Page 2...The Portland Observer...April 29, 1992
CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL#
By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
*
African American Leadership:
Calling To Be Chief of Police
It is historically noteworthy that 25
years after the U.S. Kerner Commis
sion called for a substantive change in
police and law enforcement practices
and attitudes toward the nation’s “mi
nority” communities, the largest cities
in the United States increasingly are
now calling on African Americans to be
Chief of Police. As the demographic
characteristics of the major metropoli
tan areas continue to become more
multiracial, the demands for racial jus
tice in municipal law enforcement are
being made with renewed vigor.
Although the overwhelming num
ber of the rank and file police officers
across the nation are not persons of
color, the fact that a significant number
of the “top brass” leaders of metropoli
tan police departments are now African
Americans and other persons of color is
an important dynamic to monitor. Un
fortunately, much of the past history of
relationships between people of color
communities and police departments,
urban and rural, has been a history of
antagonism, unbridled police brutality
and utter distrust.
Last year the video taped episode
of the vicious racially-motivated beat
ing of an African American motorist by
white officers of the Los Angeles Po
lice Department precipitated a national
outrage. The verdict and aftermath of
the trial of the officers accused in the
beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles
will be viewed by many as another test
case on the capacity of the criminal
justice system “to police” the police.
The announcement by the City of
Los Angeles that Willie L. Williams, an
African American, is to be the new
Chief of Police of Los Angeles follows
the current national trend. Williams,
who is the Police Commissioner of the
City of Philadelphia, has an outstand
ing record of effective law enforcement
and a demonstrated commitment to im
proving police and community rela
tions. We note that Los Angeles Police
Chief Daryl F. Gates refused to attend
the press conference in Los Angeles
that presented Police Chief-to-be Wil
liams.
The person in charge of police
departments in any city helps to set the
tone and character of the department.
Police Officers are, in fact, influenced
by their chain of command and key
leadership. So much of what has tran
spired in the City of Los Angeles, the
nation’s second largest city, in terms of
negative and hostile community rela
tions is directly attributed to the racist
views and actions of Chief Gates.
Chief Williams will, therefore,
come into a situation dial has been
racially polarized for years. It will not
be easy, but we believe that Williams
has both the competence and compas
sion necessary to rise to meet this criti
cal challenge. Hopefully, all of the citi
zens of Los Angeles will benefit from
having the police department head in a
new direction.
No one seems to be paying atten
tion to the progress that Police Com
missioner Lee Brown has made since
he became head of the nation’s largest
police force. To be sure, there are still
problems between the African Ameri
can, and Hispanic American communi
ties, and the police in New York City.
But, it is also true that there has been a
decrease in the number of cases of the
kind of brutal and violent racially-mo
BY PROF. MCKINLEY BURT
Remember that old blues? Quite a
number of the folks have used that title
to describe the present condition of the
Democratic Party. There is no reason,
of course, not to extend this viewpoint
to the entirety of today’s political pro
cess.
Some readers said they were disap
pointed to find so many Black con
gressmen on that “bad check list.” Join
the crowd; I’ve been disappointed (dis
illusioned) for years as time after time
I’ve failed to receive replies from cor
respondence to either individuals or to
the “Black Caucus” organization. We
assume that they are granted the same
frank (free postage) as the other legisla
tors-w ho lose no opportunity to “reach
out and touch someone,” whether in
their state or not. They answer and/or
will retrieve information and studies
for you.
It might be said that we can hardly
blame that “present condition of the
Democratic Party” on the Black Cau
cus. Not when we consider that the
party has been running out of steam
(and commitment) for decades-pass-
ing no meaningful legislation that could
change the economy or human condi
tion . And that, passed, could hold against
a veto. Black or white, congressmen
overall could make themselves more
available (and receptive) to those of us
out here who just might have something
to contribute.
I am particularly disturbed that for
tivated police misconduct that were
disturbingly evident in New York City
prior to Lee Brown’sadministrationof
the Police Department of New York
City. Brown’s effective leadership in
law enforcement is internationally rec
ognized.
The undergirding issue here is that
African American leadership of police
departments has made a difference.
Yet, it is unrealistic to assume that the
fact that an African American is the
Chief of Police or Police Commis
sioner will, in itself, liberate people of
color communities from years of op
pression and exploitation.
The positive difference is that hav
ing a person from a community that
has historically been victimized by the
police to get into position of leading a
police department will, at least, make
the police potentially more sensitive to
the diverse needs of different racial
and ethnic communities.
