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
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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."
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