September 8, 1988, Portland Observer, Page 3
COMMUNITY FORUM
“ B u s in e s s A s U s u a l(? )
Continued from p ag el
many years in industry, business
and accounting. The experience
was illuminating to say the
least. Over the past months my
column has dealt rather ex­
haustively with many key ele­
ments of that experience and the
following matter simply high-
, fights several key parameters.
For instance, during a brief
stint in the administrative hierar­
c h y at Model Cities, I came up
with what I thought was a neat
oiidea for a program. Why not use
all of these millions of dollars
spent in the procurement of
goods and services to ‘seed’ new
I jBlack businesses in the com­
munity? I listed a spectrum rang­
ing from a printer, vehicle leas­
ing, hardware and building supply
firm to typewriter and office
equipm ent repair, stationary
^Store, painter arid decorator,
catering and banquet firm, and so
on. Where local Black expertise
was not available, I had even
developed files from inquiries to
California and the South for ex­
perienced Black professionals or
‘on-loan people’ from industry.
Taking a cue from television’s
Maxwell Smart, I should have
known that “ Control” (at City Hall)
had already written the scenario,
and that most goodies and
largesse would be directed to the
vested establishment. But one
does have to try, you know. Equal­
ly distressing was one element of
a later experience as consultant
to the Minority Business compo­
nent of the program. Here, there
were never sufficient funds to do
the nitty gritty training required
for neophyte Black business per­
s o n s — large c o n tra cts were
given to ‘experts’ from academia
to teach “ Critical Path Logistics"
to one-pickup operators who had
yet to learn how to inventory their
Tew picks and shovels or drywall
supplies and mop buckets.
i: Now, I have presented what
might be taken as a less-than-
adequate description of both
what was and what is. Some will
wish that I had taken space to
detail the differential treatment of
Blacks in obtaining commercial
bank loans — or wish that I had
developed ‘Illustrative Displays of
Impact Measure Data’ to docu­
ment the probable failure of much
new Black enterprise unless there
is radical change. That would re­
quire several pages.
9 9
African-American Exhibit: Black Pioneers
importance ever came out of
espite the original 1841
Africa,
then let us demonstrate
codes which initially exclud­
what
we
have done in blood,
ed Black people from the Oregon
sweat and tears to create a foun­
Territory, Black people always
dation in the absence of which
have played a significant role in
this great nation never could have
the development of the North­
succeeded. Let fools try to deny
west. A brief history of the "Nor­
that irrefutable evidence. This is
thwest Black Heritage” can be
our birth right. It is our proud
viewed at the Oregon Historical
heritage.
Society until December 10th. The
Even though this writer is not a
museum is located at 1230 S.W.
native Oregonian, he discovered a
Park Avenue at the corner of Jef­
small rhizoid of his own roots an­
ferson in Portland. The displays
chored to a corner of the exhibit.
can
be
viewed
daily
and
admis­
Don’t Miss
An article from the venerable Ad­
sion
is
by
voluntary
contribution.
“ Simply Heavenly’ ’
vocate of May 1929 announced a
This exhibit is an important ad­
week long celebration in the Zion
junct to the recently concluded
by Kathryn Hall Bogle
African M ethodist Episcopal
“ Out of Africa” chronicle. It is a
Church which featured my father,
very
enlightening
compendium
of
f you hurry to get tickets for
the Rev. Dr. James Gordon
old photographs, iithographs,
Saturday and Sunday afternoon
McPherson. I was only six mon­
a ne cdotes and m e m o ra b ilia
performances, you may get seats
ths
old at the time, but I still have
about Black pioneers who contin­
and a lot of laughs at “ Simply
the
colored postcard he mailuu
ued the well established tradition
Heavenly” running at the Portland
back
to me. I suppose that was
initiated by their forebears in carv­
State University’s Lincoln Hall
the
impetus
which caused my sis­
ing this nation out of the wilder­
auditorium. The play, directed by
ter,
Mrs.
