Mi- < • t 4 -X” ' * Page 2 The Portland Observer June 27, 1990 FIREWORKS IN OREGON C(eo 's ‘Kitchen What's legal-What's not? M W 1 \ W T H IS Y E A R ! On the Job "Learning" is Important Too By Professor McKinley Burt We are all of us familiar with the term “ on-the-job training” and we define it as a program to develop on-site the necessary skills required for a worker to carry out the specific tasks for which he will be responsible. But, here, I wish to explore the concept that there is much, much more to be gained from one’s presence and involvement with a par­ ticular w orkplace-in a plant or office, or in the field. I have spoken in this column of certain “ learning” experiences that occurred in various workplaces over the years. The situations described clearly exceeded the scope of activities necessary to enhance performance of a specific job. Rather, be it an individual plant, office, or transportation facility, it was seen that an appreciation or ex­ amination of the “ human factors” around me resulted in the creation of a number o f innovative projects. The point I wish to make in this essay is that all of us are surrounded by such oppor­ tunities wherever we work, regardless of specific expertise or background. It is only a matter of degree. Since I have spoken so often of the “ Harvey Aluminum Plant” at the Dal­ les, Oregon (now "Martin-Marietta Co.), let us use this operation as a model for expanding one’s workforce presence. It is to be noted from my description of the computer/communications project that won the National Science Founda­ tion Prize, that I involved people on the job (moonlighting school teacher-tech­ nicians w ith related jobs), and people in the community to whom this personnel had ties (other teachers, students, par­ ents, and businessmen/invcstors). Il is found that though you consider the origi­ nal and basic project idea to be your own, the fact is that the seed was planted and nurtured during a score of unre­ lated conversations and lunchroom dia­ logues. This mix produces results in a classic m anner-a growing comprehen­ sion of what could be accomplished if everything and everyone could be brought together. So it is that you have ‘ ‘ learned ’ ’ on the jo b -n o t “ trained” on the job. The world is about people, yes it is. It is not to be overlooked that your employer will be quite aware of your “ extracur­ ricular activities” . In most cases not only will you find management to be a willing and helpful contributor to the project (it enhances the corporate pro­ file), but you yourself will be seen in a new perspective-quite often promo­ tions or favorable reassignments will result. Another thing I have found is that one project inevitable seems to lead to another. It is not at all certain which of a number of factors brings this about. Obviously, you will gain a great deal of self confidence, and your interpersonal skills will have developed to match. Also, even without any media exposure you will find that word-of-mouth com­ munications in the workplace, in the neighborhood, and within other organi­ zations that have interfaced with your project will have brought both admira­ tion and requests for your skills and services. False Allegations By Frank Renard Lockett I’m making this statement in hope that it will open the eyes of the Blacks in the North and Northeast community to the rude awakening that awaits us simply because w e’ve sat and allowed the authorities to feed into the media these dangerous stories involving the black youth. They’ve taken this four letter word and extended it wherever they feel they that they could pass it off. “ GANG” I make this statement because I too was a victim of the four letter word. I was released from the Oregon State Penitentiary, Friday, June 15th after serving 32 months. No where on my record does it show any Gang involve­ ment. Upon my release I was set up to look like I was a key Gang member that was supplying Crack and Cocaine to not just one gang, but in fact to two op­ posing gangs. As a result of this plot the Gang task force raided my home, knowing that I wasn’t at home. Knowing that there’s never been any drugs sold from my home, these people broke into my home with machine guns and large caliber pistols, pulled on my wife and kids. They totally destroyed my home from top to bottom, and as a result of their search they found nothing to confirm the allegation and accusations. The headlines on the news said I was sup­ plying both gangs. It was me this time, it may be you the next. CREED OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from social and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color, or u n it . full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person In the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone to held back. PORTLAND’O d SERVER (USPS 959-6X0) OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PUBLICATION Established In 1970 Alfred L. Henderson Publisher Gary Ann Garnett Business Manager Joyce Washington Operations Manager Leon Harris Editorial Manager PORTLAND OBSERVER is published weekly by Exie Publishing Company, Inc. 4747 N.E. M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97211 P.O. Box 3137 Portland, Oregon 97208 (503) 288-0033 (Office) * FAX #: (503) 288-0015 Deadlines f o r a ll subm itted m aterials: A rticle s: M onday, 5 P.M . — Ads: Tuesday, 5 P.M. P O S T M A S T E R :S e n d Address l l i a m ’cs tu: I'urUund UbM rvvr. I ’.QJ1 u l J L ! 