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African American Festival 1990
P O RT L a WÖÖ & E RV E R
Blacks and Science, II: “Who Told Thee Thou Was Naked?”
by Professor McKinley Burt
When this question was put to Adam
in the Garden of Eden, it indicated that
the “ head m an” knew ihat Adam’s
position was shaky. How could some­
one who had been so gifted be weak
enough to allow himself to be brain­
washed by the devil? As we stand at
that threshold of the 21st century of
science and technology I cited last week-
where we were told that "only the
scientifically literate and technically
proficient will be able to make it-ca n it
really be true that African Americans
stand helpless and “ naked” before the
storm? I think not!
It was with specific purpose that I
described the Black Inventors of Amer­
ica whose innovations created so much
of this nation’s industrial might;” and
that the last few weeks of my “ Perspec­
tives” column (see page2) has exam­
ined the extensive background of Blacks
in the basic industries o f manufactur­
ing, transportation, communications and
agricultural processing. I could have
added that early on this century these
combination inventors and entrepreneurs
were sponsoring national and interna­
tional exhibitions to display their wares
and brains (The Atlanta and Paris, France
Technological Expositions; documented
in the U.S. Congressional Record).
This week in that some column the
purpose becomes clearer as I describe
the development o f my course design at
Portland State University, “ Black
Economic Experience” --and how I
proceeded to document that African
Americans (and Africans) from day one
have possessed the drive and cognitive
ability to master technology and carry
it to new heights. The involvement and
performance of Blacks in the four ma-
jor components of industry cited above
reinforce the conclusion that daily, hands-
on familiarity and experience with tech­
nical tools and processes can be a suffi­
cient predication for significant Black
accomplishment in technology. So one
can well imagine what could have been
achieved except for the constraints of
racism and the attendant economic
disabilities which prevented the exploi­
tation of a group genius for its own
benefit
So how is it that in many cases we
find our “ New Adam” standing de­
jectedly in a garden, covering his nether
parts and crying plaintively, “ I am naked,
oh Lord?” And since genes could not
have changed so quickly, how is it that
we have many fearful African Ameri­
cans despairing that “ with so many
educational disabilities imposed upon
us, there is no way we can compete in
an age of mathematics, sophisticated
instrumentation, computers and space
technology?” It is obvious that there
needs to be a total and MASSIVE
BLACK INTERVENTION in the de­
structive educational and media proc­
esses that have led to the concealment
or outright expurgation of Black tech­
nical achievement in this country--a
vicious, century-long program of aca­
demia and publishers that has “ de­
stroyed” the very existence of those
magnificent role models which could
serve our youth so well.
It is either that or face extinction as
we neglect the great learning tools of
our “ real and relevant” history, and
allow an establishment media to state
like the arrogant Humpty Dumpty said
to Alice, “ Things are what I say they
are!” A few hundred sport celebrities
and entertainers are not sufficient as
President Bush Films a
Public Service Announcement for the
United Negro College Fund
President Bush filmed a public serv­
ice announcement for the United Negro
College Fund in a White House filming
session on Tuesday, May 22,1990.
In this thirty-second commercial titled
"D ream s,” the President states that
“ the American dream is alive -- nur­
tured, in part, by the United Negro
College Fund. The Fund reaches out to
deserving young students with a quality
June 6,1990
"The Eyes and Ears o f The Community"
Volume XX, Number 21
education - an education that turns
wonderful young dreams into realities.”
In the commercial, the President is joined
by five young children who tell their
dreams for the future.
The commercial was produced by
the New York advertising agency Young
and Rubicam, which has been handling
the United Negro College Fund ac­
count for the past 19 years.
25<P
1990 ROSE FESTIVAL QUEEN & COURT
survival icons to point the way for a
beleaguered race in the space a g e -
even as millionaires. I suppose that it is
easy for some to despair as they note
how many have forgotten that bitter­
sweet video produced by Bill Cosby at
the end of the 1960’s, “ Black History:
Lost, Strayed or Stolen.” The recita­
tion of Black science and invention was
a combination of exuberant pride and a
humbling senseof loss. African Ameri­
cans cannot afford such a loss-nor the
loss of an evolutionary niche in the
scheme of things.
But we have it now that there is a
way and it is quite open if African
Americans are willing to respect and to
learn from their history-and have a
commitment commensurate with the
scope of the task. Those inventors and
technicians are still there, genes un­
changed. W e’ve got to to reach them
whether they are in school, on a job, in
Queen Erin Neill is shown being crowned by Rose Festival Prime Minister Tony Pasion Photo by Katie Tichenor
the m ilitary-or in gangs, or in jail.
