Pag« 12 Portland Obaarvar Fabraury 12,1980
FROM THE FR O N T DO O R
From the Front Door, it's been a year now since BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Its time again to
count our gains and set new goals and evaluate our position and our individual contributions to
our own cause. I will isolate our needs, and let's acquire them individually until we are able to
acquire them collectively as a people.
Here are four areas that we as Black people need to improve upon.
FAMILY IMPROVEMENT NEEDED:
biack men need to demonstrate respectability and accountability to
their families They need to take responsibility and provide a strong role
model for their children—a “ for re al" image of constructive, productive
performance Black men need to practice courtesy, humility and under
standing along with respect and protection for their Black women.
Until Black men do this they cannot expect full respect from the rest of
society, or their women
Black women need to demonstrate an image of sincere respectability
to their families and set a strong positive role model for their children —
a for real image of constructive, productive performance. Black
women need to take full responsibility for their family, remembering
that it is they who give birth to their children, not welfare or any other
social agency.
Until Black women understand and do these things they will not
receive full respect from the rest of society, or their men.
SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDED:
As Black adults we need to become respectful, accountable and take
full responsibility for our community, our children and where we live.
We need to provide a clean, wholesome environment for our families,
especially our children Our community reflects our true image If where
we live is dirty, it is because we allow it to become that way If where we
live is clean, it is because we clean up after ourselves.
Until we do this collectively, our homes and neighborhoods will
project our image of substandard conditions. We shouldn't need anyone
to remind us to clean up after ourselves
POLICY OF PRINCIPLE NEEDED:
As Black adults, we need to develop policies of principle Being Black
is not one of them Being Black is a genetic fact We need principles
of relationships — truth, honesty, courtesy, humility, accountability and
respect Especially, amongst ourselves We need to teach our children
’ hese principles Images of dope, alcohol, prostitution, crimes (includ
ing Black on Black crimes), stealing, and shunning responsibility should
be excluded from our practice as a matter of Black policy of principle
Black policy of principle shall read Cleanliness, wholesomeness,
mnesty, truthfulness and respect shall be my policy of principle in all
my relationships from this day forward, and I shall communicate this
policy of principle with a positive attitude to all whom I encounter
I ntil we establish this policy of principle, we will surely continue to
ive by the policies and principles of those who set these same standards
and subject us as SLAVES to those who enforce these policies as laws
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ECONOMIC ROOT RASE NEEDED:
We as Blacks need to produce some usable product and service that
we have root control over We need to learn how to grow food, provide a
sense of security and independence m our own relationships with each
I AD^DAt present the on|y ,h,n9 most Black people have to offer is
LAf!2 , and even ,h a t's con,ro,,ed and Priced by others Could it be that
m 1981 we are just as much slaves as our ancestors were in 1781 two
hundred years ago We are still just selling our labor and are a market of
c° n s , o r ,hose wh0 are
charge and are producing and controll-
i r f aHoC
h%90<LdS 3nd services used in Our society (by the way, this also
k d e alcoho custom cars and the superfly costumes)
None of these are produced or controlled by Blacks Until we begin
to
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produce at least what we consume, we will remain dependent upon the
existing establishment For this same reason, we have nothing to
bargain with, except perhaps our LABOR How can live have pride when
we only * have ourselves to sell or trade We cannot expect to qet full
respect from society until we collectively produce and control some
specific goods and services that are unique to us as BLACK PEOPLE
Being Black is not a virtue Acting Black is not a virtue It is a genetic
'^ct Performmg and producing constructive goods and services con
stitute true virtue.
Come, join our Mental Health Offensive every Tuesday evening, 6 p.m. 284-7997
THIS SPACE PAID FOR AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE BY THE HOUSE OF EXODUS.
■ im i ir ni«."