Hage 2 I he Portland Observer—February 13, 1991
T I V
Learning To Live By the Advice You Give
E
Historic Black
Contributions To
Our Safety And
Comfort
A nd oh w hat a w onderful series o f
contributions it has been. From the rail­
roads to o u r overburdened streets and
highw ays, this Black genius has poured
forth to provide A m erica and the world
w ith a degree o f security that was not
contem plated at the beginning of the
Industrial Revolution. Nor was it fore­
seen that these inventions would incor­
porate such a level o f com passion and
regard for the w ell being of passenger
an d w orker alike.
T he follow ing instances are drawn
from my book, “ Black Inventors O f
A m e ric a " (A vailable at the Black
E ducation Center, 4949 N.E. 17th,
w eekdays, $14.95). These documented
recitations o f A frican American prow­
ess in science and technology are just
part o f the presentations I have made at
schools and universities, both local and
national. A dditionally, there have been
television appearances to further the
m essage that “ W e are somebody-and
alw ays have b een .” Governmental
agencies have contracted presentations
o f the m aterial to successfully counter
resistance to the entry o f blacks into
technical workforces.
L et us begin w ith the prolific con­
tributions o f that “ Trained-on-the-job
engineer, G ranville T. W oods. In his
early teens, he m astered the mechanics
o f the locom otive engine, even paying
from his m eager earnings for tutorage
from the ‘m aster m echanic’ (pay atten­
tion you trainers and job developers).
As we shall see, from the subways of
N ew York to the mountains o f the west,
w e are indebted to this black genius
trains and do away with the need for
overhead trolley wires. TH E M O D ­
ERN SUBW AY MODE WAS BORN
and “ the “ A merican Catholic Trib­
une” reported that “ engineers from all
over the world came to see a full scale
dem onstration o f the new technology.”
(1903; copy in New York Public L i­
brary).
And, much earlier than this, G ran­
ville T. W oods secured tw o key patents
for one o f the m ost ingenious innova­
tions ever devised to promote progress
and safety in the field o f transportation,
T H E R A IL W A Y T E L E G R A P H ;
No.373,383, Nov. 15, 1887 and No.
373,915, Nov. 29, 1887. The ‘genius’
lay in his concept that telegraph m es­
sages could be carried by an electrical
current transmitted THROUGH TH E
METAL RAIL O F THE TRACK;
Communication was now possible BE­
TW EEN M OVING TRAINS and be­
tween trains and stations.
No longer was it necessary to be
concerned w ith the hazards and delays
occasioned by dow ned telegraph lines,
knocked out by rockslides, fires or van­
dals. The world utilizes this rem ark­
able invention everyday, not knowing
(or caring) how greatly this African
Americans’ concept has again advanced
its commerce and safety. Unfortunately,
m ost blacks are part o f that universal
mindset, and the m odels put forth by
W oods are unavailable for their m oti­
vation or that o f their children.
This prolific inventor also patented
many, many other inventions ranging
from the first electrical chicken incu­
bator to furnaces, telephone, overhead
electrical trolleys, galvanic batteries
and many others (my research turned
up 93). That New York newspaper
com m ented, “ The greatest electrician
in the w orld” ; and I comment, “ Sic
transit gloria” (How fleeting is fame).
M ore next week on African A m eri­
can contributions to our transportation
industry; insight, safety, compassion.
w ho com bined an uncanny ability to
perceive the next-needed step in a bur­
geoning technology with a dedicated
passion for the safety and security of
mankind.
O n page 33 o f the latest edition I
have a photostatic copy of W ood’s patent
No. 701,981, dated June 10,1902. It is
followed on by supporting material and
illustrations from the Patent Office.
M ost interestingly it reads, “ Granville
T. W oods o f New York, N.Y., As­
signor, By Mesne Assignments to the
W E ST IN G H O U SE AIR BRAKE
COM PANY o f Pittsburg, Pennsylva­
n ia ." In other words, he SOLD IT TO
THEM -and the undying fame o f the
Westinghouse Air Brake Company rests
soley on the invention o f this brother
who so greatly advanced the art of
controlling the speed of long lines of
freight or passenger cars, that this great
American corporation was forced to
buy him out to remain competitive
around the world.
Well now, how about that? U nfor­
tunately, as with many o f the great and
seminal inventions by blacks, little or
no credit has been attributed to the
race. Fortunately, as was not the case
with many black inventors, W oods was
paid quite handsomely for this and many
other o f his inspired innovations. As we
proceed, keep in mind, too, how much
these inventions have contributed to
our safety when using this particular
mode o f transportation. And that so
critical were his inventions in this area,
the U.S. G overnm ent for the first time
in its history made a specific invention
mandatory under statute.’’The U.S. Rail­
way Safety A ppliance A ct” .
