Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 1981)
Portland Observer Auguet 8.1981 Page 7 A wide-open town Cell Talk By Asmar Abdul Seifullah AKA Jo t West " C e ll T a lk ,” salutes Ullysses Tucker Jr., fo r the fine work he presented to the public in a recent production on the Criminal Justice System. The impact on the com m unity behind the walls and the outer community appears to be very favorable. Numerous comments have filtered in from various sectors o f the C orrectional and Judical systems about the need for more in fo rm ation on the subject o f just justice fo r m inorities and other prisoners confined in the Oregon penal system. The program Ullysses presented was well produced and his com mentary was a professional as any that I ’ ve seen. I t ’ s clear that this brother hasn’ t lost contact with his soulbone, his commitment to bring the community up to date on the ef fects the criminal justice system has on the Black community is worthy Penitentiary U llyssaa T u c k e r discusses prison life w ith o f note. For years the community m e m b e rs o f th e U h uru C lu b et O reg o n S ta te (Photo: Richard J. Brown) has taken fo r granted that justice Vocational Training and how some who have surburbian dreams will be was distributed equally but the for and a set fo r w hite inmates. This Black inmates feel that the types of sent to the community because the mula for justice has never included earmark o f racism begins in the program they want aren’ t offered. system doesn’ t want us anywhere Blacks or other ethnic groups. judical system where Blacks are sen I t ’ s im portant that we c la rify the else. It would behoove the respon Ullysses’ s attempt to shed valuable tenced to consecutive sentences fact that there are adequate sible members o f the Black com light on the question o f JUSTICE more often than whites. Blacks V ocational T raining programs at m unity to get involved in the receive longer prison term parole vs. just-U S is a sweet change from Oregon State Penitentiary. The crim inal justice system to waylay the old bitter justice of racism. sets, even though two members o f point that wasn’ t made clear on any future problems that might oc The use o f the media as a means the Parole Board are Black. Blacks Ullysses program is that most Black cur from returning felons. Halfway don’ t fare well under plea bargain o f resistance and protection from inmates aren’ t psychologically houses are needed; counseling cen the forces o f oppression has agreements. Geographical location prepared to deal with a training or ters; treatment programs, and think appears to have a great deal to do historically been denied to minority educational program. Motivation is tanks to channel the pent up anger with the length o f sentence and the groups. When people are cut o ff a factor and the penal system o f returning Black felons. A ll these d uration o f prison tim e. A large from a viable means to articulate doesn’ t want to take the respon things would generate revenue in their dissatisfaction w ith a par percentage the Blacks confined at s ib ility fo r m otivating Black in side the community; they would o f ticular system they are sitting ducks Oregon State Penitentiary were mates. Perhaps it isn’t their respon- fer a jo b market where Blacks filtered through three or four har for any propropganda program that sib lity but i f prison is going to would be helping Blacks and also it dcore M ultnom ah County Judges, comes alone. A t some point they become a building house or ware would remove the stigma o f Black Jones, Davis, Ellis, and Crookham; w ill begin to view themselves in in house, much depends on the systems law enforcement. the more lenient judges seem to be ferior terms, they become pawns in a b ility to m otivate and guide in reserved fo r whites only! M an "W e are just beginning to educate someone else’ s game and the overall mates o f all colors. datory minimum sentences are im ourselves to the ills o f the criminal outcome is one o f apathy and self- C om m unity apathy was one o f justice system. The disease that posed on Blacks w ith greater destruction. The Great American the strongest point in the entire leads to Black crim e must be regularity than white felons. To cap Nightm are fo r Black people has program and Ullysses handled the stopped. We must fin d a cure or everything o ff, Blacks and other rooted its e lf into the C rim inal issue very well. It isn’ t a question o f perish. Understanding that we are Justice System. And that System has ethnic groups are subjected to a whether the com m unity wants to all tied to one another whether we parole system that was designed been used effectively to stifle Black take responsibility for its wayward like it or not is the beginning to the solely for whites - the parole system people’ s resistance against op sons but rather the fact that the formula that will solve the problems in Oregon closely resembles pression and its advocates. com m unity has very little to sav o f Black crime. Black victims. Black Reagan’ s Tax Cut Bill and its racist Significant points o f the program about the issue. First o f all, most of effect on m inorities and poor prisoners...it w ill strengthen us and were the d u a lity o f the crim inal us are going to return to the com our strength will allow us to triumph people. justice system and how there are a m unity by choice and those o f us over our oppression.” set o f standards for Black inmates Voice was also given to ... - j from ___n Page ___ i 1 Col 5) (Continued “ houses” located in known red light districts, Ms. Lee caused them to be kicked out in to the street as is evident by the many “ street walkers” seen on Union and Grand Avenues each day, all hours o f the day and night. Gamblers could not, however, operate in the street. Since the police were actively enforcing anti-gambling ordinances that had been passed by the C ity C ouncil some time before, a place had to be created to accomodate such ac tivities; a place that would not draw citizens; a place that could operate at a time o f least noterity after the hours that most places o f business, even night-clubs and taverns, had cease to operate. Ms. Lee's conduct, while cleaning up the c ity , had unknow ingly opened up a new m arket: “ A fte r Hour Clubs.” (This is the first o f a three part series on Portland’s underground entertainment. Next week, we’ll focus on some o f Portland’s more orominent "After Hour” establish- The Shraders of Medford saved $375 last year by conserving electric energy because they weatherized their home with help from us. They’re only two of our custom ers who have saved millions of kilo watt hours with our conservation pro grams over the past 5 years. You’ve helped save energy, too. But starting August 24, we’ll show you how we can help you save even more. THE PEOPLE AT PACIFIC POWER c IMHI Pat tlu Powet and l i|rHi Cumpanx Special Introductory Offer From butch conr H a in D e s ig n f o r M e n <Su W o m e n Formerly associated w ith Jon Peters Salon, Beverly Hills Reg. $20 Haircuts..................$5 Shampoo, Condition, cut & style Reg. $850 Manicures............$3S0 Reg. $75°° Acrylic Art Nails..$35°° Reg. $15°° Pedicures........... $8S0 Reg. $20 Hair Color..............$10°° Offer good thru Aug. 31 with this ad Walk-ins welcome, but for your convenience, call 284-1897 for appointment. butch more M a ir D e *s ig r 1 f r ir M e n S. W o m e n 1405 NE B roadw ay • 284-1897 »
