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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1992)
. OTOT * # w ♦ e e e e ie e w V • * Page 2...The Portland Observer...May 13,1992 The Los Angeles Dream Explodes: Again! Letters To The Editor Held to the griddle were the fo llo w in g players; The Federal Housing Adm inistration, the Na tio n a l M ortgage Associations W hat happens to a dream deferred? (Fannie Mae and Freddy Mae), Does it dry up The Federal Reserve Board, The like a raisin in the sun? Federal Deposit Insurance C or O r fester like a so re - poration (FD IC ), and several large And then run? urban banks. Testifying “ fo r the Does it stink like rotten meat? people,” we had the National A ir O r crust and sugar over-- Housing Alliance, and the C om like a syrupy sweet? munities for Accountable Rein Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. vestment, among others. A ll in O r does it explode? a ll, we heard the same old litany of RED L IN IN IN G , BY PROF. MCKINLEY BURT D IS IN V E S T - M E N T , and G entrification. O bviously,nothing had 1 appreciate those calls from read changed since the first hypocritical hear ers and several local social organiza ings held imm ediately after the W a tt’s tions in response to my last week’s article that explored the R ight W ing riots o f 1965. Be sure to keep Portland in m ind as in filtra tio n o f some o f the nation’s Po we review these facts. The chairman o f lice Departments. Today, I would draw your attention to an equally v o litile the hearings and several congressmen constantly reminded the testifying w it situation in urban dynamics that has the potential fo r further explosions; T H E nesses from these governmental agen cies that it had been their sworn, legal H O U SIN G R AC KE TEER IN G PR AC T IC E D OR SUPPORTED B Y O U R duty to exercise their regulatory au thority in m onitoring the performance F IN A N C IA L IN STITU TIO N S . o f their own agency as w ell as that o f the It has been 500 years since western man devised the racist concept o f a banks and mortgage companies in re spect to a nationwide surge in housing “ Ghetto” in which to imprison and ex p lo it the m inorities o f a nation (the discrim ination. T ypical lame excuses ranged from Jewish population o f Venice, Ita ly in the 15th centuryj.H ad you beenfollow - the protestations o f the Federal Na ing last week’ s hearings o f the House tional Mortgage A sso ciatio n- “ Yes we know, and we are constantly striving to Banking and Urban A ffa irs committee, improve our packages” (whatever that you w ould have concluded, “ nothing means) to the straight-faced statement has changed!” In this instance, we may o f the Huntington National Bunk o f evaluate not only the situation in Los Columbus, O hio; “ We have discovered Angeles but in Portland, Oregon as that intercity mortgages can be Q U IT E w ell. PR O FITA BLE. As a matter o f fact we Again, I am able to quite factually report on that California situation which have gone to a number o f the B L A C K CHURCHES and made them OUR had a great deal to do w ith the “ D E F ER R ED D R E A M ” that exploded AG ENTS, splitting commissions w ith (1954-1964 Business & Real Estate them” . This came after an admission Accounting). I have no idea w hy the that they had belatedly discovered the testimony (revelations) given before intent o f the Federal Com m unity In that congressional committee should vestment Act. We note that in Portland have proved so “ shocking” to several o f there has also been a sudden surge o f highly publicized protestations o f a firm the congressmen, when tens o f m illions o f Am ericans-and the press-have been com m itm ent to finance intercity hous aware o f the situation for almost a ing. Real or fancied? W e note, too, in respect to Port century. Nevertheless, tongues were land, not only the shenanigans o f the clocked and blame was facetiously Dom inion Real Estate company(s) and assigned to others, almost w itho ut ex the ruthless exploitation o f the poor ception. In the 1930s, black poet Langston Hughes wrote a peom, “ lenox Avenue M ural” : Civilian Police Review Board Needed The brutal beating o f Rodney King and the “ not g u ilty ” verdict that ju s ti fies police b ru tality in L .A . is not an isolated outrage. The Oregonian’ s ar ticles on police abuse o f deadly force make it clear that we have a serious problem here in Portland. The 1992 examples alone o f “ enforcem ent" by Portland police show that something is dangerously amiss w ithin Portland’s police force. C ertainly training is a critica l aspect o f any job. But police resorting to gunfire is not just a matter o f the need for training. It is also a matter o f police getting away w ith m ur der. Portlanders need a voice in control ling the behavior o f cops w ith guns, cops w ith clubs, cops w ith fists. We need a C iv ilia n Police Review Board, a panel o f elected citizens w ith inves tigation, assessment and disciplinary powers over police behavior. 