Page 2, Portland Observer, September 29, 1988
EDITORIAL
Thee Barber
Shop Connection
by John E. Jacob
R
O PIN IO N
by Harold W illiams
t is a place where brothers
come together to share good
times, bad times, anytime. The
main characters that set the stage
for this wholesome environment
is Jesse Rogers, Willie Cherry,
Lester Johnson and John Miller.
These gentlemen get together
every Saturday at the barber shop
to bring each other up to date on
the week’s events. They are in
volved in the Leisure Hour Golf
Club and help sponsor the young
future golfers.
These men are involved in help
ing aging soldier who have paid
their dues to society and who
have been very involved In making
others lives a lot better. Each year
these gentlemen have a barbeque
for many aging soldiers. Some are
in convalescent homes, others
are house bound and have very lit
tle mobility to get around and be
involved in the community. The
barbeques give hope to those
who gave hope to others in the
not-to-distant past.
Thee Barber Shop Connection
I
is a true reflection of what com
munity love and respect are all
about. These men truly under
stand the meaning of respecting
your past in order to appreciate
your future. Jesse Rogers, Lester
Johnson, W illie Cherry and John
Miller are men I respect and ad
mire ... not because of the high of
fice they hold or because of their
personal wealth, but because of
their sensitivity to the basic foun
dation of a people who have re
spect and pride in themselves.
If you want to know what the
Black agenda is all about, stop in
at Thee Barber Shop and meet the
governing board. They have a lot
to say, sometimes funny, a lot of
times serious, but they have no
doubt that they are committed to
one another and our community.
Those of us who have no sense of
history for what has been going
on in Portland for the past 40
years should stop in sometimes
and talk to these gentlemen.
Bring your tape recorder. They
have a lot to say. To these
gentlemen I say “ Hats off to you” .
PORTLAND OBSERVER
"The Eyes and Ears of the Community"
288-0033
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR:
Play Was Heavenly And Inspiring
Dear Editor: [For Garland]
I really enjoyed the play "Sim
ply Heavenly” . In fact, I came out
to see it twice- Friday night and
the Sunday Matinee. You are so
gifted and I am pleased that you
are enjoying this success in your
hometown.
It was also great, just great to
see so many of our talented
brothers and sisters working in
such a positive production. We
must do all that we can to keep
the work of our "American” great
Langston Hughes alive and well.
Just an added note...I en
couraged a friend of mine who
had been going through some
ups and downs to come and she
was relieved of some of the down
feelings by the humor of the even
ing. So was I.
Peace and Love
Avel Gordly
Play Was Simply Heavenly
Dear Editor: [Garland]
"Memorable Quote
. / e ’ve had an abundance of
We
special commissions and task
forces examining minority
deprivation in America, and all
come up with the same conclu
sion— that we are nowhere near
where we should be in terms of
equality.
What’s needed now is the
political will and leadership to
implement programs to do the
job, and to provide the leadership
to build a national consensus
behind the policies necessary to
bring about positive change.
John E. Jacob,
President, National
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Along the Color Line
The Other Side
GUEST EDITORIAL:
Racism In Japan
acist incidents in Japan this summer have ignited a firestorm
of protest and conern, with Japanese-Americans joining Blacks
and others to condemn racism in Japan.
A high official of the governing Party made offensive
statements about Black-Americans, and then apologized for his
remarks, as did a Prime Minister a couple of years ago after a similar
incident.
Further, news reports indicated that Little Black Sambo dolls
and insignias were hot sellers in Japan. Some Tokyo department
stores displayed Black mannequins with grossly offensive
stereotypical features.
Given a pattern of racism, it’s not enough to issue apologies
for statements or to claim ignorance of foreign cultures or Black
sensitivities. Some people think it doesn't matter what people in a
faraway country think or do. I don't buy that. Racism in Japan is a
matter of intense concern. Japan may be far away, but Japanese
economic power isn’t.