All communities are entitled to
fairness, justice and respect, as well as
prudentand effective law enforcement
There is a direct correlation between
the stability and empowerment of a
community and the presence of eco
nomic and racial justice equity distrib
uted to all. A police department cannot
enforce judicial justice onto a commu
nity in the absence of racial and eco
nomic justice.
All this means is that the struggle
for freedom and justice must continue
and, in cities and communities where
African Americans and others have
controlling authority over the police,
our efforts to secure justice for all
should not be diminished but acceler
ated.
tElfe ^nrtlanh Observer
(USPS 959-680)
OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION
Established In 1970
P ublisher
Alfred Henderson
O perations Manager
Joyce Washington
A cco un tin g Manager
Gary Ann Garnett
P ublic R elations
Chuck Washington
Sales & Prom otions
Tony Washington
Contributing Writers
McKinley Burt
Bill Barber
Sharon Camarda
Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
Dan Bell
It seems almost perverse that every
time another vicious hate crime occurs,
a few of us stand up and deplore the
incident. Then we wait unitl the next
one comes along and react with the
same righteous indignation. In-between
we act as if our problem has disap
peared; as if our words have quelled the
hatred in the souls of the tom Metzgers
of the world.
I’m sad to say it just isn’t so. And
I’m also saddened that each time we
react act to a violent hate crime, our
response gets just a little weaker be
cause we in turn have become a bit
more jaded. It’s old news on the televi
sion stations. Il’s worth an editorial and
a few stories in the Oregonian. It’s an
agenda item at City Council. And it
causes a Hurry of activity in the
Governor’s Affirmative Action Office.
All of these are well-intentioned
efforts. And they help raise the aware
ness that out there on our streets are
individuals who will beataperson within
an inch of their life or even murder them
just because of the color of their skin or
their sexual orientation.
Fannie Lou Hamer once said, “I’m
sick and tir.d o f being sick and tired.”
I agree!
Ms. Hamer was a poor black woman
from Mississippi who fought at the
Democratic convention in 1964 to as
sure blacks the right to vote. To me, Ms.
Dean Babb
Sharon Camarda
Gary Ann Garnett
Jenifer Johnson
Rea Washington
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country seemed unable to impress these
people with the urgency and the des
peration of the situation. That is not to
mention the ECONOMIC OPPORTU
NITY fully as lucrative as owning the
Bahamas! These people o f clout and
expertise(?) were needed to countervail
against the chicanery and fraud prac
ticed by the officials and institutions
mentioned earlier. And to lend their
prestige in accelerating the FAMILY
REUNION process in a highly orga
nized manner, supported with the lat
est data processing and other informa
tion retrieval systems (also properties
and potential listed).
This latter procedure is extremely
important for so much of the black-
owned property is lost when you have
acreage subject to the claims of dozens
or more missing or unidentified heirs.
Fortunately, if belatedly, at least one
“traditionally black university” has
taken note of the problem and has
initiated an outreach program. But al
ready strapped financially, they cer
tainly need the political and financial
support of those whom we have cited.
I’m with Tony Brown, the jour
nalist. To heck with those Scotch and
chicken wing conventions on which
we spend tens of millions of dollars—
let’s get on with it, media, caucus and
all. M. Ross Perot just said it: “The
Indian went to the reservation and
MISSED THE INDUSTRIAL REVO
LUTION.”
And Charlie Brown?
Hamer statement means we must do
more than just speak out when we see
injustice occur. We must speak out
before the crime; join forces in a united
front to let those who would kill for
color know we won’t allow it to happen
anymore.
It’s past time for us to a c t although
I can assure you many of us are trying,
we need help. I want to mention three
people specifically who I believe de
serve our thanks for their continuing
efforts. They arc Scott Nakagawa of the
coalition for Human Dignity, Darryl
Tukufu of the Urban League and
Caroline Leonard of the Metropolitan
Human Relations Commission.
But these three Portland leaders
can’tdoitalone. 100 more police offic
ers can’t do without the help of the
people.
We need every home and block
and neighborhood to become a part of
our solution.
When I was first appointed State
Representative of District 19,1 sent out
a legislative survey. In it I asked people
if they would like to participate in the
Neighborhood Watch Program. Over
140 people responded positively and
right now those people are being plugged
into the program. That’s one of the
reasons this recent crime against Jacob
Johnson is so disturbing, for it occurred
in this same legislative district where
people were so willing to come forward
and help.
Now it may seen odd for a State
Representative to help solicit volun
teers fora city program. But I believe it
is this spirit of teamwork, cooperation
and vigilance to a common goal that will
help us reach our Oregon Benchmark of
eliminating hale crimes by the end of
this century.
