Page 4—The Portland Observer • January 15, 1991
Dr. Flowers considers
black-owned businesses
“critical-through
development of black
business is how we will
create jobs for young
blacks. Most big
businesses started as
small businesses. But
blacks have to develop a
business mentality.
People need to become
proactive and look for
black professionals and
support them
W ar could postpone Super Bowl
Ib -A a ro n Pentress
I larbor. I hesc two prior instances could serve as pretence foi
the N F L ’ s decision regarding this years Super Bowl.
Aside from the concern w ith public safely looms die
petty concern w idi dollars and cents, which w on’ t seem so
W ith the possibility o f war becoming more and more
petty to A B C who stands to make over $60 m illio n from
probable ( it may have a l
airing the Super Bowl.
ready begun before this
______ _________________ S ix
Super B o w l
a rticle is published) the
broadcasts rank among the
threat o f terrorist acts oc
ten highest rated television
curring in the UnitedSlaics
shows o f all-tim e. Undoubt
is becom ing a gro w in g
edly it is the single most
concern.
I f such events
watched event in the world.
were to lake place the Su
Advertisers w ill shell out a
per B ow l could become a
m illio n dollars for 30 sec
prim e target o f terrorism.
onds worth o f commercial.
National Football League statement
As o f last Tuesday
It w ould be a shame to
the N F L has only made one
think that an economic deci
o ffic ia l comment concern
sion could become the decid
ing die Super B ow l stating; “ The remaining post season
ing factor when public safety is concerned. But reflecting on
games w ill be played as scheduled unless world events
the history o f our country such a decision is not unlikely.
dictate a change.”
Along w idi the Super Bowl other public places o f
It is more probable that die occurrence o f terrorist
prominence w ill be affected by a war in die G ulf. Popular
activities in die United States would cause the Super Bowl to
places like Disney W orld, New Y o rk’s Times Square, and
be postponed rather than a war itself.
odicr prominent places in the United Slates would have to be
Despite public backlash in 1963 the N FL continued
considered prime targets o f terrorism. I f things were to get
games just two days after the assassination o f President John
bad in the Gull these places would be |>erfcct places for Iraquc
F. Kennedy. In the case o f W orld W ar II, President Franklin
terrorist to attack. And with 100 m illio n viewers and 80,000
Roosevelt issued a statement for M ajor League Baseball to
people in the stands the Super Bowl would be the best target
continue scheduled games fo llo w in g the events in Pearl
o f all.
I f the current crisis in die G u lf erupts into war the N FL
is considering postponing the Super Bowl scheduled to he
played Jan. 27.
"The remaining post season
games will he played as
scheduled unless world events
dictate a change."
« M M M
Area Leaders Vow To Work For Rights
BY: JANELLE HARTMAN
(The Register Guard)
A gathering Friday o f the commu
n ity ’ s most visible leaders produced a
signed pledge to w ork toward greater
understanding and acceptance o f the
Eugene-Springfield and its cultural d i
versity.
The pledge was drafted by the Metro
Area Leaders Task Force on Human
Rights and A ffirm a tive A ction, a little
known group formed a year ago to
share inform ation about local human
rights need and efforts.
Task force members include U n i
versity o f Oregon President Miles Brand,
Lane Community College President Jerry
Moskus, Eugene M ayor Je ff M ille r,
Springfield M ayor B ill Morrisette,
Eugene, Springfield and Bethel school
superintendents and representatives o f
area m inority councils.
The pledge, signed during a news
conference at the Lane Transit D istrict
offices in Glenwood, states that the
com m unity’ s leadership is committed
to ensuring protection o f human rights,
respecting and reflecting cultural and
individual diversity, fostering mutual
understanding and promoting inclusive-
ness, justice and equity.
“ We want a com m unity in which
the human rights o f all persons are
respected and considered im portant,”
Brand said. ‘ ‘We want to build a com
m unity that is inclusive, tolerant and
welcoming to all.
Task force members said their
efforts extend to a ll m inorities, includ
ing people o f color, homosexuals, and
the homeless.
