January 27, 1988, Portland Observer, Page 5 Speak Out by Danny Beil Why do Afro-American business I fail more often than other k _ ethic group businesses? b^Àrnold Pitre Henry Taylor Ronda Chiles Clerk Club Manager Reverse discrimination . . . or re verse prejudice. Some of our Black people have been conditioned into thinking that we can't trust our own people. They will take their cars, for instance, to a white mechanic, rather than a Black, saying, "that Black mechanic does not know what he is doing." The Black busi nessman often times has a lack of knowledge and a lack of under standing of how and where to get the knowledge. There are often times when the understanding of rules and regulations are a big pro blem. Money is always a problem. We can't get the loans that the white man can get, and access to the funds is very important. It seems that no one is willing to pro vide funds, even our own banks. Blacks refuse to patronize other Blacks, and there is a lack of re spect of Black people for Black busi nesses. On the other hand, white people do not patronize Black busi nesses either. So, Blacks do not patronize Blacks, whites do not pat ronize Blacks, therefore, there is no business. A smart businessman can get the money to run a business, but without the patronage to sup port the business, it is a lost cause. Domestic Violence Recent figures indicate that approximately 50% of American families experience some form of domestic violence. What is domestic violence? It is physical abuse between husband and wife; it occurs in homes with stress, such as where there are money or medical problems; or when an elderly relative resides in the home with the couple. The participants usually have a history of being abused. Therefore, since this behavior is a learned condition, the participants tend to respond to stress by imitating actions they have grown to expect. It is frequently common that the use of alcohol has a negative effect in domestic violence cases, being that alcohol tends to cause confused thinking and limited inhibitions. The occurrence of domestic violence transcends all economic and social stratas. However, it is more pronounced in families with money problems. The abuser, in most cases, tends to be male. The profile of abusers tends toward persons who assume the role of dominance in the relationship. This type of personality has an urgent need to feel a sense of entitlement, as if one should at times have the ability to read their minds and respond to the abuser's needs. The person abused, on the other hand, tends to be female, unassertive, passive, and a person who will try anything to keep peace in the family. The abused person's prior family role models were often abused, as well, setting a pattern of abusive behavior. The abused person generally has poor coping skills; this, in turn, further influences them to have a sense of dependency on the abuser. Both participants have a low self-esteem. Often women have a hard time breaking the cycle of abuse. It is a d iffi cult task to extricate oneself, financially and emotionally, from the abusive partner. The cycle is made even more complicated by the abuser's routine apologies to the battered person. This goes hand in hand with promises never to batter her again. However, in most cases, sheer application of writ power will not remedy the situation. What is needed to successfully over-come a problem of this nature is for both parties to seek professional counseling. The first step of breaking the cycle of abuse is for the woman to tell someone, such as a doctor, nurse, or sympathetic friend. Women who are in need can find assistance in the blue section of the White Pages of the telephone book under "Women Services." Other agencies which can help are mental health clinics, hot lines, and the police. These resources may direct an abused person to a women's shelter. Women's shelters are havens of refuge for women who have experienced domestic violence. The shelters in the Portland area generally accept child ren. The shelter will not release the address where the woman is staying, nor will they release the name of any woman staying in the shelter. Shelters offer counseling, both to resident clients and the public. Women's shelters also provide women with assistance in establishing a separate household, acquiring a restraining order, as well as assist in the prosecution of criminal charges against the abuser. _________________________ ____________ Community Mental Health invites our readers to write us at 128 N.E. Russell, Portland, OR 97212, Attention: Danny Bell. James Smart Self Employed James Berry Proprietor N.E. Business Center * Operating capital. It is hard for Black business owners to get loans. Programs that are supposed to help minorities are inaccessible. Insu rance . . . inability to get proper insurance in certain areas of town, usually where