> ■*- * T •<•**♦♦ * • « ♦ <r‘r V * * • ' ► • 4 * r ♦ ♦ v ^ rw ^ rr^ n r P age A3 EDITORIAL T he P or L/, nd O bserver • M arch 24, 1993 a. - ». — • X • » • . *f’’z p e r s p e c t i V e s Educated Guess On Future Of Schools (Disaster?) W hen my February 17 column bore the headline, “Education Up date, 1993 Things Look Better”,! was not guessing; 1 was giving an account of the progress being made by a num ber of the nation’s governors (w ork ing with coopera tive state legisla tures) in “making repairs” to their education system within a context of b u d g e ta ry and structural realities, lh ad nothing to say about the situation in Oregon or Port land. If 1 had predicted the current tur moil and despair, you wouldn’t have believed me anyway. Against a back ground of fearful headlines an fright ening T V. soundbites—’’T eachers’ Union Braces For Layoffs, All Sports Programs To Be Canceled, Superin- 1994 need for $369 million to main tain current services, but expects to receive only $318.2 million, a short fall of $50.8 million This, of course, is peanuts com pared to the state’s overall predica ment where com peting agencies say they need $7.4 billion from the general fund for the 1993-1995 biennium, while the legislature cites $6.2 billion available; th at is a $1.2 billion short-fall. In terms of O reg o n ’s school system s alone, we have that “Phantom at the Opera ", Measure 5, the 1990 property tax limitation law (don’t tell that to indi vidual property owners whose “as sessed values” have gone up dramati cally). The tax rate limit is lowering to $5 per $1000 of assessed value for schools. The state must repay districts for the lost revenue, $435 million in 1992- 93, climbing to $1.4 billion in 1993- 95, statewide, schools say the will tendent Details Disastrous Hits”- th e ensuing hysteria and turmoil must surely provide a hint of what the “End Days” are going to be like. Actually, there was no need for me or any one else to predict any thing, the hand writing had been on the wall for over a year, vis a vis in ept state adminis trators and legisla tors. Never was im pending doom so precisely form u lated. Just look at the budget situation inone sectoralone: totals for K through 12th grade and Educational Service Districts $3.1 billion, up $ 1.2 billion. All told, school say they need $5.4 billion to maintain current programs and absorb enrollment increases; in crease is $550 million In Portland proper, the district projects a 1993- need $5 4 billion to maintain current programs in face of increasing enroll- m ents-an increase of $550 million Viewing figures like that, one can get pretty depressed, but just imagine the state o f mind o f hundreds of thousands o f parents who could even yield to hysteria, trying to plan for the future of their children. The media reports a hodge podge o f c o n c e rn s and c o n te m p la te d remedies, confusion is the w ord of the day. Many (those who think they can afford it) arc taking a close look at “private schools” . In turn, there are mixed feelings in the private sector. Some operators in that education fra ternity are rubbing their hands in glee, already developing matrixes that will tell them "who to accept” in terms of test scores and grade performance. Several minority parents have ex pressed grave concerns to me over this eventuation, and they are joined by both school districts and teacher unions. I have commented for past years on problems presented by pri vate corporations. There is a terrible uncertainty among school personnel as well as parents as we all face changes whose impacts can only be guessed While the superi ntendents office and the leg islature try to develop a new "Endan gered Species Act ”, let’s look at some of the contemplated decimation of staff: 140 classroom teachers, 10 high school vice-principals, and addition ally, substitutes, counselors, adminis trators, secretaries, janitors, bus driv ers, cafeteria workers, etc. There is some controversy over the fact that superintendent Bierwirth’s projected cuts did not include the districts top level administrators at all-deputies, finance, instruction. It will be interesting to see what w ill be the fate of a number of pro grams h ^ rtily endorsed by minority parents; drug prevention. Baseline Essays, dropout prevention, TAG, Vocational Village and the like. I’ve received a number of inquiries as to w hether I can tutor small groups in the special kinds of mathematics and sci ence I have developed One parent reminded me that years ago her little son was in a class at the Black Educa tion Center when I demonstrated that a six or seven year-old could be taught algebra and geometry with a new in novative technique. Yes, I do remember and have a copy right on the process which is now part of a demonstration project in Atlanta being funded by the Feds. We expect nationwide dissemination by 1994 The Japanese have expressed interest and a company rep will be down from Seattle in April. All over the country, people are gearing up for a major education shortfall What happened to “Year 2000”? More next week! . » ¿ ' • ' * .