But, earlier on he had patented a
series o f four related inventions which
brought him to the attention o f the
world; 1901 thru 1903 he was granted
Nos 667, 110,687,098,718,183, and
729,481. His mind-boggling concept
was that of a THIRD RAIL which would
carry the electrical motive pow er for
Civil Rights Journal
By Benjamin Chavis, Jr.
Persian Gulf War Will Adversely
Affect Black Progress
Everything about the unneces­
sary war in the Persian G ulf has a dis­
proportionately adverse affect on A fri­
can Americans. African Americans are
disproportionately represented in the
m ilitary and on the frontlines in the
Persian G u lf because we are dispropor­
tionately disadvantaged in the United
States. W hen the long awaited and
inevitable ground w ar begins it will be
A frican A m ericans who will be dispro­
portionate coming home in those dreaded
body bags.
W hat will African Americans
w ho survive this w ar find when they
com e “ h o m e” ? An econom y that is in
deep recession and innercity African
A m erican com m unities which will still
be ravished by poverty, crim e, drugs,
violence and NEGLECT. As a recent
New York Times series on poverty put
it, urban centers are faced with a w ors­
ening crisis. A nd yet there seems to be
coherent policy and no serious national
com m itm ent or will to solve the crisis.
A m ajor reason for this lack of
policy and com m itm ent is the com plex­
ion o f those who are disproportionately
locked into poverty within the inner
city urban areas. Black and brown
people are overw helm ingly the victims
o f poverty in A m erica’s inner cities.
W e are all supposed to “ stand together”
as “ A m ericans” in the prosecution of
war in the Persian Gulf. But white
America seems unwilling to see a united
(USPS 959-680)
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me as a youth. Thank God for showing
me other options and choices. My friend
E. Ray Leary once told me that I was
giving the enemy too much inform a­
tion through my column about me, but
I soon learned that the enemy was in­
side o f me. With each public revelation
or column, I grew and accepted my
own shortcomings. I healed m yself by
sharing the same pain that lingered in
the hearts o f others for years, who for
some reason or another, were afraid to
discuss the problem/issue with some­
one they cared about. Some readers
were even unaware o f emotional or
psychological problems until my col­
umn. Many had no need to question
their mental state or values because
everything in their environment, possi­
bly, suggested that all was normal. By
no means has anyone, outside of the
Cosby Family, had a idea or model life,
but that is not excuse to grow. There
have been many moments where I started
to end this column, however, countless
letters/phone calls suggested otherwise.
Many readers will never know the feel­
ing o f receiving a letter telling me how
they convinced a mate to go into treat­
ment (for physical abuse) or how they
appreciate their parents more because
o f something I wrote. W hat started out
as frustration has evolved into a m e­
dium that addresses a wide range of
emotional/social/psychological issues
affecting black poeople, not ju st rela-
BY ULLYSSES TUCKER, JR.
By Professor McKinley Burt
front in a war against poverty as a
patriotic duty.
The war in the Persian G ulf
will adversely affect Black progress for
years to come. As G eorgia Congress­
man John Lewis put it, “ you cannot
sp endS l billion a day to fight a war and
still deal with the problem at hom e”
(New York Times 1/27/91). The “ peace
dividend” which held out the hope of
providing the much needed resources to
invest in education, housing, health care,
infra-structure developm ent, environ­
mental clean-up and greater energy self-
sufficiency is being wasted on this mad
mis-adventure in the Persian Gulf.
The ultimate im pact will be
greater than the loss o f the peace divi­
dend. There is the prospect o f further
reductions in spending or domestic so­
cial programs as this nation is forced to
com e to grips with the consequences of
the war. A num ber o f other severe
problem s are m ounting even as our at­
tention is diverted to the Persian Gulf.
It appears that another $50-80 billion
will be required to continue the S & L
bailout over the next two years. And
now com es the alarming revelation that
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corpora-
CONTINUED ON PAGE X
Less Than Three
Percent of Portland
Students Join Boycott
Parents of 1,618 Portland School
district students cited the boycott as the
reason their child was absent from school
last Monday (Feb.4), according to writ­
ten excuses received by principals.
Those students represent 2.94 per­
cent o f the 55,000 students enrolled in
Portland schools this year.
Figures released today reflect the
num ber o f students in grades Kinder­
garten to 12 absent from all schools in
each high school attendance area.
The num ber of students absent by
high school attendance area for the
boycott were:
Benson
88
Cleveland
20
Franklin/M arshall
77
Grant
295
Jefferson
851
Lincoln
45
Madison
97
Roosevelt
93
W ilson
52.
