Page
•The Portland Observer-January 2, 1991
I
S P
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V
By
9 Professor McKinley
* Burt KsS$iS8e3o8SN«SM
oe«HM
Oregon Legal Services Corporation Receives grant to
implement Statewide Fair Housing Project
The Oregon Legal Services Corpo­
Throughout the state, people can nied to them illegally. However, the
ration (OLS), a non-profit state-wide legal call 1-800-424-FAIR to make a com­ Project's basic goal is to educate both
sonalities, new ‘saviors’ and new ‘ser­ ...occurs that if we were all to work at aid organization, has launched a state- plaint. The Project will decide if there landlords and home seekers about the re­
mons on the mount-a potpurri of goals achievinga “ personalbest (“ Letdown wide p a¡r Housing Project to ensure that are reasonable grounds to investigate. If quirements of the fair housing laws. The
and ... objective, often illdefined and at your bucket where you are” ), it may be federal fair housing laws are being ob- the Project decides to lest, it will send Fair Housing Testing Project is a free
cross-purposes, all promising to save the that such an escalation of effort, stan served in Oregon. The Project is made out two trained investigators, or “ test­ service. The Oregon Fair Housing Proj­
species from extinction (remember that dards, discipline and commitment coulc possible by agrant from the U.S. Depart- ers,” to seek the same housing that was ect is holding a free informational forum
very well see one much better able to son ment of Housing and Urban Develop- denied to the complainant. The testers, on the Fair Housing Project on January
plaintive cry, “ Black Power” ?).
We plow through this morass of through that “ morass” 1 described ear- ment.
who will match the profile of the com­ 10,1991. Representatives from govern- .
lier.
The Federal Fair Housing Act pro- plainant except for the grounds of the ment agencies, religious organizations "
directions,
opinions
and
conclusions-
I say “ that is up to us.” We will take
As you’re seen through the years, hibits discrimination in housing deci- complaint, are then sent to the same and social services are expected to at­
charge or we will remain a foot ball of ’’educate them, empower them, vote them,
ant one to put things in a context oi sions based on race, color, religion, na- rental or sales office to seek housing and tend. State Representative Judy Bauman
finance
them
in
business,
imprison
all
fate, Some of us have waited since 1965
‘reality and experience’. Looking b a d tional origin, sex, familial status (chil- to record the treatment they received.
will be on hand to provide her remarks.
for that manna from the ‘fed’: Mules, the rascals, elect “ m e’’-and we end up
with the same problem faced by a com­ through those four notebooks of Per dren) and handicap. The Fair Housing
The forum will present an overview
For example, if the black complain­
land, jobs, equity, parity, equality, edu­
puter operator tackling an unorganized spectives (and front page) articles, I real Project provides objective, professional ant alleges racial discrimination, the of how the program works, how to recog­
cation, sympathy, surcease, compensa­
database. If the “ New Year” is to be ize that is is not a “ new” thing I content investigations in response to complaints Project would send out a white and a nize the signs of housing discrimination
tion, retribution, loans, grants, set-asides,
‘new’ in any fashion or aspect, then, plate for 1991-just better package th alleging housing discrimination in vio- black tester. If the test produces strong and will also provide those in attendance
gifts, you name iL
certainly , we are going to have to sort material into a “ personal best.” Tha lafion of this law.
evidence of a violation of the Fair Hous­ a chance to meet other members of our
Has fate been unjust? I’m certain
“ This program has the potential of ing Act, the Project will provide infor­ community involved in human services
out the priorities, separate fact from fic­ means a better structure for delivering t
that is exactly what the dinosaur ex­
tion, and be about some realistic, attain­ the nation that information which a numbe securing the housing that many Oregoni- mation to the complainant regarding his issues. The forum will be held at 4:00
claim ed as he gazed in consternation at
able goals (individuals and organiza­ of readers and educators have describe- 3ns want but cannot get. Our message is or her nghts and will refer him or her to PM, Portland Building. 1120 S.W. Fifth,
the incoming meteors; just hours before
as “ the best, documented ‘Baseline Essay that in this country you should be able to a private or Legal Aid lawyer and/or the Second Floor, Room C, Portland, Ore­
tions, alike).