-■ • . : » ' s , ' ' • < V. • A . • *. J » • • , . « . ' Í . • *. Time For a Black Economic Game Plan ™ ™ BY JAMES L. POSEY It’s been a long time since I’ve played the game M onopoly, but I remember clearly that the one who acquires “Board W alk” and “Park Place” typically wins. And while in that game everyone starts out with the same amount of play money, it’s the roll o f dice that determines how you advance around the board. Most Blacks know something about shooti ng craps, but when it comes to economic ad vancement in Portland, many Afri can-Americans are not even in the game And it’s not that hard to under stand why. In fact, I can use an ex ample th at’s pretty close to home to demonstrate my point. In the Portland “M arch Mad ness,” my oldest daughter played bas ketball for Benson in the g irls’ AAA- Playoff. (on an all-Black squad, I might add, including the coach) Oh yeah, they are naturally talented; th at’s why they got to the tournament in the first place. As they got to the ne.xt-to-the- together! Other players are coming in. stealing the ball and slam dunking it in our faces. And, We don t have anyone to blame but ourselves. We stood by and w atched it happen on the Oregon Convention Center. And, while there appears to be some effort to capitalize on the Oregon Arena Project and Tri-Met Light Rail, the lack of team work, effective coaching and preparation means, again, that many Blacks w ill not even get a chance to get on the court, let alone suit up or play second string D on't get me wrong. A few well placed “Negroes” will get high pro file jobs, and a few Black politicians will sit at the welcoming table But not enough Black people will make any real money. We will again be left holding empty bags or getting just a few crumbs As a friend would say, "The Tri-Met train has left the sta tion, headed for the Oregon Arena, with none of us really on board final game, I was obliged to coach from the upper bleaches, as any good parent would do. But they lost badly to Oregon City. The fact that they lost, and my daughter mostly w armed the bench, was not as troublesome as to why they lost. In contrast to Oregon City, they lost because they si mply did not play as a team And even w hen the coach knew they were losingbadly, he didn’t give all his players a chance to play. That is also why Blacks are not winning in the economic game in Portland, and I dare say, the coun try. We are not playing as a team, and we refuse to use all our players. I ’ve h it on th is them e before, but I wish I could bring home the point that African-Americans, including those given up for lost, must start working together like never before. Indeed, there’s a joke going around that there are three things God can’t do: God can’t lie, go back on his promises, or get Black folks to work r, . the kicker. -n But . . here’s There is the possibility that if Blacks do not get on board with Tri-Met, the Oregon Arena, Gas Co-Generation, the North west Pipeline and other multi-million dollar projects, we will never get be yond the posture of begging for jobs or contributions for our pitiful social services organizations. And, Wc w ill never fully appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes as a re sult of creating business and employ ment opportunities for ourselves. Time and opportunities are run ning out for us. When you think about what happen in the Reagan/Bush era, you realize Blacks will not get too many more chances to change the economic conditions of our commu nity. All of these Black folks, who have been sitting on the fence and play ing it safe, need to get off it. Start investment clubs, new businesses and joint ventures with exitingbusinesses Wc must change the image and real ity that Blacks don’t make nothing. own nothing, cove save nnthino nothing, rhanop change nothing, influence nothing. In other words, Black are nothing, therefore they can be treated like nothing. Now B lacks are n a tu ra l survivalists. T hat’s why, in spite of often less than humane treatment, we have been able not only to exist, but in some cases, prosper But African- Americans must realize that our Black children are still