Page 6, Portland Observer, June 3, 1987
retraction might entail printing a lot of the article, and those people who
wanted to get all stirred up will only get stirred up and get polarized. It is
very hard for Black adults to get employment in this city. Do you know how
rough this is going to make it for the Black youths in schools and the com
munity?"
During the two-hour meeting, which was off limits to any other news
papers, a reasonable understanding was met between the editors and the
parents. Doug Bates, the Guard's managing editor, was the first to con
cede great harm had been caused.
Bates also pursuaded the group to work with the Guard in hopefully wor
king out a solution which might be best for the community at large. It was
promised that he and his city editor, Kevin Miller, would deal with the situa
tion from there and head on.
In an exclusive interview, Miller admitted he should have been more at
tentive. "Bells should have gone o ff," said Miller. " It was a real unsettling
thing for me personally."
Miller admitted in his newspaper background he had not dealt much with
Blacks or minorities' issues. "Being from Montana, living and working in
Corvallis and Eugene, I've just never been in touch with many Black peo
ple to know and understand their fears and frustrations," said Miller, "and
it won't happen again to me (mistake) for a long time. The most important
thing you learn in life is when you make a mistake."
In another brief, but positive, exclusive interview, Tim McCarthy, Com
munity Affairs Director for the Eugene Police Department, defended neither
Hoyer's or Keefer's action for creating the suggestion that any of the youth
in the city may have membership of ties with any criminal gangs from Sou
thern California.
Con't from Page 1
Chief John Rutledge, and their grievance was aired. Rutledge assured the
parents that he would seriously look into the matter.
After more investigation by the parents, it was established that The San
chez Brothers was just a group of their kids who hung out at Charlie's (a
recreation and vendor parlor) to shoot pool, and none were Hispanic.
In Rutledges's investigation, inaccurate information about The Sanchez
Brothers being a gang or even being attached to any unlawful activities
promoted by the Crips or the Latino, as officer Verne Hoyer stated to Bob
Keefer, was untrue.
Outside the group of Black parents, other pressures began to mount.
Letters to the editors were received, questioning the articles and Keefer's
resources' statements.
"I was really shook u p," said Irwin H. Noparstak, a white psychiatrist,
who had lived in Eugene for the past 17 years.
On April 30, 1987, his following letter to the editor appeared in the RG:
"R acist N ew s”
"I grew up in an all-white neighborhood in Chicago in the
1940's. There were no Latino peoples around. It was very clear that
any Black woman seen on the streets was a domestic going to w o rk __
for the day. Änd any Black man was dangerous and didn't be
long. It was very clear—to our ethnocentric perspective.
It took me years to break down that mentality, and I question
the job I have done. Last Sunday (April 12), you printed an inflam
matory article about "gangs" in Eugene. That's all it took for me.
The next day each Black male I saw was a gang member, danger
ous, to be avoided, and probably to be reported. My wonderful
white security in Eugene was being threatened.
Register Now for Teen Bike Trips!
Peninsula Park Christian Church
5949 N. Albina
(Ainsworth & Albina)
281-3576
Sunday Bible Lessons................................................................... 9:45 A.M.
Sunday Worship Service.................................................. 11:00 A.M.
Wednesday Prayer Hour...............................................................6:30 P.M.
Friday Bible Studies Class.............................................................6:30 P.M.
Corner o f 8th and S kidm ore
Sunday School 9:15 a m.
Sunday Worship 11 00 a m
Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00 p m
(second and fourth Sundays)
Recreation Activities
Phillip S Nelson (Pastor)
c
pi Safcn
t h oî God in Chrisi
th e
folioiv peace um
all men. tv M ine
« , bout u’bkh 1
1 mon sbcill sec il
J
Lorù
Tuesday
7 30p m
Bible Band
Thursday
Choir Rehearsal 7 00 p m
Sunday
• Sunday School 9 15am
Morning
11:15a.m
Worship
6 30 p m.
Y P W W
Evangelistic
8 00p m
Worship
Tuesday Friday Noon Day
Prayer
Friday
"The Pastor Speaks"
7:30 p m ,
Saturday
Morning Prayer
• Participation in the State Games of Oregon
• Compete in the Portland Basketball League
• Camping hiking and retreat facility
accessible to church groups and families
• Family social hour weekly activity
Harold Bishop, M in iste r
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
1 Cor 9:24 (NIVI
THE MOUNT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH
N.E.-First & Schuyler • 284-1954
John H Jackson, Minister, M Ed , M O
9 30 A M Church School
11:00 A M Congregational Worship
5:00 P.M. Vesper Service
10:00 A M Baptism Fourth Sunday
11:00 Communion Each First Sunday
i
9 00 a m .
S « M v " w r y q IOOD A M
S a m r AAR l«UAW 0M
’°0. 9 ,
EDWARD E. WARD, DMD
GENERAL DENTISTRY
"DENTAL CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY”
The American Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches of
Oregon: Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention: National, Oregon,
Portland Ecumenical Ministries, American Bible Society, M .& M .
Board.
MISTY
9
Beauty & Barber
Supply
Open to the Public
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
PREVENTION ORIENTED
FR IEN D IY PROFESSIONAL STAFF
INSLRANCE GLADLY ACCEPTED
SEDATION FOR SENSITIVE PATIENTS
FEES DISCLSSED PRIOR TO TREATMENT
VISA/MASTERCARD
NEW PATIENTS WELCOMED
ALL B IS LINES - VALIDATED PARKINC
OFFICE HOI RS MONDAY SATURDAY, I AM
EVENINGS AVAILABLE
ADA MEMBER
5 0 3 -2 2 8 -3 0 0 9
I PM
Retail & Wholesale
We sell all brands
Stop in and check our prices.
