Page 6 • Portland Observer • December 29, 1988 Message To Community: Michael Jackson Fact Sheet Black History Corner Sales of the Bad Album are over 19 million w orldwide since its August 31, 1987 release. America has ac counted for more than 6.5 million of the total figure. The Bad album has achieved the #1 position on the charts of 25 differ ent countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. Bad is the first album in history to generate five #1 singles. In fact, M ichael Jackson has achieved nine #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 19 8 0 s -m o re than any other artist in this decade. T h o s e n in e # l hits are: "Dirty Diana,” "M an in the M irror," "The W ay You Make Me Feel,” "B a d ” and “ I Just C an’t Stop Loving You,” from Bad: "Billie Jean” and “ Beat It" from Thriller; “ Rock with You" from Off The W all; and the 1983 duet, "Say, Say, S ay,” with Paul M cCart ney. Coming on January 10, 1989 to the home video market in America is Moonwalker, a 94-minute kaleido scope of never-before-seen song and dance numbers and breathtaking special effects. The movie's center- piece: "Sm ooth Crim inal,” a 42-min- ute film about friendship and the confrontation between good and evil. Among the new musical performances: “ Leave Me Alone” (Michael on Mi chael and the media; recording previ ously available only on the Bad CD). "C om e Together” (the Beatles clas sic), "Speed Dem on" (a Claymation tour-de-force), "Badder" (a children's send-up of "B ad” ), “ Man in the Mir ror” (a new concert-based version), “ The Moon is W alking" (a tribute to Michael written and performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo). The first-ever Michael Jackson solo concert tour commenced in Japan on Septem ber 12,1987. After 109 con certs in 15 countries, worldwide at tendance through November 13, 1988 stood at 3,930,000. ****** Currently in progress: a set of nine sold-out Tokyo concerts due to con clude on Decem ber 26,1988. Still to com e: five sold-out concerts at the Los Angeles Sports Arena conclud ing on January 27,1989. Final result: the largest grossing concert tour in history. ****** Michael Jackson's Moonwalk, his first book, released in April 1988, has been to the top of the best seller lists in the United States and the United Kingdom. ****** H ow To S tart Y o u r Own B u s in e ss W o rk s h o p The Small Business Adm inistra tion, the service corps of retired ex ecutives (SCORE), the active corps of executives (ACE) are jointly co sponsoring a beginning workshop on Thursday, January 12, 1989 (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). This w orkshop is designed especially for those thinking of starting their own business, or new in business. Each subject will be presented by a practicing professional. Topics to be covered will be: Success and F a ilu re F a c to rs , M a rk e tin g , Recordkeeping, Making A Business Plan, Sales Promotion/Advertising, Point of Sale Selling, and Selecting the Legal Structure for Your Business. There is a question and answer period after each presentation. Also, free printed management aid kits will be provided for each attendee. The January 12th, 1989, w ork shop will be held at the PGE World Trade Center Auditorium, 121 S.W. Salmon Street, in Portland. There is a $15.00 fee (preregistration is re quired). For registration information, call the Small Business Adm inistra tion at (503) 294-5211. C o n tin u e d F rom Page 1 com m unity-based groups. We real ize that coalition building is funda mental to our mission and imperative to our struggle. It should be obvious to Black people, by now, that a frag mented community will only bring about fragmented results. But the League must do much more despite its overtaxed resources. Although providing direct services is important, we must also begin to escalate our advocacy to impact those policies and institutions which are not resporisive to the needs of Blacks and other oppressed people. Many of the social and economic gains made in the sixties have been reversed under the Reagan administration. And with the ascension of George Bush, Ronald Reagan's clone, to the presi dency, we will probably continue to have “ voodoo econom ics” and social policies that place blame on the vic tims of oppression. Only through the collective