Page 2, Portland Observer, August 17, 1988
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Guest Editorial
Parren Mitchell, Chairman
Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund
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EDITORIAL /
RVER
e knew it was just a matter the Court is deliberating about
of time. We didn’t think it the constitutionality of minority
would happen so quickly. But it business set-asides at the local
has. Yet another legal challenge levels
Minority entrepreneurs in Rich­
to minority business programs
mond
face their biggest chal­
has reached the Supreme Court.
lenge
ever
— the potential loss of
This time, it’s the Michigan
their
right
to compete for a 30%
Road Builders Association that is
share
of
the
$124 million dollars
trying to eliminate minority busi­
in
city
contracts,
valued annually
ness opportunity programs from
at
some
37.2
million
dollars!
the face of the earth.
Across
the
country,
there are in
We cannot allow the right of
excess
of
160
minority
business
minorities to compete fairly in the
opportunity
programs
valued
in
American marketplace to be
the
billions
of
dollars
that
have
taken away without a fight.
Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court been placed in severe jeopardy by
w ill consider hearing arguments these two cases.
The Minority Business Enter­
in the case of William G. Milliken,
prise
Legal Defense and Educa­
et al. v. Michigan Road Builders
tion
Fund
is fully prepared to
Association.
harness
whatever
resources are
This is a case where an inde­
necessary
to
win
these
two cases
pendent study revealed unfound­
and
similar
cases
poised
to go to
ed stereotypes and negative at­
the
Supreme
Court.
titudes on the part of Michigan’s
It is absolutely imperative that
procurement officials towards
we
fight discrimination against
minority contractors.
minorities
in business as vigor­
This is a case where, in a state
ously
as
we
have fought for elim i­
with a 14 percent minority popula­
nation
of
other
forms of discrim i­
tion, minorities received less than
nation
in
housing,
employment,
one percent of state contract
and education.
awards over a five-year period.
Economic parity is the final
This is a case where the State
phase
of the civil rights struggle.
of Michigan set a modest “ good
Without
full integration into the
aith” goal to try and award one
American
marketplace, victims of
percent of its contract dollars to
racial
discrimination
will continue
minorities, and failed to meet that
to
be
unable
to
purchase
decent
goal!
housing;
they
will
continue
to be
This is a case where the state
disproportionately
unemployed;
government found the only re­
maining viable remedy to be a they will continue to be unable to
gradually phased-in 7 percent set- afford the rising costs of higher
aside goal for minority owned education.
That is why this struggle is one
businesses and a 5 percent set-
in
which we cannot compromise.
aside goal for women-owned
We've got to give our all to ensure
businesses.
This is a case where, incred­ that civil rights gained thus far are
ulously, the Sixth Circuit Court of not rendered illusory by the rav­
Appeals reversed the factual fin­ ages of economic discrimination.
We have already begun to coor
dings of a federal district court,
dinate
other advocacy groups and
and found this compelling evid­
legal
organizations
to assist us in
ence to be "not probative” of
presenting
the
Supreme
Court
discrimination.
with
the
fullest
possible
range
of
This is a case where a conser­
arguments
on
behalf
of
minority
vative appellate court has gone so
far as to deny the ability of a state business interests.
We have been there in the past,
to admit that it has discriminated
and
we will continue to be there
against minority contractors and
in
the
future — with your support
vendors!
We
were there most recently in
It's no surprise that having
Tennessee
Asphalt Co. v. Farris
seen no discrimination, the Sixth
where
we
successfully
defended
Circuit Court of Appeals saw no
the
constitutionality
of
the 10%
justification for Michigan’s minor­
goal
for
disadvantaged
busi
ity business program, and struck
nesses
in
federal
highway
con
it down.
struction
contracts
—
a
program
If the courts are unwilling to
see discrimination that stares us worth billions of dollars to minori­
in the face, the only possible out­ ty businesses.
We were there in Stone v. Dole,
come is consistent rejection of af­
again
successfully defending the
firmative action remedies.
