Page 2 -The Portland Observer -September 19, 1990
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ers, learn to love their own culture.”
Well, there we have the basic “ Anat
omy of a Straw M an.” Ms. Ravitch of
Columbia University, who places her
self with the “ Pluralists” , has quite
pointedly omitted any mention of the
decades-long, trillion dollar effort of her
own ethnic group to establish a perma
nent homeland in the Middle East (Is
rael) with the historic mission of pre
serving and promoting every distinguish
ing facet of centuries-old culture, tradi
tion and religion-the preservation and
promotion of ancestral roots from dress
to nomenclature. SHAME ON YOU,
TOO! We must assume that you do not
believe that ‘ * what is good for the goose
is good for the gander.”
This contention is further reinforced
hat you have done is raise to a
when you go on to make the following
statement regarding a new group that
new height that old and very
you
dishonest art of erecting a “ straw man” and Mr. Raspberry have “ invented”
to balance out your axis of cultural po
and, then vigorouly attacking a creature
larity (“ Particularists” ),
o f your own making—a creature which,
“ Is there any evidence that the teach
like “ Bigfoot” , never existed. Your
ing
of
'culturally relevant’ science and
choice of those two extremist protago
mathematics
will draw Mexican-Ameri
nists to occupy opposite poles of the
can
children
(presumably inspired by
Afican cultural axis you’ve created simply
being
told
that
the Mayans made mod
indicated that there are still middle class
em
mathematics
possible by inventing
blacks who have emotional hangups in
the
concept
of
zero)
to the study of these
accepting the documented fact of an
subjects?
Are
children
who learn in this
African heritage (that is not too shabby!)
way
prepared
to
study
the science and
At the far right position you have
mathematics
that
are
taugh
in American
quoted Diane Ravitch, writing in the
colleges
and
universityes
and
that are
conservative American Scholar Maga
needed
for
advanced
study
in
these
fields?
zine,
Will
Mexican-American
children
lose
“ Advocates of particularism pro
interest
or
self-esteem
if
they
discover
pose an ethnocentric curriculum to raise
that their ancestors were Aztecs or S pan-
the self-esteem and academic achieve
iards, rather than Mayans?”
ment of children from racial and ethnic
Now there is hardly anyone in this
minority backgrounds. Without any evi
country
who has toured the national
dence, they claim that children from
lecture
and
television circuit more ex
minority backgrounds will do well in
tensively
than
I have, demonstrating (and
school only if they are immersed in a
proving)
the
positive
impact and moti
positive, prideful version of their ances
vation
which
the
revelation
of their tech
tral culture.”
nical
and
cultural
contributions
brings
At the other pole, Molefi Kete As-
to
the
minority
student
(and
teacher
and
ante of Temple University is quoted,
parent).
Additionally,
the
same
knowl
“ It is difficult to create freely when
edge has been proven to grealy enhance
uou use someone elses’s motifs, styles,
a
positive perception of minorities by
images and perspective.”
the
dominant racial group.
Mr. Raspberry chimes in, “ His pro
The shabbiness of this attack re
posal: African Americans should choose
minds
me of nothing so much as that
African names, embrace Afican dress
virulent
assault upon my good friend
and religion and, taught by black teach-
Shame On You
William
Raspberry! For
Writing That Piece
’’Will Cultural
Isolationism
Replace Pluralism
in America?”
W
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OREGON'S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION
Established in 1970
Alfred L. Henderson
Publisher
Joyce Washington
Operations Manager
Gary Ann Garnett
Business Manager
Leon Harris
Editorial Manager
The PORTLAND OBSERVER is
published weekly by
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The Portland O b s e rv e r-Oregon's Oldest African-American Publication - is a member
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ing Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc.. New York, NY
Ivan Van Sertima when his book, “ They
Came Before Columbus,” was first
reviewed in the pages of the New York
Times. M .sRavich’s frightened cohorts
threw away all pretensions of “ liberal
ism” to mount a savage denigration of
the study-m uch of it in the same vein of
the canards described here. Fortunately
the credentials of Dr. Van Sertima proved
impeccable, and the validity and au
thenticity of his research carried him
through. Subsequently his production
weathered the slorm -the man and his
book winning interational acclaim and
acceptance.