1 don’t agree that drug-trafficking and gang violence justifies more po lice. More police w ill not protect any one, especially if you are a person o f color. The recent beating o f Jacob John son, an A frican American man, in N.E. Portland isan outrageous example. A ll four people involved in the attack arc reported to be white supremacists. Tw o o f those involved were allowed to walk away. The Neo-Nazi Skinhead assail ant was charged w ith a single count o f second-degree assault. That this attack is not considered a hate crim e sends an alarming message to our comm unity. It is no wonder the Aryan Nations consider Portland ripe for the picking. Racists attacks are permissible. We need to start holding account able those who are supposed to serve and protect. Portlanders should not be victim s o f police brutality or lenient treatment by poi ice o f racist assailants. A ll four o f Jacob Johnson’ s racist at tackers should be arrested and charged w ith attempted murder. Enact legisla tion for aC ivilian Police Review Board, independent o f the mayor and police chief. Demand that Rodney K in g ’ s attacker be charged under Federal C i v ii Rights laws. Sincerely, Jordano Sardo Integrity: Les AuCoin Wins Hands Down N.E. Portland. In those years I have come to know Les as an honest, compassionate and dedicated man. He cares about the com m unity, and has demonstrated his con cern w ith results: new housing, job training and development, and programs I do not know Harry Lonsdale, but I am very disappointed to see him at tack the integrity o f Congressman Les AuCoin. I have worked w ith M r. AuCoin fo r a num berof years w hile President o f the A lb in a M inisterial Alliance, and as a M inister o f S t M ark BaptistChurch in to help young people involved in gangs. From what I ’ ve witnessed o f the race fo r the U.S. Senate, i f it comes down to a question o f character and integrity, Les AuC oin wins hands down. Sincerely, Reverend Joe Hardie Portland Did Not “Write The Book On Love” Some Black leaders in Portland are offensive to the senses. M r. Harold W il liams who represents 100 Black Men Group stated at a rally “ The people o f Portland wrote the book on love.” As M r. W illiam s was making his vulgar statements, W hite Supremacist Groups were protesting the rally across the street. A ll o f the W hites who addressed the ra lly registered indignation to the beat ing o f Rodney King and the acquittal o f the four police officers. M r. Charles Jordan and M r. Harold W illiam s who are Black, perhaps out o f habit, attempted to pacify by casting Blacks as ch ild like characters. M r. Jor dan is the C ity o f Portland Parks C om missioner. He stated the reason that people d id n ’t rio t was because “ they have not lost hope.” M r. Jordan made this statement at a meeting that brought com m unity leaders and city govern ment o fficials together to discuss hate crimes. H istorically,in America Blacks are liked best when jobs are plentiful and wars are deadly. When jobs are scarce and no wars on the horizon we are hated. These are historical facts. Black leadership is not a popular ity contest. It requires courage. Police C hief Dan Potter denounced the beat ing o f Rodney K ing and the verdict w ith intrepidity and firmness. 89% o f people who were polled hold sim ilar views. It is a travesty that M r. Jordan and M r. W illiam s offered fixed form o f expression that gave solace to bigots. Surely, the bigots can use M r. Jordan and M r. W illia m s ’ statements to de fend their narrow views. It is no w on der that drugs arc rampant and unem ployment is so high in Northeast Port land. M r. Jordan and M r. W illiam s offered no input to the solution to the problem. In the 6 0 ’ s there was a saying “ I f you are not a part o f the solution, then you are a part o f the problem .” When people gather to bare their soles they expect others to p ull o ff the mask also. It is bad form fo r the people who are receiving unfair treatment to o ffe r explanations that insult reasonable thinking men and women who are seek ing solutions. J. D avid Cotton Northeast Portland CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL Measure 5 Victims Describe Effect Of Cuts On Their Lives On Saturday, M ay 9, a panel o f legislators heard testimony from in d i viduals who, because o f Measure 5, either already cannot get services or w ill soon lose services they desperately need. The hearing took place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., in Hearing Room A o f the they are very real -- and w e’ ll a ll suffer from them !” is the way Sandy M illiu s , Heart o f Oregon Steering Committee member, describes the message the hu man services clients delivered. The panel explored the impact o f Measure 5 cuts on individuals' lives and the impact on State Capitol. As Elsie Hastings o f Portland says, “ I have inoperable carpal tunnel syn drome and am in a wheelchair so Senior Services provides me w ith a caregiver five hours a week who changes my bed, does m y laundry, cleans my house, and allows me to continue liv in g at home. N ow , they may reduce my caregiver’ s hours or cut her out altogether. I don’ t our quality o f life from the perspective o f average Oregonians. Hasting and many o f the people testifying and in the audience haveover- come personal hardships -- such as physi cal disabilities or lack o f money— in order to attend the Salem hearing. To honor the e ffo rt so many w ill have made to be heard by the Oregon Legislature, the panel compiled a report in the