10%
goal
for disadvantaged busi
We cannot, must not, and will
nesses
contained
in the Surface
not permit this kind of judicial
Transportation
Assistance
Act
hocus-pocus to go unchallenged.
As
a
result
of
our
intervention,
You and I must do all that we can
to convince the Supreme Court Judge Fox of the Federal District
that racial discrimination in the Court of North Carolina issued a
marketplace is real, and deadly. It final decision in Carpenter v. Dole
upholding the constitutionality of
must be remedied.
The livelihood of thousands of this federal program as applied in
minority businesses rests in the North Carolina.
This Michigan case represents
balance.
so much to so many. Together we
Already the U.S. Supreme can guarantee that our minority
Court is hearing our arguments in businesses will get their chance
the case of Richmond v. J.A. to participate in the American
Croson. In this important case, dream.
“ The Other Side
OPINION
Along the Color Line
5 5
board up our properties and have
them condemned and a few ’well-
healed’ opportunists swoop up
the property and displace senior
citizens and long-time residents
by changing the zoning to com­
mercial and industrial and thereby
causing the tax structure in the
community to become higher
which makes it prohibitive for
many middle income persons to
hold onto their property. One has
only to look at the trend nationally
of "urban removal” and see the
displacement of Black people
who happen to live on land that is
valuable and which is easily ac­
cessible to all of the major
¡by Harold C. Williams
amenities that a city provides. So
if the main agenda is to take
or the last three weeks,
Northeast Portland has re­ inner-Northeast Portland out of
ceived a great deal of attention the hands of some long-time
from the news media. Some posi­ Black residents, then lets make
that clear and stop castrating
tive, however, I believe the intent
young
Black men by painting
has been to inform the broader
them
as
hoodlums, dopeheads,
community. But in that process, a
and
anything
else that one can
negative picture has been pres­
think
of
that
is
negative.
ented ever so subtly that all of our
There are problems, many prob­
youth, in particular the young
lems,
that young Black men have
Black men, are either on drugs,
to
face
such as unemployment,
pushing drugs, or a part ot some
higher
education
opportunities.
gang. This perception is very
Drugs
are
a
problem
as well and
disturbing. For 85% or more of
we
must
not
ignore
it.
Let’s put
Black young men are hard work­
drugs
and
gangs
in
their
proper
ing, committed to a positive
perspective,
one
problem
among
future, and have pride in them­
selves. Why then does 15% or many, but it must not overshadow
less, who present a negative pic­ the hopes and dreams of the ma­
ture, become the image that is jority of the beautiful young Black
painted of all young Black men in men in our community. For the
real issue is not gangs and drugs,
our community?
Let’s look deeper at what is go­ but the reclaiming of the land in
ing on in our community. The Northeast Portland by a few op­
gang issue is real and most be portunists. Must we stand aside
dealt with. Drugs is a real issue and allow the dream and the
that must be dealt with, but the hopes of future for our young
Black men be destroyed because
real agenda is to use the gangs
a
few opportunists have another
and drugs to disfranchise the low
agenda
in mind at the expense of
and middle income persons in our
our
most
valuable resource: the
community by claiming that tne
young,
the
strong, beautiful Black
total community is unsafe, there­
by giving some the reason to men
F
Perspectives
Washing Dirty Linen In Public
convenience, than to make ex­
pensive adjustments during con­
struction.
An idea began to gel and, leaf­
ing through the ‘New Building
Permits’ section ot The Daily
Journal of Commerce, it became
quite clear that one could in­
troduce the in-house laundromat
concept BEFORE construction
began. I approached my mech­
anic neighbor with the idea and,
with a carefully designed presen­
by Professor McKinley Burt
tation package, made the rounds
promised to introduce another
of prospects with very favorable
innovative style of enterprise,
results: "Industrial Cleaning Ser­
so here is one with a distinctive vices will provide you with a
flair in the application of technol­
COMPLETE TURNKEY PACKAGE
ogy to the rather ordinary. We
on y o u r s ite -c o in o p e ra te d
preface by pointing out that most
washers and dryers, boiler, and
successful businesses are laun­
consumer amenities.” Note that
ched by those with related on-the-
OUR-ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE
job experience.
permitted accurate pricing of all
In 1958, I was the Inventory
elements from equipment to tak­
Control Accountant for what was
ing back a two-year maintenance
then the largest Mail Order Dis­ contract
count House on the West Coast.