Let me address a pertinent question
to both of these conservatives,
"H ave you something equally as
derogatory to say about the similar 'cele
brations of roots’ pursued by the Irish,
Scotch, Romanians, Hungarians, Rus
sians, Greeks or any other of the white
ethnic immigrants who across this na
tion celebrate their European heritages
with colorful ceremonies and costumes,
with icons and parades-and who ad
vance at every opportunity the case that
their “ Particularity” contribution was
seminal to the development of Ameri
can culture and technology?” YOU
WOULDN’T DARE, AND YOU KNOW
IT!
Do you indeed think that we would
not go to the public library and look in
‘ * Gale ’ s Encyclopedia of Associations ’ ’
or similar volumes and find listed hun
dreds of registered organizations of these
ethnic groups-dedicated to the mainte
nance and promotion of their heritage,
tradtions, history, folklore, costumes,
religion and technical contibutions in
mathematics and science?
And you must know that each day
of the year there are scores of round trip
flights, destination Europe-carrying these
people on special tours and excursions
to their lands of origin for the celebra
tion and advancement of their funda
mental roots. SHAME ON YOU MR.
RASPBERRY that you would deny the
African American a similar cultural struc
ture.
ATTENTION
PUBLIC
The public is invited to share in a
show of appreciation for a wonderful
community servant: Mr. James C. Booser.
This man has given thirty years of love
and service to Portland and its people,
and now the time has come for the beau
tiful people of Portland to give some of
that love back. Please come and join the
Coalition of Black Men and the staff and
teachers of Portland Community Col
lege in this heart-felt labor of love. Loca
tion: PCC Cascade cafeteria, 6pm on
Friday, September 28th. Please bring
lots of love and laughter, and let’s have
a great time.
HOSPITALS
OFFER FREE
PROSTATE
CANCER
SCREENINGS
Response To The Portland Shuffle
By: Ullysses Tucker, Jr.
Last week, an individual that I trust
with my innermost feelings questioned
me as to why I continue to write, self
reveal, and lake some what non-tradi-
tional views on political, social, educa
tional, and economic issues that affect
the Portland black community. Money,
she asked? No. Power, she asked? No.
Ego? No. Visibility? No. Then w h y , she
asked again? I paused briefly and an-
swered-because people need to hear fresh
ideas and alternative perspectives. It is
so easy to go along with the crowd. I will
concede that I am never right or wrong in
the conclusions or stances that I present,
but what I do conclude is well researched
and objective. My intent is not to win
friends, change minds, buck the system
or offend people. All I want people to see
is another position and accept the fact
that we all do not think alike.
We as people, and black people,
need to realize that the worst thing that a
person can do is make a bad choice based
on lack of information, when there is
information available. It is a grave mis-
Dear Editor:
My partner, Kelly Andersen, and I
are Oregon attorneys who feel compelled
by the rhetoric on both sides of the abor
tion issue to write this letter.
Those who favor unrestricted abor
tions have re-defined the issue away
from the aborting of a fetus, in favor of
terms such as a “ woman’s rights,” and
“ pro choice.” By so doing the pro abor
tionists have made the abortion issue a
civil rights issue. If civil rights is the
appropriate arena for considering the
abortion question, then the unborn child’s
civil right to be bom and to live must be
considered along with the right of the
woman to control her body.
Every woman has the right to choose
whether or not she will conceive a child,
but, after a child is conceived, the rights
of the innocent, unborn child become
param ount
There is no civil right more prec ious
than the right to life itself. And, a woman
relinquishes her unfettered right to con
trol her own body, when her actions
cause the conception of a baby.
Because the right for life far out
weighs the demands for belated birth
control, we must do all in our power to
protect the civil rights of the unborn
child.
To the Editor,
I am just plain tired of drug use in
our community and the crime that comes
with it. I’m tired of hearing on the news
about murders, suicides, robberies, and
other crimes that are linked to drug use.
I’m even more tired of learning that long
time friends and acquaintances in our
African-American community have chil
dren that have been seduced by drugs. It
has got to stop somewhere.
I don’t think there is a punishment
strong enough for someone who pushes
drugs to our children and teenagers. We
need laws that deter drug traffickers, not
laws that invite pushers to make them
selves at home in our neighborhoods.
The need to solve our crime and drug
problem made my decision to look at
both candidates for governor. There is
simply no comparison between the can
didates on their ability to fight crime.
Dave Frohmayer wins hands down.
He knows that we have to fight crime at
its roots to prevent it, crack down tough
on drug use and drug trafficking, and
pass tough laws and stand by them in
order to deter crime. We need Dave
Frohmayer’s experience in fighting crime.
I encourage all African-Americans in
NorthEast and North Portland to join a
fellow African-American in casting your
vote on November 6 for Dave Frohmayer
as our next governor.
