Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1990)
Inside. nside iu , T /-» u a i i f t l l l r o r Reverend Henderson discusses changes in radio NFL preview: Fentress picks his favorites The inside story on rapper Ice-T Should mothers giving birth to crack babies be prosecuted as criminals? Pioneer Courthouse Square 7:30 PM Friday, August 17th The Fabulous Thunderbirds PORTLANÖ Volume X X, Number 31 < s ity o f O re g o n l E u g e n e , O re g o n 97403 ERVER "The Eyes and Ears o f The Community" August 15,1990 B U S I We Know These Are Prepared For Careers In Science/Engineering 25<P N E S S P R O F ViAnce Easter Have Party - Will Cater BY ULLYSSES TUCKER, JR. I From left, Muhammed Najieb, Benson High School, Great Kids and You Make A Difference Awards, Sophomore Class President; Janelle Warren, Benson High School, Honor student, KATU Great Kids Award; Jason Thomas, Roosevelt High School, Civil Air Patrol Cadet, Search & Rescue Team. But what about the others? Again, "How many of the district's African American graduates will qualify for the science and engineering programs at Oregon Universities?" “And The Band Played On”: American Cultural Symphony, We All Contributed! the article, I went on to say that ‘ ‘The narration cannot be complete without in was delighted with the response clusion of the magnificent literary works to last week’s article, “ Is It to Be of the son and grandson of General Alex Cultural Literacy or European Liter ander Dumas.” acy?” I don’t know about Prof E.D. Hirsch, author of the best seller, “ Cul o the son, Alexander Dumas tural Literacy.” Several readers say I, we are indebted for many they have forwarded copies of the ar famous novels and plays; 300 novels and ticle to his publishers. 25 volumes of drama in all. That are still The overall response - from within popular after almost two hundred years, and without the state - was especially with motion pictures and movies-for- gratifying in view of this newspaper’s television shown today. The world still pursuit of an “ Education Advocacy.” enjoys his The Three Musketeers, The Let the first order of business today be Count of Monte Cristo, The Man in the to particularize a reference for that Iron Mask, The Corsican Brothers, and group of Portland teachers who re The Black Tulip. This is the Black man quested an expansion of the roles of who was voted the greatest gourmet the the African “ Dumas family” in the world has ever seen, owned a yacht and world’s literature and music. W eshare theatre, and told a pregnant mistress, “ I agreement that “ there is no reason at doubt if this miracle is mine, but if it all why Black contributions of this comes with a head of kinky hair I’ll be universal stature cannot be used as convinced.” classroom material for ‘all’ students, O f no less importance are the works both minority and white (unless, of of the grandson Alexander Dumas II course, there is some pervasive racist (1824-1894). His classic novel, “ The mindset in the administration of this Lady o f Camellias” made him famous school district). throughout France. His rewrite into a It was in my 7/13/89 “ Perspec play made him famous throughout the tives column on General Napoleon world. Two world famous operas are Bonaparte, that I included a descrip adaptations of this work: “ LaTraviata” tion of the contributions of the famed by Verdi, and “ Camille” by Forest. In “ Dumas family.” Quite necessary 1874 this younger Dumas was made a and germane, since the Tittle corpo member of the famous French Academy ral’ would never have amounted to of Arts and Sciences and was later elected much o f anything had it not been for its president. He next received the sec his Black Haitian-born Corp Command ond most prestigious honor of France, ers, 12 generals who were key to his The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor” military successes all over Europe (a fact usually omitted in American his Now how about that? The “ op tory books). But, particularly, Napo eras” indeed! It was on December 15, leon’s fame and military successes 1988 that I wrote: were due to the superb bravery and competence of the Black General, “ AL ears ago I discovered a re EXANDER DUMAS” - who reached markable book. The History that rank at age 35; while Napolean of Playing Cards. A new vista for re was only a major (Almanac National search opened before my eyes as I per An II, 1797). Napolean’s jealousy and ceived the figures, costumes and images rancor was revealed in his actions and with which the thousand-year-old cards his letters, even in the final exile. In were decorated to be African in origin; BY PROFESSOR MCKINLEY BURT I this was affirmed in the text. I ordered a number of related books by Euro pean authors. It all stood revealed: Tarot Cards; the Gypsy with his for tune telling and metal working; the Jongleurs (Jugglers and tumblers), those peripatetic, talented actors who gave plays on the street comers of Italian cities (founders of the Commedia dell’arte which evolved into the Opera as we know it today) -- All of these were among the immigrations and imports from Africa that brought light to the Dark Ages of Europe’ ’ But then, again, we may ask, “ How did the genre develop in North Africa? “ We have this from the Encyclopedia Britannica, 1958 edition. Voi. 1, p. 131: t was not until gods of Egypt were accepted by the Greeks that there appears to be any ceremony which can truly be called dramatic. The Greek drama arose through the worship of the gods of vegetation, and later developed into the forms of the plays of the great dramatists. It is dif ficult, however, to think of the drama of the Greeks without thinking o f its close connection with the dance.” Certainly, some of us already know that, having read Anta Diop’s "The African Origin of Civilization.” A lot more became aware of the truth when the “ Oregonian” published an exten sive review of “ Black Athena” (Mar tin Bernal, Rutger U. Press, 1990). Forgive the ‘bits and pieces’ for now; thanks to that “ Business/Education Partnership” I will have 30 years of research and notes available ‘on-line’ from a collated computerized data bank by the end of the year - the largest and most complete organized retrieval of African and American contributions to technology and culture available in the United States. f you are driving anywhere near the Thriftway super market on 15th and NE Brazee, chances are you