O ne year ago last month, I was
composing my third column for this
publication addressing the conflicts
affecting Black m ale/fem ale relation­
ships and in the process, subjecting
m yself to public criticism for my per­
spectives. Believe me, I ’ve had my
share o f harsh w ords, but the good
created by the colum n outweigh the
bad reviews. Like m ost human beings,
I had emotional and psychological
baggage that contributed to the tone or
attitude of the colum n. As I’ve docu­
mented countless times, past experi­
ences and pain has a way o f shaping a
person’s perspective today. In many
cases, those past realities prevented me
from taking risk in relationships, al­
tered my ability to share/love, and af­
fected my ability to trust. Simply put, I
was skeptical and paranoid when it
came to a relationship o f substance. I
was scared to open up, allow people (or
women) in my personal space, and reach
out to others. Through prayer and ex­
posing my innerm ost pain or sorrow
via this colum n, I have been able to
come to terms with my past. By expos­
ing my feelings publically I’ve healed
m yself and accepted that w hat has hap­
pened in my life is not my fault. I didn’t
ask to lose both parents at an early age,
grow up in urban decay or on welfare,
or for the em otional scars inflicted on
tionships in general.
More than anything, I’ve learned
throughout this column that Black men
and women are hurting inside. There is
a great deal o f lonliness, confusion,
undue expectations o f each other, and
several unresolved issues that need to
be addressed if we are to move forward
as a race.
Issues like inter-racial marriages/
dating, respect for each other, dating
mates with children, irresponsible sex­
ual intercourse, and a host o f others like
the ones dealt with recently at a panel
discussion sponsored by the Black
Cultural Affiars Board at Portland State
University. It was quite evident, after
leading the discussion, that we still
have a long way to go despite the few
gains we have achieved. Though there
is hope , we still have some angry
brothers and sisters in the community.
Perhaps when we address and solve
some of these em otional issues listed
above, then maybe we can get on with
preparing the next generation o f young
black people for the econom ic, politi­
cal, and social realities to come.
In many ways, it would be hypo­
critical if I did not take heed the advice
that I give in this column. As my friends
Clarence and Lynn told me, “ you’ve
become a better person because you
practice what you preach...” Some
times, it’s not about finding the right
person, it’s being the right person.
Observer Writer Featured on Program
Professor M cKinley Burt was
the presenter o f a num ber o f key topics
this past Thursday and Friday in C leve­
land High School’s month-long forum:
“ Cultural Literacy: The Key to Better
Human U nderstanding.” His theme
was, “ W orld Science, History and
Culture: African and African A m eri­
can C ontributions.”
Recognized locally and nation­
ally for his in-depth know ledge of those
contributions, ranging a long time line
extending from the pyram ids o f ancient
Egypt and Ethiopia to this century’s
“ Black Inventors” who hold key pat­
ents, Mr. Burt held the interest o f stu­
dents and staff over eight individual
sessions. W ritten feedback from the
pupils indicated that his presentations
were well received.
A subthem e o f his presenta­
tion was the origin o f “ Institutional
R acism ” in America, and the genera-
tions-long om issions of the technologi­
cal innovations and inventions was
clearly shown to be responsible for
today’s racist mindset. “ W hen your
parents, grandparents, great grandpar­
ents and so on down the genealogical
line were educated by texts and media
that deliberately presented blacks only
as servants, slaves, cotton pickers and
«Jungle Bunnies» [sic], then w hat else
could be expected but today’s preju­
diced perspective on African Ameri­
cans?”
Four o f the presentations were
made to large groups in the main audi­
torium Thursday, and Friday’s talks were
given in a more intimate classroom set­
ting. Here, large display boards were
available and these featured documented
evidence o f the validity of black contri­
butions; ranging from copies o f patents
from W ashington to institutional ad­
vertising from American industry ac­
knowledging the importance of the
inventions to the economic welfare of
the nation and world.
These exhibits were prepared
R G G bO k
by Mrs. Claudia M cDuffie, Integration
Specialist for Cleveland High School,
with the assistance of her staff. This
dedicated teacher and counselor is the
prime mover and organizer in the month­
long program “ Human Relations and
National African A merican H istory
Month, 1991. Theme: Cultural Liter­
acy; The Key to Better Human Under­
standing.” The program will continue
throughout the m onth o f February with
key speakers and presenters appearing,
both locally and nationally.
The staff, teachers, and stu­
dents of Cleveland High School are to
be congratulated and com m ended for
their initiative in providing the commu­
nity with this positive approach to es­
tablishing a favorable clim ate for suc­
cessful interaction between cultures often
in co n flict It is the hope o f this news­
paper that it will be able to publish
further accounts o f-n o t only presenta­
tions at this sch o o l-b u t of other similar
endeavors throughout our city and in­
stitutions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
PORTL
Are • The • Proud • Sponsors • Of
Reinvestments —— Community
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
by S am uel Pierce
From 1954 to 1970 America experi­
enced one of ihe most significant and en­
during eras of her short history. That era
came to be known as the Civil Rights
Movement. It was a movement that would
remind her for the rest of her life, that she
could no longer be partial in the treatment
of her members, but she must make room
for all of her children.
