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Civil Rights Journal
The Clinton Health Plan:
Filling The Gaps
To Invade Or Not To Invade, That Is The Question
h \
B ernice P oweli J ackson
As American ships and soldiers
make their way to the little
island of Haiti, the war talk
escalates.
Should the United States invade
Haiti to get rid of the illegal military
rulers who overthrew the democrati­
cally elected President, Jean Bertrand
Aristide? Or should we wait and see
if the sanctions imposed by a United
Nations embargo will really work
and force the military to step down0
To invade or not to invade? That
is the question facing the White
House as it grapples with what is the
right course to take to secure a de­
mocracy for the people of Haiti. T wo
things are certain - there are no easy
answers to the question and all of the
answers must somehow deal with
the question of race.
There are no easy answ ers to the
problem of what to do with Haiti
because there are decades of bad
U.S. foreign policy to overcome.
Decades when the United States
turned its back on the political re­
pression and human rights violations
of the Duvalier government because
it was friendly to the U.S. Decades
when the U.S. occupied Haiti at the
beginning o f this century, bringing
along our prejudice and paternalism.
Decades when racism took over our
foreign policy and our government
denied entry into the U.S. to Haitian
refugees who feared for their lives at
home while giving asylum to similar
Cuban refugees.
There are no easy answers to the
problem of what to do with Haiti
because the U.S. so far has lacked the
political will to force Haiti’s neigh­
bor, the Dominican Republic, to seal
off its borders to Haiti. Every night
gasoline still crosses the border be­
tween the two countries, as do other
goods needed by Haiti to survive the
embargo. An earlier Congressional
bill, the Governors Island Reinforce­
ment Act, would deny U.S. aid to the
Dominican Republic if it continues to
violate the sanctions. But that has yet
to be adopted as U.S. policy.
The heart of the problem is the
question of race. Now, I know that
many folks feel that too often African
Americans cry wolf by pointing to
race as the explanation for so many
current issues. Certainly race is not
the entire explanation ot U.S. policy
toward Haiti, but it is part o f the
explanation. How else can one ex­
plain the differences in U.S. foreign
policy toward Haitian refugees and
Cuban refugees'1 When you strip away
everything else, what other explana­
tion can there really be?
Why is it that even now, even
with the steady hand of a Washington
veteran and respected African Ameri­
can leader, William H. Gray, 111, that
we still have a policy which will not
give safe haven to any Haitian politi­
cal refugee intercepted at sea° Isn’t it
only fair if we are to ask other nearby
nations to accept Haitian boat people,
for us to be willing to allow some ot
them into the U.S. as well? Isn t race
a factor in the deepest recesses of
these policies?
The members of the Congres­
sional Black Caucus would probably
all agree that race is part of the expla­
nation, but even they do not agree on
what our policy on invasion should
be. Some members, including Con­
gresswoman Carrie.Meek o f Miami,
believe that we must invade in order
to restore democracy to that tragic
country. Congressman Ron Dellums,
chair of the House Armed Services
Committee, disagrees He argues that
we must really put force on the Do­
minican Republic, which serves as
Haiti’s lifeline, and allow economic
and other sanctions to work.
As a difficult andcomplex ques­
tion, I agree with Congressman
Dellums. 1 believe that the people of
Haiti deserve the democratic gov­
ernment that they elected. I believe
that Jean Bertrand Aristide will serve
the people of Haiti well, that he is a
fearless and thoughtful leader. But,
1 do not believe that the U.S. has yet
done all it can and should to bring
down the military in Haiti.
The people o f Haiti are al­
ready hurting. They are already
bleeding, starving, and dying.
L et’s get rid o f racist im m igra­
tion policies w hich w ould not
allow any H aitian boat people
into the U.S. And when the m ili­
tary governm ent falls, as it must,
le t’s put our m oney w here our
mouth is and really support a
d em o cratically -elected g o v ern ­
ment. M ilitary invasion should
be our very last resort.
ell, I certainly wish I
could, but we will have
to I leave a lot of that to
Congress - if only they would,
though, seemingly unable to
get beyond the senseless
b ic k e rin g and h y s te ric a l
posturing involved with the
seven’ health plans now being
considered. What we at the
Observer newspaper can do is
o c c a s io n a lly p ro v id e our
re ad e rs w ith a ‘s p in ’ or
perspective which may help
them survive (literally!).
