►»**9 P a g e 2 , P o r t la n d O b s e r v e r , S e p t e m b e r 2 2 , 1 9 8 8 EDITORIAL • ?. by Harold Williams | f any group today can be called the "forgotten Americans” it is the Black elderly. They are in double jeopardy — facing racism and ageism. And elderly Black women are in triple jeopardy— adding sexism to their burdens. A third of older blacks and two out of five older black women are poor— triple the white rate. Older black families have a third less income than older whites. They are three times as likely to be unemployed, and they are far less likely than whites to own their own homes. Their life expectan­ cy is lower. Their housing conditions are worse. Most blacks don’t have corporate pensions, stocks, or dividends. And about 40 percent of older blacks get all of their retirement income from Supplemental Security Income. That means a priority item on the black agenda has to be a change in SSI so that its benefit levels are at least equal to the federal poverty line. That’s the quickest and surest way to alleviate poverty among older black people, and it’s a long over-due step that can assure at least minimum levels of decency toward those most in need. For many older blacks, the retirement years are simply a contin­ uation of the hardship and disadvantage that dogged them all their lives. If there is anything we have learned it is that whenever something bad is coming down the line, it happens to black people first, Americans can ignore the plight of the black elderly then, only at their own peril. For ageism — if allowed to go unchecked — will mean once again sharing with blacks the negatives of discrimina­ tion and disadvantage. We can see that happening today as older white workers are being forced out of the job market just as surely as blacks have always been. Back in 1950 almost half of all men over 65 worked — today less than a fifth are in the labor force. Back then, 87 percent of men between the ages of 55 and 64 worked — today that’s down to about 69 percent. Those figures can be explained in part by the postwar prosperity that enabled many people to live on their retirement income and even to retire early. But much of it is due to policies based on two myths: first, that older workers can no longer produce, and, second, that their jobs are needed by younger workers. That first myth reflects ageism, and results in the hidden unem­ ployment that comes when older workers are laid off and when cor­ porate restructuring targets older workers for early retirement. The segregation of older Americans out of the workplace is rein­ forced by mandatory retirement, and by social security and pension regulations that penalize working. Over the next dozen years the number of Americans over 65 will increase by six million. But the 18-29 age group will decrease by 8.5 million. Our economy faces a labor shortage — not a surplus. By forcing older workers out of the labor force we are reducing America's pro­ ductive capacity and its ability to compete in the world's markets. In the coming years, older workers will assume a more important place in our economy. We've got to have serious national programs to train and retrain them for the jobs of the future. positive opportunities that are he Portland Convention Cen­ much needed to overshadow the ter is on it's way. The first negative image that our com­ phase of this positive image for munity has been tagged with for Portland is just about completed. decades. Sept. 8, Hoffman/Marmolejo were What better way to address the awarded the contract for the sec­ issues of gangs and drugs, with a ond phase of the convention true defense of opportunity and center with a bid of $46,755,000. em ploym ent. When Hoffm an Hansel Phelps had a bid of Construction moved forward with $46.590,000 which was lower than this project with the total involve­ Hoffman/Marmolejo’s bid; how­ ment of minorities and particular­ ever Hansel Phelps did not meet ly Blacks this will send a state­ its minority participation goals. ment to the broader construction Hoffman met the goal with a joint industry that the time has come venture with Marmolejo. Also, to involve the total racial com­ Hoffman went a step further in munity and the success and pro­ making it public through its CEO, gress of the City of Portland and Cecil Drinkward, that they would the State of Oregon. go beyond the 10% minority par­ The proof is in the pudding and ticipation goals insuring that a the eating of it. We will know in a broader spectrum of racial diver­ few weeks just how tasty the pud­ sity would be participating on the ding will be that Hoffman Con­ convention center project. struction serves by the number of Hoffman Construction Com­ Blacks and other minorities that pany and Cecil Drinkward are to will be seen on the project. We be commended for this postive congratulate a positive move by step, for this will ensure that Hoffman Construction Company Blacks will play an important role and the black community look for­ in the construction of the conven- ward to not being disappointed. tion center. This will also lend to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: ;,.v. s? • *». ; ¿X fé From An Admirer That Enjoys Your Professionalism Dear Garland, Met you briefly about a year ago, all of that to say I saw the play Sunday. It was Great. Enjoy your column. Thank you for tangibly improv­ ing the quality of life in Portland. ù <5l 4* 4 Sincerely, Ronnie Herndon •• X •» '? Rosemarie Davis Sales Representative Leon Harris/Gen Mgr Nyewusi Askari News Editor/Staff W riter Mattie Ann Callier-Spears Religion Editor Bill Scheider Copy Editor/Photographer Richard Medina Photo-Composition Lonnie Wells Circulation Manager B. Gayle Jackson Comptroller PORTLAND OBSERVER W? »- ■:' r‘ is published weesiy by Erne Publishing Company Inc 526 N E K'tlingsworth SI • Portland Oregon 97211 P O Bo« 3137 • Portland Oregon 97208 Phone Numbers (503) 280 0033 (Office) (503) 288 1756 (Classified/Display) Deadlines tor all submitted materials Articles Monday. 