After supervising 14 people in
This mode of enterprise should
purchasing and shipping for sev­
prove an excellent model for any
eral years, I could quote from
reader wishing to extend this ap­
m em ory the m a n u fa ctu re r's
proach to other fields. The only
prices on all major brands of ap­ state-up expenses were a license,
pliances, jewelry, furs, sporting
insurance, a truck and a good set
goods, silverware, clothing, cam­ of maintenance tools, everything
eras and the like. Naturally, I fre­ else was contracted out: The
quently speculated. "How can
Ajax Boiler Company and Central
can I use this experience in MY
Plumbers' for installation, Bank of
OWN ENTERPRISE?"
America financing of the contract
At the time my neighbor was
secured from the owners — which
laid off from his job as a refrig­
permitted the equipment pur­
eration mechanic, taking tempor­ chases from the distributors
ary e m p lo y m e n t in LA U N ­ without a cash outlay. The office
DROMAT REPAIR The same
was in my den, and the workshop
week I noticed that a large apart­
in my neighbors basement
ment complex under construction
We made six successful instal­
nearby was undergoing a major
lations
before being crowded out
alteration — to allow for the inclu­
by
the
'big boys.’ However our
sion of a LAUNDROMAT IN THE
total
investment
was less than
BASEMENT. Obviously, it would
the cost of a good USED
have been better to have AN
CADILLAC!
TICIPATED this money-making
Dr. Manning Marable
•Í
1980, and 1984, as well as currertt
he American political system
opinion polls among segments of
is unique in that it gives the
the voting age population. Wfe
electorate “ selections without also know, conversely, that at
choices.” The Republican conven­
least three-quarters ot all Born-
tion in New Orleans was a dreary
Again Christian evangelicals will
event, entertaining only in the
go for Bush; that 70 percent of all
sense that it showed that thou­
voters earning over $100,000 an­
sands of people can dwell in polit­
nually will support the Republican
ical unreality, espousing dog­
national ticket; and that a sub­
matic and dangerous slogans
stantial majority of homeowners
rather than serious issues, march­
and property owners will endorse
ing lock-step into the abyss of
Bush. In effect, these voters are
fear, war and intolerance. The
not selecting one candidate over
Democrats are only superior due
another. They are voting their
to the presence of progressive
social class interests as best as
forces within its ranks, but even
they can perceive them, within
the Rainbow’s stunning victories
the limited and contradictory
last spring do not negate the in­
framework of America’s electoral
tellectual and political poverty of
system.
the bulk of the Democratic Party’s
Bush and Dukakis are oppo­
centrist and rightwing leaders.
nents, only in that the victory of
When the two parties compete,
one will mean political oblivion
personalities rather than issues
for the other. But beyond person­
generally dominate. Seldom is the
ality battles resides the heart of
average voter given an opportune
politics, the question of power.
ty to make a viable choice be­
And whether Bush or Dukakis win
tween candidates who symbolize
this coming November, the issue
fundam entally d istin ct policy
of empowering the poor, minor­
alternatives.
ities, working women, the un­
A good example of this elec­
employed and others who experi­
toral dilemma is the current
ence racism, economic oppres­
presidential contest. Michael
sion and discrimination is not on
Dukakis and George Bush have
the national agenda.
