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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 1991)
• » >♦ r » ♦ » • . i X S¿**4+t 4 m A rt / m PMYFOR SÀH RETURN OF OUR hoops 2 4 » «• £? * .r % y? ERVER PORTL w ■f > r- •» ■J. ■ 25<P f t k/>3 V ' j x¿. Volume XXI, Number 11 "The Eyes and Ears o f The Community" March 13,1991 <• • Shocked World Views Savaae aa< Of Black In L.A. Police “Wilding” BY PROFESSOR MCKINLEY BURT Weapon” . One more backward step and we w ill have a CLASS III M IS D E he Iraquis slipped on the charts M E A N O R instead o f a F E LO N Y . as the media’ s “ U L T IM A T E Equally suspect is the tongue-clucking B A R B A R IA N S ” , as a handcuffed rhetoric o f Tom Bradley, the h ighly- A frica n Am erican, Rodney K ing was p oliticize d mayor o f the huge, violent beaten, tortured and disfigured on prime m etropolis o f Los Angeles. He was rid time. An eastern news commentator ing high as the black prim e mover in a hugley successful Olym pics. The fact o f the matter is that both men have long been fu lly aware o f the excesses and b rutality o f this over- zealous police force. A lm o s td a ily , they have been confronted by outraged c iti zen groups, individuals and parents to little avail. This is not the firs t tim e that the mediahas portrayed o r documented the ugly crimes com m itted against A frica n Americans by their resident Gestapo. The proliferation o f home video cameras may have resulted in the start o f remedial actions that the customary and vaunted avenues o f justice and redress could not initiate. I am sure that there is more to be said-and w ill be said-about the scope and im plications o f this henious act. Include the devastating im pact upon our returning m ilita ry w ho are fo rcib ly reminded that “ T H E IR BIGGEST observed, “ I thought that reincarnated B A T T L E IS Y E T TO BE W O N !” Nazi Storm Troopers had siezed a Jew! ” Against Racism and Econom ic Dispar- D isbelieving viewers around the tiy. Welcome home, brothers and sis w orld gagged in shock and revulsion, ters. However, there is yet another matter but D aryl Gates, the Los Angeles Po w hich deserves our close scrutiny, and lice chief, q u ic k ly moved to dow n that is the in filtra tio n o f many o f our grade contemplated charges against his nation’ s police departments by rabid, racist m inions from A T T E M P T E D R ight W ing, racist organizations. This M U R D E R to “ Assault W ith A Deadly subversive attack did not begin yester- T The War Ends, But The Assault On The Poor Contunues At Home by Ron Daniels Page 2 OBP Radio Network To Airi World O f Islam series Page 3 PCC Community Big Band Brings Home The Prize Page 4 The Jefferson Dancers Page 4 David Robinson: He Has A Dream Too, by Ullysses Tucker J r . Page 5 (Charles Jordan Interview) by Professor McKinley Burt Trouble still plagues The Collins Center Next Week INDEX 2 3 4 5 News Religion Entertainment Sports News Classifieds Bids-Sub-Bids 6 7 8 c o V 1 \ r < o o \ A P R II 17 X 7 4 A n y delays in the proposed upgrade and expansion o f facilities at the popular M att Dishman C om m unity Center would be a matter o f great concern to the Northeast com m unity. A recent interview w ith Charles Jordan, D irector o f the Bureau o f Parks and Recreation indicates that at least here we have a staunch advocate fo r the p ro je c t "The contemplated renovations and im p ro v e m e n ts w o u ld be accomplished in tw o phases. The first phase w ould include the construction o f a new 25 yard long, 6 lane indoor pool. This w ould accommodate a 30 foot square ‘shallow w ater’ section. Also, there w ould be new lockers and shower acilities, along w ith related amenities.” Constructive receipt o f funds fo r this firs t phase seems to have progressed quite w ell. “ The 2.2. m illio n Park Levy was passed, and a quarter m illio n from N ike i s ‘ in hand’ . A n additional quarter m illio n sought from the Feds is in the application stage-a favorable response is anticipated. A second phase o f construction would include a new lobby stnd reception area, but that w ill require id d itio n a l fu nding.” Few in the com m unity w ill remember the site as the old E lliot Grade School, , a 2-story institution o f the 1930’s. In Love and Memory day. A case in point. A t the beginning o f a ten-year sojourn in Los Angeles (1954-1964), I took a night jo b in the o ffice o f the “ E LR E Y ” H otel on Los Angeles’ O lym pic B lvd. W hile the purpose was to secure extra income toward financing an o ffice fo r resum ing m y accounting practice, the pay o ff was far greater. A black maid took me upstairs to show the room o f a ‘rc- crutie r’ fo r one o f these facist groups. Everywhere was literature and posters attacking blacks, Jews and Hispanics, as w ell as sales literature on human restraints and eavesdrop ping devices. This person financed his activities