Sincerely,
James L. Moore
NorthEast Portland.
A PARENT SPEAKS
by: Lulu R. Stroud-Johnson
Our children are our future. Deci
sions and choices we make today as
parents will affect and continue to affect
all that follow us. We must love our
selves and we must feel and show love
for our offspring.
Love is shown and given in many
ways: words, actions, deeds, etc. We
must be strong for our children. By way
of our attention and involvement, we
need to encourage our children’s posi
tive progression. We must work with our
children-not against them.
We, as parents, need to listen. We
need to listen with not only our ears but
also our eyes and hearts. Often our chil
dren speak without spoken words. We
need to take the time to hear what they
are saying as well as what our young are
not saying.
The eighties have pushed the notion
of quality time versus quantity time in
parenting. Direct involvement and ob
servation teach me thatourchildrcn need
us. They need for us to have time for
them. They need us to be involved in
their growth and development. They wan
to know that we care.
During the early school years, with
few exceptions, we should at least be
acquainted with our children’s teachers.
If we do not now individually know the
person who is serving to impart knowl
edge in the minds of our young, we
should quickly arrange a visit to our
child’s classroom and meet that person.
Do not allow yourself to feel intimidated
and do not be discouraged from going.
Acquaint yourself with the school-
check out the library. While at the school,
exchange pleasantries with the princip[al
if you have time. If possible, make time
to go on at least one class field trip during
the school year. Volunteer to help on
picture day or field day. Offer help in
you child’s classroom as time allows. If
you have ideas, share them with the
teacher and/or school principal. Attend
school functions.
Try talking to your child. Value
your child’s feelings and opinions and
encourage your youngsters to open up to
you. Never, never use “ put-down” lan
guage. Value positive enforcement. Al
low your children to have their “ moody”
periods...don’t we, as parents, have our
“ moody” periods?
We need to be patient with our chil
dren. Figure out how many years differ-
ence there is between you and your child.
Don;’t expect your child to know what
you now know (look at how many years
it has taken you to learn what you now
know). Try to recapture some of the feel
ings and emotions from your own child
hood when you were about the age of
your child. Remember, it has taken us
parents a long, long time to get to where
we are today in thought and knowledge.
Don’t expect your child to get to where
you are overnight. Let’s allow our chil
dren a little leeway in making mistakes.
The direction we give our children
is crucial. Work to begin each day in
peace. Tell your children that you appre
ciate and love them for simply being. If
your child takes his or her lunch to school,
write a little note of love on his or her
napkin and tuck it under the sandwich.
There are so many little things that
we can do for our young. It is not too late.
Let us parents start to evaluate ourselves.
If we need to change or alter our parent
ing ways, let’s start now. Remember that
we are the custodians of the future and
we owe it to those who came before us
and to those who follow us to make the
way better for our young.
enforcement on for the last ten years.
Crime may be a new issue with
Barbara Roberts, but not with Dave
Frohnmayer. It has been a continual battle,
one that he will not be able to forget
when elected Governor, nor will he be
able to forget the atrocities committed to
children and adults at the hands of hard
core criminals in our State.
The new issues Dave will deal with
arc school support funding, taxes, eco
nomic conditions, and social stability
that includes the preservation of a way of
life for our loggers, fishermen, ranchers,
and farmers.
Law enforcement is part of that social
stability also, not to be governed with an
iron fist, but to be meted out in a fashion
that brings about a willing compliance to
the benefit of all.
As a career law enforcement officer
with over 31 years in this business, I have
seen and dealt with the liberal attitudes
of many of our state legislators in our at
tempt to pass needed legislation dealing
with such laws as sex registration, career
criminals, and violent crime issues. More
often as not the benefits o f these laws
have been denied to society because cer
tain liberal legislators in positions of
power are more concerned about the
rights of the accused than the victim.
Barbara Roberts is an admitted lib
eral who all of a sudden has a crime plan
for the State while Dave Frohnmayer has
been a friend and supporter of law en
forcement in our State for ten years with
a proven track record on crime and more
importantly the knowledge, ability and
desire to be a great governor. I’m a
registered democrat but that doesn’t mean
I am a liberal nor do I have to follow
party lines. In this year’s election I feel I
only have one viable choice and that is
Dave.
All of 36 sheriffs and district attor
neys can’t be wrong so you folks take it
from there!
Veral E. Tamo
Coos County Sheriff
Annual screening for men 40 and
over is the best way to assure early detec
tion of prostate cancer, the second lead
ing cause of cancer death for men. The
disease strikes 106,000 men anually, but
can be cured if detected early enough.
