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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 1991)
P O R T L fl Volume XXI, Number 28 «SERVER New President Of Black Publishers! M PAGE 2 A Job with Benefits Should be a Basic Human Right in the U.S. by Ron Daniels Robert IV. Bogle, left, President, The Philadelphia Tribune, accepts congratulations following his recent election as President of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Chatting with him during the 51st Annual convention of the NNPA at the Omni Hotel, Atlanta, Ga., are Betty Shine, center, media Supervisor, Pepsi-Cola Company and Charles Tisdale, Publisher, The Jackson (Miss.) Advocate. Tisdale had worked in the 1950s as a sales representative for Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Co., in Memphis, Tenn. His co worker had been Dr. C. Eric Lincoln, then a graduate student and now a Professor of Religion and Culture at Duke University. A long time supporter of the NNPA, Pepsi-Cola sponsored a luncheon that featured Rev. Bernice King, youngest daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, as the main speaker. PAGE 2 I Revival at the New Testament Church PAGE 3 ! Vacation Bible School "Island In The Son" PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 Elaine Rohrer PAGE 4 Artquake 91 Literary Arts Finalists to 'Read Off' at Key Largo PAGE 4 Letting Go: Resolving Past Issues, by Ullysses TUcker, Jr. PAGE 5 INDEX Superior Student LeTanya Renee' Carter BY PROFESSOR MCKINLEY BURT If media reports arc correct at this early date, the tide of opinion is run he President’s opinion of his ning against “ the most qualified can choice to fill the Supreme Court didate.” Interestingly, the strong op vacancy is hardly shared by the faculty position by several predominately of the Harvard Law School or the Ameri “ white” groups with considerable clout can Bar Association; neither by Afri is said to have won the gratitude of can American Professor, Derrick Bell, several prominent blacks who feel they nor by Professor Christopher Edley Jr., now may be spared the “ embarrasment” “ No one can look at Clarence Tho of coming out against one of their own. m as’ record and find the claim he was The National Abortion Rights Action the best-qualified person remotely League (NARAL) has made its posi credible... requires heroic effort to keep tion clear as they organize a coalition a straight face.” to block Thom as’ Senate confirma It is true, of course, that as colu- tion. “ His statements reveal his rejec mist Ellen Goodman puts it, “ This is tion of the constitutional basis for the the life experience, the pluralism of right to privacy, including the right to background (in a justice) that liberals choose an a abortion.” They have want to be reflected. And it is hard for been joined by the National Organiza civil rights groups to turn away from a tion for Women (NOW). black man who has ‘made it in Amer The elderly in this nation clearly ica.’ ” But that is just what may hap are concerned about the “ failures” of pen as we begin a week highlighted by Thomas when he was head of the Equal an official F.B.I. appearance at the Na Employment Opportunity Commission tional Convention of the N A A CP-to between 1982 and 1990. Dan Schul- reassure EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OP dcr, legislative director for the Na PORTUNITY FOR BLACKS IN THE tional Council of senior citizens, flays AGENCY (without quotas?). him “ because of his bias for employ And there is further irony in that ers against a class of workers.” Under the Thomas choice coincided with the Thomas the EEOC allowed the statute dedication of the Memphis motel where of limitations to lapse on an estimated Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assas- 13,000 age discrimination cases. The sinated-as a NATIONAL CIVIL agency also allowed companies to re RIGHTS MUSEUM. Hundreds of civil duce pension benefits for workers who rights advocates and celebrities gath remain past retirement age and adopted ered there, including Rosa Parks, Coretta rules to help employers avoid lawsuits Scott King, Morgan Freeman and Pete by older workers. Thomas fought with Seeger, to celebrate the first center to his own staff over these issue. hold a comprehensive exhibit docu But, let us look at the man him menting the civil rights movement in self, his statements, positions -albeit thiscountry. A wag has asked, “ would superficially at this point. This propo it be appropriate at the confirmation nent of “ bootstrap conservation ’’ was hearing to ask the candidate for the bom of dirt poor southern sharecrop high bench had he ever BROKEN THE pers, deserted by his father, raised by LAW TO SECURE JUSTICE UNDER grandparents. (Weren’t so many of us?) THE LAW? At a lunch counter, at the His education was secured at three rear of a bus, in a Birmingham jail?” Catholic parochial institutions in se (Add to those present at that dedication quence before entering Yale Law James Famer, Julian Bond, Daisy Bates, School. His first job as a practicing James Forman, Benjamin Hooks, et attorney was as a protege of the then al.) Attorney Gcncral/now senior senator T Vesta Williams Next Week elinda Rose Jordan and Tricia Judge Roosevelt Robinson Volunteer Drivers Needed Do you have a valid drivers li cense? Two hours per month to spare? Northeast Portland seniors need you to *«elp provide transportation on week days, evenings and weekends. Call Project Linkage, a division of Metro politan Family Service, at 249-8215 to volunteer. Read My Lips: Clarence Thomas Is The Most Qualified Mt. Olivet’s Annual Fisherama News Religion Entertainment His Opinion News News Health Special Classifieds Bids Judge Roosevelt Robinson Named Distinguished Alumnus Of The Year McClendon, both of Portland, OR, received their degrees from Clark Atlanta University as part of the uni versity’s 1991 commencement cere monies held recently at the Atlanta