Page 10, Portland Observer, December 2, 1987
Food Stamp Violations
Penalized
Black Press
Warned to
Prepare for the
Year 2000
"Our Black owned Community newspapers are under attack by tech
nology and new forms of media that will make the Black press a dinosaur
by the year 2,000 unless we meet the challenge," says Dr. W.C. Gordon,
Chairman of the American Gospel Arts Fund and pastor of the Divinity Bap
tist Church, Pasadena, Calif.
Gordon, a former broadcaster, advertising and marketing executive,
spoke at a panel concerning "The Church and the Black Press" at the
recent West Coast Black Publishers Association Convention in San Fran-
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has barred eight Oregon grocers
from participating in the Food Stamp Program and fined one other for viq U->
ting program rules.
The sanctions were made between January 1 and September 30, and»
bring to eleven the number of stores penalized during the past twelve
months.
A series of USDA investigations into stores suspected of violations. re; ;
vealed that the penalized stores allowed the purchase of non-food items for
food stamps. Food stamps can only be used to purchase food for human
consumption, or seeds for the production of food for the household. More
than 3,000 Oregon stores are authorized to participate in the Food Stamp
Program which annually accounts for $138 million in state food sales.
USDA encourages the general public to report any violations of the
Food Stamp Program by calling: 1-800-424-9121, the toll free number for the
USDA's Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. The number is
Vernellia Randall, law yer w ith the firm B ullivant. Houser, Pender
grass & H uffm an, was one o f seventy presenters th a t talked to three-
hundre a n d -fifty young people at the Urban League s 14th Annual
Careers Day held at the U niversity o f Portland.
Photo by Richard J. Brown
cisco.
Black newspapers are in danger of being replaced by national news
papers, TV and radio that carry news transmitted by satellite and compu
ters,” says Gordon. "National, daily newspapers using full-color pictures
are claiming the Black Community's readership and attracting big dollars
from advertisers as a result.
Racial trageting is no longer enough for the Black press to make it.
Black newspapers are being forced to compete for Black readers and could
become a thing of the past within a few years if steps are not taken to be
come competitive.
"In the last 20 years, our so-called 'segmented' minority market has
actually become a fragmented market. We will never be able to deal with it
as a whole again, as microchips and microprocessors help other media
serve many of our fragments.
"The only lasting and identifiable institution with which the Black press
can still work is the Church. It always has been and always will be the back-
bond of the readership of Black newspapers.
"The Church is a family institution. Its youth are tomorrow s execu
tives, the so-called 'Buppies' or Black, upwardly mobile professionals.
They are, in turn, family people, raising children, trying to live right, buyers
of soft drinks and spring water instead of hard liquor, health conscious,
trying to buy a washer and d rye r. . .
"If Black newspapers are to survive, I believe that they must get back
"in " with youth, get back "in " with the family crowd, get back "in " with
the Church, work with the Church and stop being used by influences that
exploit Blacks, destroy families and scorn our religious heritage.
"Are Black newspapers going to settle for a dwindling, older reader-
ship and lose the Buppies to the mainstream media entirely? We need to
get into the numbers and think about the demographics of our readerships,
do some market research and target our newspapers to attract the most
economically viable audience we can identify, or we will lose the battle.
We have to learn what it takes to serve our changing Community or we
will find ourselves out of business and unable to serve anybody.
"The Black press and the Church are laborers in the same vineyard.
They have much the same audience and much the same problems, both are
systems of communication. Our newspapers and Churches need to work
together to solve problems of mutual concern. If the issue is drugs, let s
have seminars in the churches sponsored by the newspaper. If the issue
is economic deveopment, remember that most businessmen are church
members and can be reached through the Church.
"I can only say that we must do it now, or it will be too late.
"In 1985, I told the West Coast Black Publishers that they must
'Romance The Stone,' that is, end the division between Black press and
church that began some 20 years ago. In 1986, I provided a workbook for
publishers and the clergy on church-press relations. This year, I bring a
warning: in order to survive, Black newspapers are going to have to recog
nize that their survival in the future lies in the Church and that they must
'Get Back To The Future."
