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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1992)
s . • . ; ♦•44 >>»»'»•. . 4 4 .4 V» i À - . » ; i ► *. »4 » »-* • U ^ r » 4 v i w « 4 * » » * <.<*'**♦*»%>»%*• v • • • • *^« ♦ • WT ♦* V® V*t3^ V < June 3, 1992...The Portland Observer...Page 3 This Way For Black Empowerment BY DR. LENORA FULANI Beware O f The Democratic Party Wolves In “ L e ft” C lothing! The pseudo-radicals and phony leftists are at it again-scaring voters away from anyone who threatens to take votes from the Democratic Party. The latest threat is Ross Perot., the Texas b illionaire who is running ahead o f both George Bush and B ill C linton in the polls despite the fact that he has still not form ally announced his indepen dent presidential candidacy. Perot’ s extraordinary popularity is not at all surprising given the Am erican people’ s profound disgust w ith the corruption., hypocrisy and failure o f the R epubli cans and Democrats (a national poll recently conducted by the New Y ork Times and CBS found that 85% o f Americans think the p olitical process needs radical restructuring). Last week the Village Voice-a New Y ork C ity newsweekly that grew up w ith the insurgent reform movement o f the Democratic Party and (w ith the reformers installed in power) has since become the voice o f the liberal p olitical establishment-went after Ross Perot. The V oice’ s modus operandi is to de monize those w ho oppose the Demo cratic Party and M r. Perot got the fu ll treatment. “ There is something to worry about here.” the author concludes o m i nously . “ W ithout saying that Ross Perot is Adolph H itle r...it is perfectly reason able to point our that the types o f people who are expressing support for Perot in america in 1992 reflect in many ways the types o f people who supported H itler message to progressive-minded people: don’ t go near this man w ith a ten-loot pole. I am all loo fam iliar w ith such tactics, since the New Alliance parly which 1 chair has been the target o f the V oice’ s demonizing for years. In Voice demonology, the Black- led, m ulti-racial New Alliance Parly is among the worst demons. We arc a “ cu lt.” Dr. Fred Newman, the leader o f the p olitical tendency o f which N AP is a part and the manager o f both my 1988 and my current independent presiden tial runs, is a “ brainwashcr.” Depend ing on the w rite r’ s mood (or the orders he has received from editorial higher- ups). 1 am cither the mindless victim o f this e vil “ guru,” or D. Newman’ s ac complice. Black leaders who w on’ t deal on the Democratic Parly’ s racist terms arc also demons in the V o ic e ’ s book. Throughout the ’ 80s the Reverend A1 Sharpton-the c iv il rights leader who had been on the front lines o f every struggle for justice in the Black com- m unity-was portrayed by the Voice as a charlatan, a thief, an F B I inform er, a M afia employee and a dupe o f the New Alliance Party. The Reverend Jesse Jackson also came in for his share o f Voice demon izing. It was back in 1984, before Rev erend Jackson proved that he was a loyal Democrat. In those days, accord ing to the Voice, he was a raging anti- Semite, in league w ith the voice’ s own d e v il in c a rn a te - M in is te r L o u is in Germany in 1932... It is not only unreasonable, it is an outrageous slander, to insinuate that the 33% o f the American people who say they support Perot are born-again Na zis. The statement has no relationship to the truth, or to history. The point o f all this slander, o f course, is to send a Farrakham. It is 1992, a Texas billion aire is riding the wave o f voter protest sweep ing the country, and the Voice has zeroed in for the k ill. W hy? Because Ross Perot just m ight keep B ill C linton from getting into the W hite House. Ross Perot is not a w orking class hero, N or is he a demon. He is a very wealthy white man who fo r many years has associated w ith other wealthy white men and done what all wealthy men do. V irtu a lly every president o f the United States from George W ashington to George Bush has been such a rich white man (or has been financed and con trolled by rich white men). So what else is new? What matters, in my opinion, is not whether M r. Perot ever threw his weight, and his money.,around in order to make even more money, but what he and all o f us- are going to do about the righteous anger burning in the hearts o f our people. Neither a hero nor a demon. Ross Perot is a wealthy businessman who is in touch with-and no doubt fears-thc frustration and anger that the American people feel towards the two-party po litical monopoly and who, thanks to his billions o f dollars, has the a b ility to do something about it. The African A m e ri can comm unity must beware o f the Democratic wolves in liberal clothing, white and