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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 1990)
Special Edition M artin L uther K ing , J r 1929 - 1968 ■■■■■■■■■■■■I P o rtla n d . O regon VOLUME XX • NUMBER 2 ERVER “The Eyes and The Ears of the Community” Program Encourages Minority Students to Seek Health Careers 2SC January 10,1990 AIDS Is Not Race, Nor Ethnic Based, Experts Say, It’s Caused by Behavior, Urge Parents to Inform Young of Dangers fty Chester A. Higgins, Sr. (Special to NNPA) needs are critical and immediate. college" said Tami Nguyen, Beaverton, a CO RVA LLIS-Hector Faccio may not " I t ’s so much more attractive to take a sophomore in pre-med. be the “ typical” Health Careers Opportu job driving a logging truck before they even Becoming acquainted with the campus nity Program (HCOP) student, but h e’s an graduate from high school,” Holder said. during summer "w a sn ’t so hectic," said example of what the program aims to nur Most of the students are the first person Brenna Fergusen, Portland, a freshman ture - academic success. in their families to attend college, "so o n ce considering a pharmacy career. She also HCOP has helped Faccio overcome an they get here, their families have no idea appreciates the study skills, computer and initial college experience outside OSU that what they’re doing or why it’s taking so writing classes, in addition to the chance to he called "negative and discouraging." long. There are just so many places for meet " a lot o f friends so I didn’t feel Some "grow ing u p ” on his own, combined them to fall out along the w ay." alone.” with HCOP’s thorough advising and intro Some of the students also must over HCOP fills a definite need in the health duction to the OSU system, has helped come culture differences, especially as they care field. Holder said. Faccio successfully pursue pre-medical apply to careers in health care. "Traditionally, minority and rural studies while working full-time as an “ Many Native Americans practice populations are greatly underrepresented emergency room technician in Eugene. traditional medicine "T h ey ’ve been very and there is very little supportive (in HCOP),” tolerance in acade “ Traditionally, minority and rural populations are he said. " I think it’s a mia for traditional great program.’’ greatly underrepresented in the health professions,” said healing practices,” HCOP is an aca Holder. A very low percentage of health career graduates Holder said. “ The demic support program Native Americans designed to encourage are from minorities. put more emphasis minority and low-income on the spiritual or students to seek health metaphysical approach to healing.” in the health professions,” said Holder. A care careers. It combines a Summer Sci Others must overcome religious dif very low percentage of health career gradu ence Institute for entering freshmen and ferences that set them apart from main ates are from minorities. transfer students with an intense advising, stream students. " I believe there is one Native Ameri tutoring, counseling, academic enhance While many students dislike dorm food, can dentist in the entire state of Oregon,” ment program through their college ca "fo r some of these students, it’s really said Holder. "A nd the first Native Ameri reers. The goal is to see the students gradu different,” Holder said, and the problems can dentist in the country is still alive." ate and go on to a professional medical go beyond food selection and preparation. Health careers just are not an option auto school, said program director Thurman “ Many minorities emphasize mealtime as matically pursued by minorities, he said. Holder. a family time. Dorm food lime is so oppo The obstacles are formidable. Holder "T h e odds are tremendously against site, it’s very impersonal,” Holder said. said. For example, a large percent of Native them,” said Holder, Language, cultural That’s why the HCOP program organ American students in Oregon drop out of differences, absence of role models, no izes retreats and other social events to help school before they graduate from high school. family tradition of college education - all the students find a slice of home while, That leaves few to cven try to enter college, these factors and more combine to pose a they're at OSU. let alone specialize in a health-related field. big challenge to minority students. The counselors “ make you feel like Economics can be an imposing factor. Through what Holder calls “ basically you’re worth something and that there's Some of the students have to contend with a good support system,” HCOP helps to somebody here who cares for you,” Nguyen the effect their attending college has on the even out the academic challenges. ‘ ‘O ut of added. rest of the family. last year’s group, we didn’t lose anyone.” To Faccio, it’s made the difference "T hey know that what they’re doing That compares with a 25-30 percent drop between struggle and success. is, in the long run, going to help their out rate for all students and a 50-60 percent “ If you work and are interested, they families, but it's the short-term they worry rate for minorities. give you the guidance you need to channel about,” Holder said. The long-term bene "T h ey 'v e made us feel like we can your energies toward a goal.” fits are very hard to see when short-term make mistakes and still make it through Black Women, Where Are You? agreed that they meet more white profes that benefit from these types of career moves. by Ullysses Tucker, Jr. sional women than Black. Almost all agreed Very few come back to Oregon. Increasingly, I am interacting with more that they would not date a Black woman for Sure, there are some excellent Black Black males through my professional-civic the sake of dating a black woman. women in this city. However, as one brother endeavors who ask the same question, where Then, there is the problem of Portland noted, they do not stay on the market long are the single, college educated, profes being so small and full of “ cliques.” Simply and when or if you meet up with her again, sional Black women in Portland? put, many brothers are discouraged at