by acting as a sales agent fo r a number o f small arms companies and manufacturers o f ‘ja il equipm ent’ ( “ fa il-p ro o f handcuffs, catde proddcrs, etc” ). A long w ith the typical violent tirades against m i norities, were manuals on how to build membership w ith in police de partments. M uch material was turned over to the N A A C P , and then to the F B I, w ith little effect. That “ scrutiny” is warranted be cause many black officers report that these cells o f neo-facists are s till quite active around the nation. There is little doubt that a Los Angeles con tingent is responsible for the “ Rod ney K in g ” outrage. But it is worse yet to suppose that this savagery may be endemic to entire forces. W hat situation do we have locally? It is w orth looking into. Prayers Of Thanksgiving For Cease-Fire Offered Matt Dishman Swimming Pool Caught In Traffic Jam But, many w ill remember a “ K nott Street Community Center being renamed fo r black S h e riff M att Dishman when the sw im m ing pool was installed in 1965. That project went w ell, honoring the center after an A frica n American who cared about youth. However, “ the path ahead fo r the present project is not nearly so smooth” , the Park D irector inform s us. The approval o f residents o f the neighborhood must be secured- specially that o f the E lliot Neighborhood Association.’ ’ Though the city conducted its own T ra ffic Management Study, the Association is holding out for an ‘Outside Study’ , not w illin g to accept the c ity ’s favorable fin d in g s .” M r. Jordan encourages a ll interested parties to be present at C ity hall on March 20 at 2 p.m. fo r a hearing on the granting o f a conditional use permit. The Observer encourages not o nly this e ffo rt but also the initia tion all possible support o f activities this com m unity can bring to bear. Charles Jordan is our advocate fo r a project w hich can substantially enhance the social environment fo r our “ at ris k ” youth. L e t’ s get behind him on this. See you there! Prayers o f thanksgiving fo r the cease-fire in the Persian G u lf, and hopes that lasting peace can be brought to the M iddle East, marked w orship by United M ethodists across the nation March 3. A n inform al survey o f a dozen congregations by United Methodist News Service found general accord with United M ethodist Bishop M e lv in G. Talbert, San Francisco, secretary o f the Council o f Bishops, that United Methodists should: “ praise God, and hope we can seize the opportunity to deal w ith issues that w ill make fo r peace.” The Rev. James A. Townley, pastor o f the Poultney ( V l ) United M ethodist Church, added the hope that the nation “ w ill be as s k illfu l at m aking peace as in making war.” Several congregations observed a silent H oly comm union w ith prayers fo r the troops, including S l A ndrew ’ s Church in C herry H ill. N.J., where the parents o f Navy L t. Jeffrey Zaun, a P.O.W . shown on Iraqi television, are members. A few hours later his father was shouting the news his son had been released. In Loveland, C olo., the Rev. Tony Ashworh said jo y at the end o f the shooting was tempered by questions such as: “ Is it true? W hatdoesitm ean? W hat w ill be the action o f the church and nation in reconciliation?” actions. This year, recognition w ill be given for tw o additional categories: neighborhoods and bureaucrats. The Neighborhood o f the Year w ill be selected from Portland neighborhoods that exem plify the S p irit o f our com m unity. In addition, citizens have an opportunity to acknowledge their appreciation o f a p u b lic em p lo ye e w ho deserves recognition for outstanding work. Recipients o f the Awards w ill be acknowledged at the S p irit o f Portland Aw ard Ceremony in Council Chambers on May 9,1991. The 2.00 p.m. ceremony and reception fo llo w in g are open to the public. Nom inations w ill be accepted i i 4 - R obert (Bobby) T V ’** - * . ’ . ‘3 • * * * < ' ‘ ‘ ’ < » 4 ♦ i r. ■ a « 4 < ■ •i* - 4 ' ■ V • 5 i ' y Janisse, Jr. passed away on March 9,1991 in Tempe, Arizona. He was a Freshman at Arizona State U niversity at the time w ith a 4.00 his senior year. He was awarded K A T U -T V ’ s Athlete o f the Month for January 1990 and the K A T U Athlete o f the Year Aw ard - 1990. Janisse began his wrestling career a the age o f 6 at Peninsula Park and was in love w ith the sport. In 1989, a Port land Observer interview revealed that Bobby credited “ M y M om and Dad (Brenda and Jerome Polk) as w ell as his wrestling coaches Roy Pittman and Donne McPherson fo r being positive influences in his life .” Bobby also credited the sport o f wrestling to his know ing how to be a gentleman, re main dedicated to a task and having self-confidence. Robert Janisse o f his death. He was attending a party w ith friends in Arizona when his life ended. He died from self-inflicted wounds. Janisse was due to come