mobilization of all our re sources and energy will we be able to change this dism al forecast. With the assistance and support of other community groups and organi zations, the Urban League will mount an advocacy program that addresses the system ic causes of the most criti cal problems impacting the Black community. Problems such as street gangs drugs and unemployment cannot be isolated from the impover ished economic status of some areas in the Northeast community. It is a known fact that oppressed com m uni ties are breeding places for crime, alienation and self-defeating and self destructive behavior. Much is being said about Black youth becoming an “ endangered species," particularly as it relates to young males. This perception is no doubt true but if our youth are endan- New Program .... C o n tin u e d F ro m Page 1 by laying down on each other. Inch for inch, Portland’s African-Am eri can community is one of the most talented African-American com m u nity’s in this nation.” g e re d -a ll Black people are endan gered. The two perceptions are in separable. Somehow we must re store in our youth those values that once served as the cornerstone for our struggle. But until we adults, our families, churches and other institu tions exemplify these values, we should not expect Black youth to do other wise. Finally, because of the brutal and racially motivated killing of Mulugeta Seraw, som e of us act as though racism has been reincarnated. The truth of the m atter is that it has never died. However, we must not only be concerned with the racism that lurks in the streets wearing para-military clothing but also the racism that fes ters in the offices of businesses, corporations and other institutions. Institutional racism is the incubator that breeds other forms of racism. Until we abolish it, we will always have groups like the Skinheads vent ing their pathological behavior on those whom they despise. As we enter 1989, we are con fronted with hope and despair. Which one will dominate our lives depend on how much we are willing to commit ourselves to struggle. If we choose not to struggle we will languish in our despair and see a future generation bear the scars of betrayal, apathy and defeat. On the other hand, if we dare to struggle we will leave a legacy that is inspirational, righteous and fulfilling. A Luta Continua and the choice is ours. A Luta Continua P ro lo g u e In their struggle for liberation, many African countries rallied behind the slogan “ A Luta Continua" Translated in English it means “ The Struggle Continues.” This slogan is also ap propriate for Blacks in America be cause we, too, are still seeking our liberation. COMMUNITY AND FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM W orking together to bridge the gap ” Jan. Feb. Mar. April Ma> June WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 Family Outreach Inst Ms Alberta Philip Fn Jan 6. 1989 Family Outreach Inst Ms. Alberta Philip Fri. Jan 13. 1989 Family Outreach Inst. Ms Alberta Philip Fri Jan. 21. 1989 Family Time *89 ( African Cultural Enrichment) Friday's Rm. 135 Inst Nyeuasi Askar, Fn. Jan 6, 1989 Family Time ‘89 (African Cultural Enrichment) Friday’s Rm. 135 Inst. Nyeuasi Askan Fri Jan 13. 1989 Family Time *89 (African Cultural Ennchmenl) Fnday’s Rm. 135 Inst. Nyeuasi Askan Fri. Jan 20. 1989 Family Tune *89 (African Cultural Ennchmenl) I Friday’s Rm. 135 Inst Nyeuasi Askan Fn. Jan. 27. 1989 Married Couples Inst Mr. Cotrell White Tue Feb 7. 1989 Married Couples Inst Mr Cotrell White Tue Feb 14. 1989 M am ed Couples Inst. Mr Cotrell White Tue Feb 21. 1989 Married Couples Inst. Mr. Cotrell White Tue Feb 28. 1989 Family Survival Skills (Divorce & Stepfamilies) Inst. Dr Virginia Phillips Wed Mar 1, 1989 Family Survival Skills (The Extended Family) Inst Ms. Joyce Harns Mon Mar 6. 1989 Family Survival Skills (Single Parenting) Inst Ms. Betty Kemp M on Mar 13. 1989 Family Survival Skills (Build Youi House into a Homer Inst Ms Sandra Booker Tue Mar 28. 1989 Parents of Low Academic Achievers Inst. Dr. Sobom elin Parents of Low Academic Achievers Inst. Dr Sobomelin Parents of Low Academic Achievers Inst. Dr Sobom elin Tue April 4. 1989 Tue. April II. 1989 Tue Apnl 18. 1989 Parents of Low Academic Achievers Inst. Dr. Sobom elin (Teacher Seminar) Tue Apnl 25. 