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November 20,1991...The Portland Observer...Page 5
Portland Causes Stir At Conference Part II
ated.
As we continue w ith our interview
it the conference, there were many
)ther very talented and dedicated per-
¡ons currently w orking in the file d o f
vlulticulturalism from many states and
;ountries including-Canada, Africa and
ingland.
Another very profound and dy-
lam ic speaker was Dr. James Banks o f
Seattle, Washington. He was one o f
Lhe opening speakers using the topic
“ Background Perspective and Need
for M ulticultu ral Education.” He sug
gested a curriculum design to foster
m ulticultural literacy - one that w ill
help students and teachers to know , to
care and to act in ways that w ill de
velop and cultivate a just society. He
further stated that “ It is imperative
that curricula be transformed to help
students view concepts, issues and
problems from diverse cultural per
spectives. M erely inserting ethnic and
gender content into existing curricula
structures, paradigms, and assumptions
is not enough. T otally transoformed
m ulticultural curricula motivate stu
dents to view and interpret facts, events,
concepts and theories from varying
perspectives.” Banks continues, “ To
help our nation and world become more
culturally democratic, students must
also develop com m itm ent to personal,
social and civic actions as w ell as
knowledge and skills to their p artici
pation in effective civic action.”
An o’ der educator here in Port
land once stated, “ M otivation w ithout
opportunity equals depression and fa il
ure.” -- Mrs. Roberta B. Vann
The students identified in the
m ulticultural hype are caught up in
little nets o f confinem ent which is in-
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Conference participants
Dr. James A. Banks
Dr. Robert Fortenberry
consistent w ith the purpose o f the pro
gram. A re we going backwards instead
o f going forward? Have we made any
progress? O r - are we merely reacting
to the compounded interest o l our fore
fathers? For every action, there is a
reaction. Are our reactions sound and
w ith purpose? Are our children merely
pawns being used in a vicious game
geared fo r adults who have lost their
direction? Each educator must th ink on
these questions as they pursue and design
a course o f direction fo r their lives, in
the field o f education, and for the out
come o f the lives o f a ll the children
they w ill encounter. Ask yourself this
question, “ A m i hurting or helping this
child?” W ill your students remember
you as a concerned teacher or w ill they
say that you just d id n ’ t care? As educa
tors, you have something that every
student wants and needs - an educa
tion.
An educator isn’ t one who only
gives tests and lectures; an educator is
And I don’t forsee any improvement in
districts were only giving lip service to
M ulticultural Education and were wait
ing for something else to take its place.
Other programs, just beginning, had
not yet been assigned a budget. Ger
aldine Hammond, o f the Salem-Keizer
Public Schools, expressed gratitude to
the Portland, C orvallis and Eugene
schools fo r their assistance in helping
develop her program; and causing the
progress to be m oving more quickly
than other programs in other districts
which began at the same time.
Since the Salem-Keizer program
started, in June o f 1991, a retreat for all
administrators was held in August with
a national speaker, Byron Kunisawa,
who spoke on “ Valuing D iversity.”
There was also a city-w id e outreach
presentation and a R EA C H (Respect
ing Ethnic And C ultural Heritage)
Training Workshop for teachers, coun
selors and principals. Hammond ex
uded, “ None o f these activities could
have taken place w ithout the contact
and networking w ith other people who
were w orking on M ulticultu ral Educa
tion Program ideas fo r materials and
staff training; and the opportunity to
hear many nationally known speak
by M allie Ann Callier-Spears
In this entire w orld, the United
tales is the envy o f a ll nations. “ As a
ation, Americans spend more on beer
nd cigarettes than they do on educa-
o n,” as slated by M artin Luther K ing
jng years ago. The United States o f
tmerica is a nation where its govern-
lent seems to be more concerned about
ow w ell a m issile, an instrument o f
lestruction, is constructed than they
re about how w ell the minds o f its
uture, our children, are being edu-
ers.”
Mr. Proctor Houston
Another very vocal woman edu
cator, from the stale o f Texas, was
very adamant concerning the m isdi
rection on the emphasis on m ulticultu
ralism. As she stood, she dynamically
verbalized her fervent and emotional
assessment, by saying “ We have sent
education back centuries in time. It
was during the tim e o f segregation,
when our children were a ll in black
schools, being taught by black teach
ers - our children excelled; from that
generation came our doctors, lawyers,
judges and politicians. People o f color,
though deprived and depressed, re
ceived a better quality o f education. It
was following integration - when white
teachers were forced to teach our Black
children and our Hispanic children and
our Japanese children and our Jewish
children. Maybe loo many color-lines
were crossed. Maybe the rules o f the
game were not clearly defined. A ll
that 1 know, is that, every since inte
gration, our Black kids, especially,
have gotten a raw deal in education.
someone who lights up dark places in
the minds o f tire learner.