W -
VANTAGE POINT
by
R on D aniels
LOCAL LEADERSHIP SUMMITS
SHOULD BUILD UNITY IN THE
BLACK COMMUNITY
One of the most important out­
comes of the historic National Afri­
can American Leadership Summit
held in Baltimore was the call for
local summits to be held all across the
nation. Given the pervasive crises
d ev astatin g B lack com m unities
throughout the United States there
can be no more urgent task than creat­
ing local structures and institutions
which can harness the collective re­
sources and energy of African sin
America to fight for our survival and
development. Therefore the spirit of
Baltimore must be manifest in local
summits and these local summits must
create permanent structures wh ich can
build ongoing unity in the Black com­
munity.
The cru cial question is how
to achieve the illusive goal o f unity
in the Black com m unity? In this
regard, the m ost im portant reality
we m ust face is that all Black
people do not think alike or share
the sam e ideology. M any A frican
A m e ric a n s m ay sh a re s im ila r
goals, but there are often co n flic t­
ing ideas about the appropriate
m e th o d s a n d a p p r o a c h e s to
achieve those goals. H ence abso­
lute unity or a uniform approach
to achieving our goals is highly
im probable. T h erefo re, a m ore
realistic objective is to w ork for
what A m iri Baraka once term ed
“ unity w ith o u t u n ifo rm ity ,” or
what Dr. M aulana K arenga calls
“ operational unity.” In my ju d g ­
m ent the concept o f operational
unity can constitute the essential
foundation for w orkable unity in
the Black com m unity.
The principle of operational unity
is rooted in the reality that there are
often real political and personal dif­
ferences between individuals and or­
ganization in the Black community.
The essence of operational unity, how­
ever, is the search for ideas and areas
of agreement rather than an emphasis
on points of disagreement. This search
is intended to lead to a discovery of
the issues, projects and programs
around which we have a common
interest. Operational unity allows or­
ganizations and leaders to work to­
gether despite their political or per­
sonal differences. It was the focus on
operational unity which made the
National African American Leader­
ship Summit such a success; a success
which must be replicated at the local
level all across the country.
Since the national leadership of
the NAACP took the initiative to call
for the National African American
Leadership Summit, those interested
in organizing a local summit should
approach the local NA ACP chapter to
convene a planning/steering commit­
tee. If the local chapter is not inter
ested in taking the lead in the process
an inclusive steering committee should
be pulled together to organize the
summit.
T h e s te e r in g c o m m itte e
sh o u ld in clu d e re p re s e n ta tiv e s
from every co n stitu en cy and walk
o f life in the Black com m unity.
B eing faithful to the p rin cip le o f
o p eratio n al unity m eans in clu d ­
ing people even if you d islik e or
disagree with them .
An important outcome o f a local
summit should be an agreement to
create a permanent structure which
can work on behalf of the Black com­
munity on a continuous basis. For
years I have advocated that local lead­
ers and organizations should have an
umbrella structure which convenes
the community leadership at least once
a month. Consistent with the principle
o f operational unity organizations do
not have to surrender their organiza­
tional sovereignty within the umbrella
structure.
program has become, many recipi­
ents still don’t understand how it
and Medicare-supplement insurance
work. That ignorance has allowed
some insurance companies and some
doctors to take advantage of Medi­
care beneficiaries and the system
itself.
“In this report, we rate 181
Medicare-supplementpolicies.Next
month, we’ll look at the future of the
Medicare program, at the managed
care options available for beneficia­
ries, and at policies for people with
disabilities.”
It was Consumer Reports in­
v e stig a tio n s
I b o rrow ed
five years ago
this title from that
that brought
of an article in this
By
some reforms
month’s Consumer
Professor
in legislation
Reports magazine,
Mcklnley
by Congress.
