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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 1981)
Page 2 Portland Observer, October 8, 1981 EDITORIAL/OPINION Teaching Black children , by Pamela Douglas Pacific News Service I OS ANGELES—The wealthy in Los Angeles have closets bigger than this classroom— cinderblock walls brightly painted, a swatch o f A fr i can fabric covering a small barred w in d o w , o ld -fa sh io n e d desks a t tached to chairs, marred from years o f use in public schools before they were passed on. But the one black board is crowded w ith advanced m ath , and little arms fly as the teacher, a young Black man, asks for solutions to the equations. This is the third grade at Marcus Garvey elementary school and the class text is '•A rith m e tic for C ollege S tu d e n ts ." T im Jones, the teacher, commented, " I t ’ s just a m atter ol exposing them. They learn so easi ly ." Unleashing the CIA The U.S. Senate has voted to repeal the C lark Am endm ent, w hich restricts U .S. involvem ent in Angola, and the amendment now faces a vote in the House. The C la rk A m endm ent was enacted in 1976 a fte r Congress learned th a t the C IA had p ro vided m ilita r y a id to the F N L A and U N IT A d u rin g the c iv il w a r fo llo w in g independence from Portugal. The secret support o f these two groups that were opposing the M P L A , w h ich had established the new g o ve rn m en t, had not been approved by Congress. The C la rk A m e n d m e n t was an e ffo r t by Congress to share w ith the President the respon sibility fo r covert action against another govern m ent. It d id not cle arly oppose such in v o lv e ment. The Amendment requires the President to explain in detail why he believes that supplying assistance to Angolan rebels would be " im p o r t ant to the n a tio n a l se cu rity interests o f the United States,” and Congress would have to au thorize the aid. The Reagan A d m in istra tio n has made noises about aiding U N IT A and its South A fric a n a l lies in their attempts to overthrow the Angolan governm ent. It vetoed the U n ited N a tions Se cu rity C ouncil e ffo rt to condem n South A fric a fo r its invasion o f Angola, and it has interfered w ith the Nam ibia settlement. Saving the C lark Amendment w ill not prevent direct intervention in Angola, but it m ight slow it down a bit. I t ’ s repeal w ill signal to the w orld that even lip service to "s e lf-d e te rm in a tio n ” is over. Broadening the options W hen the S chool B oard pared its a p p ro x i mately 100 candidates fo r Superintendent down to a reasonable number to invite to the city fo r in te rv ie w s , it a im ed at fiv e as an o p tim u m number. Six were selected: o f these, three were Black. Soon D r. C arl C o ndoli, white, and generally considered to be a leading candidate, withdrew. This left tw o whites, D r. Glen H oude and D r. James Fenwick. Houde, a form er Portland dis trict employee and currently superintendent o f a sm all C a lifo rn ia d is tric t, is said to have little " c h a r is m a .” In te rim S u pe rin te n d e n t James Fenwick is considered to have an outside chance at best with those Board members who opposed Blanchard’s term ination, now numbering live o f the seven. This co nfig uration gave the best possible o p portunity that one o f the three Black candidates could be selected. Too good an opportunity. The Board decided to th ro w another c a n d i date in the h o p p e r— a n o th e r o p tio n sh o u ld Houde not pass muster. In fact, in a recent contest, the Garvey third grade out performed the sixth grade from a public "mag net" school (a school lor gilied chil dren. predominantly while) in both leading and math. Yet Garvey isn't dubbed a "sp ecial" school; it isn't tiiudcd by any c orpo ratio n; it re »eives no federal funds; nor is it an expciiineni ol any research body. It doesn’ t teed o il anv un iveisily; .it doesn't p.iv high salatles; and the stall doesn't lout a slu ng o f aca dcinic degiees li is. instead, an in digenous expression o f the Los A n geles Black com munity, created by people who feel the public schools have betrayed their children. I he (iarvey school is an example ol a rising n atio n al trend tow ard Black "alternative" education: pri vale schools run by Blacks for Blacks, charging tu itio n , usually with tough academics in an environ menl ol cm mg (iarvey began in 1975 when l)i Anyim Palmer pul Ins $2(>.<MX> sav • mgs iuio building his dream Palmer explained: "A lte r 14 years ot exper It has become a c o m m o n p e rc e p tio n th a t ience hi various school systems as a p ro s titu te s are B lack. B lack w om en s u ffe r a lo u iiselo r, vice principal and uni veisitv p io lessoi, I say that Black double jeopardy: every Black woman is seen as a voriihs. wherever they're found, are prostitute by cruising customers; Black women not being laughl Each year the va are seen as prostitutes by overly eager defenders nous high schools hi all o f the large cities graduate hundieds o f thou o f public decency. We were inform ed that a prom inent v is ito rto sands ol cluldien who cannot read, Portland was accused o f pro stitu tio n by a local w in e o i do simple aiithin elic. A sa result, they cannot seek gaintul em hotel manager, perhaps eager to clear his busi ploymeni and ate therefore driven ness o f suspicion. Io lives ol i rime " The e ffo