the extinction of that great lumbering
Whereas I would not dare to pre­ material” they have seen anywhere live where you want,” commented Ira appropriate government agency.
gon. For more information call: Ira Zarov
species, caught in an ecological niche
"originated right here in Portland.” Zarov, the Executive Director of Oregon
scribe a national goal for an entire race of
One of the Project’s goals is to help at 234-1534.
that spelled EXTINCTION! The ques­
I’m with you folks, and that elet Legal Services.
people, I do feel qualified to make some
people get into the housing that was de-
tion o f an unjust fate was, of course mute
tronic interface and industry support 1
observations about the achievment of a
(remember, ‘ * the slings and arrows of an
described in November and December is
‘personal best.’ And, really, perhaps the
outrageous fate” ). A better question is,
up and running-better each day. The
latter is what any of us can really do well-
where these creatures had no schools,
lawyer and copyright office are kept
a realizable goal, even when the broader
libraries, scientists, inventors, technolo­
busy-as
are Federal Express and United
STREET SMARTS: More young
interfacer would seem to offer only frus­
really upset, so I don’t want to say any­ walking can do for you:
gies, etc-Why could a race in possession
Parcel,
delivering
material
to
those
first
school-age
children are killed each year
tration or inertia. In this context I am
thing right now. Go play, and I’ll come
1. Ease Aches and Pains. Muscles
of such an infrastructure allow the same
looking back through the four big note­ clients in othercities (you’ve heard about in pedestrian accidents than in any other get you when I’m calm.”
and
joints
stiffen and atrophy when not
fate to overtake them?
“ a prophet in his own land” ).
type of accident, according to the Na-
books where I keep in calendar order
2. Give YOur Child A Fair Hearing. used regularly. Walking-including stretch­
As I have mentioned here before, at
I wrote one o f those infrequent let- tional Center for Health Statistics. And
copies of all the articles I’ve ever written
“ Listen to the end, no matter what you ing and strengthening exercises-and is
this newspaper we receive copies of other
ters
to
my father the other day (he’s 95); another study says parents may be partly
for this “ Perspectives” column.
are being told,” one father advises. “ If the best defense because it keeps the
African American newspapers from all
“ I always’ wondered what I’d do during to blame because they overestimate their
I have decided that there is nothing
you blow up before listening to the whole body flexible without subjecting it to too
over the country. These, in conjunction
my
seventies and eighties. I’m setting up children’s street-crossing skills,
“ new” I would do this year-just try to be
story, be ready to apologize.”
much stress.
with the establishment press, make us
the stage. Yours, Junior.” Are wistful
In a Seattle survey of 2,464 parents
better at what I’ve been about all the
3. Say It With Love. Affection can
High-impact activities,like running
witness to a nationwide phenomenon-a
New Years’ resolutions really needed of children in kindergarten through fourth
time. And that is providing information
heal harsh moments. It’s a silent sign and aerobics, make your feet hit the
see thing cauldron of organizations and and, hopefully, insight which will enable
folks? Lets’ all just KEEP ON KEEP’N grade, researchers found that one-third
that no matter what disagreements or ground with a force equal to two to four
individuals, leaders and would be lead­
ON
! We ‘can’bring about change.
of parents allowed kindergarten-age
conflicts arise, as long as people can times your w eight
readers to better engage the complicated
ers, true believers and the television per­
children to cross residential streets alone
touch, they can eventually talk.
society in which we must all function. It
2. Reduce Stress. Stressful events
and first-graders to walk alone to school.
