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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 1991)
Page 2...The Portland ()bserver...Septen her 18,1991 When Is A Wheel Not A Wheel? Demanding Conversion To A Peace Economy In The U.S. The Cold War is over. The Soviet Union can no longer be conveniently used as a target and rationale for a huge military/war budget. The end of the Cold War was supposed to result in a “ peace dividend” to be used to tackle domestic problems here in the U.S. But there is no peace dividend in sight. Though a modest reduction in military spending is being projected, there is no meaningful effort to redirect national resources to meet the overwhelming demands which are emanating from the tragic State of Emergency gripping the poor and disadvantaged is this country. Monies are being diverted to the budget deficit, the S&L bail-out, the FDIC bail-out and now there is talk of $3-5 billion (from the military budget) to bail-out an ailing Soviet Union. In the meantime, the casualty reports continue to come in from the desolate and desperate war zones in America’s inner-cities -suffering children, wasted minds, drugs, crime, violence, wounded and murdered human beings. There is no justice in a nation which continues to bail-out the rich, fuel a bloated mili tary budget, and send scarce resources abroad when millions of people are dying from neglect and spiritual de spair in the U.S. Up from the depths of this death and despair must come a strident de mand that this nation’s economy be transformed for a war and injustice economy to a peace and justice econ omy. A peace economy can only be achieved with aconversion from waste ful military/war spending to civilian/ domestic spending. Peace and security must come to mean justice, peace and security in every community and every neighborhood right here in the U.S. To accomplish that goal the U.S. must redefine it’s role on the world scene. Mayor Clark Contacts Pillay Family Pillay Family Tragedy Is Our Trag edy - Mayor Clark contacted Mr. George Pillay by phone this week following word that his Portland home had been spray painted and vandalized by rac ists. Mr. Pillay, who recently moved his family to Portland from South Af rica, told the Mayor that he planned on staying in Portland but will move his family to a different location. Mayor Clark conveyed his deep disgust and regret for the hateful, racist acts against the Pillay family and offered the help of the Gang Graffiti Team. The Graffiti Team is a community resource avail able through the Youth Gangs Out reach Program (Telephone: 823-4112). Team members will expertly paint over unwanted gang and racist graffiti. The U.S. cannot be the policeman of the world, intervening in the affairs of other countries simply to protect the “ vital interest” of U.S. corporations. The crises of human misery in this country dictates that U.S. public and private capital and resources be directed towards solving domestic problems in this country. The defense/war budget m ust be reduced by at least 50% and the resulting peace dividend used to invest in human needs and human develop ment here in the U.S. Needless to say translating the demand for conversion to a peace econ omy into reality will not be an easy task. But it is an essential task which poor and working people and the disad vantaged must undertake as a life and death proposition. Starting at the local and state levels a grassroots movement for conversion must be initiated. Com munity based organizations, civil rights groups and labor must lobby school boards, city councils, mayors, county cimmissioners, and members of state legislatures to adopt resolutions calling on the federal government to drasti cally reduce military spending in favor of civilian/domestic spending. All of these political jurisdictions which are reeling under the impact of budget cuts must be neighborhood of the wisdom of conversion to a peace economy. Elected officials at the local and state level must come to see that it is simply impossible to manage the mess created by Reaganomics and the Re agan Revolution. There is no “ humane way to cut aid for the homeless and funds for housing when the number of homeless people is increasing; reduce allocations for public education when the public schools are already pushing out millions of functional illiterates; reduce or eliminate general relief/wel- Urban League names Marketing and Development Director The Urban League of Portland has announced the appointment of Michael Pullen as director of marketing and development. Pullen was formerly with International Film and Video of Port land. He has also held public relations positions with Royal Viking Line of Coral Gables, Florida and the Ameri can Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco. The Urban League of Portland is a private, non-profit community service agency serving and advocating for African-Americans and others in the metropolitan Portland area. pOCTlflUBt^ERVER (USPS 959-680) OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION Established in 1970 Alfred L. Henderson Publisher fare when the unemployment rate is already at depression levels for poor and working people and the disadvan taged; watch helplessly as hospitals and health care centers close when the drug crisis and the AIDS epidemic is escalating. Public officials must be actively pressed to emulate the example of Baltimore’s Mayor Curt Schmoke. Based on an initiative launched by the Jobs with Peace Campaign, which was backed by community based organiza tions, civil rights organizations and labor, Mayor Schmoke is leading a march on Washington from Baltimore in mid- October to demand that funds be cut from the military budget to support human needs. The conversion to a peace econ omy is indeed a matter of life and death