Japanese-owned plants and businesses employ increasing
numbers of American workers. Their banks and financial institu
tions are playing a large role in extending credit and making loans
here in America. Japanese acquisition of American companies and
plants make them powerful forces in many local communities.
And there have been indications that some Japanese com
panies in America intentionally locate operations in areas where
there are few Blacks. So it is imperative to know whether Japanese
companies located in the U.S. share the attitudes that appear to be
widespread in Japan.
And it is absolutely crucial to ensure that those companies
not only abide by legal requirements regarding hiring and promo
tion, but that they also adapt to American expectations of proper
corporate behavior.
A Congressional study of the behavior of Japanese com
panies in the United States is in order. Congress has the resources
and the subpoena power to compel testimony and to establish the
facts.
Such a congressional investigation should determine the
following:
1) Do hiring and promotion practices of Japanese-owned
companies in the U.S. provide equal opportunities? Do those com
panies practice affirmative action? Do the locational decisions of
those companies impact negatively on Black employment?
2) Do Japanese-owned or controlled financial institutions
show discriminatory lending patterns? Do they provide credit
facilities and loans to Black businesses and Black customers?
3) Do Japanese-owned Companies and subsidiaries in the
United States follow generally accepted corporate responsibility
practices? Do they reflect responsiveness and sensitivity to local
concerns? Are they involved in community betterment programs?
I would hope that such an investigation shows that the
reported incidents of racism in Japan are not reflected in the
behavior of Japanese companies in the U.S. We have enough racism
of our own to contend with — this is one Japanese import we don’t
need.
Right now, there is no conclusive evidence that Japanese
companies practice racism. But the news reports of racism in Japan
and the lack of visible concern for Black customers and workers
suggest that those companies must be scrutinized very carefully
and made to understand the consequences of their actions, both
positive and negative.
/
Bravo. Congratulations on your
success with “ Simply Heavenly” .
Susan Bouse, Sharon Mitchell
and I thoroughly enjoyed Satur
day night’s performance. I am
sure you are very proud. We ap
preciate the offerings of the comp
tickets.
What theatre production are
you tackling next? Whatever it is I
know it will be a hit. Thanks again
fo r y o u r k in d g e n e ro s ity .
Dr. Manning Marable
TiainstreanTparty
"permits'
ince the Democratic National
them the flexibility to mobilize
Convention in Atlanta, Jesse
their core constituencies in a
Jackson has remained on the
dynamic manner. Politics is not
national political stage, albeit
merely the process of elections; It
slightly outside of the main
is the struggle for power, and the
spotlight. He caucused with the
realization of every group’s objec
vitriolic mayor of New York City,
tive Interests. Since the bulk of
Ed Koch, at the urging of future
the Democratic Party’s leadership
p re s id e n tia l a s p ira n t M ario
Cuomo, in order the bridge shat do no share common interests
with low income people, Blacks,
tered Interracial political relations
Hispanics and others, one can be
in that city. Jackson expressed
sure that their notions of “ power”
solidarity with Hispanic farm
will be radically different.
workers engaged in a strike, and
Jackson has used the analogy
has spoken eloquently on behalf
"It takes two wings to fly,” a pro-}
of m inority issues, women’s
gressive and conservative wing
rights and organized labor. In
within the Democratic Party, irr
short, Jackson has remained the
order to achieve electoral victory.
essential leader of the left spec
The analogy is perhaps better
trum of American politics.
suited for the Rainbow itself.