Black, who tell us that our only hope is the Democratic Party. We have the democratic right to examine all o f our options, and make a decision that is in the best interests o f our fam i lies, our com m unity, and our future. Liberalscannotconceivcofaw orld in which the Democratic party is not the only option. But that world is already a thing o f the past. I am excited about the emergence o f M r. Perot as a part o f the independent political movement I have been w orking to build for more than ten years. I welcome that development be cause my job , as independent African American leader, is to make sure that the democracy revolution taking place in our country is given shape and direc tion by the Black w orking class agenda for social and economic justice. Dr. Lenora B. Fulani can be reached at 1-800-288-3201. Public R elations ca ll M adelyn Strong Tears Hangs Long: The Tear Drops Of The Black Woman By Irene Kelly In the Lord, I am a strong woman -total and complete Every foe I am able to defeat I am responsible for myself and those whom I choose. The tear drops of the Black Woman. I come not to take away from any woman. I have come to praise the black woman To give honor where honor is due. Crowded clouds of precious, salted rain drops are formed Made-up of emotions and experiences; Yet--lhis woman has survived! Still standing strong, looking good and totally revived Equipped today with greater talents And-- yet, we bleed The hardships...tons upon tons O, yes! Indeed! Strong tears hang long. The tear drops of the Black Woman. As an infant, The girl child cries And human drops stains her face. Bodied in her small She kick, squirms, screams and yells her case leaders. Aunt Jemima brands o f The Quaker O ats C o m p a n y is the c o rp o ra te sponsor.The year-long program titled “ Tribute To Black Women com m unity Leaders” was kicke d -o ff in October, 1991 at a W ashington, D.C. breakfast and is currently being executed in six cities that have local N C N W Sections: Atlanta, G A : Charleston, SC; Chicago, II; Cleveland, O H ; Houston, T X ; and New Orleans, L A . From the six local winners, one national w inner w ill be honored as “ Black Woman C om m u nity Leader o f the Year’ during an awards breakfast in Chicago on June 18. She w ill receive a S3,000 cash prize. “ A ll too often the hard w ork o f local women who are m aking s ig n ifi cant improvements in their com m nni- The Eyesand Ears òl thoCorrimuntV Office: (503)280-0033 Fax#: (503)288-0015 Reception To Honor Portland Educators Portland educators w ill be “ appre ciated” at a reception sponsored by the Portland Association o f Teachers and the Oregon A lliance o f Black School Educators Thursday, May 28 from 4-6 p.m. at W hitaker M iddle School C af ties goes unacknowledged,” said Dr. Dorothy I Height, president and CEO o f the national organization. “ Joining w ith The Quaker Oats Company to present this program gives N C N W the opportunity to recognize these dedi cated women ad introduce them to a wider audience.” In the first phase, the local a ffili ates sponsored a contest that allowed residents in the six participating cities to nominate women who arc making a difference in their communities. The winners were selected by a panel o f judges on the basis o f com m unity ser vice and leadership, fa m ily ideals and dedication, church activism , career de velopment and an essay describing the nominee’s service and accomplishment. “ The enthusiasm and support from the local N C N W offices participating in the program have been tremendous. “! am a strong woman because I a m a Black Woman $1,000 cash prize and a plaque. An additional component to the program is the “ Future Com m unity Leader” award presented to one Black female college student who has exhibited unique lead ership qualities and has served her com m unity selflessly. Selected by the local N C N W o ffice, she also w ill be pre- eteria, 5700 N.E. 39th. The event features L ive music by recording artists Janice Scroggins and Thara M em ory. K G W Television per sonality Sharon M itche ll is the mistress Honoring Black women everywhere Dead and alive From generation to generation — On yesterday, the slave woman Today, The Mandella Woman (our traditional black woman) For I heard the Mandella woman in the voice o f my co-worker As she cries of mistreatment She is saying the same thin, the same way I heard the Winnie Mandella woman say... And today I cried! The infant girl child, just crying And We, ourselves, "Black Women o f 1992!" O pportunity Employer. • ■ ; s. S ‘ ■M M M sented during the breakfast fundraiser and awarded a $500 educational grant. For more inform ation about the pro gram, contact the local N C N W office in the participating cities. Founded by legendary educator and human rights activist Mary M cLeod Bethune, the