Blacks are attempting to place their businesses. Black cu stomers expect Black businesses to provide them with very low prices, even when the business cannot af ford to give them such prices. Blacks need to purchase from Black businesses because the money goes back into the community, and if they would do that, the businesses can lower their prices. __________________________________________ Housing andEconomicDevelopment Conference Set for January 30 Limited Funds. Black people do not have access to the money that other groups do. A lot of people are not properly prepared, do not have the know-how, and do not do any re search to get themselves prepared. Some of us oonsider ourselves a success by virtue of being in busi ness, whether the business is suc cessful or not. They need to take the time to evaluate the success of the business and react accordingly. I have seen city inspectors that ap pear to be stricter on businesses in the Black community that at tempt to be in compliance rather than those that are not. This creates a burden on Black busi nesses. Black people seem to be a bit more particular when patroni zing Black business. We seem to patronize our businesses as a last resort, and then we want to bargain with the owner. We w on't do that at Safeway or other white establi- ments. Revitalizing our inner city neigh borhoods - creating jobs, rehab- bing abandoned buildings, impro ving our commercial business dis tricts, designing affordable ways for families to own their homes — and other community development is sues will be topics at the fourth annual Citizen Leadership Confer ence sponsored by Southeast Up lift Neighborhood Program. The conference, "Housing and Community Economic Develop ment: Neighborhood Strategies for the 1990's", will be held Satur day, January 30, 1988 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Providence Hospital, N.E. 47th and Glisan. The conference is designed for citizen activists, business district leaders and city staff. During morn ing sessions participants will learn about successful models/programs both nationally and locally choosing Oregon Human Rights Coalition To Meet 20% Off Most Toys On January 30, 1988 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., The Portland Chapter of The Human Rights Coalition will hold a meeting focus ing on the following issues: emer gency medical care, child care re imbursement, coping with job search, obtaining emergency assi stance (cash and foodstamps), new jobs program, AFS (Adult and Family Services) staff rudeness to ward clients. The meeting will be held at the Old Wives Tales Restaurant, 1300 E. Burnside, Portland, OR, 238- 0470 for directions. For more information, contact: Geraldine Willaims, 281-1620, or Karen Roothaan, 249-8232. The Neighborhood Toy & Gift Shoppe Toys & Gifts for Small & Big Kids 5429 NE 42nd Portland, OR 97218 284-8970 Mon-Fri 10-6 p.m. 9-4 p.m. Sun 1-5 p.m. Off Killingsworth on 72 & 75 Bus Unes Greeting Cards & Gift Certificates & More NEW PATIENT SPECIAL***** pltf >°lid ren,€t Uln g ^ C e This certificate entitles each new patient with: exam , bite - wing x - rays , ROUTINE CLEANING For Only 00 • Preventive Family Dentistry • Special Attention to Children and Gum Disease CALENDAR Community Mental Health g QQ OFF J W .W U V rr NEW DENTURES • Free Denture Clean ing • No Charge Consultation • Reline <& Repairs while you wait E d w a rd E. W a r d , D M D Convenient, affordable dental care for your family. 610 SW A ld e r , Suite 1008 • 228-3009 HOURS: M-F 7AM-7PM SATURDAY 8AM-5PM Expires Dec 31 1987 between two tracks: housing or economic development. Afternoon sessions will encourage discussion among participants to identify com mon neighborhood priorities and to begin to develop citywide policies and strategies. Bob Zdenek, President of the National Congress for Community Economic Development in Wash ington, D.C. will be the keynote speaker presenting a national over view. Comments by Harry Demo rest, President of the Portland De velopment Commission are also slated. Registration forms will be avail able in early January. Space is limi ted and early registration is reque sted. The cost for citizens is $5 and includes lunch and materials. Scho larships are available. Call South east Uplift for more information, 232-0010. Self-Help Tax Assistance Additional help to Oregonians pre paring their federal income tax re turns will be available starting Jan uary 25 throu g h February 12 in the Portland IRS office, with self- help tables set up in the main floor lobby area to assist 1040A and 1040 EZ filers, located in the federal build ing at 1220 S.W. Third, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Jazz it A rt E xhibit An exhibit of jazz-related etchings, paintings and photos by Hawaiin- based artist John Henry Nichols will be on display at Mt. Hood Commu nity College's College Center