I
Jackson's electoral mobilizations
But what hasn’t happened, and
of 1984 and 1988 have formed two
Indeed may not happen, is a
ra th e r d is tin c t c o n s titu e n
thorough critique of the 1988
cie s— the progressive and left
presidential campaign by those
forces, which include community
activists who took part in the
a
c tiv is ts , tra d e u n io n is ts ,
Rainbow mobilization. Many Rain
women’s
groups, etc., and the
bow proponents were only reluc
more moderate liberal groups,
tant converts to the Democratic
represented by the traditional
Party, and remain skeptical at
leaders of civil rights organiza
best on the long term viability of
tions,
the majority of the Congres
the existing political party system
sional
Black Caucus, most Black
to address fundamental econom
elected officials, etc. The latter
ic, social and political problems
group shows no inclination to
confronted by most Americans.
split from the Democrats; rather,
They supported Jesse not be
It p e rc e iv e s th e va lu e of
cause he was the “ best of bad al
Jackson’s rise to political proé
ternatives.” They viewed their par
minence as a lever which could
ticipation within the Democratic
extract
Influence and adminis
party primaries as a type of revolt
trative
positions
within the p o liti
against the hegemony of the two
cal hierarchy for themselves and
party system, a rebuke of the
their associates. The more pro
reactionary agenda of Reaganism
gressive forces within the Rain
and an assault against the drift
bow Coalition, clustered around
to w a rd
th e
r ig h t am ong
National Director Ron Daniels
Democrats.
and others to his left, view thé
W ithin an electoral system
situation very differently. They are
which discriminates against Third
calling for a more permanent and
Parties, building a democratic op
democratic structure for the Rain
position to conservative and reac
bow, which transcends the poli
tionary politics is exceedingly dif
tics of personality. The Rainbow
ficult. If the progressives select
can only become effective if it
the more liberal of the two par
takes the concrete steps to devel
ties, they are forced to work
op an active program outside of
within a set of coalitions which
th e D e m o c ra tic P a rty . A t
do not share its fundamental prin
minimum, this would include a
ciples or objectives. If they
national newspaper, a permanent
operate outside of the liberal/
national staff, dues structure,
centrist party they run the risk of
regional field organizers, and
being perceived as utterly irrele
local chapters which take up local
vant and quixotic. The basic
as
well as national issues.
dilemma is thus resolved by oper
The
next stage for the Rainbow
ating simultaneously inside the
is
the
development
of permanent,
political party of reform, while
progressive
nucleus
of activists
also organizing within communi
who
are
engaged
in
social
justice
ties and neighborhoods in social
protest movements. But the issues on a national basis. If it
strategy will fail unless the pro fails to do this, the most impor
gressives build an autonomous tant political opportunity of the
organizatio n outside of the decade will be lost.
S
Perspectives
And Regards,
Carolyn K. Lee
Northwest Faces Producer,KGW-
TV 8
Will Technology I
Replace Teachers?
Discrimination At PCC
Dear Editor:
I am a resident of the city of
Portland and a tax-paying citizen.
On about June 27th of this year
my attorney filed a law suit in the
Circuit Court of Multnomah Coun
ty. The suit names Portland Com
munity College and alleges Un
law ful Em ploym ent D iscrim
ination among other charges.
I am a graduate of PCC and
former employee. Based on my
experience at PCC it is very clear
that Discrimination based on
Race is a regular practice at PCC.
The conduct of PCC is outrage
ous and the results are disem
ployment of specific groups of
people throughout the Portland
Metro area and possibly the entire
state of Oregon.
My experience at PCC is as fol
lowing: I have been denied train
ing opportunities to advance my
knowledge and skills even though
there have been training for
others with less seniority then
me. I have been treated differently
and that treatment lead the man
agement of PCC to take retal
iatory action against me. I have
been unjustly placed in Disci
plinary Probation status and un
fairly reprimanded. I have been an
employee of PCC for 48 months
and I have served a total of 10
months In a probationary status
approximately 21% of my em
ployment was on probation. I
have been shoved, insulted, disre
spected and harassed on a reg
ular basis. My former Supervisor
attempted to lock me In his office.