Edelman First Recipient
of Vassar College Chair
Vassar College President Frances D. Fergusson announced that Marian
Wright Edelman, an attorney and founder and president of the Children s
Defense Fund (CDF), will come to Vassar College in November as the first
holder of the college's Eleanor Roosevelt Chair, established in 1984 to cele
brate the 100th anniversary of her birth. During her visit, Ms. Edelman w,H
deliver a public lecture, and speak informally with students, faculty, and
community leaders.
__.
Dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children and fami
lies Ms. Edelman has worked for over 20 yearas to educate legislators and
the public about the status and needs of children. In recognition of her life s
work, she received the 1987 American Association of University Women
Achievement Award.
A graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School, she was the first
Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. She has been awarded more
than 20 honorary degrees and was named a MacArthur Foundation Prize
Fellow in 1986, an honor that provides a stipend in excess of $100,000 over
five years.
Prior to founding the CDF, Ms. Edelman served as director of the Center
of Law and Education at Harvard University. She has also worked as a staff
attorney for the NAACP and was a Field Foundation Fellow and partner of
the Washington Research Project of the Southern Center for Public Policy,
a public interest law firm that was the parent body of the CDF.
In her book, "Families in Peril" (Harvard University Press, 1987), Ms.
Edelman says “ Thirty-three-million - one seventh of all Americans, includ
ing 13 million children - are now poor as a result of economic recession,
structural changes in the economy, stagnated wages, federal tax and budget
policies that favor the rich at the expense of the poor, and changing family
demographics that result in one in every five American children living in a
female-headed household, and one of four being dependent on welfare at
some point in his or her lifetirs’,»..
According to CDF's recently published introduction to "A Children's
Defense Budget FY 1988,” the United States ranks first among 142 countries
listed in arms exports; gross national product (GNP); military expenditures,
technology and bases worldwide; and nuclear reactors, warheads, and
bombs; yet only seventh in life expectancy, tenth in public education and
public health expenditures per capita, and seventeenth in prevention of
infant mortality.
Eleanor Roosevelt Chair
The Eleanor Roosevelt Chair was established to serve as a lasting
memorial to Eleanor Roosevelt and to bring to the campus individuals who
have made a difference in advancing internation relations, civil rights, human
rights, services to youth, the status of women, or any other area of endeavor
that concerned Eleanor Roosevelt during her lifetime
<
West Coast Black Publishers
Association Convention Stirs
Renewed dedication
posted in participating grocery stores.
A state welfare fraud line may be used to report suspected fraud by food
stamp households in Oregon: 1 800-527-5772. Also, violations can be re
ported to the nearest USDA Food and Nutrition Service Field Office, listed
in the government pages at the beginning of the phone book.
Stores receiving six-month disqualifications are: Astro International
Market, Broadbent Market, Buy Rite Market, Greenacres Grocery, Jackpot
Foodmart, and Sumner Store. California Snackery Mini Mart 1 was given a
three-year disqualification and Barry's Market was disqualified permanently.
"W hat Makes the Black Press Powerful" was the theme of the 4th
Annual Convention of the West Coast Black Publishers Association, held
October 21-24 in San Francisco at the Westin St. Francis Hotel.
The convention workshops addressed the need for the Black press to
maintain viability in serving as the voice of the Black community. The Com
munity Roundtable entitled "W hy is the Black Press Needed in the Com
munity" was ably facilitated by John Holoman, publisher, Herald Dispatch
Newspaper. Calvinia Williams, assistant regional director, WestcouST
NAACP. set the tone through her keynote speech, stressing tne coopera
tion which must be manifested between the press and Black community
organizations. The workshop, "The Black Press And The War On Drugs,"
brought forth new ideas to tackle drug abuse in minority neighborhoods.