5 p m.; Ads Tuesday. 5 p.m. The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned it accompanied by a sell-addressed envelope Subscription» »20 00 p«» » n r m the Tri-County area •t*vs The PORTL ANO OBSERVER - Oregon s oldest Atrican-Amencen Publication - Is a member ol M h on e, Newspaper Assoc,ebon - Founded in ,886. The;Oregon N e w .p .p .r ™ Association. and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers. Inc New York Vote For Racial Justice by Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. by John E. Jacob \«% • £\? Cl V I RIGHTS JOURNAL A Step Forward Elderly In Jeopardy ; % OPINION The Other Side GUEST EDITORIAL: ♦ ’ / T Along the Color Line Dr. Manning Marable agenda. The smallest and most ince last month’s Republi­ insignificant tendency inside the can National convention, GOP is the moderate to liberal Michael Dukakis has almost dis­ faction, represented by Lowell appeared from the national Weicker of Connecticut. Far media. Virtually all of the political la rg e r are the “ M o d e ra te attention has focused on the Re­ Conservatives,” which represent publican Party nominees. First, the majority of Republicans in there was the surprise of George Congress, and are led by Bush Bush’s selection for his Vice and men like Robert Dole, Presidential running mate. In­ Howard Baker, Gerald Ford, and diana Senator Dan Quayle has no Bush campaign manager James clout within the U.S. Congress; Baker. They all share a belief in his Reaganite policy positions are fiscal conservatism, but are cen popular with the ultraright wing of trist on many social policy issues. the GOP, but he has no national They favor limited government in­ or even regional constituency. tervention to address economic His selection on the ticket did not and social problems, and favor win Bush anything in the electoral tax increases to cut federal college, because Indiana would deficits. have voted Republican regardless The Moderate Conservatives of the vice presiential nominee. are chiefly opposed by the Bush's selection of this photo­ “ Reaganites,” who oppose any g e n ic, p o litic a l lig h tw e ig h t form of federal intervention into represented his own deep inse­ the economy; they support hard­ curities, a burning desire to be line foreign policies, and oppose perceived as the "Senior Partner" tax hike of any sort. Reaganites on th GOP national ticket. That favor supply side economics, surely wouldn't have been the best represented by the ideas of case with Robert Dole as the vice Republican Congressman Jack presidential selection. Bush has Kemp. Finally, there is the faction been in Reagan’s shadow for so of the Evangelical Rightwing, led many years, that he was determin­ by Pat Robertson and Southern- ed to establish his own creden­ based politicians. The Religious tials; the best way to do so was to Right is more preoccupied with choose a politician without any social policy questions, such as clout or substance whatsoever, abortion rights and prayer in the except rightwing rhetoric. Even schools, than any other issues. It before the party left its conven­ is more dangerous than any other tion in New Orleans, the news GOP faction, because it seeks to broke concerning the controversy impose its own narrow version of about Quayle’s entry into the In­ private morality upon the public. diana National Guard in order to The Religious Right is well-org­ avoid serving in Vietnam. The flap anized and despite its recent loss caused the rightwing consider­ in public prestige due to the scan­ able embarrassment; but the GOP dals of several televangelists, it stuck with their chickenhawk, and should regroup behind a new can­ resorted to the old Nixonian didate for president in 1992. technique of attacking the press Bush's immediate problem is for its investigative reporting on of course getting elected. But if their beleaguered candidate. he is successful in defeating Du­ Bush’s recent successes ob­ kakis, he will confront a far more d iffic u lt dilem m a — presiding scured his long-term liabilities. over an unruly political coalition Because in reality, Dukakis ought to win this election, albeit narrow­ of political and social forces which disagree about a number of ly. Largely undiscussed within the media is a fundamental pro­ fundamental issues. A Bush Pres­ idency would elevate a number of blem which confronts Bush, Moderate Conservatives into high which may deny him victory this office — James Baker would un­ November, ^ is problem is that doubtedly be given the Secretary the major of hardline, conser­ of State post, Richard L. Thorn­ vative Republicans, the true burgh would keep the Justice believers in the Reaganite cause, Department, and moderate New are still uneasy about Bush as Jersey Governor Thomas Kean their candidate: a substantial might be selected for a cabinet m inority of key rightwingers post. The Reaganites and the would actually rather see Dukakis Religious Right would declare win over Bush war, not unlike their struggles The Republican pady is divided against Gerald Ford's administra­ into several major and minor tion a decade ago. The problem political factions, each guided by with George is that even if he a distinct political orientation and wins this November, he will not philosophy, its own sets of lead­ be able to govern effectively. ers, and its separate public policy S &¿ »*' T, . - v - a a a a a • « 4. X ¿ r .