The group came together early last
year, inspired by a speech delivered at
the university in January by syndicated
columnist M anning M arble. M arble, a
noted social scientist and author, spoke
on “ Ethnicity.Race and the M u ltic u l
tural Century.
M in o rity leaders said Friday that
they consider the group’s efforts an
important step in the Eugene-Spring
field area’ s march toward better under
standing o f human rights issues.
“ W e ’re very fortunate to have so
many leaders agreeing that this is
something they have to deal w ith ,”
said Chuck Dalton, past president o f
the local N AA C P . “ M ost o f the coun
try is polarized on these issues now,
and that polarization is something I
desperately hope we can avoid in our
small com m unity.”
W hile the task force hasn’ t drafted
a list o f its own specific goals, mem
bers said they w ill continue meeting to
support and encourage human rights
projects w ithin the individual organi
zations.
“ W e’re standing up here saying
that we believe that together we can
give leadership and help those in the
trenches who are w orking fo r human
rights to be more effective,” M ille r
said.
Bobby Green, a Eugene c ity coun
cilman and task force member, said he
hopes the group w ill serve as a spring
board fo r the establishment o f a local
m ulticultural center, a project he has
strongly advocated.
“ To my knowledge, (the leader
ship) is supportive o f this idea,” Green
said. “ And i f those individuals believe
in celebrating diversity, then I think
that message can be carried over into
the m ajority population.”
“ W e’re very fortunate to have so
many leaders agreeing that this is
something they have to deal w ith .”
Chuck Dalton
Past local president N A A C P
photo by Veronica
/ I I i I *•
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71 OW
hiropractic appeals to Dr. B illy Flowers
because “ it allows me to w ork in the natu
ral healing arts and I can blend my intellec
tual and physical talents.” D r. flowers has
owned Irvington Chiropractic at 2114 N.E.
Hancock for five years. “ I t ’s’ s the second largest healing art
(traditional medicine is firs t),” he commented, “ there is a
growing awareness o f nutrition and exercise and people don’ t
want drugs and surgery any more.”
Dr. Flowers was born in Portland graduated from Grant
High School. He received his bachelor’ s degree from Wash
ington State U niversity in Black Studies w ith a history minor.
He did graduate w ork in education Adm inistration at Western
Washington Sate U niversity and then turned to Chiropractic
at Western States Chiropractic College here in Portland. “ I
fe lt it was the best niche fo r me. I ’ve always been physical and
I ’ ve always been interested in the human body,” he said.
“ And I had been helped m yself by a chiropractor when no one
else could help.”
Help w ith tuition costs came when he served as Student
Body Vice-President and when he received the Harvey L il-
lard Scholarship-named in honor o f the very firs t chiroprac
tic patient-a black man.
Dr. Flowers feels education he received from Western
States was excellent. “ I t ’s regarded as one o f the premier
schools o f chiropractic in the country,” he said. “ The N orth
west Council o f Accredidation has rated the basic science
course as 80% equivalent to those at the U niversity o f Wash
ington or O H S U .” He was the first black chiropractor in
Oregon and the o nly one currently practicing.
The business problem which proved to be the greatest
challenge fo r Dr. Flowers was finding start-up capital, and the
next challenge was “ disseminating inform ation, marketing-
letting people know there is a choice. Now 1 have one o f the
fastest growing practices in the c ity ,” he said.
One issue that all chiropractors face is acceptance by the
insurance industry. Dr. Flow > s feels that insurance compa
nies have been resistant to re. ¿nizing the field because o f a
lack o f understanding. “ They’re geared more to the medical
model. Insurance coverage was o rigin ally fo r catastrophic
health problems. For first aid and emergency medical treat
8 '
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ment, traditional medicine can’t be beat. But chiropractic fo
cuses on prevention and health w ithout using surgery or
drugs-drugs can cover up symptoms,” he commented. And
he finds that traditional medicine hasn’ t lived up to its prom
ises. “ The United States spends tw o time as much on health
care as our closest com petitive countries, yet we don’ t have
the #1 life expectancy and our infant m ortality is very high.