hear ing and sent a copy to a ll legislators and the Governor. know w hat I ’ ll do then.” “ Measure 5 cuts aren’ t phony - Jkrriíatth (©bseriier (USPS 959-680) OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION Established in 1970 By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. The two-hour hearing, convened by the Heart o f Oregon C oalition, was conducted by a bipartisan panel o f leg islators. Panelists were Senators Ron Cease, Grattan Kerans, and C liff T row , and Representatives PeterCourtney and Mary A lice Ford. Individuals from all walks o f life testified, including seniors losing in-home care, students facing tuition hikes and program cuts, people w ith mental health problems (or their relatives), persons w ith disabilities, and other people who need publicly funded Massacre In South Africa Uncovered No one doubts that racist apartheid is slow ly being dismantled through a process o f struggle, sacrifice and nego tiation waged by the African National Congress and the people o f South A f rica. Yet, as each day goes by more and more evidence is being uncovered about the existence o f government sponsored “ state terrorism ” against the people o f Styith A frica , as w e ll as the violence and death perpetrated against m illion s o f others in the region o f southern A frica. It makes one a little nervous, to say the least, that the very government o ffi cials who sanctioned unmitigated blood shed and violence against the m ajority o f the people o f South A frica are now some o f the same south A frican govern ment o fficials who plead for “ trust and understanding” amidst transition to a free South A frica. It is important to remember the years o f “ constructive engagement” by the United States to ward apartheid South Africa. One month after George Bush was elected to follow Ronald Reagan as Presi dent o f the United States, a barbaric massacre occurred in South A fric a ’ s Natal region. We recall back in 1988 that a dramatic increase in the num berof defenseless civilians, many o f whom were children and women, being k ille d was reported almost daily. The South A frican government issued declaration after declaration that them source o f the increasing bloodshed was “ black on black violence and riv a lry .” Yes, there has been political v io lence among contending forces w ithin South A frica. The point, however, is that much o f this violence was and con services. ’ S ubscribe ! ®lp> ® bsmier Publisher Contributing Writer* McKinley Burt Bill Barber Sharon Camarda Mattie Ann Callier-Spears Alfred Henderson Production Staff Operation* Manager Dean Babb Sharon Camarda Gary Ann Garnett Joyce Washington Accounting Manager Gary Ann Garnett Public Relatione Dan Bell Chuck Washington Jenifor Johnson Rea Washington Sale* 4 Promotion* Tony Washington The PORTLAND OBSERVER I* published weekly by Exle Publishing Company, Inc. 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97211 503-288-0033 • Fax 288-0015 IT he P ortland O bserver J I CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME ONLY I I I $30.00. PER YEAR. J P lease fill out , ENCLOSE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, j and M ail to : i S ubscriptions Deadline for all submitted materials: Articles: Monday, 5:00 pm -Ads: Tuesday, noon J T he P ortland O bserver j PO Box 3 1 3 7 PO S TM A S TE R : Send Address C h a n g e * to: Portland O bserver, P.O. Box I P ortland , O regon 9 7 2 0 8 3137, Portland, O R 97208. Second class postage paid at Portland Oregon. The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and »•.4* *4» 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 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL R IG H TS R ESERVED, REPR O D UC TIO N IN W HOLE OR IN PART W ITH O U T Subscriptlons:$25. 00 per year. *r £ The Portland Observer-Oregon’s Oldest African-American Publication-Is a member of the National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc.. New York, NY. Address ___________ j dty, State____________________ a ,’ipcodp tinues to be instigated by the South A f rican government’s param ilitary and po lice forces. This is a w ell documented fact and the extent o f the state’ s terrorist activity is becoming ever clearer. It is interesting that it took until 1992 fo r there to be a “ trial and convic tion” o f o ffic ia l South A frican police units fo r acts o f “ p o litica lly m otivated” violence and crime. Captain Brian M itch e ll and four other members o f the South A frican police were found g u ilty o f com m itting the Trust Feed Massacre in December o f 1988 when 11 villagers were murdered. In the small village o f Trust Feed in Natal, the police shot up a house contain ing women and children and continued to fire into the house to make sure that everyone inside was dead. The day after the Trust Feed Massa cre, the South A frican government is sued a statement blaming the incident on “ tribal riv a lry .” According to published news reports from the trial, the attack on Trust Feed was actually planned by the police to elim inate supporters o f the United Democratic Front, which is re lated to the African National Congress. It was also revealed that police units from Natal had been w orking in support o f the In k a th a m o ve m e n t led by