rt to e lim ina te this destructive vice Palmer continued " loexpecl lire must be tempered w ith hum an ity and com m on system to educate our cluldien is to expect the lion to educate the lamb sense. It must be borne in mind that were we ever to become educated, * • ’ would then be competitors with wliites Recognizing this, I decided to establish this school which in time would Income a model toi others Io emulate ” I he paicuts o| Garvey siudenls Protect their rights Throughout the N orth/N ortheast com m unity groups are meeting and organizing in an attempt to deal w ith the serious problem o f pro stitu tio n on the streets. It is im p o rta n t that neighbors w o rk on this problem together— that they keep records, list license numbers, id e n tify customers, pimps and offending motel owners. It is also essential to remember that those per sons suspected o f c o m m ittin g crimes also have rights and to insure that in th e ir eagerness to protect th e ir ow n co m m u n itie s and th e ir ow n rights they do not tram ple the rights o f others. picture o f whal the world is really have become its most enthusiastic like. For exam ple, they learn that backers. Dorothy and Joseph Miller George Washington was the father have a 5-year-old daughter in the o f this country; but they also learn Garvey kindergarten and two older that he owned slaves." sons in public school. Mrs. M ille r I.esma Clemons, who grew up in reflected: " P u b lic school doesn’ t Jamaica, said, "W h e n I heard my m otivate them. W e ’ re trying hard son com ing home know ing who now to get a junior high at Garvey Marcus (ia rv e y was, that touched so they can go. W e’re going to put me. At (ia rv e y they open up the our seventh-grade son in the sixth younger generation to all o f history, grade at Garvey. H e'll get more out instead o f having only white his o f this sixth grade at Garvey than lo ry ." Charles Clemons added, " A the eight grade in public school.. . . lot o f limes I hear kids saying. 'Give Part o f his problem in public school me that Marcus Garvey spirit!* My was that the fifth-grade class had six son being rooted in that gives me a different teachers during this past sense o f self-worth." year because they just d id n 't care But the sense o f pride is a vehicle, enough and they kept quitting. Our not an end. The solution for Black 10-year-old and our 5-year-old read education, said Clemons, is "m ore on the same level now ." affirmative Black independent insti Charles Clemons, another parent, tutions. No fcderul funds. A totally is equally enthusiastic. "W h e n he comes home, if we ask our son what independent Black school system where kids can be taught to be re he did in school he doesn’ t say 'n o th in g .* He may speak some sponsive Io com m u nity needs. It Spanish or Swahili he just learned or should be like A fric a n s who get show us some math. He's in a total schooling here and go back to build their own country. I hope my son, comprehensive educational system. They carry their behavior home. In Kashad, would bring back his stead o f playing bang-bang or knowledge into the com m unity to S uperm an, they say 'le t's play develop a resource here, a strong school.* ** economic base, along principles that Il's the feeling in the school that will unify the people." makes the difference. D r. Palmer fhc cost, o f course, is a personal led visitors into a class where 19 stu burden for many. A th ird o f the dents sat in a semicircle around a children at Garvey are from single- b lackb oard . He asked the young parent families on w elfare. Out of Black teacher, " S is te r, can you m onthly checks to ta lin g around show them . . . " A nd before he $400 they have to find $132 a month could even ask, most o f the hands for schooling. were waving to be called on. " T h e tuition is the first thing we On the wall is a collage o f Black pay each m o n th ," said W illia m fam ily pictures, bordered with Ross, "e v e n if som ething else "U n ity , Purpose, Faith,” in English doesn’ t get paid, because that's his and Swahili. On another wall hangs fu tu re ." Charles and I esma C le the " W o rld Wide Fam ily T re e ," a mons feel the same way: " I f they black cutout o f a tree embellished went up to $200 a month, we'd work with photos o f former U .N . Ambas overtime to pay it. I t ’s the most im sador Andrew Young, M ayor Tom portant investment we ever made." Bradley, Joe Louis, Stevie Wonder But whal o f others who can't af and several kids from the class. ford the school at all? Are alterna I hen the children got their chance tive schools like (iarvey nothing but to show off: Seven-year-olds spelled fringe phenomena, something for a "exhaust," "substantial," "viola new elite? non" all words picked from the M iller answered by turning to 5- newspaper that morning. Palmer's year-old Joandrea, asking her to say eves In up and he shouted, " G iv e "T h e Black Pledge." The little girl your sell a hand!" recited the words she’s seen on the In another cubicle housing a walls o f the Garvey classrooms: " I sixth grade class, teacher N onoO lu, pledge allegiance to my Black peo dressed in a I shirt printed with the ple; to develop my mind and learn A tric a n w orkd " k w a n /a a ," men all I can in order to do my best; to tinned that the day's spelling words keep my body physically fit, strong came Irom the biology lesson: "ovi and free