had very different political careers
Indeed, there are as many
and experiences in public life
similarities between the major
Dukakis is a three-term governor
parties’ candidates as there are
of an eastern state, who has had
differences. Both endorse Rea­
considerable administrative expe­
gan's foreign policy of “ neo-
rience. Bush is a former Con­
d e te n te ” w ith the Soviets,
gressm an, am bassador, CIA
although Bush has been forced
head, etc., a political chameleon
for tactical reasons to temporarily
whose identification with moder­
shelve his real beliefs on this
ate Republicanism declined as
question. Both favor an East-
his narrow ambitions for higher
West, confrontational approach
office soared. Dukakis’s record
to international policy, rather than
on civil rights does not equal that
espousing a North-South agenda
of Walter Mondale, and Bush’s
which would focus on uprooting
record is at best pathetic. But
poverty, hunger and neocolon­
given the conditions facing Black
ialism within the Third World.
Americans and otner voters who
Both favor limitations on federal
are working people, farmers,
intervention to resolve social and
racial minorities, the elderly, and
economic problems domestically,
individuals on welfare or other
although Dukakis would un­
government programs, the selee
doubtedly be more "humane”
tion between Bush and Dukakis is
within a limited fiscal framework.
easy. Unquestionably, Dukakis is
Both support the goals of budget
the “ better candidate” . Without
management and administrative
fear of contradiction, we can easi­
efficiency; both oppose radical
ly predict that more than 90 per­
steps to eliminate unemployment
cent of the Black electorate
and poverty through massive
which casts ballots this Novem­
government intervention. So we
ber w ill go for Dukakis over Bush.
need to be very clear about what
The Hispanic vote for Dukakis, ex­
is at stake in the selection of
cluding the Cuban electorate,
Dukakis vs. Bush. There is clearly
should be at least 75 percent. The
a difference between the two can­
unemployed will go for Dukakis
didates. But that difference will
by 65 to 75 percent; union
not culminate in any fundamen­
household voters should support
tally different policy alternatives
Dukakis by roughly 60 percent.
in many areas of domestic and
We can be fairly accurate in
foreign affairs which impact
these predictions, because of the
Blacks and working people.
previous electoral trends in 1976,
T
CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL
South Africa’s
Latest Ban
I
fiscate the determination of a
people to be free. This latest ban
he sight of white plainclothes by the Botha government in South
police officers awkwardly Africa is indicative of the sense of
carrying large, round, movie film
moral and political weakness
containers under their arms out­ which permeates all of the fabric
side of movie houses in Cape of present day apartheid.
Town South Africa is reminiscent
Banning “ Cry Freedom" is onTy
of both the terror and extremist
another senseless and desperate
actions of Hitler’s Nazi regime.
act by South Africa. These repres­
The racist apartheid regime of
sive acts will not succeed in
South Africa recently banned and
preventing a rememberance of
seized all copies of the movie,
Steve Biko. The martyrs of the
"Cry Freedom." The police com­
struggle for liberation and free­
missioner of Cape Town, General
dom in South Africa and through­
Hennie de Witt, stated that the
out the region of southern Africa
movie had "a propagandistic
are remembered for their sacri­
theme” and that the movie vio­
fices and leadership. Ironically,
lated South Africa's two-year-old
this latest move by South Africa
state of emergency.
will only ensure that the world
“ Cry Freedom” depicts the life
community will never forget Steve
and tragic death of Steve Biko.
Biko and the nameless, countless
Biko was a forceful and energetic
other sisters and brothers who
foe of apartheid. He was beaten
have given their lives in the cause
to death by South African police
of freedom.
while in their custody. This movie
The African National Congress,
also portrayed the journalistic ac­
the liberation movement of South
tivism of Donald Woods, a white
South African newspaperman Africa, deserves our support. The
people of South Africa and the
who became a Biko supporter.
people of Angola, Mozambique,
One of the realities that South
Zambia, Zimbabwe and Bosts-
Africa is too blind to see is that
wana will need our resolute
you cannot ban the truth or con
solidarity and commitment.
by Benjamin F. Chavis. Jr.
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