<<<«•• » < 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- » 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- ■ ' ■ 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- .................... ÍÍ ARRI ASIIIOV I AS 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 & I <' up-issue. s s $ $ I I1 I < I 1 : ■ S Maude Banks Young, confirmed as a member in 1938 w ill be honored by her church on Sunday, November 24, I 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 * * * * 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. . . 4 , 4 , » . • • > 4 4 « 4 < - 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 ‘ . * . - . ' . ' . . . . ''• • / ’ ¿ 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. . 4 < « ' ■' • ■ ■■■ s • V*. * ‘ V*-* . '- ■ - '■ ’ •• ? - :J