Though “ retired” I am busy 16 hours a
day writing and designing experience-
based curriculum in math, science and
relevant applications. With the help of
a few dedicated volunteers from acade­
mia and a Beaverton “ Science Park
Industry” I maintain a weekly interac­
tion with educators and others across
the country. Some are in cities where,
Anna Beck
Jennifer McLaughlin
at their invitation, I’ll be doing work­
Johanna Moody Tammy Herdener Katina Williams
Renata Adamidov
Roosevelt
Madison
St
Mary’s
Grant
Franklin
Wilson
shops this Fall and Winter. Some will
be here for a workshop I’m conducting *
this summer at the same westside elec­
tronic facility. We need an awful lot of
us busy in this fashion. Contact me.
There are some here in Portland who
are doing a magnificent job in men­
toring and inspiring minorities in tech­
nology. I would especially cite “ MESA”
(“ Mathematics, Engineering, Science
Achievement). Inaugurated in 1985,
Carmen Bailey
Donna Olson
Valane Doakes
Julie Justice
Oona Hathaway
Karrie McIntyre
this program has an African American
Marshall
Benson
Jefferson
Park
rose
Lincoln
Central Catholic
director, Mrs. Renee W. Anderson, and
serves over 400 students in five middle
schools and two high schools. Their
annual banquet will be held June 19 at
Portland State University in the main
ballroom at 6:30 P.M.
Certainly, we cannot neglect to
After months of planning, brainstorming, and ups and downs, Portland’s First
commend a Portland teacher who so
African American Festival will soon become a reality.
very early on perceived the need for
Spokesperson Waverly Davis, today announced that endorsements have been
science education at the very earliest
received from the ranks and files of the business sector, community leaders, and
levels. We commend Ms. Claudia
politicians.
McDuffy who conceived and directed
The festival schedule (June 1 - July 22) will be highlighted by a gospel program
project “ BEEP” (Boise Elementary En­
at the Schnitzer Concert Hall Saturday, June 16,1990, 7:00 PM.
vironmental Project) in the middle
1970’s. There are a number who de­
serve commendation but more next week.
« f
A frican A merican F estival
G ains W ide S upport
Oregon’s Largest Government Agency Goes On The Road
Congradulations
1990
Western Conference
Champions
¿sident Bush and seven-year-old Tessa Hersh, who wants “ to be the President
ien she grows up, on the set during filming of the United Negro College Fund
Public Service Announcement.
___ ___________________________
The Oregon Department of Human
Resources will hold a series of historic
Town Hall meetings across the State
during the week of June 11th. Officials
will travel to Pendleton, Bend, Port­
land, Medford, and Eugene. For the
first time since DHR was created in
1971, all seven Division Administra­
tors will join the Department Director
in discussion sessions with local citi­
zens. “ We want to incorporate the
views of Oregonians as we go about our
job of making wise investments in
people,” said Department Director Kevin
Concannon. All State agencies are now
in the process of preparing their pro­
posed budgets.
Oregon Human Resources is the
largest single Department in State gov­
ernment. Its $3.5 billion, two year
budget includes about one quarter of
the State General Fund. The nearly
12,000employeesof Human Resources
serve Oregonians with programs rang-
ing from providing widely used eco­
nomic development information, to
public health, to administering welfare
assistance for the poor. Department
services are used by such groups as
seniors, the disabled, the mentally ill,
and the unemployed.
In each of the five Oregon commu­
nities, Human Resources leaders will
meet with citizens at two Town Hall
sessions-one in the afternoon from 3:00
to 5:00 and one in the evening from
7:00 to 9:00. Department officials will
also confer with community leaders
and local Department staff members.
The sessions are scheduled in Pendle-
tonon Wednesday, June 13th; Medford
on Thursday, June 14th; and Eugene
on Friday, June 15th.
Attending with Concannon will be
Steve Minnich, Administrator of the
Adult and Family Services Division;
Bill Carey, Administrator of Children’s
Services Division; Dr. Rich Lippincott,
Administrator of the Mental Health and
Developmental Disability Services
Division; Dick Ladd, Administrator of
the Senior and Disabled Services Divi­
sion; Pamela Mattson, Administrator
of the Employment Division; Mike
Skeels, Administrator of the Health
Division; and Joil Southwell of the
Vocational Rehabilitation Division.
The public will also have an oppor­
tunity to question and give opinions to
those who head the State’s Medicaid
program, Alcohol and Drug program,
and State Community Services program.
While the Department has held public
budget hearings in the past, there has
never been as substantial an effort at
reaching citizens, according to Con­
cannon. “ We’re going to reach out to
these communities for informal discus­
sions with Oregonians about our mis­
sion,” said Concannon, “ and we want
to provide these forums for citizens to
offer their views on critical needs and
issues of concern to them and us.”
—
The Portland Observer is the Official
Newspaper of the African-American Festival
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