7» 1’ urlLluiL tnciTina. Th e P O R T L A N D O B S E R V E R welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and pho­ tographs should be clearly labeled and will he returned if accompanied by a self- addrrsard envelope. A ll created designed display ads become the sole property of this newspaper and can not be used In other publications or personal usage, without the w ritten consent of the general m anager, u n l« s the client has purchased the composition o f such ad. 1990 P O R T L A N D O I1 S E R V E R . A L L R IC IIT S R E .S E R V E I), R l P R O D I ( T IO N IN W H O L E O R IN P A R T W IT H O U T P E R M IS S IO N IS » R O t lllll 11 It. Snkicriptioni: $10 00 prr yrar in Ihr Tri-Connlr i r m S2S.00 a ll n lh rr a r ra \. The P O R T L A N D O B S E R V E R -• O regon's Oldest A frican-A m erican Publication--is a m em ber of T h e National Newspaper Association -- Founded in IKX5, and I beNational Advertising Representative Am algam ated Publishers. Inc., New Y o rk, N Y . Now, in the particular case of the Dalles aluminum plant, one of the ‘ ‘in­ vestors” in the compulcr/communica- tions project was a prominent rancher in the county who also ow ned a “ Coin- operated Amusement Device Company” in town. Located across the stieet from my residence, this distributor of juke­ boxes and pinball machines maintained a warehouse \\ hich was simply a treas­ ure trove of small electronic and met han- ichal parts. My personal relationship with the owner-combined with new skills gained on the job by a reassign­ ment to the electrical instrument serv­ icing department—made it possible to obtain an endless supply of compo­ nents for the design and construction ol science models fora kid’s science club; from rotation of the earth io a model of a hydroelectric dam (just as you may see at OMSI today-this was 1967). Well, there you have it. T his is a rough, almost simplistic sketch ol what can be done on the job, but this exercise is “ real” , and the process is not that difficult. What I hope for is to get as many minorities as possible busy at this approach to bringing a new and rele­ vant vista to their “ ghetto-bound” children. As I have cited innumerable times, in this world that now requires scientific and technical literacy of almost all of us, every possible “ educational” advantage needs to be advanced and exploited. What African Americans can “ bring home” from the plant or office will be of tremendous leverage in the race for survival. Learn on the job! Black Journalist Recalls that Friendship with White Southerner in Sixties Was “ Daring” Describing his friendship with a white Southerner, which began in 1967, as “ daring for that time” , Black jour­ nalist Wallace Terry, who is from the North, recalled that he grew up in Indi­ ana “ afraid of the South.” But, Terry writes in an article to be published this Sunday in Parade maga­ zine, the character o f Zalin B. Grant made him forget his accent. “ He told m e,” Terry recalled, “ that when Har­ vey Gantt, the first Black to enter Clemson, arrived on campus in 1963, he had gone to sit with Gantt in the dining hall when no one else would. ” Grant, who is also a journalist, was a correspondent for TIME magazine, as was Terry, during the war in Vietnam, where Teny says many Blacks and whites discovered a common bond. “ Over the years,” Terry said, “ Black friends and relatives who vis­ ited my home for the holidays, birth­ days, graduations and funerals would wonder who that white fellow w a s- sitting right in the middle of this family of Black people and being treated like blood-kin. We call him Zip, and many an eyebrow would be raised when the Southern accent escaped his lips Ev­ eryone would wonder, 'W hat was this white Southerner doing in the Terry home?’” The answer, Terry said, lies in the brotherhood and self-sacrifice Gram ex­ hibited in Vietnam. “ Janice (Terry’s wife) believes that were it not for Zip, she would be a widow. That’s why we love him. But I’ve never our told our three children to love Zip because he kept me from getting k illcd I ’ \ e nev er told them to love this man despite all the absurd distinctions society would make between us-B lack and white, North and South. They love him be­ cause he has always been there for them .”