Jeannette
Gates and her
ness. Among such pioneers was
Garland Lee Thompson, was w rit­
husband
Osly
to
relocate here
George Washington who like his
ten some 30 years ago by
over
30
years
ago.
white namesake was a great
Langston Hughes. A seasoned di­
Katherine Shaver, co-ordinator
leader. Washington led a wagon
of
volunteers for the museum did
train across the prairies and
a
lot
of leg work in finding certain
mountains to establish a home­
printed
materials for this report.
stead in this virgin new land. He
She
also
introduced me to two
was hindered by racism. It is in­
key
officials
responsible for this
teresting to note that even though
display.
the original constitution of Ore­
Gary Brecken, deputy assistant
gon forebade involuntary servi­
director
of the museum ferreted
tude, it also proscribed citizen­
ship to Black people and Chinese.
rector, Thompson is also an actor
Another early pioneer with a
and playwright with the stamp of
similar name, George Washing­
New York City on the skillful
ton Bush, circumvented the in-
casting and sensitive coaching of
nane deterrent of race by settling
his personnel.
in the Puget Sound area. He es­
Stellar roles played by Neal
tablished the community of Bush
Thomas and Denise Williams and
Prairie which ironically gave
by Michael Holiday and Brenda
precedence to the American
Phillips were backed with strong
claim for that part of the country
supportive roles played by Steve
in a dispute with England over the
Lee and Jeanette Russel Brown.
common border with Canada.
Undoubtedly they were audience
These pioneers introduced
favorites.
names into the new territory that
Paulette Davis and Kenneth
still can befound in the current
Dembo had cameo roles but
telephone books of Oregon.
played their parts to the hilt.
It is very important for all Black
Costuming by Wanda Walden
Beatrice Cannadv-Franklin
people, especially our children, to
was fresh and attractive. Acoustic
out
several key pieces of infor­
avail ourselves of every thread of
balance kept many from clearly
mation
that were not otherwise
history that is emerging from the
hearing some of the fast paced
available
to me. He also em­
past. Let there be no doubt about
patter. Music, under direction of
phasized
that the museum is
it, Black people exerted a very
popular Janice Scroggins was
commited
to mounting exhibits
vital role in building every niche
nostalgic of the period and the au­
that
give
unique
insights into the
within this nation. If others cling
dience again responded with af­
great
diversity
of
our multi-racial
to the false notion that nothing of
fectionate m emories of the
melodies.
The play was simply a bundle
of joyful situations with a “ boy
gets girl” ending that was pleas­
ing to everyone.
What I hope to have done here
is to have given the type of over­
view necessary to the develop­
m ent of s p e c ific c o u n te r­
measures corresponding to par­
ticular problems. Pay attention!
Today the state of Oregon inform­
ed us that there are 92 Certified
Black businesses in the state of
Oregon. Forty years ago there
were more than that on Williams
and Union Avenues alone!
D
I
and pluralistic society.
Marguerite Wright, public infor­
mation officer, stated that it is the
desire of the museum to collect
and to display artifacts of anti­
quity along with pictures that pri­
vate individuals might have in
their possession. For example,
the Jesse Jackson campaign gen­
erated a number of memorabilia
such as cam paign buttons,
bumper stickers and printed
material that is going to become
very important to future research­
ers who will want to know some­
thing about this very exciting
period in our history. Persons
who would like to share such in­
formation or material with the
Oregon Historical Society should
write to Miss Wright at the mu­
seum or telephone here a
222-1741.
In the meantime this writer
urges everybody to get down to
the museum as soon as possible
to recapture some of the glory in
the very important moments of
the history and culture of our
great Black pioneers in the
Northwest.
Saluting
Mrs. Gayle Jackson,
Comptroller
The Portland Observer
Newspaper
... Gayle, we love you very
much!!
Observer’s Staff
Cleo’s Cafe
3041 N. Williams
284-7150
Ethnic Cuisine
Southern Style
PORTLAND
DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION
HOUSE SPECIALTIES
Chitterlings • Meatloaf
Mix Greens • Beef Stew
Catfish • And Many
Other Southern Dishes
Commission M eeting
Date: September 14, 1988
Place: The Portland Bldg., 11th Floor
1120 SW Fifth Avenue
Portland, OR
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Including:
Cleo’s
Zesty Ribs In Sauce
Commission meetings are open to
the public. Complete agendas are
available at PDC. Call 796-5300.
— HOME-COOKED DESERTS -
Come See ‘Luberta ’
For Down Home Cookin’!
PDC is the City of Portland's urban
renewal and economic development
agency.
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HUD is com ing back soon,
And com ing back better.
A temporary nationwide restraining order
prevents us from selling HUD homes at this
time. However, we’ll be back.
Your Portland HUD Office will be using the
next few weeks to your best advantage. Prepar­
ing more homes to be available for sale. Look­
ing at new financing options. And planning
ways to offer buyers do-it-yourself fix-up re­
bates.
So watch The Oregonian for details. We ll be
back in the home-selling business just as soon
as we can. And even better than before.
6»
HUD
department of housing
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
For more information call HUD at (503)221-2671.