1989 Male leadership (R ole Modeling) Inst Dr Bill Flowers Tue Mav 2. 1989 Male Leadership (Fam ily Leadership) Inst Dr James Martin Thur May II. 1989 Male Leadership (School. Parent Involvement) Inst Mr Macceo Pettis Tue May 16, 1989 Inst Mr Ken Bern Tue May 23. 1989 Vocational Ed Inst Mr Charles Hunter Tue June 6, 1989 Vocational Ed. Inst Mr Charles Hunter Tue June 13. 1989 Last Day of School Sum mer Vacation Begins June 14. 1989 June 15,1989 Male Leadership P O R T L A N D PA R EN T S A N D A D U L T FAM ILY MF M BFRS AT W O O DLA W N E LEM ENTAR Y SCHOOL 7200 N O R T H E A ST IITH AVE. PO R T L A N D , O REGO N 97211 from 7 00 - 8 00 p.m. in Rm 128 FOR INFORMATION: Contact Woodlawn School Community Agent at 280-6282 Don t Let Your Boys Grow Up To Be Ol' Boys •^z * ; ■ » - r* " ¿V' ’ W •< * ••i $ by Jam il Cherovee I’m inclined to believe, in order to reduce substantially the high rates of social problems among Blacks, we must gain control of how our boys m ake the passage from boyhood to m anhood ... In America today, the term social problems has become synonymous with being Black. Blacks currently represent 12 percent of the U.S. population but are represented disproportionately among people experiencing social problems. For exam ple, one in four (25 percent) Black babies are born to unwed mothers, 50 percent of Black families are headed by single women, 50 percent of the nine million working- age Black males are unemployed, 34 percent of Blacks (10 million live be low the official poverty level, 49 per cent of the men in the U.S. prisons are Black, the leading cause of death among Black males between 16 and 35 years of age is murder and the list goes on. These statistics do not re flect a healthy Black nation. Thus, the critical question that must be answered is: W hy do Black experience higher rates of social problems than other Am ericans? Most people are quick to argue that racism (i.e., anti-Black attitudes) and discrim ination (i.e., the system atic deprivation of equal ac cess to educational and employment opportunities) are the primary factors contributing to the high rates of pov erty, illegitim ate births, crime, drug abuse and other social problems prevalent am ong Blacks. Indeed, it is impossible to explain adequately the social condition of Blacks in 1988 without referring to the way in which Blacks have been treated in America. Am erican history clearly indicate that blacks were in Slavery for 250 years (1619-1865) and subjected to 100 years (1865-1956) of official and unofficial discrim ination after em an cipation. However, I seriously ques tion those who argue that caucasoid racism and discrimination are the prim ary factors contributing to the high rates of social problems among Blacks. I think that we put too much em phasis on caucasoid racism and not enough on what we do to ourselves. Before we can be justified in accusing the other man, let us examine our selves first. Forexam ple, when Black drug dealers encou rage Black people to buy and consum e drugs, is that the caucasoid m an’s fault? W hen Black criminals burglarize the homes of their neighbors, is that the caucasoid man's fault? When Black men refuse to provide for the emotional and mate rial needs of their children, is that the caucasoid m an’s fault? In thinking about the high rates of social problems among Blacks, I have becom e convinced that the most significant factor causing these prob lems is not caucasoid racism but boys and old boys masquerading as men. We have too many boys and old boys who think manhood is having sex with a lot of different women, making babies, getting high, being able to fight and living the good life without working hard. Attitudes such as these have produced a manhood crisis in the Black community. Moreover, we have a manhood crisis because too many of our boys have not been taught how to deal effectively with racism. Ex panding access to educational and employment opportunities is not going to be enough to reduce the high rates of social problems among Blacks. Opportunities are conditions to be taken advantage of. Too many of our boys are entering manhood unpre pared to take advantage of the oppor tunities available to them. Hence, what must we do? In o rd e rto reduce substantially the high rates of social problems among Blacks, we must gain control of how our boys