And I will begin asking each one for
my colleagues - whenever they send
outa survey - to begin asking for volun
teers to our community policing efforts.
And to begin speaking out with me
today,, and every day, before another
horrible hate crime like this occurs.
For I believe that while all crime is
bad, hate crimes are particularly devas
tating crimes. For they are more than
crimes against people. They are viola
tions against our city and its national
reputation. Hate crimes are crimes
againsta whole new generation of young
people who are just now learning w hat
many of us have known for years - that
hatred cannot be quelled by words alone.
Until we band together, until we
make community policing work house
by house, block by block and neighbor-
hood by neighborhood, it will still not be
safe for every person to walk to the
comer store in Portland, Oregon.
And until it is, I and my colleagues,
should continue to speak out.
' Portland Observer encourages our readers to write
letters to the editor in response to any articles
we publish. •’ -'y ,
7-’.•’.■Ph 7 7 .7 7 .'.'. 77..
^ a rtL a rth © b s e rlie r
Production Staff
The PORTLAND OBSERVER is
published weekly by
Exie Publishing Company, Inc.
4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97211
503-288-0033 e Fax 288-0015
: Ci
!
over a decade now the black media has
been screaming about what a shame it
is that African Americans are rapidly
losing the valuable lands they own off
the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas.
As I wrote here eight years ago (and
later), this is some of the most valuable
land on the continent In 1978 I devel
oped a course, “Black Economic Expe
rience,” at Portland State University. I
developed one chapter in particular
which could have been titled, “Lost and
Neglected Economic Opportunity.” It
was pointed out that just one of these
small Sea Islands, which was formerly
black-owned, was now valued by the
Hilton Resorts Co. at $1,000 a front
INCH! What do you think it is worth
now?
This is still happening as of today
as land for which Blacks are often paid
$5 and $10 an acre is converted by
others to golf courses, marinas, tennis
courts and fabulous destination hotels.
You must consider that the young folks,
finally allowed at least a 10th grade
education, were running off to the main
land cities “to better their condition.”
This left the elders, poorly equipped to
deal with real estate and tax matters (for
the most part, not all), so the sheriffs,
county officials, state agriculture agents,
and the banks, began to take over a 100-
year-old heritage.
It is here that we see fit to reference
again members of the Black Caucus
(and other black leaders), because a
number of us in various parts of the
April 24,1992
murder of Mulugeta Seraw, to be taken
lightly. Seraw’s murderers were never
charged in federal co u rt. Now
Johnson ’ s attacker are being let off the
hook and treated with leniency. To
treat Skinhead attackers, w ho accord
ing to an eye witness, were shouting
“W e’re the KKK and we’re gonna kill
you” so lightly is an abuse of police
authority and a welcome mat to Neo-
Nazis. This must stop. We need less
police funding and more money and
attention spent on human needs and
human rights. The police must imme
diately arrest all four racist attackers
and charge them with attempted mur
der.
Sincerely,
Adrienne Weller
Radical Women
i
by Professor McKinley Burt
Statement from State Representative Avel Gordly
Tolerance Of Racist Attacks Must Stop
independent of the police, the Mayor
and politicians. The board needs real
authority, to change police policy, to
discipline, to fire and to grant awards to
victims of police abuse of force.
To keep civilians safe from police
abuse requires less funding of police
and more for the battered citizenry.
More money for jobs, training, drug
rehabilitation programs and housing will
reduce drugs and street crime. An inde
pendent review board will help curtail
the wild and undisciplined police at
tacks on civilians in Portland. And,
immediately, the police must arrest all
four Skinheads who helped beat John
son into a coma, and charge them with
attempted murder. The police must take
racist attacks seriously and not permit
repeated Skinhead attacks, like the
>
The Thrill is Gone
Look For Our Special Housing Section on Page 11 & 12
To The Editor:
The Skinhead beating of Jacob
Johnson and the police’s refusal to ar
restali four people involved, and charg
ing the one Skinhead, Randal Krager,
with 2nd degree assault and letting him
o u t on b ail b rings to a head a
longstanding problem of police toler
ance towards racist attacks and police
abuse of force toward the poor, people
of color, and demonstrates against the
status quo. Mayor Bud Clark and Chief
Tom Potter have a policy that permits
racism and contempt for the rights of
ordinary citizens to flourish. This policy
encourages Skinhead assaults.
To turn around police abuse .police
racism and murder of civilians, a re
view board over the police is needed,
made up of Portlanders, and absolutely
e r s v e c tiv e s
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