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.
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