O bviously spending money is not the answer. O nly four
cents out o f every dollar spent on medical care is spent on pre
vention,” he added. And he feels chiropractic is becoming
more and more accepted. “ C re d ib ility is not a problem for
those who have a direct encounter w ith a recently trained
chiropractor. I t ’s here to stay because i t ’ s accepted by the
ultim ate authority-the people.”
Dr. Flowers considers black-owned businesses “ c riti
cal-through development o f black business is how we w ill
create jobs fo r young blacks. Most big businesses started as
small businesses. But blacks have to develop a business men
tality. People need to become proactive and look fo r black
professionals and support them. We can make significant
economic gains w ith a proactive attitude. We don’ t have to
depend on government hand-outs which engender more
dependency on hand-outs,” he added. “ We need a nice
(black-owned) supper club, hotel, nursing home, retirement
home. There’ s a market-the dollars are there.
,
Dr. Flowers and his w ife are com m itted to Portland and
to the northeast neighborhood. “ We could live in many areas
but we live in northeast because that’ s where our money
comes fro m ...A ll communities are made up o f people and
they can never be strong i f all the people w ith potential to
improve it leave. A ll that remains is devastation.”
Dr. Flowers feels his practice stands out because o f “ our
dedication to our patients and our comm itment to excellence.
We are concerned w ith enhancing human performance on
every level through chiropractic science.” Irvington C hiro
practic also offers a unique service: “ W e ’ ve developed our
own H M O fo r maintenance and restorations,” added Dr.
Flowers. First time patients can get a no-cost evaluation
( w ith an appointment).
Irvington Chiropractic is located at2124 N.E. Hancock.
For an appointment w ith Dr. Flowers call 287-5504.
S '-1 8
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W M S W A W A VA W kW IU VM W IW M W b M W M SVM m W A W V.V/A SW b VA m VM lW .V
Institute
A. Philip Randolph
BY JAMIE PARTRIDGE AND
DONNA HAMMOND_______
“ A ll labor has d ig n ity ."
"O rganized labor can be one o f
the most pow erful instruments in put
ting an end to discrimination and seg
re g a tio n ."
' 'O ut needs are identical with la
bor' sneeds: decent wages, f a ir work
ing conditions, livable housing, old
age security, health and welfare meas
ures, conditions in w hichfam ilies can
grow, have education fo r their ch il
dren and respect in the community.
That is why Negroes support labor’ s
demands and fig h t laws which curb
labor. That is why the labor-hater and
labor-baiter is virtually always a twin
headed creature spewing anti-Negro
epithets fro m one mouth and anti
lab or propaganda from the other
mouth... The two most dynamic and
cohesive libe ra l forces in the country
are the labor movement and the Ne
gro freedom movement..." — Martin
Luther King, Jr., 1961, A F L -C IO na
tional convention
M artin Luther King was assassi
nated A p ril 5,1968, while supporting
a strike o f Memphis sanitation w ork
ers.
Catfish Workers
Fight the Power
I f M artin were alive today, he
would have been speaking, organiz
ing and marching w ith the Delta Pride
Martins’s Dream Lives in Delta Pride Victory
workers o f Indianola, M ississippi. The
that signals the dawn o f a new era for
said, “ There is atrend in M ississippi to
900 catfish production workers o f Delta
workers in the Mississippi Delta." The
greatly exploit workers through jobs
Pride are almost all A frican American
new agreement at Delta Pride includes
that pay low wages w ith no benefits,
and mostly women. They went on
jo b classification upgrades, an imme
the victo ry at Delta Pride w ill make it
strike against some o f the most power
diate average wage increase o f about
somewhat easier to organize workers.
ful forces in the South, rich w hite fo r
75 cents per hour, more vacation time,
They w ill begin to see that only a union
mer planters, and won.
can build a level play
D r.
Joseph
ing fie ld between them
Low ry, president o f the
and management.”
Southern
C h ris tia n
“ The coalition-- o f
Leadership Conference,
c iv il rights groups and
said that "God may have
trade unions - is rebuild
chosen Indianola in the
ing and coming together
'90s, just as he chose
again,” said the Rev.