Civic Center. Melinda received a B.A. in Psy chology. She was a member of Psi Chi, the National Psychology Honor Soci ety, and plans to pursue a career as a Public Health Associate for the Center for Disease Control in Florida. Tricia received a B.A. in English. She plans to continue her studies in Law School. In The Beginning Was the Word, Part 1 by McKinley Burt I July 10,1991 "The Eyes and Ears o f The Community" Local Students Receive Degrees From Clark Atlanta University 25<P 2 3 4 5 6 7 8-10 11 12 of Missouri, John Danforth, a republi can. Following the senator to Wash ington as a legislative assistant, Tho mas has often said he was “ deeply grateful to Danforth because HE PAID NO ATTENTION TO MY RACE!” So much for “ O ne’s own bootstraps” in a racist land where Thomas’ series of benefactors “ did the right thing” at a right time when they now could safely ride the crest of a new liberal American sentiment created by the successful legal efforts of civil rights attorneys like Thurgood Marshall and by the ultimate sacrifice of freedom fighters like Reverend King. Many Americans, white and black are increasingly nervous as they recall ’.he divisive effects of Booker T. Wash- ington’s position when he originated that “ bootstrap” philosophy a hundred years ago. Blacks are even more nerv ous as they gain the full im portof Clar ence Thomas’ article to the Los Ange les Times (Nov. 15, 1985). “ No one really speaks for black America...The argument that the views of the black leadership are consonant with those of black Americans misses the point, since MOST BLACKS ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY BLACK POLITICIANS. Nor are most blacks members of organizations that claim to represent them.” The man is greatly admired by conservatice republicans, Patrick J. Buchanan, several black former school mates and his grandmother who says that “ God has wrought this miracle.” Other opinions range downward to that of my neighbor who describes him as a “ fugitive from the Twilight Zone.” We anticipate quite a confirmation battle in the senate over the president’s QUOTA CONDIDATE. The senators are not likely to quietly “ advise and consent” to his selection of Clarence Thomas for the Supreme Court va cancy. My own preference is that I have always chosen “ I have a dream ’ ’ over ti.c crass "R ead my lips.” niversity of Portland has named He was named Multnomah County Multnomah County District Court Deputy District Attorney in 1978 and was named to the Multnomah County Judge Roosevelt Robinson Distinguished bench by Gov. Neil Goldschmidt in Alumnus of the Year, honoring his sig nificant contributions to the commu 1990. Prior to joining the bench he was a nity, to his profession, and to the uni member of the Oregon Parole Board versity. and was both a founding member and The Rev. David Tyson, CSC, presi president of the Oregon Association of dent of the university, formally pre Black Lawyers. sented Robinson with the award June He has also chaired the St. Andrew 15 at the university’s annual Reunion Legal Clinic Board and served on the Dinner. Equal Justice Committee of the Metro Robinson graduated from the uni politan Human Relations Commission versity cum laude in 1970 and went on to Northwestern School of Law in Port in Portland. Currently he chairs both the North/ land, graduating in 1976. He entered Northeast Community Mental Health private practice that year in Portland, Center and the Yaun Child Care Center specializing in workers’ compensation in Portland. claims and in domestic relations. U Governor Announces $5 Million in Criminal Justice Grants overnor Barbara Roberts an to fighting crime in six areas; commu nity policing, prevention programs, drug nounced grants totalling over $5 education, drug treatment, gangs, and million to programs targeted to fight juvenile justice. the spread of drugs and violent crime. “ We are working hard to improve The federal funds are allocated the partnerships between local law en through the Criminal Justice Services forcement and state and federal gov Division and provide funding for local ernment. By combining efforts, pool programs in all regions of the state. The ing resources, offering improved train grants also provide funding for state ing programs and improving commu wide crime and drug prevention pro nications, these programs can make a grams. major impact on violent crime and drugs Included in the grants announced across Oregon. are new programs including DNA typ An advisory board consisting of ing of sex offenders law enforcement officials, judges, leg ($175,000), programs to help preg islators and citizens from around the nant women addicted to drugs state assists Webber and Governor ($175,000), a Crime Prevention Re Roberts in reviewing grant applications. source Center ($150,000), increased “ This money will help us keep money to fight gangs ($750,000), and kids off drugs, out of gangs and off the drug diversion and treatment ($300,000). streets,” said Advisory Committee The remaining grants are for pro member and State Rep Tom Novick, grams already in existence across the D-Portland. state. Under guidelines established by “ Our goal is prevention-crim e the U.S. Department of Justice Drug prevention, drug prevention, gang pre Control and System Improvement Grant vention,” Governor Roberts said. Program, at least49% of the funds must “ These programs reflect my commit go to local programs. Webber said in ment to taking people away from the Oregon almost 56% of the grants pass vicious cycles that lead them to drugs through to local law enforcement agen and gangs and crime and offer them a cies. positive alternative.” The state receives the remaining Criminal Justice Services Division 44% for state-wide programs, training Director Catherine Webber said the programs and administration. grants reflect the state's commitment G 5 pedal health information inside. Look for continued health coverage next week