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Cell Talk
By Asmar A bdul Seijullah
taka Joe West » 40404
By Stevie Hoggans J8V2J
As I walk throughout the coniines
ol this prison, Black faces express
many characteristics significant to
their situation. There are smiling
faces, brothers talkin tha jive, and
laces that are lost. However, it is
unmitigated fiction for anyone not
to believe that depression is indeed
apart of their minds and that anger
is inscribed into the framework of
their minds as the whip was to the
back o f our historical heritage!
Prison administrators constantly
question the rationale o f incar
cerated Blacks, w ith that old
patronizing cliche “ we are trying.
Haven’ t we given you this, what
more do you w ant?” This ex
pression is one of the 60s! Now, in
side the walls o f Oregon State
Penitentiary, we have a staggering
population o f Black men with a
1980 mentality that will no longer
accept the satisfaction o f the 60s,
but demands the fu lfillm e n t o f
today!
Racism, even though it is alive
and living in the crim inal justice
systems, is a tool o f yesterday’s op»
pressors. Black mentalities o f today
are no longer geared towards this
channel o f acceptance. Neither are
the Black men o f Oregon State
Penitentiary. We are no longer
satisfied with the small concessions
issued out to us while we’ re being
systematically castorated and snuf
fed out. We are outraged...ap-
pauled at the concerted efforts per
petuated against Black prisoners to
keep us locked in the same self-
destructive
lifestyles
we so
desperately seek to abandon. We
will no longer accept plastic satisfac
tion in place o f meaningful change!
The black men o f Oregon State
Penitentiary crave fulfillm ent! We
crave and demand the fullness o f
life and the promise o f joy that ac
companies
Black
lib e ra tio n .
Dignity...integrety...and worth as
Black men must be included in the
program. Through these channels
alone, can the bond o f self-
destructiveness be broken and Black
men generated towards produc
tivity.
Black prisoners hunger, their ap
petites call for just, fair and equal
treatment. It is by no means our
desire to experience another attica
or New Mexico tragedy; that must
never happen here! However, what
w ill happen is that the prison ad
m in is tra tio n at Oregon Stale
Penitentiary must stand accountable
to the people, to the courts and to
their racist consciences. They will
have to be responsible from the
natural flow o l their conduct,
meaning, the same system that op
presses today, w ill free us in the
morning i f we fight and support
each other. This is a call for com
munity support.
(Editors Note: Steve Hoggans is
one of the many Black prisoners
trying to find viable answers to the
problems that plague us as incar
cerated Black men. I ’ ve watched
this brother grow from a struggle
mass o f confusion into a positive
force for change. He articulates
him self well and has a genuine
concern for his fellow prisoners.
Steve is perhaps one o f the most
stable people I know, he is warm
and alive, he shares himself with
other people and inside this
yellowing carcass called prison Steve
Hoggans is forming, growing, tran
scending the shallowness o f prison
walls and bars. It’s vital that Steve
and brothers like him receive the
re in fo rcin g factors necessary to
produce goodness. If he can survive
this purgatory and return to the
community wholesome then there
w ill be one more soldier fo r the
liberation army.
I think that it ’s necessary that we
ask ourselves can we afford to lost
the Stevie Hoggan’s of the world. If
you believe the answer is yes, then
it's obvious that the man has done a
job - his job on your mind. Because
of the forces that are working to
keep us separated from our true
selves, it ’s important that we as a
people begin to take a second look
at each other. Look again and
decide whether or not the Blackmen
confined in O.S.P. are losers or is it
just that the game was fitted all the
lim e. Always remember that the
people who control the lives and
destinies o f people like Steve
Hoggans are the same people who
control the Black community. There
isn’t a way to separate the two, we
are still bound by the embilical cord
o f slavery and oppression and until
we sever the cord together - none o f
us will be truly free!)
OSP prisoners earn degrees
By Benjamin W. Davis 40272
o f the law ?’ ’ A p p a re n tly, the
world in words from which we still
Pharisee lawyer was as perplexed by
gain great pleasure. They are
Have you ever done something
the volumes o f laws as I was by the
capable
o f appreciating the
whimsical, just out o f curiosity,
reams o f notes and essays under my
discipline in the w orld and o f
with no purpose in mind except to
bunk.
bringing a great deal o f self-
see what happens, not really caring
As the Pharisee was wondering if
satisfaction to themselves. The
what the outcome might be?
one law was more important than
esteem lor the great poets must, in
I started college merely out o f
the others, I, too, was wondering if
part, be for this self-respect.
curiosity. Two years ago I spoke to
one class or one subject is more im
I return to the tw o men men
an inmate who had just received his
portant than the others. Why is it
tioned
earlier, what is the
diploma in this very visiting room.
required to have math and English
difference
between the man at Sam
W ith this degree, he told me, and
classes when 1 like anthropology?
bo s, (lashing his parole papers and
seventy-five cents, a person can get
Algebra has nothing to do with an
a diploma for a cup o f coffee, and
a good cup o f coffee at Sambo’ s.
thropology, which deals with lifeless
my
friend behind the grill making
Yet, tonight, I have an Associate’ s
prehistoric humans, while algebra
the coffee and cooking hamburgers?
