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Page 12 • Portland Observer • February 9, 1989
Fifth Annual National Black Wholistic Retreat
In the midst of this era of conserva­ May 26-28 and July 28-30, 1989 at
tism, material acquisition and indi­ the Kings Lodge in Otisville, New
vidualism, an unique event has been York. The Theme for the retreat is "A
unfolding for the last four years. Vari­ C e le b ra tio n of B lack W om en:
ous African-American scholars, poets Struggles, Victories and Connections."
and activists from around the country The speakers for the retreats will
have been meeting in order to de­ include Dr. Frances Cress Welsing,
velop a vision for the rejuvenation Drs. Nathan and Julia Hare, Sonia
and development of Black people in Sanchez, Dr. Morris Jeff, and others.
America. They have met under the Special guests include Betty Shabazz
banner of the National Black W holis­ (wife of Malcolm X), Gwendolyn
Brooks, and Susan Taylor, Editor in
tic Retreat.
The retreat is sponsored by the Chief of Essence Magazine. The
National Black W holistic Society: A workshop topics will include:
Dr. Frances Welsing, “ Black
society of educators, administrators,
W
omen
and W hite Suprem acy": Drs.
and students who are concerned about
Nathan
and Julia Hare, "Raising A
the issues which affect the lives of
Nation
Alone;
The Dilemma of Single
African American people.
Parents";
Sister
Sonia Sanchez, “The
The goal of the retreat is to create
Quiet
Journey
into
Being a W om an";
an environment where African-Ameri­
Dr.
Morris
Jeff,
“
The
Africanity of
cans can find solutions to the physi­
Love
and
Sex”
;
Dr.
LaFrancis
Rodg­
cal, spiritual and intellectual prob­
ers
Rose,
“
These
Sexist
Black
Men
lems which they oonfront, and to enjoy
That
W
e
Love
So
Deeply."
them selves in the process.
The retreat will be held in one of
Previous speakers who delivered
the
most beautiful areas of New York’s
lectures or presented workshops at
Shawangunk
Mountains. The breath­
the retreats were Dr. Frances Cress
taking
mountains
and forest lands will
Welsing, Dr Maulana Ron Karenga,
enhance
the
spiritual
aspect of this
Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Barbara Sizem­
event.
ore, Dr. Na im Akbar, Drs. Nathan
In addition to the workshops and
and Julia Hare, Brother Haki Mad-
lectures,
there will be ample opportu­
hubuti, Brother Bob Law, and many
nities
for
other stimulating and relax­
others. These brilliant and distin­
ing
activities
such as swimming, medi­
guished scholars shared their analy­
tation,
yoga
sessions, Black Films,
sis and solutions to such critical is­
Video
series,
nature trails, volleyball,
sues as Economic Development, Black
basketball,
and
tennis. Entertainment
Male/Female Relationships, Health,
at
both
retreats
will
be provided by the
Religion and Spirituality, The Black
Leon
Thomas
Quintet.
Family, Mental Health, the Destruc­
For information about the Fifth
tion of Black Men and W omen in the
Annual
retreats, contact the National
'80s, and the Systematic Reconstruc­
Black
W
holistic Society, P.O. Box
tion of the African Mind.
69241, St. Louis, MO 63169 or call
Participants have been “ inspired (617) 427-1150 (Boston). The cost of
and rejuvenated” and felt that the the retreat is $255, which includes
retreat provided them with numerous housing for three days and two nights,
practical solutions to some very press­ delicious and healthful vegetarian and
ing problems. It also gave them an non-vegetarian meals, admission to
opportunity to exchange ideas with all seminars, workshops, films, enter­
African-Americans from various parts tainment, yoga and meditation ses­
of the country. One participant from sions, plus unlimited access to a
New York stated, “ I liked the open­ wonderful and rejuvenating natural
ness, positive feelings of moving retreat area.
toward a solution to help us as African
If previous retreats are any indica­
people gain our position again in the tion of success, then the Fifth Annual
world.”
retreat should be a very rewarding
For those who have missed previ­ and enriching experience. It's an
ous retreats the Fifth Annual National experience that every serious Afri­
Black Wholistic retreat will be held can-American should have.
To Possum Or Not To Possum
Is Not The Question?
bv Nyewusi Askan
Last week, the Portland Observer
reacted (in print/fron, page) to the NE
Reformer (labeled by community
writers as the Deformer) attack on
Ms. Edna Robertson, Mr. Charles
Ford and Mr. Ronnie Herndon. As
expected, it didn't take long for Ms.
Joyce Boles, the Reformer’s Editor
and Publisher, long to respond. This
week, Boles submitted a long list of
questions to the Observer - namely:
(1) Does your staff ever attend Coalition
meetings to watch Herndon loyalists
step all over Inner Northeast residents,
both Black and white? (2) Do you
think any take-off on any com ic strip
featuring animals, local Black leaders
and southern dialect is automatically
racist? (3) How should a white writer
proceed who wants to poke fun at a
pompous, bombastic Black leader who
is selling out his own people? (4) How
should a white writer proceed who
wants to lampoon an incompetent
city em ployee who is Black? At the
end of her cover letter, Boles declares,
“You guys really blew it, but you
demonstrated the depth of your hatred
and insensitivity toward whites, and
therefore your own racism.”