4. Value Your Child’s Opinion. The shift the nervous system into high gear.
“ Speeding traffic or lack of safe places
best parents are those who persist in a Heart rate and blood pressure rise, and
to walk did not influence parents in lim­ decision, no matter how much their kids muscles tense. Dr. Claude Miller, a New
iting theirchildren’s crossings,’ ’ accord­ disagree. Decisiveness, however, doesn’t York psychiatrist, recommends a brisk
ing to a study, conducted by the Harbor-
by Angelique Sanders
mean ignoring kids. Children accept 15-minute walk whenever tension builds,
view Injury Prevention and Research
decisions better when they’re at least as well as two hours before bedtime if
Center and the University of Washing­ consulted, and they also consider them­ you have insomnia.
on
your
own
merits
puts
a
pock
oil
black
ton in Seattle.
-Doug
E.
Doug,
I
thank
you
for
your
In honor o f the first of January,
selves as a valued part of the whole
3. Strengthen Your H eart Brisk
musicians.
WHY SOME KIDS LISTEN: Child-
poem
“
Dead
Bird”
:
“
Dead
Bird/Yo
I am addressing who I would give year-
family.
walking forces the heart to pump harder
Dead Bird Get up and fly.” (If you think -2 Live “ As Trashy as They W anna’ rearing experts frequently give advice
end awards to, in various categories.
TAKE A HIKE: NATURE’S PER­ to deliver more oxygen to muscles. This
that’s sadistic, you’re missing the point.) Be” Crew: Good Lord, men, did you about how to communicate with chil­ FECT MEDICINE
W ho, in 1990, did the m ost to
extra pumping trains the heart to work
learn morality? Your lyrics certainly dren. Ray Gurendi, author of “ Back to
Honorable mention:
fu rth e r racial equality?
Poor fitness is as dangerous as more efficiently and thus beat more slowly
-Barbara Roberts...sure, she’s not black, thrash on sisters...apparently, you’re not the Family,” interviewed 100 success­ smoking or high cholesterol, according
-There’s a fine line between being popu­
than the heart of an out-of-shape person.
but you don’t have to be to fight for concerned with the ill effects your songs ful families to find out best ways to to a study by the Institute for Aerobics
lar in mainstream American and selling
Walking
is the exercise most doctors
yourself out to it (are you listening. Bill
blacks: she’s done a lot in her Secretary could have.
communicate with kids. Here are some
Research in Dallas. The good news is prescribe.
-M
arion
B
arry:
You’ve
been
a
tre­
of State position, and will do much more
Cosby?). Spike Lee never TRIED to hit
of his findings.
that moderate physical workouts can
4. Helps You Lose WeighL After
it big with white folk, but it’s happen­
as Governor (she told me once that she’s mendous mayor, but a terrible role model
1. Avoid Heated Words. Parents’ reduce the odds of dying of heart disease, age 25, your metabolism-how fast your
(as
well
as
a
hypocrite,
for
your
anti­
looking out for Northeast Portland, and
ing. And he’s giving whites a better
emotions are so closely linked to their cancer and other causes.
body bums fuel-slows, and fat becomes
the reform ideas she detailed showed me drug message).
understanding of black culture, yet he
children’s well-being that no parent is
In an excerpt from ‘ ‘Walking Medi­ harder to shed. To lose w eight most of
P
ortland
G
raffiti
of
the
Year
she’s on the right track).
never lost his “ brother” hood.
calm all the time. Yet the more worked
cine, “ Gary Yanker and Kathy Burton us cut calories until w e’ve achieved our
-Ron Herndon (We didn’t agree all the Best political message: “ Vietnam II:
-It takes strength enough for anybody to
up they become, the more likely they are explain how asensible walking program- goal, then go back to our old ways. The
time, but you’re definitely fighting for No way!”
oppose North Carolina’s powerful Sena­
to say something they can’t unsay.
30 minutes a day at a brisk pace-can best way to stay thin is to cut calories and
what you feel is right...I know your fire Best wording: “ Max is Portland’s Death
tor Jesse Helms (whom I like to think of
When an issue threatens to get out of improve your physical and emotional to exercise.