On Saturday, November 2, 1991,
Dr. Lawrence Lczottc, recognized as
the preeminent spokesperson for effec
tive schools research, emphasized
m ulticultural education by using The
Effective School Model. “ The effec
tive school model is a school where a
high percentage o f students master the
basic skills and essential elements re
gardless o f . J r ic ily , socio-economic
standing, or gender.”
On Sunday, the final day, but far
from being the end o f the discussion,
D r. Robert Fortenberry concluded the
conference by challenging each con
ference participant “ We must continue
to look at new ideas, strategics and
inform ation that would help us reach
our goal o f a quality education lo r all
our students.” He then encouraged the
group to share their perspectives on
m ullicuturalism .
Some persons expressed that their
the near future.
Washington, D.C. sent a repre
sentative from the Department o f Edu
cation. M rs Cornelius didn’ t make a
very big h it w ith the conference par-
tiepants, as a whole, with the content
o f her presentation. Her speech was in
undated w ith statistics and carefully
placed statements, such as: ‘ ‘The buzz
word fo r the 90’ s is ‘Reform for Edu
cation’ . Some 23 m illio n adults are
functionally illiterate. The school apti
tude test showing decline since 27 years.
The statistics show that l/5 th o f the
total education population can w rite a
comprehensive essay and only l/3 rd
has excelled in math. The mediocre
can stand as an act o f war. We have
disassembled or disarmed the present
education system. The 1960 perform
ance level is not acceptable. Children
today know as much science and math
as their parents three decades ago. Sta
tistics have increased in interracial d i
versity.” She also said the statistics
bear repeating the “ w h y” we need
culticultural education.
It was stated that from 1985 to
1995 the Hispanic and Asians w ill in
crease over 50% in the high schools.
Washington is encouraging textbook
publishers to reflect the m ulticultural
diversity in their printed materials. There
must be a complete reconstruction o f
the American System.
According to the material Mrs.
Cornelius was reading from , “ The
breakdown on the value system falls
on our schools. We must work together
to free all schools o f drugs and crime.
Businesses are presently paying for the
design o f the schools. Each commu
nity should get involved w ith the de
signs o f their schools. Find out what it
w ill take. Also, we need better job
skills. Encourage the corporate com
m unity to create skill clinics to up
grade skills o f employment.”
Mrs. Cornelius concluded her pres
entation by saying “ President Bush is
calling on each educator to assistât the
com m unity level...”
Conference facilitator. Dr. Robert
Fortenberry, final words s till ring in
my ears, “ During this conference, I ’ ve
heard participants speak about the atti-
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What Black Women Should
Know About Lupus’
Portland Section National Council
if Negro Women has joined a nation
wide campaign to raise awareness o f
upus and its symptoms among black
women.
The campaign “ W hat Black
Vomen Should Know About Lupus
egan in National Lupus Awareness
donth in October and is intended to
aise awareness o f Lupus and its symp-
ams among black women, and encour-
ge them to see their doctor i f they have
igns o f the disease.
The National Institute o f A rth ritis
ind Musculosketal and Skin Disease
N IA M S ), a component o f the National
nstitute o f Health, believes that women
vho think they have Lupus should be
examined by a doctor and be tested for
he disease. Lupus is a serious health
jroblem that m ainly effects young
vomen. Although people o f all races
nay get lupus, it has a three times
ligher incidence, prevalence, and
n o rta lity in black women than in white
women.
“ M any in the black comm unity
iave never heard o f Lupus, and it goes
undiagnosed until serious complications
arise. I f left untreated, the disease may
damage the joints, skin, kidneys, heart,
or brain. W ith the correct medicine and
taking care o f themselves, most Lupus
patients can hold a job, have children,
and lead a fu ll life.
Common signs o f Lupus arc red
rash or color change in the face, painful
or swollen joints, unexplained fever,
chest pain w ith breathing, unusual loss
o f hair, sensitivity to the sun, and a low
blood count. I f you think you have
signs o f Lupus, see a doctor. For a free
copy o f the booklet, “ W hat Black
Women Should Know About Lupus,”
w rite Portland Section National Coun
c il Negro Women, Ms. Edna Pittman,
President, PO Box 11705, Portland,
Oregon 97211.
D id you know that lupus is a dis
ease that occurs more frequently in
young black women than in any other
group? Lupus can be serious, but with
early detection and gootl treatment, most
people w ith lupus can lead a normal
Considering these facts, it is im-
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ASIIIOV
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St. Philips Honors
Maude Young
lupus d iffe r from one person to an
other. Some people have many signs o f
the disease. Others have ju s t a few. The
common signs o f lupus arc:
♦Red rash or color change on the
face, often in the shape o f a butterfly
across the bridge o f the nose.
♦Painful or swollen joints
♦Unexplained fever
♦Chest pain w ith breathing
♦Unusual loss o f hair
♦Pale or purple fingers or toes from
cold or stress
♦Low blood count
These signs arc more important
when they occur together.