Degree, three boxes o f notes and
deals with numbers - figures and
The man at the counter was
essays under my bunk, and
symbols that are far from lifeless.
disgusted,
he needed something to
numerous, well-educated friends
They often appear to be frantically
drink. My friend behind the g rill
pumping gas, laying bricks, and
alive, scram bling around w ith
was pleased - smiling as he flipped
cooking hamburgers.
reckless abandon.
the hamburgers and prepared the
However, while I'm in prison, the
To control the confusion o f num
buns and coflee — all in an orderly
opportunity for an education must
bers I have learned how to discipline
fashion, the result of his discipline
have some s ifn ific a n t purpose.
them, putting them in an ordered,
to do a job and arrange his world to
W ould the State o f Oregon
manageable pattern I can see and
be pleasant. These fixed habits o f
knowingly waste its money on my
understand. Unlike anthropology,
thought and action are the ex
education? The State’ s good inten
discipline and logic are obviously
pression of his manner. They are the
tions have, on occasion, been sub
essential to mathematics.
outward expression o f his intellec
ject to unintentional, unfortunate
I am conditioned to take this
tual and m oral convictions, the
catastrophies, but no one could be
discipline for granted after leaving
behavior of a truly educated man or
more aware than myself o f how
the equations and settling down in
woman, be it cooking in a
easily this can happen!
another class. Not only have I
restaurant or managing the
Last night I sat down and went
neglected it in anthropology but I
curriculum o f a college or univer
through my three boxes o f notes,
often forget to use it in other areas.
sity, both jobs requiring disciplined
trying to find a reason, a significant
That same discipline 1 used to my
thoughts, disciplined actions, and a
purpose, for two years o f studying.
advantage in mathematics should be
good deal of self-respect.
I dusted o ff quadratic equations and
applied to typing, to sociology, and
I have worked these words in an
predicate adjectives, hailed the an
to psychology. However, I saw this
orderly fashion and arranged them
cient Egyptians and P aleolithic
discipline brought to life in
from the despicable algebra class all
men, squirmed through the synaptic
literature. In their works, the great
the
way to self-respect. The Pharisee
canals, and cried through a
poets and novelists ordered the
lawyer also found out about self-
Shakespearian Sonnet. In one o f
physical environm ent and even
respect. The Master told him to love
the boxes I knew there had to be an
human nature the way I ordered the
they neighbor as you would yourself
answer. A fte r several frustrating
x’s and y’ s and traingles. These men
was only one o f the two most impor
hours, on the verge of considering a
are the most respected o f their time
tant laws. W ithout self-respect it
career at Sambo’ s I remembered the
and are still respected today, long
would be difficult to love my neigh
Pharisee, a great lawyer, who,
after their death, they had not only
bor.
having read the hundreds o f Old
learned to order and to classify but
Therefore, I believe, that upon
Testament laws, asked: “ Master,
they had learned to discipline them
self-respect hangs all the knowledge,
which is the greatest commandment
selves and record the vastness o f the
textbooks, and patient instructors
of the last two years. Self-respect is
imperative if I am to show esteem
ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH
for my fellow human beings, a basic
concern
to keep me out o f prison.
Corner of 8th and Skidm ore
My very presence here shows I have
Sunday School 9:30am
Sunday Worship 11:00am
not respected someone. Ultimately,
Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00pm
if I have gained self-respect, then I
(second and fourth Sundays)
believe I have fulfilled the purpose
Reverend Thomas L. Strayhand. Minister
of prison education.
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR
Sunday School
Morning Worship
Evening Service 2nd 4th and
5th Sundays
Communion 1st Sunday
W ed
Family Prayer Meeting
and Bible Study
Friday Brotherhood
Fellowship Service with
Morning Star 3rd Sunday
Prayer and Pastor Phone 28, 6476
Church Phone 28, 0 ,8 3
9 30am
10 30am
7 00pm
5 00pm
7 30pm
7 00pm
»
J.
3725 N Gantenbein Avenue. Portland. Oregon 97227
(E d ito r s N ote: Benjamim W.
Davis was one of 23 inmates at OSP
who received Associate in Arts and
Associates in Science degrees on
July 13th through Chemeketa
C om m unity. Receiving degrees
were:
Stanley C. A loan Jr., John Fran
cis Cooper //, Richard O. Coym,
Benjamin B Davis, James J. Eder,
Jr., Donna L. F irth , George A.
Garcia, Richard A. Goyette, Carl
B'. H arrison, Robert L. Inglis,
Delbert R. Lammers, Gary Alan
Lewis, Joseph A Pinto, Jack E.
Puritt, Jr., Jerome K. Salwei, l.arry
Carl Sharp, Karl F. Slimm, Ben A.