getting the blatant message that they don’t count. And that message is ever increasingly com- ing from other, typically-older Blacks Yeah that’s right We all know that white people have been constantly sending our kids this mes sage, but when Blacks themselves send the same message ( and not just to kids), the impact is devastating Black teachers confirm the low ex pectations of Blacks students just like their white colleagues do And, there are Blacks in positions of authority and responsibility who question the value and creditability of Black con ’4 ; ‘ / . . . » • * * > - . ' • * t • » • » tractors and workers more s so than their white peers. Moreover, some Black politicians are more critical of the motives of their Black constitu ents than white representati ves could ever be. Something has got to happen to change this perilous trend less the white monopoly continues. M o nopoly is not a game Blacks can afford to play; nor as a people can we continue to roll the dice. This game destroy s our willingness to work as a team and diminishes any real chance to win. T hat’s why as far I am con cerned, African- Americans must make sure that in every wav possible, everyone in the Black community, particularly Black youth, be included in efforts to dev elop and implement a serious economic game plan that will make the entire community a win- ner. James Posey is a local, small business owner with a background in socialism and community activism. V.? ■ ».4 •, * -. ■ f - ■ - - Civil Rights Enforcement: Reno’s Mondate It has taken a long time for the United States Senate to confirm unani mously a person to be Attorney Gen eral of the United States. President Clinton’s choice of Ms. Janet Reno to be the nation’s first female Attorney General was a sound judgement call given the political polarization that surrounded the other potential candi dates. National attention is now focused a p p ro p riately on th e lead ersh ip team that Attorney General Reno will bring to the U S. Department of Justice. We believe that the key positions for Deputy, Associate and Assistant Attorney Generals should be filled by persons who have experi ence and a demonstrated record of effective com m itm ent to ensuring equal protection under the law and a strong record o f enforcing federal civic rights laws. R a c ia l d is crim in atio n still exists in the United States across a wide array of social con racial and civil rights matters, espe- cerns and institutions Racism is alive cially during the Clarence Thomas and well and there is a renew ed neces- sity for the U S . Department of Justice hearings, the confirmation of Reno Administration to send a clear and priority message to the nation con- cem ing the future of civil rights advo- gives the status quo an important ad vance in the quest for justice for women of w hich we fully support. Racism and sexism are twin evils that should be consistently challenged. Once again, however, we must be steadfast in our demands for racial justice within the Depart m ent o f Justice. T here is not a better time than now for the Clinton cacy. Attorney General Reno should recommend that one of the many gal lant civil rights lawyers in the nation be chosen to be Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights In recent years we have witnessed across the nation a resurgence of racially moti- vated violence, resegregation of pub- lie schools in many school districts, hyper segregation in housing, and the overall retrench ment of civil rights enforcement by the fe d e ra l g o v e rn ment. T he C ivil Rights Division of the Justice Depart- ment should play a leading role in challenging the old and new forms of racial discrimination in the United State But his will not happen if the leadership of the Civil Rights Mov e ment does not demand greater civil rights enforcement from Reno and the Clinton Administration. Reno was quoted as saying, “The first agenda item is to build a Depart- ment of Justice, to bring on the best possible people to create a team that CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. to speak and act for the cause of racial justice. A fter the Senate confirm ed Reno in a historic 98 to vote. President C lin to n and S enate Ju d iciary Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Biden, were elated with the conclusion of the confirm ation process Given the past questionable actions o f the Senate Judiciary Committee on reflects America, that represents the best in their various areas, and move forward with that department.” We support this goal. Now the mandate is to fulfill the necessity for racial div er sity at the