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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1981)
Portland Obaarvar, September 17, m i P*g« n Hispanic rights at issue PORTLAND CLEANING WORKS Reagan policies bring mixed reaction ler K atti by Peter K atti ______ . _ . ** Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project. M o tt leaden o f U .S. Hispanic organizations are reacting with a combination of approval and anger at President Ronald Reagan’s new initiatives toward Mexico. In the wake o f Mexican President Jose Lopez P o rtillo ’s M ay 8-9 visit to Washington, U.S. Hispanics are at once pleased with what appears to be a new and friendlier relationship between the two countries, and dismayed that the Administration’s hand of friendship has yet to be ex tended to them. Indeed, even as U .S .- Mexican relations are improving, Ad- m inistration-H ispanic relations seem to be de teriorating, they in dicate. Hispanics, generally, have ex pressed strong disapproval of the new “ guest w orker” program proposed by the Administration and apparently, welcomed by Mexico. They are also angered over A d ministration-backed efforts to alter radically the Voting Rights Act. And they assail the Ad ministration’s near-total failure to appoint Hispanics to Federal posts, and the relative lack of consultation with Hispanic organizations. Admittedly, says Pablo Sedillo. Secretary for Hispanic A ffairs of the National Conference of Catholic- B ishops, M e x ic a n -A m e ric a n s “ don’t have to offer what the Ad ministration thinks, at least, that Mexico has to offer." He means oil. But U.S. Hispanics do have votes - lots o f them. And in the 1980 Presidential election, they gave a record percentage of their votes to the Republican candidate. While Reagan won only 25 percent of the Hispanic vote in the five South western states, that represented the highest percentage for a Republican in at least 20 years, according to the The Administration policies that please Mexico may very well alienate these Hispanic-American voters. For their interests are often at odds, as currently in the case of the proposed "guest w orker” program. Under the Administration’s plan, which is expected to be presented to Congress in a few weeks, some 50,000 Mexican guest workers would be permitted to enter the United States legally each year to seek temporary employment. Unliek the widely criticized "b ara cero ” program of 1942-64. this plan would not restrict the Mexican workers of agricultural labor. The program, says Ruben Bonilla, president o f the League of United Latin American Citizens, would “ drive a wedge between two peoples,” as Mexican citizens willing to work for low wages push Mexican-Americans out of jobs. Antonia Hernandez, o f the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, called the proposal “ a form o f legalized slavery.” She added. " I f this coun try needs workers, allow them to come in as legal resident aliens and not as a subclass." She fears there would be a tendency to identify Mexican-American citizens with this "subclass” and treat them both as a “ commodity." The Mexican workers would not only be exploited themselves, they would be used to depress wages and discourage labor organizing, said Raul Yzaguirre, president o f the National Council o f La Raza in Washington. W hile Mexican- Americans are “ pleased” with the meeting between the two presidents, Yzaguirre said, “ It is unfortunate that the one thing on which they are tangibly agreeing is harmful to us." In contrast to the views o f most Hispanic leaders, former U.S. Im migration and Naturalization Ser vice Director Lionel C astillo ex presses “ full support" for the guest worker proposal, noting that he had suggested a similar program under the Carter Administration. " I have the minority perspective, adm ittedly," he said, “ But if you talk with Chicano businessmen and community people instead o f leaders, you’ ll find quite a bit o f support." No one suggests, however, that U.S. Hispanics will support another major Administration-supported initiative that will affect minorities - - the proposed changes to the Voting Rights Act, which includes require ments for bilingual ballots and similar measures in heavily non- English-speaking regions. Parts of the Act are due to expire next year. President Reagan told Hispanic leaders in a February 5 meeting that he was inclined to sup port extension of the act only if the law were changed to apply to the en tire nation. But “ nationwide coverage” is a well-known code word for destroying the act, her- nandez claims. The act was held constitutional on the grounds that the various parts of the country to which it applies have records o f voter discrimination. Nationwide, there is no such record, and the entire act might be subject to a finding of unconstitutionality. Critics of tne change also argue that nationai coverage would make the job of enforcement virtually im possible. Hernandez and other Hispanic spokesmen have been meeting with the Justice Department as the Ad ministration prepares its form al position on extension. Extension o f the act is "in d is pensable to the continued increase of Chicano (voter) turnout and par ticipation," said W illie Velaquez, executive director of the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project. Opponents of extension, he claims, are “ directly working to limit Hispanic political participation and increased influence." BoniUa, who personally endorsed Jimmy C arter, said the only Hispanics well-regarded by the White House are those who go “ hat in hand” to endorse Reagan’s economic policies. The barb was aimed at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed Reagan in the election and supports the President’s economic package. Hec tor Barreto of Kansas City, national president of the Chamber, expressed full support for Reagan’s policies toward Hispanics, including the guest worker program. Mexican workers will be taking jobs that economically advancing Mexican- Americans are moving out of, he asserted. Barreto has been favored with several meetings with President Reagan, including a luncheon meeting with the President and Lopez Portillo. Barreto has expressed approval of the A dm inistration’ s record on Hispanic appointments, also, noting that the posts o f director o f the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Adm inistration have gone to Hispanics. But most Hispanic leaders expec ted far more in the way o f A d ministration appointments. "When we met with the President” in February, said Pablo Sedillo, “ He said there would be five to seven sub-cabinet appointments, which we took to mean under-secretary or at least assistant secretary in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dry Cleaner Attarationa and rspatr - extra eharga • Mbux rapatr - No chargs Knit tXoctdng our apacMRy ^ s k about our naw budget service A t low-low -low p ric e y Hour: Monday - Friday S-8:Z0 Saturdoy-S-IM p.m . 24-hour Service In today - Out tom orrow 3964 N. Williams Portland. Oregon 97227 MRS. C’s WIGS (AND HAIR BEADS) ‘10 Wig Sale Betty Cabins. Proprietor 64 D IF F E R E N T S T Y L E S A T *1 0 IN A V A R IETY O F C O L O R S I Hundreds of Wigs A Hairpieces at 1 0 % -80% Sayings Featuring wiga by NAOMI SIMS. ANDRE DOUGLAS, BIUIE O NATALIE COLE Copyright 1981 Pacific N ew t Service Grenada expects U.S. invasion Grenada, a small Caribbean Island with a Black. English-speak ing population, has charged that the United States is planning and prac ticing an invasion o f its soil in the near future. Grenada recently celebrated the second anniversary of its successful revolution against its former ruler, Eric Gairy. Following the revolution the United States offered $5,000 in foreign aid with the condition that the country would not accept aid from Cuba. Since Grenada refused it has been the target of propaganda against its essential tourist trade and of alleged C IA terrorism and sabo tage. Prime Minister Maurice Bishop charges that the extensive war ma neuvers now taking place in the Car ibbean are a precusor to an immi nent invasion. Over 120,000 U.S. troops, 250 ships and 1.000 aircraft from 14 nations are participating in the maneuvers, from August 1st to October 15th, extending from the South Atlantic through the Carib bean to the Baltic Sea. “ Operation Ocean Venture” is the largest West ern m ilitary exercise since W orld War II. The ( aribbean phase was con ducted from August 9th to 21st, at Vieques Island and Salinas in Puer to Rico and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The first mock battle was tar geted at an Eastern Caribbean island called "A m b e r and the Amberines. The Grenadian gov ernment believes this is an obvious reference to Grenada and its island wards Carriacou and Petit M artin ique. “ Amber" is described as being in fluenced by "C o u n try Red” (Cuba?) to export terrorism to vari ous contries in the Caribbean Basin and to engage in various “ anti-dem- ocratic activities." "Amber” is sup posed to be supporting a guerilla movement of about 400 to 500 men in “ Country Azure" (E! Salvador?). “ Country A zu re” is supposed to have invited U.S. forces to neutral ize the guerillas. The practice invasion o f “ A m ber” to rescue American citizens held hostage there began August 9th with a parachute drop into Vieques of over 350 troops of the 75th Ran ger Battalion, based in Fort Lewis. The troops flew non-stop from Nor ton Air Force Base. California, cov ering the same distance as from their base in Washington to Grenada. During the night, prior to the para troopers arrival, an undisclosed number of combat troops especially trained for mountain combat were landed in the western mountains of Vieques. The parachute drop was followed by the landing o f 1,000 marines in amphibious units and air assaults. The battle was planned to last 17 days, while an unconventional un derwater demolition team and other special forces— “ the guys that do the diriy tricks” according to Navy Captain Dale Luvey— move to free the hostages held on “ Amber Is land." After rescuing the hostages. Rear Admiral Robert P. McKenzie, coor dinator of the project, said the U.S. troops would remain on the island until elections are called and “ a re gime favorable to the way of life we espouse” is installed. Justifying the need for the war games, McKenzie said, “ What we have here is a p olitical-m ilitary problem. When Carter created the Task Force, he did so for political reasons. Now we see that it fulfills one of the most valid military rea sons,” which is “ the need to re spond to the activities of Cuba and C astro .” Also involved in the maneuvers were contingents from Great Britain and the Netherlands, which have colonies in the area. Sale starta today through Sept. 23 MRS. C ’a WIGS 7 0 7 N.E. Premont 2 8 1 -6 5 2 5 Clseed Sea. 1 Mae. 0PIH Tbse. tbra 8aL 11tSO AR ts feOO M l M M The h o n e y W w as te m p tin g , b u t the people were A a really sweet, y y Giving the Grenada charges add ed credibility is the fact that there is an area in the southern tip of Gren ada called Amber, and it is near the international airport being built with the assistance of Cuba. The ter rain clearly resembles that of Vie ques. When peop _ heard about the 1981 Weight Watchers foo d Plans, our classes attracted lots o f | The government o f Grenada re ports that it has received intelligence reports that either a mercenary inva sion or direct m ilitary aggression will take place before November I, 1981. honey R lovers. popcorn 1 poppers, and peanut butter nuts' Then people discovered something even more irresist ible about W eight Watchers Other people They found that Weight Watchers m em bers really cared And it was so much easier to lose weight when they w eren't doing it alone Together, at weekly classes Visit O M SI Whan the ships com * home: John Jones pause« • survey activities on Swan Island during recant P o rt o f Po rtlan d tou r. (Photo: R ichard J. B ro w n ) OM SI begins a new tradition Sep tember 20, with FU NBURST 81. a day o f special events, foods, rides and exhibits. Though this is the sec ond year for Funburst, it marks the first time that O M SI has had a fre t admission day for the entire spec trum of the public. The idea behind Funburst is to give all communities in the Portland Vancouver area something special. And to provide it in such a way that admission price does not pose a problem. Special exhibits and shows will range from helicopters to free laser light shows and special displays on solar energy. There will be kite fly ing sessions on the lawn just up the hill from O M SI. Foods and bever ages will be readily available, and games will range from the perennial milk bottle toss to the inevitable dunk tank. There will be plenty of special ac tivities, wandering minstrels, face painters, caricature artists, etc. For more inform ation on this special day, call O M S I’s recorded informa tion line (228-OMSI) or the business office (248 5900). FU NBURST 81. Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 am-6 pm. can teach you how to enjoy lots of your favonte foods t (within limits) r& and still lose “ weight We can help you turn your bad eating habits into good ones tom us today The fabulous ,981 fo o d Plans are waiting along w ith a lot of friendly people Wo ve helped more people lose more pounds than ony other weight loss prograr in the world. WEIGHT . WATCHERS________ Tha most wccetsful weight Io » program in the world Join Any Class Anytime North Portland Carpenters' Hall 2225 N Lombard St. (at Brandon) M °n . 7:00 pm Thurs 9 : » am Emanuel Hospital 2801 N. Gantenbein Emanuel East, Room 2001 (Nursing Home) Thurs. 7:00 pm Fellowship Baptist Church KT32 N Lombard St. Tu«. 7:00 pm Northeast Portland 5049 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Mon. 9 :3 0 am & 7 :0 0 pm Tuaa. 9:30 am & 7 pm W ad. 7:00 pm Thur». 7:00 pm Fri. 9:30 am (Marantha Church/ Sat. 122 N.E. Skidmore 9:30 am For information call collect Portland (803) 297-1021, weekday» 8:30-6:00 © w-Mh, w.i, i.,s i,,, i m, (wnr, Ih).