_____________ Don’t miss the>u lw.il u a j Tii A discussion on Nelson Mandela will be led by the head of the local chapter of the Black United Front, at 7 p m next Tuesday at the King Neighborhood Facility. The Second Annual Cascade Blues Muddies Awards ai. on July second at Erickson s Saloon. Call 224-0660 for more into Children must be 54" tall and/or 12 years old to buy legal fireworks in Oregon. There is up to a ONE THOUSAND HOI l AR REWARD for informa­ tion leading to the arrest and convic­ tion of persons Selling or Manufac­ turing illegal fireworks or explosive devices, fireworks Task Force Toll Free number 1-800-962-7369. COME AND GET THE STORY FROM US-LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF CLASS C FIREWORKS 4th of JULY I’ a RIICIPATING AGENCIES: Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office Oregon State Police Portland Fire Bureau Gresham Fire Department Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Vancouver (Washington) Fire Depart­ ment Consumer Product Safety Commission Western Commercial Fireworks Py rodyne American Corp Soul Food Our Specialty Pork chops Greens Chicken Black-eyed peas Ox tails Okra Pig feet Yams 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Linda Huff Call 284-7150 ______________ Jefferson High School Class of 1970 is holding their 20 year reunion August 10,11,12. Pre-registration by June 30, 1990 Any questions contact 282-8144 PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU CONTINUE LOCKS PROGRAM I he Portland Police Bureau’s Commu­ nity Policing Division is continuing the Locks program for low-income senior citizen home-owners. For those who are eligible, the Locks program services include the installation of deadbolt locks, metal screening on basement windows, and the drilling and pinning of first floor windows. All services will be free of charge to the homeowner. i tic eligibility requirements are: 1 (Owner occupancy. The owner must live in the house. Rentals are not eligible. 7 ) Age requirement. The owner must be 60 years of age or older. 3) Low Income. Income level must not exceed government guidelines To apply for the program, contact the Community Policing Division of the Portland Police Bureau at 796-3126. BLOOD DONOR PORTLAND PLASMA DONOR CENTER /S EXCITED TOANNOUNCEOUR GRAND^OPENING JUNE 20 Donate your lilt soring blood • plosmo rereire tosh lor your Ime1 fnioy movies while you donolel Cleon, sole, heolltiy S medKolly supervised tHeienl, sophisticated outomoled (output- ers keeps your lime spent donolmg lo o minimum. DURING OUR 1st WEEK of RE-OPENING ★ Receive on extra $5 for your visit A A $ 5 0 gift certificate will be raffled off each day A Refreshments will be available PORTLAND DONOR CENTER: 249-1433 3726 NE union Ave, Portland 97212 HO URS: M O N -T H U R S : 8 0 0 -7 :0 0 FRI: 8 :0 0 -4 0 0 SAT: 8 0 0 -6 :0 0 _ Coll for more information about fees and bonuses OOM4TE PLASMA - GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!! WANT TO BUY YOUR OWN HOME? M O VE SIX SPACES FORWARD. (It'll take just a few minutes to see if you can afford a HUD home!) If you've worked for two years for the same employer (or in the some occupation) and you have o good credit record, move ahead 1 space. START Stop here and compute your Adjusted Income That's your total gross monthly income, less federal withhold­ ing taxes Wnte your onswer here and move on. Multiply your Ad|usted Income (from space 2) by 0 38, then subtract $150 and write the onswer here. Then move on to the next space Add up oil your monthly debts (cor, loan, credit purchase, credit cord, child support ond alimony payments you owe every month) ond then odd $150. Fill in the total here ond go to space 5. r ■ Wnte the smaller amount of either space 3 or space 5 here. As a general rule, that's the maximum omount you con afford for a monthly house payment (including property taxes) YOU DID IT! If the number in spoce 6 is more than 1 5 5 0, then chances ore good that HUD hos on affordoble home for you Your next move is to coll your real estate agent Low monthly payments ond 3% down! Most of our HUD homes ore approved for FHA Mortgage Insurance, which mokes them more afford­ able than ever Plus, HUD's bid process is eosy. For listings of HUD homes available now, look tor our big real estate classified od in every Sunday Oregonian ^HUD ir DEPARTMENT O f MOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT « 1989 by MUD, Portland Ott.ce You're olmost home Multiply your Ad|usted Income (from space 2) by 0 53, subtract the amount on space 4, and wnte the result here N ow move along. P l I A S I N O T E lndtv»ds»ol (Hcumttorxes vx>r-y m do lender, ryqu.ifm Enh (or Quality«^ o p»osperh*e buyer for o Home mortgoge THe formulo Here it •Mended only to promde you wdH a genero!