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A pril 2 8 , 1993 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age A 2
p e r s p e c t i v e s
A long T he C olor L ine
by Dr. Manning Marable
Africa Revisited: A Garden Of Eden Ben Chavis: New Leader For The NAACP
Instead, a number of my peer
A number of readers hav e asked if pany, are blacks employed by the mul­
group are asking, was it a mistake to
tinationals
that
are
engaged
in
often
I have “abandoned the motherland' —
have sweated, sacrificed and gone
it has been a while since I've written exploitive tradì ng relationships "Con­
broke giving them an education and
on the great continent Not the case at sequently, there is little opportunity to
experienced-based input'.’ And we are
all W hat I’ve been about is restructur­ learn the ropes’ for either good or
apt to conclude, “it must have been,
ing my approach to presenting this evil.
Immediately brought to mind are for they are picking up right where
them e about the seminal African cul­
a number of pro­ things left off in the sixties-m arch-
tu re th a t in tro ­
gressive or benign ing, yelling , begging, pleading, hus­
duced the world to
avenues o f com ­ tling dead end forms of grants and
c u ltu re, religion
m erce th a t one fighting for T.V. Time." What, in­
and technology
would think that deed, has happened to the black inno­
W h at
I ’ve
African Americans vators and inventors of yesteryear?
b een c o n c e rn e d
w ould have p u r­ And what may be even more tragic is
about is th at in
sued—even dom i­ the fact that so many of these people
som e c ities, in ­
nated by their time, have united to present themselves to
cluding Portland,
given over two de­ “Ole Massa” as the key power brokers
the bridge to our
for dealing with African American
precious roots has settled down to a cades of African studies, breast beat­
communities.
routine of sty lized rituals and calen­ ing, summer tours and the aforemen­
Returning to Africa, “the botani­
dar observances of the major aspects tioned cultural rites. We refer to the
cal
garden”,
1 would note that both my
o f our great heritage. And while so bonanza of medicinal tropical plants
major
medical
education projects de­
many of us have been about an almost being discovered and imported to this
signed for minority youth emphasized
country
through
teams
hired
by
our
exclusively “cult" approach to our past
that there was a major connection
others (other races) have recognized major drug companies—or financed
with tropical rain forests. Both the
by
major
universities.
Our
black
uni­
the real significance and import of our
college and high school students were
early contributions. They have taken versities should have relevant depart­
advised to this effect and were told of
the ball and run with it, making criti­ ments
T h is is ju s t one o f m any surprising career opportunities that
cal correspondences to today’s cul­
could be generated at home and abroad.
tu re -fro n t Language and socio-eco­ mulitbillion dollar American indus­
This direction was given as far back as
nomics to technology and commerce tries fast evolving from trade with
Africa. Three quarter centuries ago, the first project (1874) and as late as
(and jobs!)
my 1987 project And even now as 1
As sev eral read ers state it, Marcus Garvey understood very well
prepare a major operation for fall, I m
" d e s p ite th e lev els o f A fric a n this avenue to financial emancipation
exchanging correspondence w ith Af­
American involvement, from grass for blacks, and he pursued the many
rican Universities. And, particularly,
commercial
spinoffs
that
are
derived
ro o ts to th e p ro fe ssio n , we
there is a “use-the-Library” compo­
from
a
major
economic
structure.
He
were unable to move beyond the
nent to expand the student’s compre­
understood
the
subindustries
and
jobs
ritu alistic drum m ing, the soulful
hension of the medical infrastructure:
that
would
be
generated
from
ship­
chants and dance, or the gorgeous
medical citations in :”The Dictionary
displays of fabrics and costumes.” ping processing and brokerages to
of
Occupational Titles” and “Gale’s
Other blacks, speaking of their expe­ industrial chem ists, accountants,
Encyclopedia
of Associations” .
riences at the university level or in the clerks and warehousemen. But that
For
those
readers
w ho find Africa
workplace and industry, describe the was sixty or seventy years ago; but,
a
fascinating
subject,
you
may order a
busy, lucrative commerce that is today, we do not have the talented,
most
comprehensive
catalog
free of
mounting daily between America and aggressive and ambitious generation
charge
from
an
African
American
the African nations—whether con­ of blacks men like Garvey thought
firm, “ A & B Books,” 149 Lawrence
trolled by the indigenous populations would take up the torch-better edu­
Street, Brooklyn N.E. 11203 (718)
are not. “But seldom, as in the case of cated’, better read, better traveled,
596-3389.
the Phillip Morris ‘TOBACCO’ Corn- whatever.