Trolley” (with two deaths since MAX’S hand, one mother tells her kids: “ I’m
for equality shall never die.)
as a paranoid Joseph McCarthy II)...but
well-being dramatically. Here’s what else
-D arryl Tukufu (I’m ..e I speak for start, I’d hardly consider it a "death trol­
that’s exactly what H arvey G an tt did
everyone in Northeast when I say ley", but this message still shows great
this year. Though he lost, it was a close
concern)
“ thanks” for being who you are)
race, and Gantt has a strong chance to
-Artist Eileen Kane, for her incredible Best social message: The spray-painted
win ifhe runs again: after all, he became
“ As the president of the Portland ets.” I ask that you as guardians think
humans, splayed on sidewalks (done by
heart-wrenching pieces on blacks
the first-ever black mayor in Charlotte
section of the National Council of Negro real seriously before you allow your
-Jesse Jackson’s group PUSH: many P.S.U. students in recognition of Hiro­ Women (NCNW) I felt that it was in­ children to wear this attire.
(a city with a population that’s 75%
white) and won his re-election bid. We’re did not agree with their stance on the shima)
“ I leave you, finally, a responsibil­
cumbent upon me in the leadership role
Nike controversy, but the underlying Best environm ental message: “ Re­ to write a letter to the community as we ity to our young people.” These words
behind you, Gantt, win or lose...
theme was, “ Blacks, we have monetary sist! Bring back the w o lf ’
-Through taking his message on the road,
prepare ourselves to enter a new year. ring very dear and loud in my heart.
power, take charge!” and this was a Best attem pt a t a message: “ Think Our leader Mary McLeod Bethune Mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and
Nelson M andela inspired courage in
less, feel more” ...I see the point to this,
long overdue message.
people o f all races...he’s this decade’s
founded the NCNW in 1935. Mary grandfathers, we have seen too many of
but
it seems people aren’t thinking enough,
Dishonorable mention
Martin Luther King, Jr. His release
McLeod Bethunes legacy reads as fol­ our young African American youth lying
-Milli “ Not Really” Vanilli: Thanks, either.
from prison was great, but he won’t be
in the street dead “ shot to death” by
lows:
free until he can vote.
guys...your reluctance to try to succeed Best overall message: "T.V. is the opi­
99
“ I leave you love...I leave you hope...I another African American youth. What
ate of the masses”
leave you the challenge of developing a waste of life. What are we going to do?
confidence in one another...I leave you a What can we do? I call now upon the
PORTLAND OBSERVER
thirst for education...I leave you a re­ grandmothers to insist that their grand­
‘ The Eyes and Ears o l the Community
spect for the use of power...I leave you children “ Stop this violent behavior.” I
Office: (503)288-0033
faith...I leave you racial dignity...1 leave know that we are of age and should be
Fax#: (503)288-0015
drens test scores, but let us as grand­
you a desire to live harmoniously with enjoying “ the fruit of our labor.” But, I
mothers do our part Ministers, let’s come
your fellow man...I leave you, finally, a challenge you grandmothers who have
the innate strength and wisdom o f Har­
from behind the pulpit and visit the schools
responsibility to our young people.”
(USPS 959-680)
also. W ouldn ’t it be wonderful if all min­
“ I leave you finally a responsibility riet Tubman (she never lost a passenger
OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION
isters knew the names of the schools and
to our young people.’’ As a community, when she was the conduc tor of the under­
Established in 1970
administrative staff where their parish­
we must accept responsibility for our ground railroad). We lost eight African
ioners children attend?
young people. As we read the newspa­ American youth this year. The fortitude
Alfred L. Henderson
Joyce Washington
The Bible says call for the ‘Elders’
pers, we are inudated with articles and of Sojourner Truth, who although she
Publisher
Operations Manager
of the church. I’m calling for elders, dea­
stastics about our young African Ameri­ was jeered and heckled by those around
can children killing each other. What is her when she fought for womens rights, cons, ushers, Sunday school superinten­
Gary Ann Garnett
Leon Harris
the answer? Why? What can we as a she stood tall, in the dedication and dents, and teachers. We can help to raise
Business Manager
Editorial Manager
The Portland Observer can be
community do to stop these insane vio­ commitment of education by Mary the test scores but we must do our part.
sent directly to your home for
I leave you finally, a responsibility to
lent actions of our children? Well, I McLeod Bethune who with $1.50 and
only $25.00 per year.