for poor and working people and the disadvantaged in the U.S. Therefore poor and working people must be deadly serious about this mission. People power must be in evidence in the streets and at the ballot box. Those elected officials who are willing to join the initiative to convert to a peace economy should cam some consideration in terms of continued support in their elective of fices. But those who fail to fight for the conversion to an economy which will meet the human needs of the dispos sessed must be met at the ballot box and defeated. Ending militarism and ushering in a peace economy may well be the most urgent task confronting those of us who want a more humane society in the U.S. We must fight to seize the peace divi dend from the military-industrial com plex and use that dividend to lay the groundwork for a peace economy. Otherwise there will be no peace in this land. No justice - No Peace! Letter to Mr. Tucker That question may not be as non sensical as it sounds. Where, as sug gested last week, some individuals or groups may have been endlessly “ spin ning their wheels,” keep in mind that wheels can be “ attached” to a vehicle (program) that is really GOING SOME WHERE -- going on to reveal new scenes and possibilities, effective ac tion and application of resources. Following my lead, a number of parents have successfully implemented some initial elements of such an ap proach (see front page article on edu cation, “ Parents Face School Daze” ). Now, in addition to the underutilized corporate and governmental resources I have consistently cited as available for the asking, there is the often-ne glected community and neighborhood support opportunities. Here, I would emphasize how important it is to have a convenient site available for meet ings or other activities - especially one whose facilities and environs are com patible with the project. For example, the parent group that obtained thousands of dollars in re sources on their own initiative this summer (“ School Daze” article, 9/11/ 91), found their activities expedited no end by having a regular place to con vene and plan on a scheduled basis. In Northeast you might consider contact ing Jeff Parks, owner of “ Texas No. II” at 1708 N.E. Alberta St. (280-9115 after 11 a.m.). This frequent contribu tor to community programs has avail able, just off the main restaurant, a banquet room that can seat 12 to 16 people. However, there is available in the 1600 block on the opposite side of the street a very modem public facility with every imaginable amenity, and which can handle up to TWO HUNDRED PERSONS. Either of those two locations are very close to my office and I am always available for any input or developmen tal strategy that may prove helpful. Further, I would remind parents of other - Dear Mr. Tucker, I am writing to you to address why “ sisters” gel upset when they see “ brothers” with white women. This past fourth of July, I went to a barbecue where there were 1 5 -2 0 young broth ers. Not a one came with a black fe male. Brothers have told me “ they” are nicer. As far as I am concerned it is another very serious form of brain washing. I see too many black persons (male & female with no racial pride). I have seen black men desert their black families. Don’t quote statistics on how many sisters will never marry. I am sick of this garbage. Quoting statistics is like playing god and people manipu late statistics to reflect what they want. Let’s get real here. The white folks have just as many serious problems in their community, contrary to what the utopia, a lot of blacks folks think they live in. We need to nurture our own, spiritually and emotionally. Something is seriously wrong in our community. Thank you, A concerned “ sister” Brenda United Airlines PORTLA Are • The • Proud • Sponsors • Of Reinvestment^ = Community Crime and Punishment by P r o f f e s s o r M c K i n l e y B u r t “ Stop the merry go round’ ’ the nation cries, “ I want to get o ff.” But few, if any, wish to address the real nature of an agonizing problem that has put our nation at risk; WESTERN CIVILIZATION IS FUNDEMENTALLY VIOLENT! Already, at the end of the third quarter, statistics indicate that crime against both people and property will substantially increase this year. At the same time we are informed that A. There are not enough law enforcement personnel to properly investigate and bring the perpetra tors to justice. B. If they were caught, tried and convicted, the facilities are not available to house them all- -hence the “ revolving door syn- drone” that leaves most male fac tors on the street. C. The concept of “ rehabilitation” has been buried under the weight of a failing, un derfunded ‘system’ of “ Criminal Justice (?)” It is increasingly apparent that at the current and accelerating rate of lawlessness in this republic it will be impossible to fund an effec There’s only one way to come out ahead of the pack. The PORTLAND OBSERVER is published weekly by Exie Publishing Company, Inc. 