Buthelezi. It was later confirm ed that the vic tims o f the Trust Feed Massacre were not p olitical activists, but were in fact hold ing a funeral v ig il for persons who had earlier been kille d by the “ death squads” o f South Africa. A t the trial the police officers claimed that they shot up the wrong house by mistake. The issue is nobody’s house should be the target o f vicious state sponsored violence and intim idation. It remains to be seen what the courts in South A frica w ill do to these policemen fo r fo llo w in g orders from sources high up in the govern ment o f South Africa. A t the time o f the Trust Feed Mas sacre, the anti-apartheid movement here in the United States was very critica l o f the Reagan-Bush foreign p olicy to ward South Africa. Although today the movement against apartheid in this country has subsided somewhat, it is o f necessity to remain vigilant during this period o f transition. President De K le rk ’ s latest offer for a transitional government to be ruled by an “ executive council” is still far short o f allow ing the w ill o f the people o f South A frica to determ inc the nation’ s future. De K le rk appears to be eager to have a governmental structure that w ill provide privilege and dispro portionate power to white South A f r i cans over black South Africans. O f course, the destiny o f South A frica is in the hands o f the people o f South Africa. The A frican National congress and others are attempting to negotiate a settlement to avoid further bloodshed and oppression. Justice de mands that those responsible and guilty o f massacres and other “ war crimes” be held accountable fo r their hideous deeds. Mercy docs demand compas sion, yet freedom demands learning from the past so that this history o f unprecedented exploitation and injus tice is not permitted to continue. Hundreds Of Foster Parents To Be Honored In Oregon __________________ photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a PER M ISS IO N IS PROHIBITED. r < !' I Name (black and whites) wishing to achieve home ownership—but the incredible activities o f a gang o f real estate bro kers, appraisers, investors and victim ized (?) banks (do you believe in the tooth fairy). See Sunday’s Oregonian newspaper, front page article, “ Break ing The Bank.” Tw o salient facts leap out at you; how is it that rascals and high fliers C AN GO TO P O R T LA N D BAN KS A N D SECURE IN F L A T E D PROP ERTY LO ANS W HEN H A R D W O R K IN G , N O R T H E A S T C IT I ZENS A R E T U R N E D D O W N D A IL Y - A N D T H E Y IN T E N D TO L IV E IN TH E HOMES? It is just not believable thalastute, hard-nosed bank ers can, in deal after deal, over-lend by tens o f thousand o f dollars on proper ties the rest o f us are denied access to at any price. There is an ugly game going on here and it smells o f inside deals and PAY OFFS. Does Secretary Kemp plan an announcement on these shenanigans in his housing agenda? And we may ask too, in view o f the highly publicized nature o f these rip- offs, where are our crim inal justice authorities on this? The D istrict A tto r neys, the federal prosecutors and the grand juries, the Real Estate Com m is sion, the state legislature, the County and the city? And, above a ll the FED E R A L R E G U LA T O R Y AG ENCIES, the F .D .I.C ., The Federal Reserve Board and others whose failures to properly oversee the functions o f banks were so clearly brought out in that Congressional Hearing on housing? It would seem that the “ Los Ange les Capers’’ I experienced in the 1950’s have moved north w ith a vengeance. As an accountant fo r several mortgage and real estate companies I can attest that the in-depth exploitation o f an IM PRISONED ghetto population was perfected there and exported across the nation. It is interesting that the adm in istration shouts for law and order and more troops, but no real solutions. Remember the 1988 protestation o f President Bush, “ I am haunted by the specter o f poor children in the street.” I would say that this man is haunted by nothing so much as a failure to raise m illions at a campaign dinner. * J T hank Y ou F or R eading T he P ortland O bserver | May is Foster Care Awareness M onth in Oregon and workers o f the C hildren’s Services Division arc w ork ing w ith local groups to show their appreciation for foster parents. In recognition o f foster parents’ dedication to children, youth and fa m i lies, Governor Barbara Roberts has signed more than 2,500 certificates o f appreciation. The certificates w ill be given to foster parents at various break fasts, teas, luncheons and parties throughout the month o f May. Foster Care Facts: e There arc an average o f 2,600 foster hom esinOrcgon...3.600childrcnin foster care. However, because o f CSD’s“ Family Unity” modcl (work to keep families together) the number o f kids in foster care dropped six percent in 1991. Nationally, foster care has increased 20%. a Fostcrchildrcndisplay more serious problems. Since 1988: Mental d iffi culties (up 35%) Physical d iffic u l ties (up 43%) Behavioral d iffic u l ties (up 140%). e Payments to foster parents arc only 56% o f the USDA estimate o f the cost o f raising a child. a There is a critical need for m inority and bilingual loster homes in Or- cont.page 4 ■ ■ »