Obviously Boles illustrated under­
standing of African-Americans is worst
than that of a blind possum sittin’ on
the nose of a Pit Bull dog. Her efforts
to holler “ reverse racism” comes off
like a cotton ball shot from a de­
mented cannon - all noise, no fire. Not
even a puff of understandable smoke!
Boles throws out a red flag when she
burps out the statement “ You guys
really blew it, but you demonstrated
the depth of your hatred and insensi­
tivity toward whites, and therefore
your own racism ."
At a time when race relations in
America are receding toward an
unhealthy condition, Boles attempts
to drive a unhealthy wedge between
white and black neighbors who live in
Inner Northeast. Her statement is
immature, desperate, and without
foundation. “ Hatred” and “ insensitiv­
ity" and “ racism ” are words she uses
very loosely and dangerously.
The Observer's response to Boles
attack on members of the African-
American com m unity was not Racist,
was not insensitive and was not laced
with hatred. It was put simply: "The
African-Am erican com m unity don't
need her brand of yellow journalism ."
There was also another message:
“ As far as the African-Am erican com ­
munity is concerned, her newsletter,
in which she attacked Robertson, Ford
and Herndon, was racist, insensitive
and outta pocket/outta line/outta time.”
The African-Am erican community
stands firm on th a t... now, then and
when ... ever it occurs.
African-Am ericans do not think it’s
funny to poke fun at those who have
a proven record of dedication, com ­
mitment and loyalty to the im prove­
ment of our community. Even less
funny are words which describe those
same persons as pompous and
bombastic. Apparently Boles is shoot­
ing from the foot and maybe this
explains why, as she puts it, “ the
intentions of the column simply went
over most readers heads - both white
and black.” Boles failed to realize that
what she described as “ over most
readers heads” was simply an exer­
cise of good, solid judgment on behalf
of the readers in question.
The citizens of Inner Northeast
Portland, Black and white, have worked
very hard to shape solid, stable race
relations. That more than 2,000 per­
sons participated in the City's rally
against racism -black and w h ite -
dem onstrates that citizens of all col­
ors have joined hands to make sure
that racism does not become the
order of the day. Thus the q u e s tio n ...
W ho is Boles speaking for?
Boles is tripping down a blind alley.
And, although she seems to be seek­
ing answers to specific questions,
personally, I don't think she is ready
to face the African-Am erican com ­
munity on that le v e l... not as long as
she has the pages of the NE Re­
form er to hide behind.
To Boles I say, “ To Possum or not
to possum is not the question, is not
the answer. It is simply n o t ...”
JOBS & CLASSIFIED
PORTLAND/OREGON VISITO RS ASSOCIATION
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
DESIGN, PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPM ENT
OF VIDEO, FILM AND SLIDE SHOW S
BIDS DUE: Friday, February 24,1 9 8 9
The Portland/Oregon Visitors Association is requesting proposals for
the design, production and development of a 5-7 minute video, film and slide
show for promotional use in the marketing of Portland as a convention
destination.
The association seeks individuals who have experience in developing
quality productions and possess the creative skills to showcase Portland as
a popular destination to convention planners and delegates. Familiarity with
Portland is a must. A budget of $30,000 has been established for this
program.
Should you have further interest, please contact Sylvia Robles (275-
9752) for a detailed RFP, or write P/OVA, c/o Sylvia Robles, Three World
Trade Center, 26 S.W. Salmon, Portland, Oregon, 97204.
OREGON STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
FOREST RESEARCH LABORATORY
STRUCTURAL REHABILITATION PROJECT
BIDS DUE: Tuesday, February 2 8 ,1 9 8 9 until 2:00 P.M. (PST)
Sealed bids for the Forest Research Laboratory Structural Rehabilita­
tion project will be received by the Oregon State Board of H igher Education
until 2:00 P.M., PST, February 28, 1989.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the OSU Physi­
cal Plant, Adams Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2001 or telephone (503)
754-4921.
OREGON STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
ADM INISTRATION BUILDING CENTRAL SW ITCH
HALON FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM PROJECT
BIDS DUE: Thursday, March 2 ,1 9 8 9 until 2:00 P.M. (PST)
Sealed bids for the Administration Building Central Switch Halon Fire
Supression System project will be received by the Oregon State Board of
Higher Education until 2:00 P.M., PST, March 2, 1989.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the OSU Physi­
cal Plant, Adams Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2001 or telephone (503)
754-4921.
PORTLAND OBSERVER
“ The Eyes and Ears of the C o m m u n ity"
288-0033
he whole history of the progress
of human liberty shows that all
concession yet made to her august
claims have been born of earnest
struggle . . . If there is not struggle,
there is no progress.”
- Frederick Douglas
Pacific Power salutes the many great men and
women honored during Black History Month.
PACIFIC POWER
THE ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY
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