Still, prostate cancer claims more than
30,000 lives each year, partly because
many men are unaware of the disease
and the importance of an annual exam.
Two Portland hospitals will offer
free prostate cancer screenings and a
community forum during Prostate Can
cer awareness Week Sept. 16-22. The
simple test, co-sponsored by the national
Recently on television, Mrs. Bar
Prostate Cancer Education Council, will bara Roberts outlined her crime plan for
be offered at Providence Medical Cen Oregon and at the same time stated that
ter, 4805 NE Glisan Street, and at St. Dave Frohnmayer has done nothing about
Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, crime in Oregon and has no plan lor
9205 Barnes Road, on Tuesday, Sept. 18; dealing with crime.
Thursday, Sept. 20; and Friday, Scpt.21.
How naive, or perhaps simply out of
Though there is no charge for the test, sync with reality was this statement made.
appointments arc required. To schedule As a matter of fact, I had the privilege of
an appointment, call Providence at 230- working with Dave Frohnmayer in 1985
6853, or St. Vincent at 291-2081.
when we traveled the State of Oregon
A free forum on prostate cancer also helping him develop Oregon’s Drug
will be offered at both hospitals on Strategy which is still in place today.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. No Litde wonder why all 36 county sheriffs,
registration is required for the forum.
district attorneys.and a large majority of
Prostate cancer usually develops police officers I have talked to support
without any early warning signs. In its Dave Frohnmayer. We have not forgot
advanced stages, symptoms may include ten Dave’s battle with the Rajneesh in
weak or interrupted urine How, inability Antelope, his anti-rackctccring law, the
to urinate or difficulty in beginning to regional narcotic task forces he created
urinate; need to urinate frequently; blood as a result of the Drug Strategy meetings
or pus in urine or semen; or chronic pain held statewide, the appellate and su
in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs. preme court cases he has fought and won
The average age of men with diagnosed for us and a myriad of other law enforce
prostate cancer is 70, but 20 percent of ment issues he has worked with law
those afflicted are 65 and younger.
4
I
» .4
• e * * • • * * a < 8 * ‘*
the wagon that appeals to you might not
appeal to me. If nothing else, people
should at least respect the rights of others
to select a direction or course that is
comfortable for them. Variety is spice of
life. We, black people, need all types.
We had Malcolm, Martin, Garvey, Booker
T., Fredrick Douglass, and now Colin
Powell, Jesse, Wilder, and Dinkins. If
you do not accept the opinions of people,
at least respect the fact that they are there
to give a perspective or create new thought
We need all types.
If I must apologize to people, let it
be for the people who are afraid to stand
up and confess what they believe in their
heart, not for what I said. I apologize for
those who do not have the guts or heat to
say what is on their minds and in their
hearts. I am not afraid to stand up for
what I believe in or believe to be true and
right. When that day comes, I hope that
I am in my grave, dead, and six feet
under ground. I will never compromise
what I believe or stand for.
As one brother reinforced to me,
“ Keep it up, you i “- doing more good
than bad and you create plenty of dia
logue...”
lake. An unenlighted or ill-researched
choice can bring forth great pain and
unnecessary consequences. Please, learn
to cross check all information before
drawing any type of conclusion or ac
cepting a position. It is my wish that
people learn to look at both sides of an
argument and I can do this without call
ing manes or attacking another persons
character or their intent. My intentions
are not to change another person’s posi
tion or mind, but I would like to at least
stimulate their mind and provide addi
tional information. Furthermore, I will
never be the type of person who goes
“ along with the program’ ’ or accepts the
stance of the general public without ques
tion. I accept nothing as absolute truth or
because a certain organization is sug
gesting that is what the public should do.
I question leadership, authority, and in
formation presented because no one is
immuned to self interest. Black people
have been led the wrong way by “ self-
anointed leadership” , media, and indi
vidual agendas too many time. Folks
should stop following and learn to lead at
some poinL Jumping on every band wagon
is not going to keep us in focus, because
The upcoming election provides two
measures to protect unborn children from
abortion-for-convenience. Measure 8 will
stop women from having abortions as a
form of birth control. It allows abortions
only in cases of rape, incest or for the
woman’s physical well-being. Measure
10 will require a girl to obtain her par
ents’ permission before receiving an
abortion if she is a minor. VOTE yes on
Measures 8 and 10, and VOTE for the
civil right to life.
Dennis M.Richardson, Central Point,
OR.
1