The recent selection of the Rever­
end Ben Chavis, Jr., as the NAACP’s
new leader is the first significant step
forward for the national civil rights
organization in twenty years. Chosen
by thirty o f 57 votes am ong the
NAACP’s board, Chavis emerged as
the leading candidate only days after
the Reverend Jesse Jackson dropped
out of a four-way race for the post.
Chavis first became known as
a prom inent political prisoner in
the 1970 ’ s as leader of the "Wil nungton
Ten.” Chavis and other civil rights
a c tiv is ts w ere c o n v ic te d w ith
fire-bombing a white-owned store in
Wilmington. North Carolina. After
a series of international petitions,
rallies, and demonstrations on his be­
half, Chavis’s conviction was over­
turned on appeal after serving four
years in prison. In the 1980s, Chavis
emerged as a leader of the National
Black Political Assembly, and a major
supporter of Jesse Jackson’s presiden­
tial campaigns of 1984 and 1988. In
recent years, Chavis served as Execu­
tive Director of the United Church of
C hrist’s Commission on Racial Jus­
tice.
Chavis’s key strength is his popu­
larity among a wide spectrum of Afri­
can-American activists and grassroots,
community leaders, many of them have
known Chav is for nearly two decades,
or have worked with him in a number
of organizations.
Black nationalists, many o f whom
arc among the NAACP’s sharpest
critics, applauded the selection of
Chavis. Dr. Abdul Alim Muhammad,
spokesm an for L ouis F a rrak h an
and the Nation o f Islam, praised
the choice of ‘Chavis, and even en­
couraged Muslims to join the NAACP.
Chicago black nationalist Conrad
Worrill told the press the “Chavis
Portland Public Schools Special Education Department
Recommend Lay Offs Of School Social Workers.
Do we need Social Workers in the who have reasons to mistrust the sys- be the first to go, even i monies were
Special Education Department of the terns. Social workers help these par- generated from other resources, be-
Ponla„d Public School Systems? Ap-
“ “ One Z X l a t e U that she let,
s
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Some black liberal and progres­
sive observers have already criticized
the selection of Chavis, insisting
th a t Ja c k so n , b lack A m erica s
most influential spokesperson, should
have been selected as the NAACP
national secretary In the NAACP’s
p re lim in a ry vote ta k e n by its
search committee, Jackson was the
le a d in g c a n d id a te for the post,
followed closely by Jewell Jackson-
M cC abe, founder o f the group,
“One Hundred Black Women.” But
Jackson wisely withdrew when it was
apparent that the majority of NAACP
board members opposed his nomina­
tion. Jackson has a long history of
personal egotism and a top-down
managerial style, in which he makes
all the key decisions. Moreover, some
have argued that Jackson’s major ac-
com plishm ents-from being K ing’s
lieutenant in the sixties to running for
president in the 1980s—are already
behind him. By contrast, Chavis, at
age 45, is only now coming into na­
tional leadership, and his major ac­
complishments will be achieved in the
future.
W eare in a period of transition, in
which the “old” black leadership of
Hooks and Jackson, trained and edu­
cated during their turmoil of the de­
segregation era, is only beginning to
depart from public prominence. The
old actors have finished playing their
parts, but the new players are only
beginning to assume their rightful
places on the stage. Chavis represents
the first significant national black
leader who is essentially a product of
the post-Civil Rights era. Under Ben
Chavis, the NAACP may recapture its
courage and confidence, charting a
dy namic blue print for a renewed ac­
tivism for people of color in the tw enty-
first century.
This Way For Black Empowerment
by Dr. Lenora Fulani
ADL Spy Network Exposed
files includes ADL surveillance of
The Anti-Defamation League of cooperating with the police, and was
ANC leader Chris Hani while he was
not
a
target
of
the
investigation.
Not
the B' nai B ’ rith vv as founded in 1913.
on a speaking tour in California. Last
Its current national chairman, Melv in any more.
week, Hani was assassinated in South
The
ADL’s
shift
away
from
fight­
Salbcrg, describes it as “a civil rights
T te decision making body feels gunge palbolog.sl The only minority 1 believe her. I alsobeliev«! her when
Africa.
ing
anti-Semitism
is
not
new.
In
1970
and Jewish defense agency, which has
F o rm e r C o n g re ssm a n Pete
Saul
Joftes,
a
former
official
of
the
fought to protect all minorities from
McCloskey
(himself a target of the
ADL’s parent organization, sued the
discrimination for 80 years.”