I have been to every level of the
Administration at PCC to seek
justice, but there is none. I talked
to the President of PCC Dr. Daniel
Moriarty and he told me “ maybe
you better get a lawyer,” so I did.
by Professor McKinley Burt
cities — and losing a ton of lug- .
gage and clients. Today I have ,
o sooner had the ink dried
distant clients awaiting hookups •
on last week’s column which
for the 1989-90 school year.
detailed the computer-induced
I would draw your attention to
woes of the Black workforce, than
the point I made in last week’s a r-<
the Oregon educational establish
tide, that Blacks have not ade- t
ment burst forth with its own
quately responded to the en- (
t r ia ls
and
t r ib u la tio n s —
croachment of technology upon
Curriculum By Satellite!
their economic welfare. You have .
At least eight Oregon school
just seen how fast O re g o n ,
districts have ‘dishes' that enable
them to receive an ‘interactive’ educators have responded to a ,
television lesson In their class ’ threatening medium (But its not j
ju s t ‘ a p p re h e n s io n ’ — “ th e j
ro o m s — taught by a single
teacher and originating from a system has tremendous poten-,
suitably-equipped studio any tial,” they say).
In that same article I cited th e ,
where in Oregon, or anywhere in
America, or in any part of the U.S. Post Office as an industry ,
where I thought Blacks could j
world! In such an “ interactive”
have been more aggressive in pre- ,
system, students may talk with
Cleo Franklin
the instructor by phone or elec paring for the inroads of tech- j
nology. But there are other work-,
tronic writing pad. The instructor
Corporate Doctrine: I Giveth, I Taketh ...
places that need and have needed,
in Oregon may ask a student in
our
attention, and for sometime. ,
Montana
to
work
out
a
problem
so
ed to the large, hairy, white cor
Dear Editor:
Immediately
coming to mind are,
that
thousands
of
students
porate arm which can instantly
I believe, the Fred Meyer Foun
the
following:
The Railroads,,
around
the
country
can
see
the
snatch away our hopes and
dation can never take away the
Meatpacking, Iron Foundrys and,
solution on their screens.
dreams
for
something
as
simple
Portland Urban League’s spirit,
Anticipating a possible dis Steel Mills and Airlines. It is much,
as mis application of funds. It was
vitality, resilence, persistence,
too late for the Pullman Porters,
placement
of teachers — or a later
an error not a criminal act!
humanism, and courage to job
cap
on
hiring
—
educators
are
and
Dining Car People, but cer-j
As a people, we must stand
programs for the chronically un
manning the barricades with a ta in ly it is in d ic a te d th a t;
and
band
together!
Our
cohesive
employed and underemployed.
devastating processes are univer-’
vengeance. Already in the fray are
ness can move mountains and it
NO doubt, it will take sophistica
the
Oregon
Educational
Associa
sal across the board.
also can move each one of us to
tion and Innovativeness for the
I have said here before that.
tion,
the
Oregon
School
Board
support the Urban League and
league to sustain its crippled
Association, and the State Board
Blacks (like some other ethnic,
see
that
the
lost
funds
are
employment vehicle. However,
groups) should have their own,
of Education. I have become fairly
reallocated back to the league for
make NO mistake about it, it will
knowledgeable
about
the
tech
economic institutes dedicated to,
the employment program. Let’s
be done! The Fred Meyer (snatch
nology
(with
the
aid
of
experts
in
their own specific problems. I do,
change the corporate doctrine
the money and run) fiasco should
the field), having designed my
believe that we have sacrificed,
from
I
giveth,
I
taketh,
to,
I
giveth
be a warning that the same benev
own corporation to deal with the
enough in the education of our,
to
the
people,
the
Urban
League
olent hand that originally caste
competition.
I
was
a
much
too
fre
young people in the fields of,
keepeth for the people!
down a bucket (grant) containing
quent
flyer
in
the
1970's
making
technology and economics to be <
Michael F. Bachanan
$691,000, earmarked for the job
pre
se
n
ta
tio
n
s
in
the
m
ajor
getting our share of the returns.
“ Save The Children’’
placement program is also attach-
N