* ft of the dangers of the current s we approach the day of the political campaign is the false presidential election of 1988, assumption by some members of the African-American and other Tuesday, Nov. 8, we are now able to see the opportunity for millions racial and ethnic communities of citizens of the United States to that they “ really do not have make a clear choice for the future anything to vote for this year.” leadership and direction of the The truth is this will be the single nation. The latest polls indicate most important presidential elec­ that the contest between Michael tion of the century. The future of Dukakis and George Bush is just the world, particularly the Third about even. Yet, for millions of World, is at stake. African-Americans, Latino-Ameri- When one travels outside of cans, Asian-Americans, Native the United States today, partic­ A m e rica n s and p ro g re ssive ularly in Africa, Latin America, or Anglo-Americans the choice is a other Third World regions, the question of social progress ver­ first question that is raised is the sus degeneration. It is a question importance of the U.S. presiden­ of racial justice versus injustice. tial election this year. We should It is a question of peace versus vote in record numbers as an act of responsibility and citizenship. war. One of the glaring contradic­ We should also vote in record tions of the Reagan-Bush years numbers as an act of international has been the dramatic increase in solidarity with the oppressed of acts of racially motivated violence this world In the interest of across the nation. There are many justice, liberation and peace. political and social scientists who I for one, personally, am com­ have concluded that the character mitted to voting for racial justice of the Reagan Administration has by voting against the Reagan directly contributed to a national Bush legacy of institutionalized atmosphere where racial violence racism at home and abroad. It is has become more tolerable and not institutionalized racism at accepted. home and abroad. It is not neces­ The Commission for Racial sary to list the long litany of racist Justice along with other incid­ acts by the current adminis­ ence of racially motivated vio­ tration. I only wish to remind all lence in the United States during citizens that we all have some­ the last eight years. We found thing to vote for this year. I intend that in every section of the nation to vote for the cause of peace in there has been a gigantic in­ the world and for the cause of crease in acts of racist violence liberation. I intend to vote for primarily perpetrated against rac­ racial justice. I therefore, intend ial and ethnic communities. One to vote for Michael Dukakis. A Perspectives You Heard It Here First! by Professor McKinley Burt us will believe anything — but wo weeks ago, my front page what we sould believe is that article in this newspaper (Busness As Usual?) speculated unless Black social and employ­ ment agencies, among other in­ that there may be a deliberate ef­ stitutions, escalate their under­ fort to depress property values in standing of the real world there the Northeast Community. I cited will be even more devastating set­ foreign investors and sure enough backs. they are in town — in force I am distressed that we do not according to many articles in the find those in highly concentrated major press. Most recently we are areas of traditional Black employ­ informed that a Japanese syn­ ment (Post Office, etc.) taking in­ dicate has purchased 49% of the dependent action to analyze their real estate of a local college. industry in light of the technolog­ In a different sphere, but equal­ ical processes and innovations ly important to our well being, is a going on. Why can’t they pool growing concern over an escalat­ their resources and hire indepen­ ing presence of computers in the dent consultants to formulate workplace. The traumatic econom­ meaningful retraining, not to men­ ic situation of Blacks is not being tion workplace adjustments. Too relieved by this ‘cutting edge’ of many of us still wait for ol massa technology. On the contrary, not to come down from the big house only are millions of jobs being and redecorate the slave cabins. eliminated — being replaced by These, also, are some of the ‘ high te c h ’ p o s itio n s , they say — but the major losses are in »reasons I always based my teach­ ing of computers upon an initial precisely those areas where, tra­ introduction to not only the basic ditionally, marginally educated or systems which comprise a com­ trained Blacks could find employ­ puter, but also an introduction to ment. the systems to which the com ­ We have this from the Knight- puter would be applied. This type Ridder News Service: “ That's the of preparation — along with rele­ im plicit goal of automation. To vant mathematics — will enable a take skills away from the workers, worker to either advance beyond to make them easier to train and replace ... a peek under the gold­ a dead end entry level job, or to opt for a position elsewhere. But, en arches. There are no numbers in any case he must always be on McDonald's cash registers, just aware of the changing technology little pictures of burgers, Big Macs around him. “ Watch as well as and fries ... work schedules are for­ pray!” mulated by computers ... There's no such thing as a McDonald’s manager—The Computer runs the FORMER PRIME MINISTER store.” But the highly paid com­ NAKASONE SAYS: puter program designer is not in the store — try a Los Angeles high rise. Well now, weren’t we told of all the millions of new service jobs DO YOU AGREE? (minimum wage) that would be HAVE YOU BOUGHT A created by the computer revolu­ TOYOTA CAR OR tion? And that would be the SONY T.V. LATELY? employment solution for Black youth, and for women? Some of T Blacks Are Dumb!