“Filling the Gaps
Burt
#
UUri
And, then’ in
in Medicare.” This
1992, the Na­
report is by far the
tional
Association
o
f Insurance
most complete and topical I’ve seen
Commissioners
created
“10 stan­
to date; It will be concluded in next
dardized
plans”
which
it
believed
month’s issue. Many of us are al­
would
correct
most
o
f
the
“double­
ready 65 years o f age, and two mil­
lion o fu s will turn 65 this year. This selling” and excess coverage prac­
fact ensures that everyone, whether tices by sales people of "supple­
as a personal or familial situation, mental health insurance.” As in most
can be affected (or devastated) by a situations, there was immediate im­
sudden financial hit from that area of provement, but by now some insur­
hospital and doctor bills not covered ers, health plans, doctors and sates
people have found a way to beat the
by “Medicare” (your parents).
This matter is o f extreme im­ system (“beat up on you.”)
I cannot emphasize too greatly
portance to all of us, but especially to
the
benefit
to be gained from study­
those who, because o f econom ic sta­
ing
this
article.
You may read it at
tus, find themselves especially vul­
the
public
library;
or better yet, get
nerable to situations created by lack
a
copy
for
$4
from
the “Back Issue
of information, or by planning er­
Dept.,
Consumer
Reports,
P.O. Box
rors. As anyone who avails himself
53016,
Boulder,
Colo.
80322-3016.
of a copy o f this issue will soon see,
the “gaps” in health care are far Consumer Reports magazine is a
beyond a quick understanding to be very useful publication itself, cov­
gained by a quick reading of Medi­ ering in detail investigative research
care of provider’ literature. 1 quote and tests o f just about every item a
consumer might buy, from toasters
from Consumer Reports.
“Since its introduction in 1967, to fast foods, bicycles to tools, and
Medicare has been a lifeline for older televisions to VCRs. They don t
Americans, paying about 90 percent accept advertising, so are not be­
of their hospital and doctor bills. To holden.
The subscription price for one
handle the remainder and some other
year
is $22. (There is always the
expenses Medicare doesn’t cover,
library).
Order from Subscription
many people buy Medicare-supple­
Dept.,
PO
Box 53017, Boulder, CO,
ment insurance, sometimes referred
80321-3017.
Note that this address
to as a “Medigap” policy
‘As important as the Medicare is slightly different.
Preventing Teen Pregnancies Means A Better Future For All Our Children
__
by
ards o f child birth, being responsible
no single answer.
But that’s exactly what makes for one so very much younger.
The cost to these girls and young
this issue so important — it touches all
women,
and to our society is huge.
o f us.
Pregnant
girls are more likely to drop
In 1992 in Oregon, 18 out every
out
of
school,
to have trouble finding
1,000 girls age 10-17 got pregnant. In
good
jobs,
and
to need welfare to help
numbers, that translated into nearly
support
their
family.
3,000 pregnant girls across Oregon.
Many teen parents work very hard
Three thousand complex deci­
to
raise
their baby and finish school.
sions that happened too soon in a
young person's life. And sometimes, But the road is so much harder than it
a very young person's life. Over 150 could or should be.
The babies of teen mothers also
of these 3,000 girls were 14 or younger
— fourteen or younger. These are chil­ face a tough future. Babies of teen
dren having children — children being parents are more often premature and
sexually active, risking the health haz­ need medical care. These children
B arbara R oberts
The State of Oregon has an
urgent goal that affects our
youth, our communities and our
families: cutting the rate of
teenage pregnancy in half by
the year 2000.
This is no small task. We are
dealing with sex and sexuality. We
are dealing with teens and parents.
We are dealing with peers and pres­
sure. We are dealing with costs, both
personal and societal. And we are
dealing with a complex issue that has
better
. . .
.
/ »
. i t
start out life with less than a fair shake.
And each teen pregnancy costs
taxpayers an average o f $30,000 in
health care and support payments. In
public assistance burden to the state’s
General Fund -- money that is sub­
tracted from schools, or preventative
health care, $44 million that can’t be
spent on alcohol treatment or mental
health or crime prevention.