dat she is bitter from the relationship just de These Black males range anywhere ing those who are from the city. One brother parted, has any number of children, or from 27-40 years old and earn between called it the “ Bell Network.” He said that desires her same sex. Again, the same prin $29,00-5500,000 annually. AU are college your business gets home before you do in ciples apply to Black males. They carry educated, sound intellectually, sexually many instances. He referred to having lunch some of the same baggage. Children are responsible by their definition, flexible, with his company’s have bright economic auditor, a white female, futures, and would and got accused of prefer nothing better messing around. By the than to build a future KATU’s Town Hall will feature a two-part series on male-female way, he is an account with a progressive relationships and address some of the problems associated with marriage, ant for a big five firm. sister. These Black dating, trust, and honesty. The first show, com posed of all men will talk During lunch, he was males talk about their spotted by an aunt, two candidly about women, and in the second show, Jack Faust will talk willingness to plan, cousins, and the brother with a group of women about men. The show with the men airs Sunday, grow, and committ to of the girl he was dat a sister. However, all Jan. 14th at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21st at 6 p.m. will be the air date for ing. Mostly all the broth agree that they do not the women. ers agreed that they need a dependent. It’s would prefer someone helpful if a sister from someplace else. Someone not affected another issue. Many of these black males "brings something to the party " as one by local poison, old relationships, lovers, want a family and desire to help stabilize brother mentioned. family, etc. . . . a person willing to trust, existing Black families. However, it’s hard Many of these Black males relocated keep the faith during pain or dark moments. to convince a woman with a family, to have here with a major corporation or took their Many agreed that Black women, ones en one or two more for his sake or worst, first job out of college in Portland. They countered, want the same things they want attempt to raise a “ ready m ade" family come from all over the United States. but they want it NOW. Whatever happened with negative influences from the biologi Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, to working and building together? Immedi cal father. The question remains, where arc rural Mississippi, Atlanta, St. Louis, and a ate gratification seems to be the general at the "sisters?" host of other places. In listening to some of titude among sisters according to the ma Multi-racial dating is another sensitive the experience some of them have had with jority of these Black men. subject among Black females and Black B t o k females, they talk about how materi- Well, there you have it, Black women. males. One Black male suggested that it is <Ktic, ruthless, politically unaware, and A feel for what Black professional men go much easier to date white women because ittei M^nc of the Black females are from through day in and day out in their quest to most of them are not looking for com leir encounters with Black males. Yes, it find a sister who is responsible. According mittment, only a good time at mostly their does work both ways. to the wife of a friend of mine, her single expense. He planned to hang out with white I These Black males attend church/civic friends sit around and complain the same women until he found the right sister. He functions, take out personal ads for dates, way. To her surprise, she never thought that also suggested that white women, knowing volunteer time with non-profit groups, hang Black males sit around, go bowling, play that there is no commitment involved, take out at the airport to catch a 'sister' just off basketball, ski, and complain too! Where being "dum ped” lightly. Sisters take it the plane, and attempt to coax ' ' homeg iris'' do we go from here and how do we ever get personally brothers, too. out to Portland with hopes of convincing together? Other Black males contend that they them to relocate. Few are successful. We have to get together. Our survival will date only Black women. In accepting Based on what I gathered and from as a race depends on i t . . . this stance, one brother accepts periods of personal experiences, if a 'sister' has any If you as a Black male or female have being alone and lives to travel with his job ambition, she usually departs for college any suggestions, please write: c/o Brothers which takes him consistently to Black cit and never looks back. Eastern and Southern & Sisters, Portland Observer Newspaper, ies. It’s all about the race for him. Some Black communities arc generally the ones P.O. Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208. On Women And Women On Men AIDS! America’s fastest growing and most deadly disease. Over 59,000 have died since 1981-m o re Black inner-city women infected with HIV Unknown to medical science before than the total number of young men who is also increasing rapidly. Most of the women 1980-81, the deadly virus is fast becoming died in combat in Vietnam. Syphilis, a are IV drug users or the sexual partners of one of the nation's biggest and most relent sexually transmitted disease with a two-or men who have become infected through IV less killers. three- week incubation period, may be an drug use. Another important group to con Where did it come from? What group is indication of the occurrence of unprotected sider is young adults between the ages of at greater risk of contracting the disease? Is or risky sexual behavior. The incidence of 20-29 who comprise approximately one in it racially or ethnically based? Is there a syphilis in the Black community is now in five AIDS cases. Since AIDS infection has cure? How can we protect ourselves and creasing numbers of HIV-infected people a 7- to 10-year incubation period, this means families from this terrifying scourge? may be expected in the future.” that many of the young adults were proba Questions