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97211 503-288-0033 • Fax 288-0015 MENDED ELSEW HERE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE A DOCTOR ATE IN EITHER SCIENCE, EDU CATION OR HISTORY.” Now, we understand what that is all about, and it is not that much of a problem to ME! After all, my book, “ Black Inventors of America’ ’ is used in schools across the country - and still selling overseas. And I still get requests from corporate and public agencies to make presentations to their personnel to acquaint them with the documented abilities of minorities and women in science and technology. And I am asked to consult with their staffs on strategies to expedite their involve ment and integration in the workforce- much of that recognition based on acheivements ranging from a National Science Association award to being asked by a top, nationally-recognized scientist to provide a math-learning methodology to a school with which he was involved. Not to mention teach ing at a state university for ten years with classes accredited in four sepa rate disciplines during that period. No, not that much of a problem to ME! But, what about the school chil dren who are not to find out who they really are -- who are not to gain a realistic self-image and who are not to be motivated to learn or to say “ no” to drugs because “ lam somebody and I do have a future." WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT WHO ARE RE CRUITING GANG MEMBERS IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL RACIST WAY! I emphatically urge you parents to implement the suggestions I have made here the past weeks instead of “ going with the flow.” Though I have encouraged more participation at the school level, it is obvious that mean ingful intervention is going to have to come from parents who must organize independently of a rather treacherous system. Continued next week. îÿ£&x:: Joyce Washington Operations Manager Gary Ann Garnett Business Manager undertuilized resources that many ne glect. P articularly, THEIR WORKPLACE, where the corpora tion or public agency may or may not ALREADY be in the role of providing education assistance to “ classrooms.” The point here is such assistance may not be reaching your school, and that is something which parents must deter mine - and follow up on. And if a parent's employer is not a participant in an outreach/mentorship program in support of the schools, then THE PARENTS SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND REQUEST SUCH INTERACTION! We are speaking of any and eve rything from providing ethnic or fe male role models from the plant staff for classroom visits (motiviation and career orientation), toproviding physi cal resources and hardware, particu larly that which is relevant to technol ogy and communication. Also, it is a fact that all of us know of excellent role models right in our community - people who are not brought in to inter face with our children, but who have tremendous skills as evidenced by the fact that their corporate and public employers have placed them in key positions indicative of their talents. While there are a few exceptions to this attitude in our community’s schools, an overall “ design” may be inferred. Try the following on for size! Where earlier in the year I made a series of successful presentations to the student body of an area school, generating over a hundred responses from students of all races to the effect that their eyes had been opened to the magnificent (and nation-building) con tributions of African American scien tists and inventors - and that the knowl edge would certainly make a differ ence in their attitudes and perspectives in respect to all minorities, NEVER THELESS THE SCHOOL STAFF HAS DECIDEDTHAT“ MR.BURTCAN- NOT RETURN OR BE RECOM- - • - Deadline for all submitted materials: Articles: Monday, 5:00 pm--Ads: Tuesday, noon POSTMASTER: Send A ddress C hanges to: Portland O bserver, P.O. B ox 3137, P ortland, OR 97208 Second class postage paid at Portland Oregon. The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and can not be used in other publications or personal usage, without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad. © 1991 PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. tive system of jurisprudence - let alone afford the facilities to house, feed and supervise an evergrowing population that may approach one tenth of our citizenry by the year 2000. But, while we ring our hands and find ourselves overwhelmed by the media reports and polemics on our immorality and culpability- -and by the many sermons on our departure from the ways of right eousness-som e are as King, “ is there really anything new about all of this?” Of course there is nothing new here, whether one views things in either a religious or a secular con text. For many of us the “ Bible” provides our concepts of justice, morality, fairness, legality and other codified prescriptions for ethical relationships. And at the same time there arc described terrible times of complete breakdowns in law and order as a whole as well as in inter personal relationships. But always these conditions arc followed on by equally violent periods of “ punish ment for sins” leading to eventual redemption and restoration of right eousness. And the secular-minded are able to go back 2000 years further is his tory to find their models in African history - Egypt and Ethiopia, where between dynasties are found the same catastrophic losses and resur rection of justice and nobility in the culture. Too, one need look no fur ther than the cities of 18th century England to find exact counter points to America’s urban traumas -- from ‘crime-in-the-street’ to corruption in government So, perhaps, the only distinguishing factor in the con temporary scene is DRUGS! This leads to a pretty obvious conclusion. Unless the problem of drugs in America is dealt with im mediately and vigorously, none of the convcntial solutions being re trieved from history will be of any avail. “ No” must be said not only by the ‘little people’ but by every element of the body politic from congress to the white house - and mean it for a change or we all perish. Subscriptions:$25.00 per year. American Heart Association The Portland Observer-Oregon's Oldest African-American Publication-is a member of the National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885, and The National F-’ j Oregon Affiliate. Inc. Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc , New York, NY ( A *■ A "Reinvestments in the Community" Is a weekly column appearing in API publications through out the USA 1, < * f F, < * * f A -p v * )► e