It shouldn't be that way. But we
can change the way things are. Each
one of these hardships and burdens
can be avoided with one over-arching
goal: prevention. That is why teen
pregnancy prevention is designated
rdie (SLditor
Send your letters to the Editor to:
Editor, PO Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208
Black Leaders Rebuke NAACP’s Attack On Media
lack community leaders
|a and activist are taking
e xc e p tio n to attacks
lainst the m edia made by
ominent black leaders at the
c en t c o n v e n tio n ot the
itional Association for the
Jvancement of Colored People
IAACP).
In his keynote speech to the con­
ation, NAACP Executive Director
:njamin Chavis attacked the media
r presenting a distorted and nega­
te image of the black community,
irlier, Rep Maxine Waters(D-CA),
amed what she termed “members of
e white press” for criticism of
havis' attempts to reach out to con-
oversial Nation of Islam leader Louis
arrakhan and for reporting that the
nization. “Now that they’re beingcriti- w hether i t ’s a credible spo k es­
NAACP is $2.7 million in debt.
man for A frican -A m erican ’s best
But Bill C leveland, a m em ber cized, they want to throw cold water
in terests.”
o f the A lexandria, V irginia City on it.”
“ In a way, Chavis is right, but for
Horace C ooper, an African-
C o u n c il, n o te s th a t “ I ’m an
the
wrong
reasons," Cooper argues.
N A A C P m em b er an d a b lack American and Capitol Hill staffer,
“The
problem
isn’t that the media are
elected official, but I w ould never argues that “the NAACP has squan­
criticizing
the
NAACP. It s that the
have know n about the debt and dered its stewardsh ip of the civil rights
media
have
given
the NAACP a free
these m eetings if the m edia hadn t movement A sa major political orga­
ride
until
now,
ignoring
alternative
reported them . The m eetings were nization supposedly acting for the
voices and opinions in the black com­
by invitation only' and I still public good, it has to expect public
munity.”
h a v e n 't been able to find out why scrutiny.”
H o r a c e C o o p e r a n d B ill
“
Is
the
m
edia
to
blam
e
for
Mr.
Louis F arrakhan was invited and
C
leve
la n d are m em bers o f the
a black elected official like m y­ C havis' m eeting w ith Louis Far­
national
A dvisory C om m ittee fo r
rakhan? For holding sum m its with
s e lf w a sn ’t.”
P
roject
21,
an A frican-A m erican
“ It seems funny that the leader­ the gangs that are ruining the black
leadership
group
seekin g new so ­
ship now wants to fight the press. com m unity through violence and
lu
tio
n
s
to
the
p
ro
b lem s fa c in g
When they were getting favorable drugs? For driving the NAACP
A
m
erican
com
m
unities
For more
coverage they seemed to enjoy the into d eb t?” C ooper asks. “ The
inform
ation,
or
to
sch
ed u le an
limelight,” Cleveland says, noting that m edia has a responsibility to bring
interview
,
p
lea
se
co
n
ta
ct
C harles
Chavis has argued the media were these errors in ju d g m en t to public
K
alina
at
202-543-1286
historically sympathetic to the orga- attention, so that people can judge
__________ _
as an
urgent state benchmark and why
it is a top priority for me and my
adm in istration. Right now, I am work­
ing with my special assistant, Allie
Stickney, to develop a long term plan
by Fall of 1994 that can be put into
place at the state and local levels.
Any successful teen pregnancy
prevention plan will have to involve
parents, communities, and teens them­
selves. Already we have talked with
more than 2,000 students from 95
schools across Oregon through our
Ed-Net system; we reached hundreds
A t n m i i n i t v I leaders
p a r i p r e representing
of o community
35 counties; and we held a forum
where more than 300 local business,
health care, religious, and education
leaders crafted solutions to the prob­
lem o f teen pregnancy.
We are off to a good start and I am
confident that with the energy, talent
and interest I have seen from Orego­
nians across the state, we can meet our
goal and reduce teen pregnancy in
Oregon.Together, we can help give
Oregon teens a future filled with op­
tions and opportunity.
^ o rtla n b (Obseruvr
(USPS 959-680)
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