O nly a doctor can diagnose lupus.
I f you think you or someone you know
has lupus, sec a doctor right away. The
doctor w ill perform an examination
office at 249-2000.
A t the time o f this publication,
Carolyn M . Leonard was not available
for comment on the Baseline Essays.
The Portland Observer w ill bring you
further detailed information and in-depth
interviews with local educators in a follow
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Maude Banks Young, confirmed
as a member in 1938 w ill be honored by
her church on Sunday, November 24,
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for her dedicated service and comm u
nity commitment over the past 50 years.
SL Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church,
120 N E Knott, invited friends to a spe
cial celebration for Mrs. Young at 11:15
a.m., November 24. Mrs. Young is a
retired practical nurse and has served
as Senior Warden and leader o f many
local and diocesan church groups. As a
dedicated com m unity activist, Mrs.
Young has been President o f the Urban
League G uild, Headstart volunteer,
advocate for senior services and cen
ters, and an Oregon M e rit M other o f the
f
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Year.
and test for the disease.
The cause o f lupus is unknown.
However, research doctors have learned
a great deal about lupus and arc study
ing new ways to treat and, hopefully,
prevent the disease.
FOR MORE IN F O R M A T IO N call
the Lupus Foundation o f Am erica, at
(800)558-0121 or The Amcican Lupus
Society at (800) 331-1802 or w rite the
Task Force on Lupus in High Risk
Populations, National Institute o f A r
thritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Disease, Box A M S , 9000 R ockville
Pike, Bethesda, M aryland 20892.
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1
PRESENT
THANKSGIVING EVE JAM
ALL LADIES FASHION SHOW
ANP .DANCE
portant that Black Americans, particu
larly young, black women know about
lupus, its symptoms, and its treatment.
Lupus is a disease that can affect
many parts o f the body. In lupus, some
thing goes wrong w ith the body’ s
immune system, and this pow erful
protective system is no longer able to
defend the body against illness. In
stead, the immune system attacks healthy
tissues.
There arc three types o f lupus. The
most serious o f these is systemic lupus
erythematosus which may harm the
skin, joints, kidneys, brain, lungs, and
heart. Discoid or cutaneous lupus mainly
affects the skin. Lupus caused by
medications, or drug-induced lupus, goes
away when the medication is stopped.
How can you tell i f you or some
one you know has lupus? The signs o f
ludes o f the teachers. We d o n 't have
tim e for these people to get their a tti
tudes together. I t ’ s later than you think
it is. You are the administrator. Use
your authority! I f a teacher can’ t prop
erly execute your program -- get rid o f
them. We don’ t have tim e to be babysit
ting teachers. Teachers are being paid to
teach. So -- they should do just that.
These children are coming to us w ith a
m yriad o f serious concerns and we, as
educators, have to be prepared to meet
the needs o f these children.”
Just the other day I heard a com
ment on Christian radio that is so appro
priate. The speaker said “ The old c li
che’ says ‘ I f you can’ t stand the heat, get
out o f the kitchen’ . But I say stay in the
kitchen and take the heat, because it is
only through trials and struggles are we
made strong.’ ”
How many times have you heard an
educator say these famous last words,
“ I can’t take any more. I ’ m getting out
o f this business.” W e ll maybe, just
maybe, that person was just a paid
employee and not a dedicated employee.
We need more dedicated school district
and classroom employees. Persons who
are dedicated to the proposition that a ll
children, no matter what their cultural
or socio-economic backgrounds are, shall
and w ill receive an adequate education
that w ill help create high levels o f self
esteem, good citizenship, good commu
nity influences and an excellent appre
ciation fo r the cultural differences o f
others. There are too many educators
who are just drawing their paychecks
and w ouldn’ t give a h ill o f beans fo r the
education o f our children. These people
don’ t need to be in the classrooms. A
concerned teacher is a good teacher.
Parents should also take an active part in
the education o f their children. D on’ t
ju s t leave it all to the schools.
For more inform ation concerning «
this conference and upcoming confer iS
ences, contact Carolyn M . Leonard’ s
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''• • / ’ ¿ A -
Oregon First Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction
When: December 07, 1991
Where: Shilo Inn 11707 N E A ir
port Way
Theme: “ Women Sharing Prayers
Through The H olidays”
Cost: S I5.00 (price includes Gra
tuity)
We are invitin g Christians from all
over the com m unity to respond to this
opportunity to help Oregon First Ec
clesiastical Jurisdiction Coffee Sip
A u x ilia ry continue its comm itment to
strengthen Christian women everywhere.
For further information, please feel
free to call Normal J. W illiam s at 287-
NOV. 17
9:pm
to
$5
2: am
TEXAS 11
1635 NE ALBERTA
PORTLAND
0624.
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