™ „ ^ n s ” ,h ri is lesring II is Amencan social workers Is to el,mi- had no, advised me in a human and
ADL’s
spy
operation)
has filed a class
But since the early ’ 70s the ADL’s ADL in federal court, charging that it
recommended that H e enure social note - r o ^ u ' l n r a l perspecrive ,0
-d Z u w a sl
action
suit
on
behalf
of individuals
focus has changed From fighting meddled in international politics, of­
who
were
spied
on
because
of their
S
X
S
“
«
SP“ ‘X
Americans by virtue o f its O X . parent. Hisdisabilily was no, n,y
strenuously against anti-Semitism, it ten at “the bidding of the gov ernment
opposition
to
apartheid
in
South
Af­
has turned more and more of its atten­ of Israel.”
The ereatesi impact orthislav-olT culture, have a special linkage lo Ihc fault and the teachers were not wan
rica
or
the
policies
of
the
Israeli
gov­
In 1986 the ADL jumped into the
tion to investigating the liberal-left,
will Tbe felt by thc^Afro-Amcrican community There is on understand- mg lo label him because he was a
race for governor of New York state, ernment.
civil
liberties.
Black
and
Arab-Ameri­
Albert Mokhiber, the director of
Community. Our schools will lose 8- ing of our differences and our sirni- Black male and could not deal with
can communities, and carrying out joining forces with the conservative
the American-Arab Anti-Discrimina­
10 A fro-A m erican MAW Social larities. We are a part of the commu- him I will alway s be grateful for my
Republican
and
the
right-wing
Right
politically motivated “fact-finding”
tion Committee, plans to file a lawsuit
W orkers. A fro-A m erican students nity (w h ich in clu d es c h u rc h e s, child’s academic success.
operations with troubling connections to Life candidates, as well as the reac­
I urge the community to take a
against the ADL soon.
make up the largest part of the special NAACP, Urban League etc ). This
tionary
Rupert
Murdoch-ow
ned
New
to the police and international intelli­
stand for our children and be positive
Last week I contacted Mayor
education population w ill be alien- factor cannot be overlooked
York Post, to embarrass the liberal
gence agencies.
in giving recommendations to the
David Dinkins, draw ing his attention
ated from the sy stem. This population
Because special education only
Democratic
incumbent,
Mario
Cuomo.
On April 8, more than 750 pages
decision making body who is having
to the investigation of the ADL under­
is the most difficult to contact and started recruiting Afro-Americans
of
documents
were released in San When the governor suggested that I-
difficulties
in
this
area
way in San Francisco and calling on
most troubled. They are also the ones w ithin the last twelve years, we would
Francisco Superior Court, showing thc only woman and the only African
him to appoint an independent pro-
that the ADL has illegally acquired American candidate in the race-should
sector to probe the links between the
' and distributed information about in- be included in a statewide televised
ADL, the FBI and the New York City
■ div ¡duals and organizations across the debate, the post invoked the A di’s
Police Department. Wilbert Tatum,
political spectrum, and that its global chief “fact-finder” in New Y ork, Irwin
the publisher and editor-in-chief of
Suall, as the authority on me:
W lje J a r l i a n i » ( © b a c r u c r I network includes local police depart
“According to Irwin Suall of the the New York Amsterdam News, has
I nicnts throughout the United Stales,
publicly called for an investiga­
I the FBI, the Mossad (Israel’s intelli- •Anti-Defamation League, the NAP also
(USPS 959-680)
tion
into
the ADL’s activities in New
dabbles
in
ant-Semitism
and
actively
T he P ortland
I gence agency) and South African in-
OREGON’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION
York.
collaborates
w
ith
anti-Semites.’
Suall
Established In 1970 by Alfred L. Henderson
O bserver can be sent I telligcncc agents.
The ADL has apparently become
|
Bullock told the S F.P D that his said the NAP-which mixes political
more concerned with playing power
DIRECTLY
TO
YOUR
HOME
activism
w
ith
unlicensed
psycho­
| work for the South Africans was “in-
Joyce Washington
politics than w ith carry ing out its origi­
Publisher
FOR ONLY $30.00 PER | dependent” of the ADL, although he therapy-has ‘cult-like characteris­
nal purpose, which was to fight ant-
| told the FBI that the ADL in New t ic s ’”
YEAR.
Scmitism and other forms of bigotry.
Despite
the
falsehood
o
f
the
| York had introduced him to the South
After police state-like operations such
ADL'schargcs,
the
controv
ersy
forced
P lease fill out ,
■ Africans in the first p.lace. He also
as the fe d e ra l C O IN T E L P R O
The PORTLAND OBSERVER Is located at
Cuomo
to
accept
a
compromise
elimi­
■ claimed later that his first contact with
ENCLOSE CHECK OR
(Counter-Intelligence Program) were
4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
■ South African intelligence agents had nating the face-to-face debate And I
MONEY
ORDER,
Portland, Oregon 97211
I been arranged by Gerard. (In 1991 the was thereby denied the opportunity to exposed and fell into disrepute in the
503-288-0033 • Fax 288-0015
ADL gave Gerard a free trip to Israel address the electorate on an equal late '60s and early ’70s, it became
and M ail to :
politically expedient, in my opinion,
footing with the other candidates.
in return for his sen ices.)