Fire place Lounge throu g h the m onth o f February. The lounge is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The exhibit if free and open to the public. Ni chols first began painting in Harlem at the age of 20. Within two years, his paintings were on display in New York and Canada. He recently com pleted a series of artistic tributes to such music personalities as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Alice Col trane. M u ltn om ah C ounty Library Schedules Public M eetings The national library press is call ing Multnomah County Library a leader in the profession and "W e'd like to make sure that continues by regularly 'connecting' with the pub lic," says Sarah Ann Long, Mult nomah County Library director. "W e'd like to share information about how we make the decisions —everything from selecting books to what hours the library is open to what's new in libraries across the United States," Long says. Citizens are invited to attend ses sions scheduled for M onday, Feb 1 at noon in the auditorium of Central Library, 801 S.W. Tenth; on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at noon in the North Portland Branch Library, 512 N. Killingsworth; or on Wednes day, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Mid land Branch Library, 805 S.E. 122nd. The Tax Man Cometh — And So Does Free Help Don't let the tax man get you down. Help is at hand with Portland Parks and Recreation. Several Park Bureau community centers and community schools provide free as sistance from people well versed in this year's tax laws. The service is primarily for seniors and people on low incomes, so check with the re creation center nearest you to find out whether you qualify for help. M a tt Dishm an C o m m u n ity Center, 77 NE Knott. Program be gins mid-February. Call 282-1460 for information & appaointment. Ockley Green C o m m u n ity School, 6031 N. Montana. Pro gram begins mid-February. Call 280 5663 for information & appoint ment. Peninsula Park C o m m u n ity Center, 6400 N. Albina. Assistance from trained AARP volunteers. Tuesdays and Thursday, 2-1 throu g h 4-15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 285-4222 to make a half-hour appointment. U niversity Park C o m m u n ity Center, 9009 N. Foss. For low in come, senior, or handicapped citi zens. Presented by AARP. W ed nesdays, 2-3 throu g h 4-13, 10 am to 2 pm. Walk-ins welcome, or call 289-2414 for an appointment. Calendar Continued on Page 10 WOZA (wo’zuh) To rise up. WOZA RUTH WOZA STEVE WOZA LILIAN WOZA ROBERT WOZA BRAM See Entertainment Page Career Conference Set Young women from the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area will have an opportunity to meet with local women representing various careers at the ninth annual Expanding Your Horizons Career Conference on Saturday, February 6, 1988. The conference, which will be held at Portland State University, if from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and is open to young women in grades 7-12. Conference participants will hear from presentors about their work as well as have an opportunity to participate in hands-on work shops. Careers represented include health sciences, communica tions, engineering and technology. Nontraditional careers, such as welder, automotive repairer, elevator mechanic, firefighter, and deputy U.S. Marshall, also are represented. Emphasis is placed on the math and science background needed for most careers and the need for young women to study math and science in order to keep career options open. Preregistration deadline is January 29, 1988. For further infor mation, please contact Madeline Moore at 464 3045. NOW YOU CAN G O TO VO-TECH SCHOOL WITH MORE THAN JUST ENTHUSIASM. If VxationalTechnical school is in your future ought to check out the G.I. Bill Plus the Army lege Fund Because with it, you earn money to help pay for your cation. Up to $25,200, if you lify and enlist Here’s how. First you contribute to your edu- an—$100 per month for the first 12 months o f your enlistment. :n the government contributes up 9,600. That’s the G. 1 Bill. With Armv College Fund, you can up to $14,400 more’ Adding up s much as $25,200, by the end our four years, toward addi- lal technical training at an •edited \fo-Tech school. O f course, exactly how much you earn will depend upon how long you serve and which specialty you qualify and enlist for. That’s not bad Money for Vo- Tech school after you serve, as well as the Army’s high-tech training while you serve. And when you enlist, you’ll get more out of the deal than just money! You’ll learn self-reliance, discipline and be in the best physical shape of your life. You’ll also get the chance to travel and meet new people If you’d like to learn more about the G. 1. Bill Plus the Army College Fund,visit your local Army Recruiter or call toll free, 1-800-USA-ARMY. ARMY _ BEALLYOUCANBE.