Looking back over those times, it seems
safe to say that no other individual personi­
fied the consciousness of that era than Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a man
so impassioned with the righteousness of
justice, that he risked and finally lost his
life in countless attempts to defend it
But Dr. King w asn't only a great spirit,
he was also a great mind. We often forget
lhat this man had genius intelligence- gradu­
ating from high school at age 12 and from
college at age sixteen. Furthermore, he was
a most distinguished orator/writer and phi­
losopher. Surely he would have been wel­
comed in ihe company of the likes of King
Solomon, Aristotle. Socrates, and even the
Master himself! At a very difficult time in
ils history, Dr. King gave America much
needed leadership and courage.
Yet, against this most distinguished
record of service and achievements, there
are those who arc still unwilling to honor
thia man. I speak of those who are attempt­
ing torctum Mnrtii LulhcrKing, Jr. Boule-
vard to Union A 'enuc. In other words,
those whoconstan ly try to take from us the
small gains that we have made; tostum pout
this small lantern of hope in our comm u­
nity.
But, or course, they say the issue isn’t
racism; that they are concerned about the
possible loss o f business. And yet, the very
statement infers (hat naming a street after
an African-American would hurt business!
I find such an argument to be a contradic­
*“ 1
tion. But again, they say surely this isn't
racism; but rather an attempt to hold on to
a symbol of Oregon’s past. And yet, also a
symbol of Oregon's past is exclusion laws
and sundown laws for Black people. Still
louder they say, this is isn’t racism! But
while most o f us were preparing to cele­
brate thecontributions of this fallen Ameri­
can hero, these individuals were working
frantically in an effort to strike his legacy
from our community.
Nevertheless, I must make my stand on
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. And I
invite all of my brothers and sisters-A fri-
cans Americans, White Americans, His­
panic Americans, Asian Americans, Native
Americans, Jew.s Gentiles, Protestants, and
Catholics, and M uslim s-to stand with me.
We must lift up a standard of righteousness
against this insidious act o f shame to all of
us. Because if the street reversal is allowed
to happen, the city of Portland and the state
is bound to suffer. And not because of not
many, but, as always, because of a few.
However, our stand must not be based upon
hate or racism; but rather a stand based
upon justice, peace, and brotherly/sisterly
love. By doing so we will also embody the
principles that Dr. King lived and died for
Let us not be so naive to think that on
the hills of Mulugeta Seraw 's brutal death
at the hands o f Skinheads, in the largest city
in the state, with the largest African-Ameri­
can population, in the heart of the African-
American community, having been " d e ­
nied two other streets in predominantly
white areas, having compromised to give
businesses five yean before the name change
takes effect, twenty-one years after the
death o f Dr. martin Luther King, Jr., the
nation will not be watching the first ever
attempt to reverse the nam ing of a street for
this kind man! If this can happen in the year
of our Lord, 1990 ten years before the year
2000- then we have catapulted ourselves
back in time to the Birmingham Bus Boy­
cott; landed again on Howard Beach; expe­
rienced once again the outrage of Forsite
County. I have always wondered if the civil
rights movement ever reached Oregon- it
appears that we will soon find out. If our
neighboring states (California, & Seattle)
can elect African-American mayors, and
we cannot even have a street named for one,
then something is distastefully wrong!
To close , I have faith in the good people
of Oregon. I believe, as in the case of
presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, they
will again stand up and be counted. For
these good people know, as Dr. King as­
serted, that "their destiny is tied to our
destiny.”
To my African-American brothers and
sisters, I say, let us not break ranks. We
must stand united in this crisis-and it is a
crisis! If we cannot have a street named
after someone of Dr. K ing's statute in our
own community, then where can we have a
street named? If we can be driven back
from our own community, then we have
little power as a community. We must put
aside our differences and, as King taught,
band together as a standard o f unity for our
generation-particularly our youth. Yes, I
am aware that some of our brothers and
sisters may have already signed the peti­
tion. And the opposition will use this as
evidence against charges of racism. How­
ever, 1 am not impressed. The first attempt
on Dr. King's life was made by someone of
his own race; and history has long since
confirmed that Judas was not a Roman
soldier.
Finally, in the words of James Bald­
win, There is only one thing required for
the triumph of evil and that is, that good
men [and women] keep silent." I entered to
be one o f those exceptional "good m en."
And I call upon the decency of other good
men and women to do the same.
"Reinvestments in the Community" is a weekly column appearing
in API publications throughout the USA.
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