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.