Deadline for all submitted materials:
It was in late 1987 that Roy Bul­ for the Feds to farm out their intelli­
I
The ADL has tried to distance
lock
began spy ing for the South Afri­ gence gathering chores to private en­
Articles: Monday, 5:00 pm—Ads: Tuesday, noon
ubscriptions I ltselffromanyknowlcdgeofBullock s
cans
He told the San Francisco police trepreneurs. I believe the ADL took
POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Portland Observer, P.O.
I “extra-curricular" activities, although
T H E PORTLAND OBSERVER
that
over
a period of a few years he the opportunity to go into the political
I it has been reported that the organiza-
Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208. Second class postage paid at Portland
PO Box 3137
received
a
total of $15,000 from the informationbusincss and, in so doing,
| tion is paying for his legal defense
Oregon.
South
Africans
for information One betrayed its responsibility to the Jew­
P ortland , O regon 97208 | Until last w eek's release of documents,
particularly
chilling
portion of the ish community and its allies.
The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts
| in fact, the ADL insisted that it was
x
‘
can bring all of the black leadership
to the table.” On the left, Charlene
M itchell, leader o f the N ational
A llia n c e A g a in st R acism and
Political Repression, praised Chavis
as an o u ts ta n d in g p ro g re ssiv e
leader.
Chavis’s selection comes at a
moment of self-doubt and critical reas­
sessment within the entire civil rights
community. The NAACP has lost the
support of younger Afncan-Amcncans,
who view the organization as a relic of
the political past. Economically, the
NAACP also had a deficit of $650,000
in 1992, forcing the firings of fifteen or
more employ ecs at its national office in
Baltimore.
But Chavis is already taking
the right steps to restore confidence.
Before the verdict was announced
in the second Rodney King trial, he
toured south central Los Angeles
to listen and learn from local residents
In late April. Chavis hosted a national
gang summit to halt the destructive
violence betw een young A frican-
Americans in our central cities. Chav is
calls for outreach efforts to bring
o th e r oppressed people o f color
into the N AACP--includtng Mexican-
Americans, Puerto Ricans, Asian-
Americans and American Indians.
Chavis realizes that the NAACP
must win back the enthusiasm and
allegiance of young African-Ameri­
cans who have no personal memories
of the desegregation campaigns, voter
registration drives across the South,
and thcNAACP-sponsored legal chal­
lenges against racism. As Chavis states:
“The NAACP has to redefine the sum
and substance of the civil rights move­
ment and have the courage to prov ide
the leadership to transform. ..the qual­
ity of life of the African-American
community.”
x
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'*••* 4>;
*• • » ?
U M
Packwood Announces Introduction
Of National Bottle Bill
Name
Address
PROHIBITED.
city, State
Subscriptions:$30. OO per year.
■ < ‘Su'
The Portland Observer-Oregon’s Oldest African-American Publication-
is a me
r of the National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885,
and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers,
Inc., New York, NY. and The West Coast Black Publishers Association •
■ • •
& ‘.3S
¿ip-code
T hank Y ou F or R eading
T he P ortland O bserver
Serving Portland and Vancouver
1993” , commonly referred to as the
Bottle Bill, establishes a national
container deposit system, similar to
that of O regon's The bill will en­
courage Americans to recy cle bev er­
age containers
The legislation requires states
that do not currently have a bottle bill
to dev clop one w i t h i n t w o y ears, or to
dev clop a sy stem that recycles at least
tics
The “National Beverage Con­ 70 percent of its beverage containers
Senator Packwood said."The vast
tainer Reuse and Recycling Act of
Oregon Senator Bob Packwood
announced today that legislation
aimed at increasing the recycling of
beverage containers, reducing the
amount of garbage, protecting the
environment, and conserving our
nation’s energy and natural resources
will be introduced in conjunction
with this week’s "Earth Day” activi-
majority of Americans, 76 percent
according to a recent poll, support a
national container deposit law. In my
home state of Oregon, the recycling
effort is in full swing and we have a 93
percent recycling rate for beverage
containers 1 believe that a person will
think twice before throwing a bever­
age conta i ncr i n the t rash or along the
roadside i f they know that they can get
a little return on their investment
I i.
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