The PORTLAND OBSERVER is
don’t know all the answers, but I do five children founded the first accredited our young people.”
Please fill out, enclose check or
published weekly by
know that there are some actions that we college by an African American woman.
The National Council of Negro
money ordr, and Mail to:
Exie Publishing Company, Inc.
as parents, grandparents, aunt and uncles These are the names of a few African
women in their drive for excellence has
now in place their “ NCNW Excellence
cando. We all know that our children are American women who have helped us to
4747 N.E. M.L.K., Jr. Blvd.
get
where
we
are
today.
Grandmothers
in Teaching Award” as part o f its na­
killing
each
other
over
wearing
certain
Subscriptions
Portland, Oregon 97211
tional promotion of excellence in educa­
colors, mostly red and blue. As guardi­ as we begin this New Year, let’s pray and
Portland Observer
P.O. Box 3137
ans, we can become more aware of the once again use that “ innate strength’’ tion in the 1990’s as we head toward the
PO Box 3137
Portland, Oregon 97208
color of clothing that we buy for our that we know we have to get our ‘ ‘grand­ 21st century.
Portland, Oregon 97208 children. Sure, I know that as parents we children” off the streets. I know we can
Now, as president of the Portland
(503) 288-0033 (Office)
do it! We have to do it! We must save section of The National Council of Negro
can
buy
anything
in
any
color
that
we
FAX#: (503) 288-0015
Name
want for our children. I agree with you our grandchildren!
Women, I leave with you this poem for
Now, some groups have called for a our grandchildren:
totally. But, at this point in society in our
Deadlines for all submitted materials:
community and elsewhere, African boycott of Portland Public Schools. I ask
Don’t use or sell dope
Articles: Monday, 5 p.m. - Ads: Tuesday, 5 p.m.
address
that
as
grandmothers
we
send
our
chil­
American
children
arc
being
killed
be­
because
there is hope.
POSTMASTER: S«nd Address Chang«« to: Portland Observer, P.O. Box 3137,
Portland, OR 97208. Second-class postage paid at Portland, Oregon
cause of wearing certain colors. Also, dren to school those days not only send
Don’t fight or kill each other
The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photo­
African American children arc being them, but let’s go with them. Let’s turn
over wearing colors,
graphs should be clearly tabled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed
labeled
because
of
wearing
these
colors.
Because we’re all sisters and broth­
this threat of a boycott into something
envelope All created design display ads become the sole property of this newspaper and
dty,
state
ers.
“
I
leave
you
finally
a
responsibility
to
can not be used in other publications or personal usage, without tho written consent of the
positive. Let’s attend school those days
general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad 1990
our young people. ’ ’ We control the purse with our “ grandchildren” , the ‘‘future
Don’t get involved with, join or as­
PORTLAND OBSERVER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE
zip code
strings, we can control what our children of tomorrow.” Then, let’s not stop there, sociated with gangs.
OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED
Because it’s time, it’s it’s time, it’s
wear. There are popular "Starter Jack- let’s visit the schools. Let’s go stand in
Subscriptions: $20 00 per year in the Tri-Countyarea. $2500 all other areas.
The Portland O bserver- Oregon's Oldest African-American Publication - is a member
cts” that our African American children the cafeteria every morning doing break- high time to make a change!
Thank You For Reading the
of The National News pacer Association - Founded in 1885, and The National Advertis­
Happy New Year
have turned into “ Gang Attire.” African fast, sit in the classrooms during the
ing Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc., New York, NY.
Portland Observer
Edna Mae Pitman
American children arc assaulting each morning, stand in the cafeteria during
President NCNW, Portland Section
other because o f these “ Starter Jack- lunch. Sure, we want to raise our chil­
The New Year:
How New is It?
According to Readers Digest
January 1991
...And Justice For All
Portland NCNW Chapter President Speaks Out
h Í
1 T
5 ßif)e
“ Call for the
Elders of
1the Church
PORTI
ERVER
POCTlAflÖtfeKVK