Attorney Pierce Christopher Welch, founder of "D on't Do Drugs" Program
served as moderator of the panel which included Joan Brann, founder
"Just Say No" Program, and Dave Stewart, pitching ace for the Oakland
A's baseball team. Corporate America was addressed through the work
shop, "Do Corporations Understand The Black Press Influence Upon Con
sumer Buying Power?" This panel included Bob Thomas, vice president,
Canadian Club as facilitator; and presentors, John Stevens, market deve
lopment manager, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.; Chuck Morrison, vice president,
Coca-Cola- and, Lena Cole-Dennis, Rockwell International. Corporate
participation was quite evident at this year's WCBPA convention Corpo
rate sponsors for convention special events included: Pacific Bell, Phillip
Morris USA, Toyota USA, Adolph Coors Company, The Tobacco Insti
tute, G. Heileman Brewing Company, Canadian Club, Coca Cola USA,
Location For Weatherization
Project Announced
The Community Energy Project has scheduled six self-help weatheriza
tion workshops for the month of December at various locations throughout
Portland's east side. The workshops are free, and open to the public. During
a two-hour workshop, participants are taught how to lower fuel bills without
sacrificing comfrot, and a bag of free weatherization materials will be given
out at the end of the workshop to income-eligible households. Included in
the materials are caulking, weatherstripping, a door sweep, and plastic storm
and Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
The charismatic and articulate Speaker of the California Assembly, the
Honorable Willie Brown, Jr., eloquently addressed the convention partici
pants on the historical significance of the Black press. He emphasized the
need to have a vehicle to transmit Black cultural heritage. Topper Carew,
Ph D., executive producer in television and film, treated convention atten
dees to a meaningful presentation. His recent film, "Bustin Loose", star
ring Richard Pryor was considered a highly commercial success. He ad
ressed the issue of Black images in the media and how Black pres must
present the true story of the Black experience.
One of the highlights of the Convention was a special tribute to Carlton
B Goodlett, M.D., Ph.D., publisher of the Reporter Publications of San
Francisco. Approximately 800 people packed the Grand Ballroom to honor
this pioneer of the publishing industry. Mistress of Ceremonies for the
event was Ruth Love, Ph.D., former Superintendent of Instruction for both
the Chicago and Oakland Unified School Districts. Offering the keynote
and giving unique testimonial to the good deeds of Carlton Goodlett was
comedian and humanitarian, the legendary Dick Gregory.
At the conclusion of the WCBPA Convention a new slate of officers
were elected: Art Townsend, publisher, San Bernadino Precinct Reporter,
president; Clovis Campbell, publisher, Arizona Informant, vice president;
Bernie Foster, publisher, Portland Skanner, secretary; and Joe Coley, pub
lisher, Bakersfield News Observer, treasurer.
The newly elected President, Art Townsend, was a founder of WCBPA
in 1971. He brings to the office of President 23 years of journalistic exper
ience. He is a graduate of UCLA and is a long-time political, civil rights and
community activist. His business acumen has led him into the arena of real
estate investment and development. Townsend has a reputation as a per
son with deep convictions and concerns about current problems.
I am
ready, willing, and able to further the established goals of WCBPA which are
to increase advertising revenue for our member publications; represent our
members with government entities; provide information on new technolo
gies that will improve the publishing capabilities of our newspapers; assist
member publications in strengthening their role in the community; and,
work with other individuals and groups on issues of mutual concern,
stated Townsend.
For more information on the West Coast Black Publishers Association
you may address correspondence to Art Townsend, President, 1677 W.
Baseline Street, San Bernadino, CA 92411, (714) 889-0597.
Oregon Black
Political Convention
A p ril 9-10, 1988
The Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) announces, "the 1988
Oregon Black Political Convention will be held April 9-10, 1988, at the Vis
count Hotel in Portland."
.
"The 1988 election year is very critical to Black people in that the Pre
sident of the United States will be elected," said Calvin O.L. Henry OABA
President "It is extremely important that Blacks in Oregon develop the
issues that will guide them and endorse those candidates who will be sensi
tive and supportive of their issues," he added.
The purpose of the Oregon Black Political Convention is twofold. One
is to serve as a forum for delegates to discuss issues and conditions, and to
establish, through resolutions, the positions of the Black Community, n
addition, convention delegates will endorse candidates for public offices
during the 1988 Primary Election, who are sensitive and responsive to t e
issues and conditions of Blacks in Oregon.