abound: myths soar and often, According to Dr. Cames, “ we need to bly infected in their teens. Dr. Gayle says, so does public confusion. make it clear that 1) the AIDS virus is not many teenagers are already sexually active. To address this escalating welter of easy to contract (for fear, myth and confusion, instance, you can’t the Department of Health get it by kissing— and Human Services even French kissing; (HHS), the Centers for and m osquitoes Disease Control (CDC) don’t spread it, ei in Atlanta, the National ther); and 2) there is Institutes of Health and no one group of the U.S. Public Health people more suscep Services are all striving tible to contracting to provide factual infor the virus than any mation on which the other. It is not ra public can then act intel cially nor ethnically ligently, The Centers for transmitted. It's due Disease Control, for ex strictly to behavior. ample, is targeting seven A gay man, a Black of the nation’s principal woman, a Hispanic cities -- New York, Chi a man — all are no cago, San Francisco, Los more likely to get Angeles, Dallas, Hous AIDS than a wealthy, ton, Miami and Puerto white, heterosexual Rico, where sexually man or woman liv active teens (2.5 million ing in a mansion in each year are infected by By calling the National AIDS Hotline (1-800-342-AIDS), parents and other Southern Califor sexually transmitted dis interested adults can receive free the "AIDS Prevention Guide" displayed nia,” eases), African-American by Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, Both Drs. Gayle women and Hispanic M.D. (left) and Assistant Secretary for Health James O, Mason, M.D. and Cames empha women appear to be HI V size that parents infected at ever increas But how does a parent^ddress, say, a 16- should talk "sim p ly " and often to their ing rates. children about the dangers of contracting year-old (or younger) who thinks he or she Dr. Helene Gayle, a medical epidemi AIDS, but not create an atmosphere of has heard it all about sex? ologist in C D C 's Division of HIV/AIDS, hysteria or fear. They said urging “ absti Talking with your children about how told NNPA: Since 1981 there are more than nence is the one fail-safe way of avoiding to avoid becoming infected by this deadly 100,000 diagnosed AIDS cases. Approxi the disease while the youngster awaits de disease need not be an unpleasant experi mately 60 percent of these are gay men. velopment of a single, more mature, re ence, Dr. Gayle says. It can be an ideal op Although Blacks and Hispanics are only 20 sponsible and enduring relationship. How portunity for parents to reinforce values percent o f the U.S. population, they com ever, messages about safer sexual practices and coping skills, which are essential to prise 40 percent of those infected--26 per are important for the young adult who cur helping youngsters make sound life deci cent Black; 14 percent Hispanic. Children rently, or in the near future, plans to engage sions. less than 13 years old are only two percent in sexual activity." And most importantly, Dr. Sullivan cautioned that “ the parent of this total, but about 75 percent of these, they say, Black people — and others - must who does not take the time today to teach the overwhelming number, are Blacks or begin to arm themselves with factual infor his or her child properly could end up later Hispanics. Over 18,000 of the total of HIV mation with which to combat this deadly in a hospital room watching that child die. infected are young adults (20-29 years old). disease. The Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Cames, who with Dr. Gayle, forms A savvy African American scientist. through the National AIDS Hotline (1-800- a formidable African-American CDC-AIDS Dr. Gayle declares that one of the fastest 342-AIDS), is one of the principal sources science-information team, said, * ‘We esti growing groups o f HIV (human immu where concerned citizens can receive this mate there are between one million and 1.5 nodeficiency virus) infected are the IV information, they stress. million people now carrying the HIV virus. (intravenous) drug users. The number of Newspaper Publishers Group Appoints Chief Executive Officer NEW Y O RK -A rchie Colander, Jr. recently was named Chief Executive O ffi cer of Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. (API), the marketing representative for 87 na tional black newspapers. “ This is a major step in our plan to strengthen the marketing, sales and admin- A Flash From The Past « Johnnie Davis Turn to the Locker Room on the Sports Section. istrative services offered to our member companies,” said Garth Reeves, president of API and publisher of the Miami Times. "Colander brings over fifteen years of marketing, management and sales experi ence from some of the country’s most re spected private and public sector organiza tions." Serving most recently on the national staff of the NAACP, Colander helped administer the NA ACP’s Economic Devel opment and Operation Fair Share programs, fostering business and employment oppor tunities for African-Americans with major corporations throughout the U.s. He served as one of two NAACP negotiators for the recent Chrysler Motors AgreemenL Colander says he “ clearly recognizes the challenges that face the Black Press” and plans to implement “ innovative mar keting” programs for API and its member papers that make sense in today's new competitive environment. During his twelve years with the Plant ers Division of Nabisco Brands (RJR Na bisco), Colander’s accomplishments included the development and introduction of doz ens of popular snack nut products under the "M r. Peanut" label. His national experi ence in sales, production and marketing with this Fortune 100 giant will serve as a valuable resource to API and the industry. Archie Colander, Jr. Chief Executive Officer Colander received his Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. He resides with his wife and two children in South Orange, New Jersey and is very active in the community as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, The Black United Fund advisory board and numerous church and civic committees.