VOLUME XX NUMBER 3
“ The Eyes and The Ears of the Community”
Urban League
Selects
New President
M artin L uther K ing , J r .
1929 - 1968
Protecting the Legacy of
Martin Luther King
by Ron Daniels
A s the birthday o f Martin Luther King
passes and the nation prepared to celebrate
the National Holiday in his honor, once
again the debate about how to appropriately
remember King is heating up. From m y
vantage point the celebration has become
enveloped in so much ritual and pomp and
circumstance that there is almost the illu­
sion that the need for civil rights agitation
and human rights struggles is passe. The
rhetorical ring o f ' T Have a Dream” rever­
berates monotonously throughout the na­
tion as if to consciously mask the nightmare
that exists for millions o f African-Ameri­
cans and poor people in this country. It is as
if the King Holiday has becom e an annual
occasion to coopt the real meaning o f the
life and legacy o f Martin Luther King. It
has almost become a harmless affirmation
o f the virtues of the American dream and
the American system.
The American system may indeed have
its virtues, but Martin Luther King used the
freedom o f speech, the right to peaceful
assembly, the right to vote and the right to
petition the government to confront unjust
laws and a hypocritical system which pro­
vided sanction for racism, segregation,
discrimination, racial oppression and v io ­
lence. In the spirit o f natural rights and the
Declaration o f Independence. Martin Lu­
ther King used non-violent direct action to
revolt against and call into question an
unjust government. C ivil disobedience was
used as a weapon to transform a fatally
flawed system, so that the idea o f an Ameri­
can dream might have som e prospect o f
being realized.
A s he neared the end o f his life King
still had his dream, our dream, but he was
w ell aware that the dream was far from
being fulfilled. When King journeyed to
Memphis he and his aides in the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference were
planning the most massive direct action
mobilization ever, the Poor People's Cam­
paign. In 1963 King delivered his renowned
"I Have a Dream” speech. B y 1968 the
"promissory note" which King talked about
in that same speech was still being returned
marked insufficient funds. Thus King de­
termined to aim a telling blow at the very
heart o f the America's system o f oppres­
sion; a value system which propogated
greed, profit and property over people and
spawned vast extremes o f wealth and pov­
erty. King was gunned down before he
could launch this radical campaign. But the
very idea o f the Poor People's Campaign
set a direction which King obviously felt
was essential if Black people and poor
people were to remake America into the
promised land.
If one m oves beyond the mesmerizing
repetition o f "I Have a Dream” to King's
later speeches and writings we discover a
Martin who called the very ethic o f the
capitalist political econom y into question.
His was an urgent appeal to cherish people
over profit and human and spiritual values
over property rights and materialism.
Since Martin Luther King was assassi­
nated it seem s that everything has changed,
yet in reality nothing has changed. As we
enter the decade o f the 90s the rich in
America are getting richer while the poor
are getting poorer. In America the capital o f
capitalism, the hom eless and hungry roam
the streets, our inner cities are in decay and
drugs are overwhelming entire neighbor­
hoods. And despite the apparent progress o f
a few African-Americans, misery still
abounds among the masses. African-Ameri­
cans and people o f good w ill still need to
use what Martin call moral force to chal­
lenge this nation to change.
Beyond the King Holiday and beyond
the dream, we need a living acting Martin
Luther King mounting a renewed assault on
racism, racial violence, militarism and
poverty. The King Holiday must inspire us
to act, to finish the unfinished business. It
must not lull us to sleep or have us celebrate
into complacency. There is always the danger
that the real legacy o f K ing’s life w ill be
lost and that his image and symbol w ill be
manipulated and used as an instrument o f
cooptation and pacification. It is our sacred
duty to protect and live out the real legacy
o f Martin Luther King.
McCoy Seeks Re-Election
Multnomah County Chair Gladys
McCoy announced her intention to seek re-
election today to a gathering o f citizens,
supporters and local business and comm u­
nity leaders at the Hilton Hotel.
McCoy outlined her original motiva­
tional concerns for seeking the County Chair’s
O ffice. ' 'Government needs to exert lead­
ership to do mote for our young people, for
our elderly, and to improve the health and
mental health services in the County.”
McCoy has taken bold steps forward to
bring direction and a long-range vision to
local government. ' That vision was for a
safe, crime-free community; a positive future
for our citizens; and a more efficient and
effective government, working in partner
ship with other jurisdictions for the better­
ment o f all citizens of our County."
After highlighting some o f the major
accomplishments during her three year
administration--teen health clinics, the
County's successful implementation o f
affirmative action goals, improved inter-
jurisdictional government communications
and cooperation, and a balanced County
budget, McCoy stated: "W hat’s most
important now is seeing the full vision
realized over the next four years---- 1 want
to continue to work toward a better commu-
n ity -a community o f people working with
their govemment--a community where
business and government are parmers-- a
community where citizens are involved in
setting the agenda.”