top of the Department of Justice. Our increasingly becom ing a multiracial society demands stronger civil rights protection for all persons and communities, in particular those communities that have had to bear the history of American’s racial exploita tion and discrimination. President Clinton needs to hear a strong unified voice on the issue At torney General Reno needs to respond with an aggressive policy and action to enforce fairly, equally and force fully our nations civil rights laws The racial divide in the nation demands action now. i Í. ■i.’’ 1 This Way for Black Empowerment The Black community of Wash ington, D C. has gotten bizz.ee with a new film. L et’s G et Bizzee, starring rapper DougE. Fresh. The D C. Black b u sin e ss, m ed ia, p o litic a l and grassroots community came out in force in February to support the pre miere of this independently-made- film Everyone loved the movie! Let’s Get Bizzee was written and directed by Carl Clay, Director of the Black Spectrum Theater in Ja maica. Queens, and produced by Spec- trum/Clay Productions, in association with Fred New man Productions It ’s a contemporary comedy adventure that pits Sam Baker, a young rap artist (Played by Doug E Fresh in his first movie role) and his homeboy and homcgirl pals in a :’ do or die politi cal campaign against a corrupt Black elected official The film features rap music in a very positive way, and sends a strong message that urban youth can participate in the demo cratic process. The youth in the film "take on” the political establishment in order to do something important for their community . It contains a strong anti-drug and anti-violence message delivered by the youth themselves But there's a story behind L et’s Get Bizzee. It’s premiere in W ash ington was set up through an indepen dent distribution company called "Screw Holly wood Productions.” The film's producers, after years of trying to market the project to Hollywood, realized they had to go a different route They had spoken to literally every major distributor to secure financing and a distributor deal for L et’s Get Biz/cc. What they were told is that a positive "message" film about Afri can American vouth that features nei- D.C. GETS BIZZEE 99 it ther v iolence nor house party-type lcaguc of Fred Newman and as a frivolity is a film that won't attract an founder of the All Stars Talent Show Network, which brought Doug E Fresh audience. The producers believed that was into the project, I went straight to the wrong They came up with all the D C community to ask for support Radio stat ion owner and talk show financing and decided to distribute it host Cathy Hughes helped publicize themselves, to prove it They picked Washington, D C. the film extensively and brought hun as the spot to premiere the film As a dreds of her WOL listeners to see the fan director Carl Clay, as a close eol- movie Councilman Marion Barry t . . . . . . . .... f • . v* » » «vf ♦ ft#* ' 1 - I - ... enthusiastically opened up his net works to help promote the film, as did Councilman Harold Brazil. So did Dave Alston and Tim Gordon ofThird Renaissance, Y usuf Jackson-Rev Jesse Jackson's son-thc Young Ma rin es, C ongressw om an E le a n o r Homes-Norton, staff members for Councilman Jack Evans, Principal Princess Whitfield from Hines Jr High School in D C , and Greg McClcase This is what Councilman Barry said at the film's opening nigh, party: “1, has a positive message Hollywood w ouldn't touch it. Why? It's too posi tive If it doesn’t show the worst of us, they won t show it. This is just the begi nning Let s give our young people a round of applause They're not just our future, they're our present!” This film is special It breaks with the stereotypical portrayal of Black youth as a dangerously alienated seg ment of society. Sam Baker and his friends look out for their families. They worry about what their mothers think of them And when the older genera tion can t carry the fight for the com munity any more, they jum p in with their youthful energy and enthusiasm to take their places in the struggle. This is the side of our Black communi ties that is rarely if ever acknowledged by Hollywood But it’s real Doug E Fresh, the film 's produc ers and the black community of Wash ington. D C. took the film through completion to its opening Now it sup to those who want to sec this kind of positive Black entertainment succeed to take it further. If you're a business person, a politician or someone who cares about the community and y ou’re interested in getting “bizzee,” give me a call at 1 -800-288-3201 and I’ll hook you up. • . ■ »' A:;. , '< ' * >"•