home to Portland for spring break next F ri day. Janisse was a Portland, Oregon June 1990 Jefferson High School graduate and three (3) time State wrestling cham pion. He was on a fu ll scholarship at Arizona State University. He was “ red- shirted” fo r the academic year 1990- 91. Janisse graduated from Jefferson High w ith a 3.76 grade point avergae. Janisse served as an assistant wres tling coach at Peninsula Park under the tutelage o f Roy Pittman. He was “ loaded” w ith school pride for Jeffer son High School and had many awards. His survivors include his mother Brenda Polk (Portland), fathers Jerome Polk (Portland) and Robert Janisse, Sr. (Oakland, California), grandparents L is and Nathan Jackson (Boaumont, Texas), step-brothers Mardus and Anthony Polk, step-sister Lanase Polk (Portalnd) and a host o f other fam ily members and friends (PortlandandTempe, Arizona). The fam ily has requested that there be no media contact but you are free to talk w ith Brenda J. Greene at 284-8662 or 254-5828. Funeral services are pend ing. NAACP Statement On The Persain Gulf War T he war in the Persian G u lf has makes it even more d iffic u lt to accept caused grave concern among A f anything less in the greater society. It is rican-Americans both for reasons shared ironic that to obtain equal opportunity, w ith their fellow citizens, and fo r rea denied to them in c iv ilia n life , so many sons special to the black community. o f our finest men and women have had In the first instance, we would have to jo in the armed services, where life is preferred giving more time for sanc always at risk. tions to work. However, once hostilities This does not cast any doubt on began, we are in support o f the men and their patriotism . Men and women do women engaged in that conflict. Our not put on the uniform o f their country, overriding hope is that the announced w ithout loving that country. Rather, objectives o f the war can be achieved that so many African-Am ericans saw quickly and with a m inim um loss o f life the armed services as their only an on life on both sides. swer, speaks volumes on the extent o f Our special concern grows out o f the failure o f our nation to provide the presence o f a disproportionate number them options. o f black service personnel in the gulf, There is no fairness in a situation the factors that led so many o f them to in which men and women w illin g ly enlist, and the nature o f the society to place their lives on the line fo r country, which they w ill return. and when their duty is completed, re The patriotism and loyalty o f A fri- turn home to find the opportunities that can-Amcrians has been demonstrated were not there when they left, are still in so many o f Am erica’s wars that it not there. needs no further reaffirm ation. In this We find it unacceptable that the war, as in all others, A fric a n -A m e ri same Commander-in-Chief who ordered cans w ill do their duty, w ithholding them into battle, is the same President nothing. The NAACP has played a major who vetoed a c iv il rights b ill in 1990, role in bringing about the integration o f and has yet to demonstrate to African- our Armed Forces, and w ill continue to Americans what he meant by a “ gen insist on fu ll equality opportunity fo r all tler, kinder nation” . service personnel. We have no intention o f m uling The great numbers o f A frican- our voices during this conflict. W hile Americans in the m ilita ry, however, we w ill continue to support the troops, reflects a disturbing reality; namely, we w ill also demand that their rights that many o f them volunteered because and the rights o f their fam ilies to pro o f the lack o f employm ent and educa tection in the em ploym ent place, to tional opportunities. decent education and housing, to ade The armed services, w hile not per quate medical care, to safety in their fect, arc (he best model o f what this streets, and an end to racism, be as society could and should be. This fact sured. Nominees Sought For Mayor’s 1991 Recognition Awards Nom inations are now beging sought fo r recipients o f the M A Y O R ’ S 1991 volunteer recognition award, the SPIRIT OF PO RTLAND AW AR D . This recognition is extended annually to volunteer citizens or groups that have contributed to the quality o f life in Portland neighborhoods through projects, programs, special services or other r/ * > : * • 7.A' through A pril 15 from any citizen group. Nom ination forms are available from D istrict neighborhood Offices, C ity Commissioners, or the O ffice o f Neighborhood Associations. Selections for the Volunteer recognition Awards, N eighborhood o f the Year, and Bureaucrat o f the Year w ill be made by a c o m m itte e o f c itiz e n s and representatives from the M ayor’ s Commissioners’ offices. The Awards are co-sponsored by O N A and the M ayor’s Office as part o f Neighborhood Recognition Week. r ■; • 4