Dr. Darryl S. Tukufu, an assistant pro­
fessor o f sociology at LeMoyne-Owen
College and Memphis State University and
a former Ohio Urban League executive, has
been named President and C hief Executive
Officer o f the Urban League o f Portland, its
board o f directors announced today.
The board has been involved in an
extensive nationwide search for a new
president since Unseni Perkins resigned
from the post in mid-September.
"Dr. Tukufu brings a blend o f skills
and talents that w ill be vital in leading the
Urban League o f Portland into the 1990s. I
am very confident that he also w ill be a
valued asset to the Portland Community,”
said Louis J. Boston, the Urban League
board chair.
In addition to his responsibilities at
Memphis State University, Dr. Tukufu works
as an independent consultant specializing
in organizational development and human
relations. He also currently serves on the
Memphis Urban League Board o f Direc­
tors.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Tukufu
was formerly the executive director o f the
Fair Housing Contract Service in Akron
from 1980 to 1982 and prior to that he was
manager o f the Neighborhood Services
Division o f an Akron community action
agency.
Other work experiences include as­
signments as an Equal Employment Oppor­
tunity officer relative to public-funded
construction projects in Akron and Young­
stown, Ohio, and served as deputy execu ­
tive director o f the Youngstown Area Ur­
ban League in 1975.
He received his undergraduate degree
in social studies from Youngstown State
University, follow ed by a Master o f Arts
degree in Urban Studies and a doctorate in
S ociology-b oth from the University o f
Akron.
Dr. Tukufu, who is married with two
children, w ill relocate to Portland with his
family by mid-February, according to Boston.
Boston also said that Dr. Tukufu w ill
be in Portland in the very near future to
meet civic and community leaders as well
as to look for a home.
JANUARY 17,1990
National Council of Negro Women
Announces Frito-Lay/NCNW
“Salute”
Pictured here, back row, from left to right: Charlene Johnson, vice president and co-founder, R E A C H , Inc.; Ruth Poole,
advocate for the poor, homeless and imprisoned; M yrtle Davis, co-founder and president/CEO of SL Louis Comprehensive
Health Center; Clementine Barfield, founder and director of Save O u r Sons And Daughters, and M elba M oore, singer
and guest performer of the awards banquet.
WASHINGTON, D .C .-A nationwide
search for unsung African-American hero­
ines culminated in Washington, D.C. cai-
lier this month with the naming o f the five
winners o f the “ Salute to Black Women
Who Make It Happen” awards program.
The “ Salute” sponsored by Frito-Lay and
the National Council o f Negro Women
(NCNW ), was hosted by Oprah Winfrey,
who announced the 1989/1990 winners.
Chosen from a field o f 15 finalists, the
five winners included: Clementine Barfield,
Detroit, founder/director o f Save Our Sons
and Daughters (SOSAD); Myrtle Davis, St.
Louis, MO, president/CEO o f St. Louis
Comprehensive Health Center, Charlene
Johnson, Detroit, president of REACH, Inc.;
Marjorie Joyner, Chicago, beauty culturist/
An Urban Marshall Plan
For The 1990s
The revolution sweeping eastern Eu­
rope has led to calls for anew Marshall Plan
and for a new Economic Development Bank
to help those countries back on their fe e t
Those ideas may make sense, but what
about an Urban Marshall Plan to help our
own cities and an Urban Investment Bank
to invest in our own human and physical
resources?
That makes even more sense.
It’s not a new idea, either. Back in
1963, Whitney Young and the National
Urban League called far a Domestic Marshall
Plan. That plan would have rebuilt our
cities and invested in developing the human
resources o f poor people shunted o ff to the
margins o f society.
Had that call been implemented, w e
would not have the devastation we see in
our inner cities today,, and despair would
long ago have been replaced by hope and
opportunity Jn 1990, we have another chance
to implemented, we would not have the
devastation we see in our inner cities today,
and despair would long ago have been
replaced by hope and opportunity.
In 1990, we have another chance to
implement a peaceful revolution o f prog­
ress in our own country. The experts say
that the end o f the Cold War means today's
$300 billion defense budget could be safety
cut in half.
The $150 billion savings is the much-
derided “ peace dividend" that many claim
doesn't really exist. But it d o e s - if we have
the political will to use it wisely.
Some people say the peace dividend
should be applied to balancing the federal
budget, but that is not inconsistent with
funding an Urban Marshall Plan.
Up to $100 billion could go to cutting
the deficit. Economists say that would bring
interest rates down to around five percent,
which would stimulate investment and
productivity. There would be a growth in
sales and tax revenues that would further
close the budget gap.
ERVER
25C
The remaining $50 billion or so would
fund an Urban Marshall Plan that is essen­
tial to keeping America competitive in the
21st century.
An Urban Marshall Plan would have as
its primary goal bringing people at the
margins o f society into the mainstream to
become productive citizens in a productive
society.
Some o f the Urban Marshall Plan funds
would go to repairing our neglected infra-
s true ture- -the base of our economy. Amer­
ica's roads, bridges, water supply and other
key infrastructure sectors are in desperate
need o f modernizing.
That would create blue-collar jobs and
put many o f our ailing industries back on
their feet, while creating conditions neces­
sary for future prosperity.
Part o f the Urban Marshall Plan would
be targeted to developing our neglected
human resources by providing the job train­
ing, health care, and housing people need to
function at peak levels.
All o f America’s poor would greatly
benefit, but the most immediate impact
would be on minorities, who lagged far
behind the majority population in the go-go
1980s.
Education is one obvious area where
greater public investment in minority and
poor children will pay o ff in a productive
future workforce.
Right now we're competing against
countries like Japan, where 95 percent o f all
their people are high school or technical
school graduates. W e’re not doing a good
job o f meeting the Japanese challenge--and
we w on’t until 95 percent o f our school
children get the same solid education that
theirs get.
Without the public investments o f an
Urban Marshall Plan, w e'll be well on our
way to become a second-rate power in an
age where national strength is measured by
brain-power and skills, and not by bombs
that can't be used without committing sui
cide.
community activist, and Ruth Poole, Dur­
ham, NC, advocate for the homeless, hun­
gry and imprisoned.
Ms. Winfrey, who also was honored by
NCNW as an “ Outstanding Woman of
Achievement” said, “ As Black women,
we have a history o f struggle, coupled with
a strong work ethic. The outstanding, tire­
less and often thankless public service
extended by the “ Salute” finalists is in the
spirit o f Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman
and other sisters who seek no recognition
for their good deeds.”
In addition to being honored by the
nation's foremost Black women’s organi­
zation, the “ Salute" finalists were also
invited to the White House by Barbara
Bush, for an afternoon visit and personal
tour o f the First Family’s private quarters.
“ Mrs. Bush is an enchanting, person­
able woman who sincerely extended a warm
w elcom e to us, giving us a feeling o f being
close friends who hadn 't seen each other in
years," said Grace Stephenson, one o f the
finalists.
In his keynote address at the "Salute”
dinner, Frito-Lay President and CEO, Robert
H. Beeby said. “ Our Finalists serve as an
inspiration for us all to do more in the area
o f public service.” He paid tribute to the
countless numbers o f African-American
women throughout the U.S. who include
public service as a daily part of their lives.
This year's contest, attracted 160
nominees, from the fields of; politics/law,
education, medicine, arts, music, and all
aspects o f community and volunteer serv­
ices. All were judged on the following
criteria: The need for the contribution, the
level, the current and future impact o f the
achievement and the obstacles overcome
by the nominee.
Each o f the five winners received a 21-
inch bronze statue designed by Black sculp­
tor, Elizabeth Catlett, and a $1,000 cash
award from Frito-Lay. American Airlines
provided complimentary air travel for the
15 finalists.
(Continued to
Page 8)
Blue Cross Executive Ronald A.
Williams Receives National Award
Ron Williams,
Executive Vice President
Health Services and Products Group
Blue Cross of California
Ronald A. W illiams, executive vice
president o f the Health Services and Prod­
ucts Groups for Blue Cross o f California,
was honored recently by Dollars & Sense
magazine as one o f America's B est and
Brightest Young Business and Professional
Men for 1989.
W illiams, 40, was among a national
group o f 72 African-American executives
recognized during a three-day gala held at
the Chicago Hilton and Towers from Dec.
8-10. The honorees were selected on the
basis o f scholarship, professional achieve­
ments and dedication to the advancement
of their community and its youth.
Williams joined Blue Cross o f Califor­
nia in early 1987 as vice president o f corpo-
rate services, with 17 years o f experience in
services marketing and services manage­
ment. In 1988, he was promoted to senior
vice president o f marketing and corporate
services. He was recently promoted to the
new ly created position o f executive vice
president.
Prior to joining Blue Cross, Williams
founded and served as senior vice president
o f Vista Health Corp., a Los Angeles-based
alternative delivery system for outpatient
psychological and substance abuse serv­
ices.
Previously, W illiams held numerous
positions o f increasing responsibility with
Control Data Corp., a Minneapolis-based
computer and financial services company.
He left Control Data as director o f market­
ing in 1983 to become a Sloan Fellow at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Simultaneously, he was a Bush Leadership
Fellow.
A s a Sloan Fellow, Williams earned his
master's degree in m anagem ent
In addition to serving as an administra­
tive assistant for the State o f Illinois O ffice
o f the Governor for three years, Williams
was a senior associate with Greenleigh
Associates for three years, a national man­
agement consulting firm in New York City
specializing in public sector organizations.
He also founded Integrative Systems, a
Chicago-based organizational psychology
consulting firm.
A native o f Chicago, Williams holds a
bachelor's degree in psychology from
Roosevelt University. A California resi­
dent since 1984, he currently lives in Loa
Angeles with his wife and son.