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
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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
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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.