make the passage from boyhood to manhood. Our churches and community organizations that match Black boys with Black men who define manhood in terms of studv- ing and working hard, self-discipline and providing the emotional and material needs of their families If we are ever to progress and develop as a people, we must do everything that we can to prevent our boys from growing up to become OLD BOYS Ms. Ada Reed Ja ckso n C o m m u n ity A gent W o o d la w n E le m e n ta ry S chool Askari continued, “ Ms. Jackson’s program is just a glimpse of the type of self-help efforts we will witness in ourcom m unityin1989. My participa tion in the community and family outreach program provides me an opportunity to give back to the com munity. And ... if I spent the next 40 years giving to the community, I could never repay it for what it has given Measure your rent against this chart: No matter how you stack it, renting simply can t measure up to the advantages of buying a HUD home. Because HUD offers homes with a low 3% down payment. FHA Mortgage Insur ance. And the investment opportunity of buying property that's priced to be an out standing value. Plus, consider this: Over 12 year’s time, $350 in monthly rent adds up to more than $50,000. Many HUD homes cost less. To find out more, check our ad in the real estate classified section of your Friday or Sunday Oregonian. Or call your real estate agent. N yew usi A skari C u ltu ra l E n rich m e n t m e -love, warmth, sharing, the op portunity to grow and on and on. It is these things and more that I will share with Ms. Jackson’s program. Really, I will merely be passing on what has been passed on to me by African-Americans much greater than I" Askari concluded. The Community and Family Out reach Program will start in January and conclude in June. The Portland Observer salutes the efforts of Ms. Jackson, Ms. Linda Harris and pro gram participants, including parents and children. W e can never do too much to help each other And, if Ms. Jackson’s program is a glimpse o, what will be happening throughout Portland's African-American commu nity, we can look forward to a Pro ductive Year! You’ll discover that owning your own home isn’t such a tall order after all. Ô HUD OCPAffTMENT OF HOURMG AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT © 198H, HUD. Portland Office n £ • • • . :— M i l s . ■ ,.*í ... '. .♦ •. # X J*. • .• • ip * * * * * * ( , . . . I K k' ‘ ‘ W ' * * * A4 * DID YOU KNOW? The human face consists of 80 muscles and 14 bones. Our faces are so manageable they can make more than 10,000 expres sions. Of these, about 3,000 convey emotion of some kind. ****** There are six known expressions common to all human cultures. They are: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise. Congenitally blind infants who have no means of imitating faces of those around them, exhibit the same ex pressions as sighted children. ****** After having encountered and stored a vast num berof faces in one’s memory over the course of a lifetime, one learns to discriminate nearly 1,000 different faces. discriminate a face is great. ------------------------------------------- 1 Family Outreach Inst. Ms. Alberta Philip Fri. Jan 27. 1989 ALL C L A S SFS ARE FREE A N D AVAILABLE TO N NF ody ^ C orner J ****** Unfortunately, our ability to remem ber a face and its features as a whole is poor, our ability to recognize and WOODLAWN SCHOOL WEEK 1 IB Police departments have created a face recall system so that crime eyewitness’ can reconstruct a crim i nal's face. One such method is called Identi-kit which contains acetate sheets with 130 hairlines, 102 chins, 40 lips, 37 noses, plus an assortment of scars, glasses, age lines, beards and hats. By combining these pieces, crime victims and eyewitnesses have been able to provide law enforcement offi cers with a workable composite which may help apprehend a criminal. ****** Facial recognition is a distinctive nature of the human brain. A rare medical condition called prosopag nosia prevents people from recogniz ing faces; even their own face. ****** Eyes, noses, chins and eyebrows are also seen to be part of a bigger pattern. The human face is a highly specialized part of the body and no two faces are exactly alike. It is a living sculpture on which is played out our essential humanity.