Na tional Council o f Negro Women is a 58- year old social service organization, under the direction o f Dr. Dorothy I. Height since 1958, the organization is recognized as the principal advocacy group for African-Am erican women and their fam ilies w ith an outreach to more than four m illio n women. Under its Aunt Jemima brands, The Quaker Oats Company is the lead ing manufacturer o f pancake and waffle mixes, syrups and frozen breakfast en trees for the consumer and food service VANN & VANN FU N ERA L D IR E C T O R S if » fc i- / Family Owned and Operated Since 1954 Serving the City of Portland for over 37 years In your hour of need Vann &Vann are there to serve Cleodus Vann 503/281-2836 5211 N. W illia m s P o rtla n d , O r. 9721 7 industry. &&&$ H ♦ V f . ' - ’ As s w r * Ad Prices Good June 3 through June 9 ,1 99 2 At Safeway. S w eet Ju icy C antaloupe W ESTERN U N IO N • t i ♦.. And most capable o f hanging long. So — it's OK to cry. The tear drops o f the Black Woman. Fresh Natural Turkeys Manor House, Grade A 1 0 lo 1 3 -L b Lb. 6 9 0 24-OZ. Wheat Bread Mrs. Wright1» Whole, Cruohod or Sandwich E3.78C Look In The This Week Magazine for your Safeway Shopping Guide for a complete list of specials on sale this week at Safeway! 'X For your hard task, You are chosen, qualified women o f God Oh! Help us Lord! But — even assembled in that brief little frame Her tears are strong Contracted; Pre- Adoption Birthparent Counselor. options. Please contact The Boys & G irls A id Society o f Oregon at 222-9661 exts. 163 or 115 for more inform ation. Deadline for applications is June 12, 1992 and may be picked up at 18 S.W. Boundary Court, Portland, 97201. Equal - A good, just (man) woman may fa ll seven times Get up, be strong and carry on Tiny, tiny no-reasons at-all She has just begun to know the real meaning o f weeping; The real lamenting that lies ahead — cation. A b ility to form re la tio n s h ip s q u ickly, case management, a b ility to w ork independently and as a m em berof a team. A b ility to w ork w ith clients around loss issues. Some travel may be necessary. M SW preferred plus experi ence in counseling around adoption and V • V-»' Be encouraged Black Women everywhere! The WORD says — Sweet, juicy and delicious! Enjoy this summer favorite with sliced strawberries and bananas. Cantaloupe contains important amounts of Vitamin A & C. This week enjoy the savings, too! o f ceremony. Purpose o f the reception is to cel ebrate individuals’ contributions to edu cation in the fo llo w in g categories: Com m unity Volunteer Community Schools, Outstanding contributions in E d uca tio n, O u tsta nd ing Teachers, Promising Educators, and Higher Edu A *V * * X J • Nobody Does it Better for Less SAFEWAY - ». *.>?« As we united today in mind, soul and body An most capable of hanging long said Eric Stevenson, assistant brand manager for Aunt Jemima brands. “ The distinguished history o f N C N W and our admiration o f Dr. H eight’s work in the African-Am erican com m unity are just a few o f the many reasons Quaker Oats is pleased to partner w ith this organization to launch the program.” The second phase o f the program is a N C N W -s p o n s o re d le a d e rsh ip fundraising breakfast in each city. Each local winner, along w ith four semi- finalists, w ill be recognized at the break fast where the w inner w ill receive a . ík'’ Total and complete Chosen by God And most capable of hanging long." The tear drops of the Black Woman. An though her cry entails only tine discomforts, Tiny personal and sometime... Chapman at 212-580-7400. t The woman's credence has already been established from yesterday until right now. Today — and everyday... She's saying, A refreshed method of thinking with here excited new mind And an enlarged readiness to continue in her role, The Black Woman — at this present time. No woman has lived or died Neither is she alive Who has went through the billions and trillions And quintrillions of hurts and still counting The mountains of disappointments day after day And still quintrillions o f hurts and still counting The mountains o f disappointments day after day And still mounting — The bloody pains •r, When influenced by events both present and past They give off the appearance o f rapidly, falling liquid joy; But, more times than most. They are streams o f wet sadness Trying hard not to be. No woman has lived Nor is she alive Who has suffered, the suffering of the Black Woman National Program Underway To Honor Black Women Community Leaders The national co uncil o f Negro Women (N C N W ) has begun the second phase o f its national program to honor dynam ic Black women com m unity The Black Woman has matured And in the corner of her eye The Fastest Way To Send Money....Available In All Safeway stores in Oregon & S.W. Washington. i