Summer, Vincent N. Tryner, David
Gene b rig h t and T.L. Ximmerlee.
C lasses available this summer for
those who lack in basic reading,
w ritin g and spelling skills are
provided through Portland Com
m unity College's Developmental
Educational Program at the
Cascade Center. 705 N. Killings-
worth.
Ann Berry, who has been
teaching English fo r about ten
years, will help students learn how
to read with comprehension, write
complete thoughts and im prove
grammer. Punctuation, newspaper
and map reading, as well as tips on
filling out job applications w ill be
taught.
The sessions, in four-week
blocks, start July 21 and end August
15. The second session begins
August 18 and ends September 12.
Classes are held Monday through
Thursday, from 7:30- 10:30 a.m.
Students may take either one or
both Comprehensive Language
Development sessions, entering on
their own level and working at their
own pace.
Learn computors
A second five-week course in
Data Entry Operation is available at
P ortland C om m unity College
beginning August 5th.
RUSSELL L. LEGGROAN
Candidates for this eight-credit
course must pass the operators
apitude test and type 40 words per
minute. The tests are given in the
Sylvania Business o ffic e , 12000
Form er Greshman resident
year was named assistant savings
S.W. 49th, at no charge.
Russell L. Leggroan has been
supervisor. In October 1979 he
Students w ill learn to operate a named branch manager o f Benj.
joined the downtown P ortland
variety of data entry machines. Suc
Franklin Federal Savings & Loan
headquarters in the loan depart
cessful completion o f the course will
Association’ s new office in Spring-
ment, where he worked prior to his
qualify students for employment as
field, according to Rocky Johnson,
most recent promotion' to branch
a trainee with job referrals through
vice president and regional
manager at the Springfield office.
the placement office.
manager. The office w ill open for
A native o f Portland, Leggroan
Pauline Ellis instructs the mor
business there in mid-July. It w ill be
was graduated from Grant High
ning class, which is available from
housed in tem porary quarters at
School in 1972. He earned a
7:30 to 11:30 a.m. or another class is 2073 Olympic St., at the southwest
Bachelor o f Arts degree in business
available from noon to 4 p.m .
corner of Olympic and 21st Streets.
management at Pacific University in
Monday through Friday.
Leggroan joined Benj. Franklin
1977. He also has completed courses
For more inform ation, call the
as a teller at the Lloyd Center office
in finance through the Institute o f
Data Processing office at the PCC
in June 1977. He transferred to the
Financial Education.
Sylvania Center. The number at Stark Street o ffice in downtown
Leggroan has been active in the
Sylvania is 244-6111.
Portland in July 1978, and later that
Black Metropolitan Club.
Leggroan heads S & L branch
E X O D U S
-f-
ijp, (jlttcrt/is-rui/a/u T
m /r e
1518 NE KILLINGSWORTH
PORTLAND. OREGON 9721 1
284 7997
FROM THE FRONT DOOR
By Tom Boothe
From the front door, I wish to further explain and describe the four zones of relationships
and interactions, which are: The family zone, the social and acceptance zone, the policy
belief zone and the economic zone. This week I will speak only of the family zone, which is
the most important and primary zone from which ail other relationships and interactions
spring.
The family zone is the zone of the greatest amount of familiarity and informalities, the quality
and consistency of the family is most important, for this is where our children develop their
values and behavior patterns, which subsequently set the tone of their social attitudes.
The family zone is the beginning point of all civilization, it is the mother of all social
psychology. Child, en are directly affected genetically, as well as, by their immediate environ
ment. children carry with them what they are taught, or what they are not taught, into the
social zone. Children learn confidence and respect from the family, they also learn how to
take responsibility and temper their emotions with love and understanding.
People who don’t respect the family zone, are simply people who don’t understand the value
and strength of the single most powerful force on earth, it is the root of all we know, and it is
the primary force behind all accomplishments in the development of modern civilization. It is
the family forces that influence, inspire and motivate; communication, transportation and
industrial technologies.
Adult people who loose their respect for their family through drugs, alcohol or senseless
vanity, are people who loose their social and economical qualities and become subjected to
those who hold strong the inspirations of the family zone.
Constructive and productive people, are people who value his or her family as priority
number one.
Disruptive and destructive people, are people who value their addictions, social belief and
economic vanities as priority number one.
Remember, your family should be number one on your mind. Your purpose should be to
develop your family to a collective force of constructive productivity.
Your family is your natural foundation to life itself.
Your family is your source of confidence, strength, sense of security and home base of
refuge from negative forces.
Your family, your children, they are your responsibility, don’t expect outside social-
economic entities to help you, for they are busy responding to their own responsibilities.
Know from this day forward that the quality of your family’s environmental zone is your
responsibility, it will be no better, or worse then you make it; regardless of your situation of
circumstances, your blame factors and excuses The reality of your family zone always
speak the truth through you and your children's attitudes.
A d v e rtis e m e n t
I
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