5852 N.E. 42nd Ave.
Across from Adam’s Track on 42nd Street
Dr. Edward G. Ward
610 SW Alder, suite 1008
A?
=4 •
■* t'Z ' Z ‘ * t
HOURS: Mon-Sat 8 AM -5:30 PM
poY’n
Hear h i* teachings on spiritual and practical solution* to personal and
planetary problems.Learn about the nine steps to precipitation,, the power
of the Holy Spirit.the science of the Spoken Word and much more.
Come to our follow-up seminar:
The Healing Power of Angels June 13-14
For more information call
The Summit Lighthouse Study Group of Portland 774-0417
Bulk Human Hair $23.95 & up
FMtunng
A week-long bicycle trip will be a summer adventure never to be for
gotten! Join an experienced leader and counselors to explore and camp at
different parks. All trips include outdoor camping, cooking, swimming,
and, of course, lots of cycling. The Washington County YMCA offers six
separate trips for teenagers going into grades 8 through 12 in the fall. The
week-long trips will either go to the San Juan Islands, or the San Juans
and Victoria, B.C.
Each cyclist must furnish his/her own 10 speed bike, helmet, saddlebags,
and camping gear. Cyclists are required to attend one orientation and two
check-out rides in order to qualify for the trip.
Additional Adult Leaders and Counselors are needed for all trips. If in
terested in volunteering, please contact Charlie at 294-3345.
Spaces in all trips are limited. Pre-registration is required. For cost and
dates, and registration materials, please call the YMCA office at 294-3345.
Join the fun!!!I
ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH
"A warm spirit of fellowship always'
FREE VIDEO PRESENTATION
Friday J u n e 12,1987 7PM
8780 SE Division
Portland
"W e have assigned one reporter to do an in-depth, comprehensive look
at the racial climate in this com m unity," says Bates. "There has been
enough racial complaint to warrant this action."
"N ow it becomes the matter of wait and see," says Jan Oliver and Carla
Woods.
article caused, and had the editors for the Register-Guard been aware of
the problems Keefer's story was doing?
Such fears were brought to the attention of a small grass-roots organi
zation in Eugene called Clergy and Laity Concerned (CALC). It is a multi
racial and interfaith organization, with a very small staff, which tries to deal
with human rights, racial justice, and economic justice. Its motto reads:
"W e put special emphasis on reaching out to the children and youth."
Under the guidance of Marion Malcolm, a staff person of CALC, a meet
ing was arranged with the editors and the reporter, and the following Black
parents attended: Carla Gray, Jan Oliver, Ed Coleman, Larry Carter, and
a couple who wish to remain unidentified.
"It was clear by now ," says Noparstak, "that the Register-Guard had
realized it had made a boo-boo. But if they were really concerned, they
would have done something about it."
Noparstak stated further, "W hat the Guard was trying to formulate was
what to do about Keefer's article, if the reporting was unaccountable. If
the article was a mistake, it was a serious mistake."
^ N o p a rs ta l^ d d e c f"^ T ^ u rn g n M h in k in ^ ^ a ^ r ^ h a M c ^ jo ^ ^ ^ g f jQ ja
84 N E. K illin g s w o r t h • 281 0499
GERMAIN on
A LC H EM Y
"W ords are one thing when it comes to our youths," says McCarthy.
"Their actions are another. I know there is a lesson to be learned here,
by all involved."
But it was Bates' interview which might set the precedence for other
newspapers to follow when a journalist's article has brought damage to its
community. Don't be afraid to admit failure or mistake and take the respon
sibility for it. A newspaper with such influence as the Register-Guard has
taken an historical step due to Doug Bates' editorial, because community
conscience is the real life of any newspaper. (Read Doug Bates' editorial
in this issue of the Observer.)
The Register-Guard has a staff of fifty-four reporters; all are white.
And then I heard some critical news. People who knew exactly
whom the article was written about informed me there were
no Black or Latino gangs. Information taken out of context and
totally distorted led to reporting what is blatantly racist "news.”
The Register-Guard reported it. I bought it.
How many others have bought it? It was easy for me to resur
rect my prejudices. Am I the only one?
I thought my security was shaken. In reality, it hasn't been, but
now the security of young Black and Latino people in this commu
nity has been lessened. What hostility and suspicion will they and
their families get? The Register-Guard has done a serious dis
service to all of us, and I am looking forward to seeing it correc
ted.
After a series of meetings and minority parents contacting other parents,
tension grew. "The other concern I had," stated one parent, "was that if
these gangs were trying to settle in our community, how would I combat
them when they made an effort to recruit my sons?"
Other questions arrived. If the Crip story was not true, how could a small
group of concerned parents approach such a large newspaper industry
and demand a retraction? What effect was the Crip article having on each
and every police officer on the Eugene police force to make them overly
cautious in their dealing with minority youths? How much damage had the
YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
ST.
Phone: 282-1817
Se,,y Cabine Propr,e,of
by NAOMI SIMS. ANDRE DOUGLAS. NATALIE COLE 6 MICHAEL WEEKS
W ig S tylin g $7.50 A N D UP
(long or specialty styles slightly higher)
BRAIDS $2.95
9300
Bonnie
M RS. C ’s WIGS
707 N.E. Fremont 281-6525
Closed Sun. A Mon. OPEN Tuoa. thru Sat. 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM