< H f f t i g»O iflEO tpi'ig» <1 **« — »■'» » » » •* < > e> ■«» ■»■ ■« —. B lack H isto ry M onth • F ebruary 1 9 9 0 VOLUME XX • NUMBER 5 “ The Eyes and The Ears of the Community” Community Leaders Condemn Death Threats To Rahsaan W hile news o f the death threats at Halim Rahsaan was still spreading Mon­ day, community leaders gathered to con­ demn the threats and call attention to the lack o f racially-integrated businesses. Halim Rahsaan, an advisor at Portland Community C ollege, has received several threatening phone calls at work and home. The callers used racial slurs and threats of physical abuse to Rahsaan and his family. Student organizations and staff mem ­ bers at PCC lobbied for an affirmative action plan that includes accountability before the college Board o f Directors, January 18th. An article appeared in the college's newspaper January 25th and Rahsaan was quoted in favor o f the A. A. plan. The phone calls started the next day. Rahsaan was not present at the press conference, as advised by Ron Hemdon, co-chair of the Black United Front. Hemdon opened the conference with a statement from the black United Front condemning the situation at PCC. “ We believe that his activism around the issue (affirmative action) has made him and his family a target for the cowardly racist threats he received," said Hemdon. Jean Drew, co-chairperson o f the Afri­ can-American Council at PCC, presented statistics on minority affairs. 85 out of 4,100 employees total at PCC are Black, Drew said, but the Council maintains that number is 65 Blacks. In 1987 to 1988, seven out o f the 17 discrimination complaints filed were racial harassment. Currently the college has no racial harassment policy and is considering a plan presented by the Council on racial and sexual harrassment. Bishop A .A. W ells spoke on behalf o f th Albina Ministerial Alliance to protest the threats. “ Steps must be taken in practice, strat­ egy and public expression, denouncing and condemning such acts and attitudes lest we be perceived as condoning it," Bishop Wells said. “ Those therefore, who have been out front in proclaiming these truths for racial harmony and equality, w e encourage to continue,” he said. Harold W illiam s o f the Coalition o f B lackM ensaid, “ W e have com e to support Halim 's efforts. W e ask those at PCC to stand up and be counted.” Later W illiam s added, ' ‘When som e­ thing like these threats happen, you know w hose going to stand up in the com m u­ nity.” The challenge is to the larger com ­ munity, he said. “ When Black people talk about af­ firmative action, people think you ’re tak­ ing the shovel out o f the hands o f w hites,” said Hemdon. “ There's an unspoken agreement,” Hem don added, “ we don't have to hire B lacks.” District-Wide Workshops For Albina Community Plan Feb. 10, March 3, and March 24 The ACP total study area includes all Citizens o f North and Northeast Port­ or part o f 13 neighborhoods : Arbor Lodge, land w ill have the opportunity to partici­ B o ise, Concordia, Eliot, Humboldt, Irving­ pate in three district-wide workshops being ton. Kenton, King, Overlook, Piedmont, held in February and March. The dates for Sabin, Vernon and W oodlawn. In addition these workshops are: Saturday, Feb. 10th; to discussing land use issues, participants Saturday, March 3rd; and Saturday, March w ill have an opportunity to identify prob­ 24th. The first workshop w ill be held at lem s and opportunities within the area and Peace Lutheran Church, 2201 N . Portland work with others addressing much broader Blvd., an Saturday, February 10 ,1 9 9 0 from issues, including: employment, housing, 9:30 A.M . to 1:00 P.M. Citizens are invited im age, transportation, education, family to attend and participate. services, econom ic development, public Sponsored by the Portland Planning safety, historical preservation, and capital Bureau, the workshops are designed to solicit improvements. input from citizens and interest groups about “ These workshops provide an excel­ the future o f the Albina Community Plan lent opportunity for citizens to participate (ACP), a blueprint for revitalization o f inner in shaping North and the future o f N o r th e a st their neigh- P o r t la n d . “ These workshops provide an excel­ b orhoods These work­ lent opportunity fo r citizens to participate and commu­ shops w ill nity;” says in shaping the fu ture o f their neighbor­ p rovid e a Earl Blum e­ forum for hoods and community;’ ’ says E arl Blum e­ nauer, Com­ participants nauer, Commissioner o f Public Works, missioner of to be heard “ hopefully this community based process P u b lic and to share W orks . in the crea­ will ensure your participation and access " h o p efu lly tion o f the to city employees and others currently in­ this commu­ u ltim a te volved in the development o f the A C P .” nity based plan. Addi­ process w ill tionally, the ensure your w ork sh op participation and access to city em ployees w ill serve os a mechanism to update the and others currently involved in the devel­ Arterial Street Classification Policy, a guide opment o f the A C P .” Blumenauer w ill to direct the future development o f Port­ open the workshops, along with representa­ land's transportation system. City Plan­ tives from the Planning and Transportation ning staff w ill build on the Economic Bureaus who w ill be providing information Development Action Plan, developed by and facilitating the session. This effort, the North/Northeast Economic D evelop­ along with other neighborhood, business ment Task Force. The Planning C om m is­ and district w ide m eetings w ill produce a sion recently approved a planning process comprehensive plan for the inner North/ to guide the development o f the ACP. Northeast district C o m m e n ta ry fry Leon Harris T wo recent issues o f the Portland Observer (1/10-1/24/90) featured articles concerning Black Male/Female Relation­ ships. Written by U llysses Tucker, Jr. the articles dealt primarily with expressed opinions o f som e Black males and females regarding the difficulty o f social interac­ tion with each other. Tucker, a free-lance colum nist for the Observer wrote the ar­ ticles after a roundtable discussion (infor­ mal) with a group o f Black professional males, who expressed a desire to meet Black females who were professional, mature, goal oriented and had their "heads to­ gether.” The group, ranging in ages 27-40 years old and allegedly with incom es be­ tween $29,000-$500,000 annually, talked about their desire to meet and hopefully build a relationship with Black females, without the expectations o f having to be the sole source o f econom ic security if the relationship develop maturity. They also expressed consternation relative to getting involved in a relationship that introduces a “ ready-made fam ily.” Understandably, the burden as sole, financial supporter in any relationship has Cross Burning At Washington Park — Commenting on the January 15th, cross burning in Washington Park, City Com­ missioner Mike Lindberg said, “ There once was a time when Germans thought Hitler's brown shirts were a mere nuisance, unwor­ thy o f much attention. I am not making that mistake here. I want to empathically ex ­ press my total disgust with the skinheads and Nazis who were involved in the cross burning at W ashington Park. It was an act o f barbarism perpetrated by cowards. All parks personnel have been alerted to watch for racist activity, and I am committed to supporting stepped up police efforts to catch the criminals involved in acts o f racist terrorism. There is no place in Portland for racist trash. I want to see them driven out o f our city and out o f our state. I urge all citizens to report acts o f racist terrorism to the police. It is important to understand that we are not dealing with one or two isolated incidents. Sadly, there is a rapidly evolving hate movement in our country. Citizens must commit them selves and their respec­ tive organizations to combatting the rising tide o f bigotry in our community. W e must all speak out publicly and often. The time to take a stand is now . Waiting only increases the likelihood that more Nazi vermin w ill look to portland as a good place to nest.” CONGRATULATIONS!!! New Guidelines To Help Oregonians’ Get Low-Interest Loans And Tax Credits Sen. B ill McCoy, D-Portland, said that new guidelines for low-interest loans and tax credits w ill help Oregon families with below-median incomes buy a first home. Starting Feb. 6, a family o f three or more with a maximum annual income o f 431,700 will be eligible for the loans or for credits on their federal income tax returns. Households o f two will qualify with an income o f up to $28,500 and one-person households with an income of up to $24,000. Sen. McCoy said, "This is the first lime the program has considered family size as part o f eligibility, and it should stretch the funds and tax credits available to reach the largest number o f people pos­ sible." Limits on Ihe price o f homes to be purchased vary by location from a low o f $57,420 in Marion and Polk countries to a high o f $121,880 in som e metropolitan areas targeted as econom ically distressed. Statewide, targeted areas include all o f 13 counties, seven cities, and portions o f six larger cities. “ Parts o f Portland in this district are designated as targeted areas, including areas along NE Broadway, NE Seventh, and the St. John’s District,” Sen. McCoy said, “ that means there is more leew ay in the price o f houses eligible for the programs so people can get into the type o f house they really want and n eed.” historically created havoc for the individ­ ual upon whom the burden falls unless he/ she understands and is prepared to accept full responsibility. But, a “ ready-made fam ily” is a fact of life in today’s society and be it Black male/female or white male/fem ale, if the “ chemistry” is right, one could care less. Tucker made a good point in citing the failure o f Black males in the forementioned salary brackets to fraternize in an environ­ ment conducive to meeting Black females. At least two o f the Black males who re­ sponded to his articles expressed surprise when informed by the Observer that many Black females who meet or exceed $29,000 annually, socially interact in N.E. Portland. So, perhaps those Black males who wish to meet articulate, professional, and beautiful Black females, would fare better if they came back to their “ roots.” And as Tucker stated also in his ar­ ticles, what is sorely needed in the Black community are more social events or places to meet to bring the two together. Any suggestions anyone? a To Dennis G . Payne o f M etropolitan Transportation Service District of Oregon. Payne was recently promoted to supervisor of the fare inspection and money room operations, moni­ toring and coordinating the payroll tax collection system and assisting in developing and monitoring Tri-M et's investments. JANUARY 31,1990 Publisher Of The Skanner Appointed Tostate Banking Board Oregon Gov. N eil Goldschmidt has appointed Bernard V. Foster, publisher o f The Skanner newspaper, to the State Bank­ ing Board, effective Dec. 29, 1989. Foster will serve a four-year appointment The State Banking Board, which falls within th Department o f Insurance and Fi­ nance, consists o f five years employment as senior officers o f banking institutions, and the other two should be members o f the general public with no banking associations. Foster fits the latter category. 'Tm excited and proud to be a part o f the State Banking board," Foster said. "It is a tremendous opportunity to leqam, and I w ill strive to help the state's business community during my term." A s an appointee to th State Banking Board, Foster's duties will include reviewing statewide banking needs and functions, rec­ ommending rules and policy changes and proposing legislation for th welfare and progress o f the banking industry and the public it serves. The board also reports on bank failures and law violations within the banking industry. T v e always been heavily involved in affairs o f the business community and have always encouraged economic development," Foster said. "As board member, I hope to continue pursuing those goals." Outgoing members include Doris K. Bounds o f Hermiston; Stephen K. Foster o f Portland; Kenneth L. Smith o f Portland; Joseph H. Johnson o f Portland; and Gerald­ ine C. Thompson o f Portland. Bernard V . Foster Publisher T h e Skanner* Bernie Foster is V ice President o f the West Coast Black Publishers Association, Board member o f the PortlandChamber of Commerce, and a member o f the State Fire Marshal's Public Education Advisory com ­ mittee. African Image Challenged by Professor McKinley Burt My introduction to history began in the second grade and it was in the form o f a little poem that went something like this . . . “Christopher Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue Discovered America In 1492” O f course, it never happened that way. The only thing that Columbus discovered was that tool-making Africans had landed in the N ew World many centuries earlier. His detailed reports to Queen Isabella of Spain describe how the metal arrowheads sent back to the assayers proved to be o f the exact same alloy as used by the peoples on the west coast o f Africa. See Ivan Van Sertima’s book, They Came Before Co­ lumbus (Mr. Van Sertima, a Black Rutgers University Professor, is a consultant to Portland Public Schools, and a world-rec­ ognized authority on the early presence of Blacks in the Americas). It was the Norwe­ gian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl (Kon Tiki, 1950) who conclusively demonstrated that it was easily possible to traverse the broad expanses of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the simple balsa and reed boats used throughout history by peoples o f African descent Given the conventional om ission of these accomplishments from standard texts, what then. Is history. Is it simply a compen­ dium o f dammable lies concocted by an allegedly superior master race, with the intent o f maintaining an ethnic and cultural oneupmanship? Is it a finely-tuned cultural device to justify the horrors o f slavery and colonialism? Is history simply a manipulat­ ive tool for shaping the political and social infrastructure o f Third World Countries to a format which permits a continuation of centuries-old economic exploitation? Is history the current scheme for denying identity and self-esteem to African-Ameri­ cans in a society where im age is every­ thing? History is any and all o f these things. So who is it so blind and so naive to ask, w hat Is the need for Black H istory? In direct relevancy, it most immedi­ ately com es to mind that there is in this world a most monstrous travesty o f a na­ tion, South Africa, whose white (enfran­ chised) citizens still claim to have taken over an "unoccupied" land. Anyone who has read the well-documented book by Black historian, Walter Rodney (How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Howard Univer­ sity Press, 1982) will well understand why in the preceding paragraph I have sug­ gested the real intent of establishment ver­ sions o f history. The fact of the matter is that the African owners o f the land have left an 8,000 year old archaelogical record o f their occupancy, including vegetation- covered buildings and mining and smelting operations. Even more to the exploitative point we have this Associated Press report o f January 17, 1987: M inerals exempted "TenSouth African-produced stra­ tegic minerals, have been ruled exempt from the U.S. import ban under the anti- apartheid sanctions law because they were essential to the U.S. economy or defense, a State Department official said Friday. Another official said five compa­ nies had been removedfrom a list o f 144 South African companies that are being boycotted by the United States. Among the minerals that can be im­ ported are andalusite; antimony; chrysolite asbestos; chromium, includ­ ing ferromanganese andferrosilicoman- ganese; platinum group metals; rutile, including titanium-bearing slag; and vanadium" This, o f course, is in addition to the trillions in gold and diamonds produced by slave labor to date. For years there has been a valiant effort on the part o f African-Americans to regain and authenticate their history-w ith only partial success. An illustration is the fol­ lowing excerpt from an article appearing in the Portland Observer, January 4 ,1 9 8 4 . In th 1970s there was a revolt on the part o f the Black scholars in this white (African) or­ ganization, scholars whose disgust and resentment o f the standard perversions and omissions by the authorities prompted them to withdraw and set up their own African Studies organization. This development in no way implied that the problem had been solved--anyone than one Affirmative A c­ tion appointment o f a single Black signifies that there is equality o f opportunity in a given industry. Less than one-tenth o f one percent o f the membership o f this African studies organization was (is) Black. African hnagrduilenged “ To many Americans, the mention of Africa conjures up a land of wild beasts, dark jungles, half-naked natives and tyrant leaders-what some refer to as the 'Dark Continent.' Aspiring to dispel that image and heighten awareness o f Africa's global significance is Dr. Robert J. C ummings, director o f the African Studies and Re­ search Program at Howard University, who has recently been elected vice presi­ dent o f the African Studies Association (ASA). Cummings is the first Black Ameri­ can to be named to the post and in 1985 will assume the presidency o f the nearly 30,000 strong international organiza­ tion of scholars and specialists in Afri­ can research and affairs. “What I would like to do is try to transform the negative image of Af­ rica," he says. “If Africa is not re­ spected, then Blackpeople are not going to be respected." by Henry Duvall In this presentation, the first of my four weekly monographs for Black History Month, I wish to introduce and define some o f the terminology that historians use. These terms provide some insight into the structure and modality that historians use to develop their ideas and data. Even understanding this brief exposition o f their methodology should enable one to follow and criticize the mindset o f some practitioners o f the art. What I am really hoping for by the end of this series is to furnish that modicum of guidance which will turn the reader o n - and that might even provoke a new and en­ thusiastic interest in historical accounts as he says to him self, “ aha!, so that is what’s going on, this is the way they can cleverly assemble an extensive data base, completely accurate, yet in totality comprise a damn lie! There follow s some initial terminol­ ogy Euhemeris (Euhemerism): Eu-hem-er- is was an ancient North African historian whose investigations revealed that most m yths grew out o f a people's traditional accounts o f historical persons and events. Eponym (Epononomous): It was com ­ mon for ancient tribes to call them selves after the name o f an ancestor (eponym), real or fancied (e.g. “ H ellenes" from a man named H ellen-or Ham, Canaan, Cush, et. al.) Putative: Commonly accepted assumed to have existed. Tradition: The handing down o f infor­ mation, beliefs and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction-- cultural continuity in social attitudes and institution.