will smell some bar-b-que aroma in the air. On a good day, that’s if the wind is cooperat ing and you do not have a cold, you can smell it as far as Lloyd Center or clear up to Fremont. ViAnce Easter is the owner of ‘ ‘ Mr. V’s Bar-b-que” on wheels. When Easter is not working events like the Goodwill Games, Wind Surfing Contests, State Fairs, football games, or catering par ties, family reunions, or weddings, he can be found on his comer. People have been known to drive out of their way or call him at home just to see if he’s going to be around. Easter calls himself the “ Crowned Prince of Bar-b-que,” self- appointed and good at his craft. He serves ribs, chicken, pop, and curly fries. A native of Fresno, California, Easter came to Vancouver, Washington in 1980, BBQ RIBS TO GO - ViAnce Easter of Mr. V’s Bar-b-que on wheels fills the after working almost decade for the De air with the aroma of bar-b-que ribs and chicken, a family tradition Easter partment of Education as an Educational has continued. Counselor. He got tired of traveling all about your credibility as a vendor? over the U.S.A. and living out of a suit b-queing? E aster-” I feel good aboutit. In fact. case. To make matters worse, Easier was E aster-’’There are quite a few ave also traveling the country with his first nues that mobile catering can get in I’ve had several people ask me about cousin, George Benson, as his personal volved in, especially bar-b-queing. There opening up a permanent establishment photographer. In addition to his seasonal are festivals, com pany picnics, to see, eat at, and enjoy good ribs. One of bar-b-que business, Easter works at etc...mobile units are able to reach areas the great advantages of owning a mobile unit is not having a great deal of over Wacker Siltronics Corporation as an where regular establishments can not Operator/Slicing Technician. He still Portland Observer-How success head. You don’t have to worry about labor cost. My family helps out a lot, es works as a freelance photographer. ful are you? A graduate of California State Uni Easter-’T’m very successful. I travel pecially my son. It gives us a chance to versity at Fresno in Education/Business, extensively on the west coast to many spend some quality time together also. Still, I would like to own a restaurant and Easter is the father of three children events and do well.” (ViAnce, Jr., 10; Vanessa, 9; and Victo P ortland Observer-How difficult eventually franchise one day.” Easter believes that there is plenty ria, three monthsj.He and his wife Pat was it in the beginning establishing of room for others who desire to estab have been married 13 years. They live in yourself? Northeast Portland. The Easters are ac E aster-” It was difficult. People had lish the same type of business. As he tive in their church and community. In to get use to my mane and concept. I suggested, “ I can’t be everywhere” and between the customers, Easter took some started in Vancouver eight years ago and there is enough business for everyone, time out to explain why he decided on people were not use to seeing a mobile except on his comer. 15th and Brazee the bar-b-que business, which is very unit on established surroundings cook belongs to “ Mr. V’s Bar-b-que” . Look competitive in the city of Portland. ing. I was questioned about what I was for the white truck, people in line, and “ Bar-b-queing has been around for doing and why I was doing it. Even two large smokers. So, the next time generations, especially in the black family. people today ride by two or three time you’re cruising down the avenue, just I felt like I wanted to contribute to the before they stop and see me. I’m sur drop by and pick up some bar-b-que to next generation as far as keeping the prised that there hasn’t (smiling) been go. You can also pick up some food tradition alive. My father was good at more accidents. Seriously though, I just items from Thriftway to complete your bar-b-queing and it passed down through wanted to bring something different to meal. One stop shopping at its best. For more catering information, call 288-1718. the family.” the Pací, iv Northwest.” Portland Observer-Why mobile bar- Portland Observer-How do you feel Tri-Met Effective September 2, Tri-Met fares go up a nickel, brand new buses hit the streets and nearly 200 weekly hours of bus service are being added to improve service. New schedules will be available on buses next week. Cash fares wil, be 90 cents for one- or two-zone travel, $1.20 for all-zone travel, monthly passes will be $29 for a two-zone, $39 for an all-zone, $22 for a youth pass and $8.25 for an Honored Citizen pass. A book of ten discount tickets will increase 50 cents. The increase, which will yield an additional $950,000 a year, was ap proved in June to help catch up with inflation since the last general fare increase. “ Tri-Met fares are going up a nickel, but the price of diesel jumped six cents a gallon last week,: said James Cowen, Tri-Met General Manager. He noted that a nickel increase in the price of diesel costs $250,000 a year in Tri- Met’s annual operating expenses. Zebra Sticker Law Get Results More than 2,700 vehicles received a special “ zebra” sticker in June as a result of a law that took effect in January 1990. This law requires police officers to confiscate vehicle registration cards and place a black-and-white “ zebra” sticker over the registration tag on license plates when citing or arresting drivers for certain traffic offenses. These offenses include driving after your license has been suspended for a felony or for driving uninsured, and driving without a license or with an expired license. Of the 2,706 citations in June, 333 were for driving while suspended for a felony conviction; 1,496 were for driving while suspended for driving unin sured; and 23 were for driving with an expired license. O f these citations, 1,176 were to drivers who were not the owner of the vehicle they were operating. During the six months this law has been in effect, 16,365 stickers have been issued: 2,043 for driving while suspended due to a felony conviction; 8,906 for driving OREGON MOTOR VEHICLES DIVISION while suspended for being uninsured; and 356 for driving with an expired license. O f these citations, 10,065 were to driv ers who were not the A DIVISION OF THE OREGON owner of the vehicle DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION they were operating.