
and friends
wow! th a t’ s 6,000
Reverend Bertram G riffin , Pastor
number ol Black people in Portland
votes!
Masses
who’reon the welfare rolls, consider
Could this be the reason it’ s so
W e offer savings of up to 40% and more on fine quality wonder and Hostess
5 :00pm Viyil Saturday
the type ol jobs Black people have
important to the powers that be, to
pro du cts, plus large d iscou nts on other baked goods Besides our every
10 00am Choir Sunday
and you'll get a small idea how ex
day lo w prices, we feature in store specials daily Just look for the bar
lake the right to vote away, from
12 00pm Folk Sunday
gain signs on the displays in our store Discover for yourself w tia t thou
pendable we are. Now consider
those
incarcerated?
ST. A N D R E W C O M M U N IT Y SCHOOL
sands o f sm art shoppers in the area have fou nd
every Black man, woman and child
Surely it can't be a form ol
4919 NE 9th A v*
Phone 284 1620
in Portland as potential inmates in
punishment because how can you
Nonla Kelly. Principal
Grades 1 thru 8
the penal system. Place them in a
nnss something you’ ve never been
closed environment - create in them
concerned about? I he right to vote.
a sense of tear and inadequacy - the
I he average inm ate in this in
HU G H ES M E M O R IA L UN ITED M E T H O D IS T C H U R C H
final outcome is dependency.
stitution has been incarcerated two
While this is being done you then
REV AUSTIN V. RAY, MINISTER
or three times before the age ol IK
provide X number o f non-colored
years ot age. So, he was never
111 N.E. FA ILING
people with jobs, pensions, security,
taught the value o l his voting
Dial A Prayer 284 0684
Church School 9 45am
sell worth, confidence and so on —
Worship 11 OOarn
Office 281 2332
powers. Would it play an important
You'll be am azed at the savings you
the final outcome is independency.
role in his rehabilitation? I don't
S/»c< /<///;/ev In
Individual • M arriaw am i I ninth • ( trou/i I Inra/o
m ake a t our W onder T h rift Shop!
Malcom said, "D e m o cra cy is a
know, I ’ m just posing the question
The C hurch W here NO Stranger Feels Strange
v
u
ltu
ris
tic
form
o
f
government
and leaving it up tor you to answer.
because it has to have something or
Food stamps gladly accepted 1
someone to feed off. In most cases
S A TIS FA C TIO N
it's the poor, the Black, the disen
G U A R A N TEED
You must be completely satisfied with
franchised that ta ll prey to the
every purchase or we will cheerfully
system. The same is true o f the
refund your purchase price
American penal system - it has to
have something or someone to feed
o ft.”
'
fro n t
r / r r m / r r ttr /2 rr n r / / h t i / m i n / / r n / r i
Blacktolks have always been con
115 N Cook St.
sidered expendable because o f the
C o rn e r o f V a n c o u v e r b C o o k S t P o rtla n d , O re g o n
1 5 1 8 N E KILLINGSWORTH
O p e n M o n th r u S a t 9am 6 p m
C lo s e d S u n d a y s
plantation m entality that exist in
P U R IL A N D OREGON 9721 1
America. We are expendable plus
2 8 4 7997
the powers that be want to make
money in the process. What I ’ m
NEW HOPE M IS S IO N A R Y BA PTIST C H U R C H
saying is that the concept o f correc
REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR
tions is not only a tool for genocide,
THE CHURCH DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEED
it
also
creates
a
trememdous
amount
Bv Tom Boothe
Sunday School
9 30am
o f revenue for the government. 55%
Morning Worship
10 30am
From the front door, I saw people on the move they were all going in the same general direc
o f the people incarcerated in
Evening Service 2nd, 4th and
5th Sundays
7 00pm
tion, but, their forward motion was like that of many butterflies; they were moving to the
Am erican prisons are Black,
Communion 1st Sunday
5 00pm
right, then to the left, up and then down, fast and then slow.
Hispanic or Indian.
Wed
Family Prayer Meeting
As I studied their motion, I could see that there were some that were leaders and some
The Black inmate population in
and Bible Study
7 30pm
that were followers, some that knew where they were going and others that didn't, some
Friday Brotherhood
Fellowship Service with
that were concerned about where they were going and some that didn't care, some were en
A PERSONAL MOMENT
7 00pm
Morning Star 3rd Sunday
joying the journey and some were complaining about it, some were producing and some
FOR THOSE WHO CARI
were consuming, some were relatively independent and some totally dependent.
Prayer and Pastor Phone 281 6476
It a deaf man should sing on
Church Phone 281 0163
Yet, they were all moving as a body in the same direction, none ever lost sight of the main
top of a distant mountain, no
body, no matter how far they would stray from it, some strayed intentionally, others strayed
3725 N. Gantenbein Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97227
one would bear it so there
because they were tired, but they would always return to the main body.
would be no sound. If a
There were births and deaths in this process of direction and movement, but even these
beautiful picture is projected
were carried along in the same direction nothing was lost everything was moving. No one
from a projector, but it never
could say exactely when this movement, and the perception there of, started; nor, could any
strikes an object such as a
one say when or if it would end.
screen then there is no picture.
Some called this movement life, others called it history, yet others called it nature I
The nicest smelling perfume is
couldn't see. nor hear, any absolute agreement coming from those of the present, nor,
nothing until it reaches a nose
could I find any recorded agreements in any books on this process of movement. There were
to enjov the fragrance. To love
always differences of opinions and explanations.
alone is like singing on top of
As I stepped back, I saw that those who had an advantage in this group movement were
the distant mountain. To live,
those who had a specific purpose and had prepared themselves to achieve that purpose,
love must be both projected
they were also the ones who were setting the direction for the entire group movement, they
and received
drove toward their purpose consistently, these people who had purpose, preparation,
|9 7 V W m A K iin in ier
direction, and consistency, they developed momentum for the group.
You are W elcom e to W orship at
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There were those in the group who had a purpose, but no preparation, or dire ctio n or
PH
I
SE
N
TF.0
BY
THE
ARK OF SAFETY C H U R C H OF GOD IN CH R IST
consistency.
‘ ‘A warm spirit o f Jello wship at ways ’ ’
There were those who was always preparing but, had no set purpose, d ire ctio n or
The Honorable Bishop U.V. Peterson, D D.
consistency.
"The Holiness Preacher," Pastor
There were those who had direction, but no consistency, preparation or purpose
T uesday
r
unday
Finally, there were those who were so inconsistent that they were consistently incon
Bible Band/Jr Church
Sunday School
9 15am
7 30pm
sistent These were at the rear and on the sides, but because of the law of the movement
Wednesday
Morning Worship
11:15am
they were not lost.
Choir Rehearsal
7 00pm
Friday
'Showers of Blessings Broadcast
This process of movement had only one law and four rules which was:
The Pastor Speaks
K L I0 1290
3 30 4 30
7 30pm
2737 N.E. Union
Purpose, prepare, to implement it, know your d ire ctio n and be consistent; and for
YPWW
6 30pm
those who failed to do this, they would immediately become subjected to someone elses
84 NE Killingsworth
Evangelistic Worship
8 00pm
282 2216
281 0499
purpose, and none could escape the law
Tuesday Friday
Noon Day Prayer
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SAVE
ON YOUR FOOD BILL?
L. X 0
D IJ S
WONDER-HOSTESS THRIFTSHOP
FROM THE FRONT DOOR
AMERICAN
STATE
BANK
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