A steering committee for the convention has been appointed. Members
include Chair Robert Phillips, Carl Talton, Lee Moore, Donna Kelly, George
Richardson and Paul McCoy of Portland; Willie Richardson and Allyson
Spencer of Salem; Shelby Crawford, Jackie Glenn and Henry of Corvallis,
and Michael Clark of Eugene.
The 1988 Oregon Black Political Convention, which is anon-partisan ana
open to the public, is the sixth of its kind to be held in Oregon.
window kits.
CQ
To pre-register for any of the following workshops, call 284-7868, or
stop by the Eliot Energy House at 3116 N. Williams.
Locations and dates: December 5, Matt Dishman Community Center,
77 NE Knott, 10-noon; December 8th, Vernon School, 2044 NE Killings-
worth, 7-9 p.m.; December 9, Abernethy Community School, 2421 SE.
Orange, 7-9 p.m.; December 12, Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th, 10-noon;
December 14, Sunnyside Community School, 3421 SE Salmon, 7-9 p.m.;
and December 29, Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd, 7-0 p.m.
I wu n iu a ia yu a n » "y "
..... &
first Portland-Corinto Sister City School Exchange visited stu
dents at the Urban League’s Whitney Young Learning Center. The
students showed slides of their city Corinto and of their families.
They also shared the experiences they have had growing up in
Nicaragua. Whitney Young students, who couldn’t understand
why they were visiting the country that’s financing the attempt to
overthrow their government were told, “The people of Nicaragua
distinguish between the foreign policy of the United States, and
the people of the United States.” The presentation ended with the
two students receiving Whitney Young T-shirts. Jose Martin Al
tamirano Chavez points to the city of Corinto on a map of
Nicaragua, and to his right is Sara Maria Oviedo Ortiz. The stu
dents along with the principal of their high school were in Portland
for three weeks.
Photo by Richard J. Brown
The U.S. Government's
W ar on W om en
While Reagan imposes anti-abortion regulations that impact poor and
young women hardest, the U.S. government condones Salvandorian death
squads in L.A. that kidnap and torture women in anti-war and Central Amer
ican solidarity movements. How should abortion and anti-war activists resist
this attempt to keep women, especially women of color, out of the move
ments and powerless to demand equality? Join Radical Women in discus
sion on Thursday, December 17, 1987, 6:30 p.m., Multnomah County Cen
tral Library, 801 S.W. 10th Avenue. Everyone is welcome. For more infor
mation, call 249-8067. Wheelchair accessible.
State Senior Council Protests
Medicare Increase
The Oregon State Council of Senior Citizens is calling upon Oregon
Congressmen to take action to stop a Reagan Administration plan to in
crease Medicare Part B premiums 38 percent — the largest increase since
Medicare started in 1965.
Under the Administration's proposal, seniors would have to pay an
additional $82.80 above the current yearly rate of $214.80 for Medicare
Part B coverage of physician services, outpatient hospital care and home
health care.
"This is a shocking and callous proposal by an Administration that has
already nearly doubled the Part B premium si&t« 1980," says State Council
President Nate Davis. "To the low income elderly or disabled this increase
financial burden could very well mean a choice between health care and
their next meal."
A more reasonable proposal, said Davis, is a bill introduced by Con
gressman Ron Wyden of Portland and Congressman Claude Pepper. .
H R 3291 will require future annual increases in the Medicare Part B pre
mium not to exceed the percentage cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in
Social Security benefits.
Efforts are being made by the State Council to mobilize Oregon seniors
to write their Congressman and Senators to urge them to make every effort ,
to block the Administration's plan and to support H R 3291 as a workable
long-range alternative, said Davis.
"W ith seniors paying more than $1800 in out-of pocket medical costs,
the last thing they need is to have an added financial burden. Oregon's-:
seniors must respond swiftly to this outrageous recommendation by the
Reagan Administration," added Davis.