from anything that would d u el,” "d e rm is," "m eiosis," " / y weaken me; to be kind and thought gole," "fo llicle" and so forth. ful and unselfishly share my know Along with the caring and person ledge hi order to bring about the lib al attention that (iarvey children re eration of my Black people." ceive Irom the overworked and mi loseph M iller put his arm around derpaid stall, it’s the philosophy ol his daughter and sal back in his the school that makes it succeed chair. " T h a t summarizes m e ." he Palmer said the public school curri said. "Someday my daughter will be ciiliim is " I uro-cenlcred. but ours if able to help my people overcome A lro centered.” poverty and oppression. I hope I ’m loseph Miller explained: " It's not contributing to that." only academic but it gives an overall P.Hilh News Set vice. I9M| Overlook attacks prostitution (Continuedfrom page I column 6) prostitutes Irom their pimps. Pimps are the "m o st calloused entrepre neurs, he said. He recommended a ttacking customers in any way th a t’ s w ithin the law. He reported that bail for prostitutes will be in creased from $500 to $ 1500. fudge Frankie said there would be no prostitution if there were no girls willing to ply the trade and recom mended finding ways to avoid glam- ori/ing the profession. Commissioner M cCoy reminded those present that the girls are vic tims. " I know you arc angry and I share that anger w ith y o u ," she said. " I t is an indictm ent against our society that young girls have found this a method o f e m p lo y ment; the young ladies arc victims." She agreed that it is necessary to gel the prostitutes o ff the street long enough to interrupt their business. I he problem with new jails is where to pul them, she said, and reminded the crowd that Commissioner Shad- burne, who has recently created a I ask fo rc e on p ro stitu tio n , is re sponsible for slopping the building o f a new jail in Troutdale. She suggested that the men in the com m unity gel license plate num bers, pictures, and let the customers know they arc being watched. The motels should be watched, with rec ords kepi o f the comings and go ings. " I he men would tear surveil lance." (o in m u n ily members— who have formed a task Force housed al the Overlook Community Center— have agreed to take the following actions; •Establish links with the N o rth east Community. •Develop strategies against intim idation. • ( ircu latc com plain t sheets to gather inform ation on prostitutes, pimps and customers. •Organize a neighborhood watch network. •Expand Block Homes for chil dren. A community meeting will be held on October 13th al 7:30 pm al King Neighborhood Facility (C afeteria) to discuss the issue of prostitution Invited to participate arc members ol the justice system, police and community members. The public is urged to attend. Employees learn hazzards of race (Continued fro m page I column 6) Portland Observer M ATKYMAl The P o rtland Observer (U S P S 969 080) ie published every Thursdey by Exie Publishing Company, Inc , 2201 North Killings worth, Portland. Oregon 97217, Post Office B om 3137, Portland Oregon 97208 Second class postage paid st Portland, Oregon Subscriptions 910.00 per year in Tri County arse Postm aster Send address changes to the Portland Observer. P 0 . Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208 283-2486 Bruce Broussard Editor/Publisher National Advertising Representative A m algam ated Publishers. Inc. N e w York MfMMR II Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association MEMBER fm PER W hal about the Reagan change on white America? “ The harshness o f racism is something out o f the ’60s. They were removed by laws. As Blacks began Io gel voting rights and moved around in the system they are still protesting. Whiles will say— What do you want now? This leads to w h ile resentm ent. This leads Io whiles believing that the race problem is solved. W hiles began Io turn conservative because they said we have got to keep what we have. People who have a Kian mentality took it upon themselves to continue their activities, because they feel they have the support o f the white community.” Q . " I n your classes, the root o f the problem is institutional racism. Yet, individuals make up the institu tio n .” A. “ Yes, but individuals arc con trolled by those who run the institu tions. Most whites ad as to how the system is set up and not how they think or feel. The key is to change the system by getting to those few individuals who control it." Q. "Is there such a thing as Black racism?" A . " N o , racism is a system that has the power to im plem ent their prejudices. Blacks have no power to affect the white masses. W hal peo ple call Black racism is Black hostil ity and Black anger which is a reac tion to white racism." D r. King believes that the prob lem o f race started w ith sexism. "W e have the while man at the lop. I hen the white woman, who is lowed by the Black man and a bottom it's the Black w om an." " I l ’ s the in stitu tio n that hi chan g e," D r. King shouts tov the end o f his two-day class By the students arc euger since a knocking them down he builds t back up. (he students arc left with an hanccd awareness. They glow t understanding as they make it li bar to talk personally with Dr. K W h o 's to say that it has help " W h o 's to say that it h a s n 't." last words are, " I just hope." Subscribe Today
