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
'X W A W A W M W A V .W
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