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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 1988)
September 22, 1988, Portland Observer, Page 3 COMMUNITY FORUM ® Expert Asserts Portland Gang Problem by Stephen E. McPherson, Special Correspondent ast month the Rev. Clarence R. Hill, executive director of the Community Care Program in Inglewood, California was invited by some of his colleagues here in Portland to deliver the eulogy for Ray Ray Winston, a popular 17-year-old athlete. Because of his expertise in dealing with the gange culture, the Rev. Hill was encouraged to contact a number of youths who identify them selves as gang members and to determine if there were some means available for addressing the problem. The Rev. Hill is con vinced that the youths here in Portland who are involved with gang activity can be redirected if they are offered an alternative lifestyle. The Rev. Hill gave the Portland Observer and exclusive interview. This week we continue with his analysis of what can be done to resolve the gang problem here in Portland. He discussed a four pronged approach that had met w ith eno rm ous su cce ss in southern California. It is a con cept that involves every level of the community. Portland Observer We unders tand that the Community Care Program in Inglewood has devel oped a module which effectively redirects Black youths away from gang activity. Can you describe how it works? L The Rev. Clarence Hill The Rev. Hill: We employ a number of concerted efforts. One • is called “ pick up” which is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies. They also protect and preserve the peace. “ Lock up" is the responsibility of the courts because it is in court that an in dividual has an opportunity to be adjudicated as to their guilt or innocence. “ Clean up” is the re sponsibility of community based organizations and other rehabil itative thrusts that have been ac tive in creating an avenue by which deliquents or substance abusers can have the opportunity to be redirected into the com munity. “ Follow up" should be the responsibility of the entire community in terms of its ability to provide a program that would lend Itself to the continuation of that person’s rehabilitation. “ Go THE BLACK UNITED FUND OF OREGON “The Helping Hand that is Your Own' up” is the responsibility of the church wherein moral fortitude is nurtured and re-enforced. The sit uation where in Portland is com plex but it is not altogether hopeless. Portland Observer: The Black d e d u ctio n during our 1988 community has complained for Charitable Campaign. some time about gang activity This year the Black United and its attendant drug problems Fund of Oregon will be par without getting substantive relief ticipating in payroll deduction from elected officials. Some citi campaigns at Portland Public zens now express the view that Schools, Pacific Power and Light, gangs, prostitution and drug traf the State of Oregon, IBM Corpora fic could not persist without the tion, Tri-Met, N/NE Mental Health intentional neglect of the official Clinic, Portland Community Col world. Drugs are dealt with rather lege, St. Andrew Legal Clinic, the Mr. James DePreist openly. How can a 12-year-old sell Combined Federal Campaign, drugs with impunity? Do these or the past two years the City of Portland and Multnomah facts suggest that a state of cor Black United Fund of Oregon County. ruption or non-feasance exists has pushed for access into the If payroll deduction for the here in Portland? payroll deduction market and has Black United Fund of Oregon is The Rev. Hill: I certainly would been successful. We are success not available at your workplace, I not want to think that this is a ful because of the generous and encourage you to mail your tax matter of official corruption or consistent support of people like deductible contribution directly. neglect. In somes cases I do be you. Concerned individuals, who The Black United Fund of Ore lieve that other issues ensue. are willing to do a little extra to gon is your way to support and Politicians and people in leader help others, make up the founda share in the responsibility of pro ship have directed their attention tion of the Black United Fund of moting the practice of self-help to other things. This is a Black Oregon’s charitable program. and economic self-sufficiency in problem. Blacks need to commit I wish to express my sincere th e B la c k community. themselves to dealing with that appreciation to you for your past James DePreist issue. If there are Black politi support of the Black United Fund Campaign Chairman cians involved, they need to of Oregon and ask that you con Conductor of the demonstrate their commitment to tinue your support on an even Oregon Symphony the effort. On the other hand greater scale through payroll research has revealed that there is some wickedness in high places. It even goes to the White House. Not to affirm that far cer tainly would be to dismiss the truth. I don’t know enough about Mr. Still will be asked a number of A two part series of Portland’s Portland to be able to make a questions of concern to the Chan Campaign ’88 will be hosted by statement in that regard. nel 38 listening public, the Port the Portland Observer. Larry Portland Observer: Would the land Observer readers and the Dunham, executive director for approach to this condition be lower Northeast community in the popular Northeast Spectrum more effective if the Black com general. Mr. Still, a former announced that Ron Still, the munity were to demand an im Portland police chief is pitted mayoralty candidate, will appear m e d ia te re s o lu tio n o f the against the popular Mayor Bud before a panel of distinguished problem? Clark in a struggle over who will writers from the Portland Observer The Rev. Hill: I would rather see control City Hall for the next term. on its Friday, September 23rd our making an effort to entreat During his tenure as police chief show at 7 p.m. Ron Still will be them. At the point in fails, we Mr. Still was embroiled in a fielding a battery of questions would have to employ some other number of controversies which from temporary host, Stephen E. means by which we sould seek affected Black people. His McPherson, a special correspon their involvement so as to ad toughness as a police officer dent to the Portland Observer. He dress the problems of the Black earned him the appelation of der will be assisted by News Editor community. But, the officials cer Gestapo. Nyewusi Askari and Religious tainly are going too have to be in Editor Mattie Ann Callier-Spears. volved in this effort. The Portland Observer: Can you cite an example from your In glewood, California experience which would indicate how you were able to turn the tide? The Rev. Hill: I don’t think we actually have turned the tide, yet. I think we have done something to alter and to deter the course of the tide. We have in place a com munity care program that features four prongs: One is personal redi rection where we deal with the in dividual’s personal value system. In our workshops and culturally enriched environment a person can see themselves just as they are. Based on our ability to affect their lifestyle in most cases they see the need to do something about their personal condition. The second prong is a job search and training assistance. The third is counseling and the fourth is the ■ Continued to Page 9 “Message To The Community” From left to right: Carolyn Leonard, Kathleen Saadat and McKinley Williams pose for a picture after receiving a plague of appreciation from the IRS^ F Stepping into a new season: African-American dance troupe, Woodlawn Elementary School. Mayoral Candidate To Face Portland Observer Panel During the second part of the program Mr. Still will answer call in questions from the public. It is expected that he will have to ad dress the defunct Emanuel Hos pital urban renewal project which he promised to research in an earlier interview with the Portland Cleo’s Cafe 3041 N. Williams 284-7150 Ethnic Cuisine Southern Style HOUSE SPECIALTIES Chitterlings • Meatloaf Mix Greens • Beef Stew Catfish • And Many Other Southern Dishes Observer. Mayor Clark has promised to appear at a later date yet to decid ed. The Portland Observer under the auspices of Roger Cable Tele vision is presenting this program as a public service. The listening public is urged to call in their questions. Including: Cleo's Zesty Ribs In Sauce - HOME-COOKED DESERTS - Come See ‘Luberta’ For Down Home C ookin’! MEMBERS & GUESTS HUD is coming back soon. And coming 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. Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band Rainbow Coalition Benefit S a t. S e p t. 2 4 , 8 p m 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. $12 50, Neighbors of Woodcraft Hall, 1410 SW Morrison Food by Cajun Cafe Tickets at Music Millennium, Laughing Horse: Books, A Woman's Place Bookstore, Artichoke Music and at the door 1 Office (503) 2876334 HUD tìr DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT For more information call HUD at (503)221-2671. klA ft *,♦ *A*jt.* KM 4 »AAft AA IA k