Birmingham and Selma
L ow ry concluded “ The
in the '60s, to be the wa
coalition has come to
tershed that turns this
gether again, but we mast
country around...this
not only save ourselves
struggle may be the flag
here, we must save the
ship fo r the rest o f the
nation.”
nation in the struggle
A New South
V to tin » H
for econom ic justice for
The politics o f this
blacks."
country w ill never be
Your picket line is A. Philip Randolph america's foremost black labor leader, worked changed until the p o li
the front line of the battle closely with Martin Luther King to organize the 1963 March on
tics o f the South arc
Washington, the A. phillip Randolph Institute is the political base
by poor people fo r a
changed. The advances
decent standard o f of the Black trade unionist. Local meetings are on the second
in African-American po
Thursday, 7 PM at 1125 SE Madison. Call 235-9444 for
livin g ,” Jesse Jackson
litic a l empowerment,
told the strikers. “ In ad information
made possible by the
dition to your picket signs, you carry
a jo in t labor-management safety com
V oting Rights Act, have already forced
with you the hopes, prayers, and best
mittee, an additional paid holiday, im
a significant shift in representation.
wishes o f m illions o f hard w orking
proved grievance procedures and big
Further shifts can be made w ith a larger
Americans o f all colors.”
part o f the "portion o f d ig n ity "-u n lim -
and more effective organized labor
Dignity and Dollars
ited bathroom privileges.
movement, that is p o litic a lly active.
In late December, the company
Charlie Home, vice president o f
One w orker captured the essence
settled. The union said the contract had
the Mississippi A F L -C IO and an activ
o f the struggle against the wealthy farm
"equal protions o f dignity and dollars
ist in the A. Philip Randolph Institute,
ers, who also own the catfish process
ing plant, saying the owners were “ trying
to bring the plantation m entality into a
b u ild in g .” The average age at Delta
Pride, the country’s largest catfish proc
essor, w ith 38 per cent o f the national
market, was $$.05 per hour, the inade
quate health benefits offered by the
company left many workers the v ic
tims o f carp;il tunnel syndrome, a muscle
disease caused by repetitive motion. In
addition, workers were constantly har
assed on the job - including tim ing
their trips the the bathroom.
After voting to go union, with United
food and commercial W orkers in
1987, delta Pride workers were faced
w ith a “ final o ffe r” o f 6.5 cent pre
hour raise, they went on strike, the
three month strike saw strikers sub
jected to violence that recalled the pre-
civil rights days o f the 1950’sand 1960’s
ranging from police b rutality to rock
throwing and drive by shootings.
“ I t is a crime f o r people to live in
this rich nation and receive starvation
wages." - M artin Luther K ing
A National Struggle
The struggle for a decent union
contract tied together issues o f c iv il
rights, workers rights, and human rights.
It touched people o f conscience all
over the nation. Support came not o nly
from the labor movement but also from
the Congressional Black Caucus,
churches, community organizations, and
the c iv il rights community.
The struggle o f a handful o f Black
Martin Luther King, Jr
women against the “ old money” plan
tation owners came to be viewed
throughout the country as a symbol o f
a New south rising. Rallies in support
o f Delta Pride workers attracted some
o f the most prominent c iv il rights and
labor leaders in the country. A nation
wide consumer boycott developed and
major grocery retailers in St. Louis,
Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, W ashing
ton D.C., the West coast and other
cities agreed to stop handling delta
Pride products.
Although Indianola may be the
turning point, there are clearly many
battle ahead. Large sectors o f the
labor force in the South remain to be
organized. Those sectors which arc
predominantly Black and female,
among poultry workers, in rice pro
duction, and in the growing service
sector, arc opening up to unioniza
tion.
These coming struggles—in
conjunction w ith the ongoing m ove
ments lo r c iv il and human rights—
may well make the South the critica l
battleground lo r democracy and ju s
tice in the 1990s.
/ have the audacity to believe
that people that people everywhere
can have three meals a day f o r their
bodies .education and culture f o r their
minds, and dignity,equality and fre e
dom f o r th eir s p irits ." - M arlin L u
ther King