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J anuary 11,1995 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age C16
These young men of
Portland House of Umaja,
have written a tribute to
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Keeping The Dream Alive
W h a t M a r tin L u th e r K in g M e a n t T o M e
When Martin Luther King stood on the mountain top he had a
vision that one day black men and white men could join in unity. He had
a dream that we could live together in peace. But back then alot of people
didn’t believe that Martin Luther King could fulfill his dream, but
through it all Martin showed everyone that he was a soldier, because
even though they put him in jail or hurt him he still stood up for what
he believed in, as a man, and a soldier. The reason 1 feel he was a soldier
is because when he was knocked down he got back up and kept fighting
as a man, not as a gangster or hustler. He was a man of dignity and pride
and he was a non-violent leader, even though he never lived long enough
to see the difference he made in this world, 1 feel he would have been
proud. Even though they killed him they never took what he believed in
away from him.
—Dimilaius Price
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was bom on January 15, 1929 and died on August 28, 1963. Martin Luther
King had a dream of racial justice and human brotherhood in the United States, and of peace throughout
the world. He had a dream of how nonviolence, love and courage could triumph over hate and brutal force.
I am writing about a dreamer and his dream, and of the life he dedicated and ultimately sacrificed to try to
make the dream a living reality for us all.
Martin Luther King taught me to respect others even if they don’t respect you.
—Rashell Holloway
F re e A t L ast, F re e A t L ast
Umoja means unity and Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted blacks and whites to come together for unity.
Martin Luther King w as a black leader and black people were done wrong back then. Even though Mr. King
was black, white people also loved him for a leader and for who he was and not over color. Mr. King was
also good for talking and speeches. When Mr. King made the speech 1 Have A Dream, that made a difference
all over. He also was good for the mountain top and to make a difference. Mr. King was a strong man, he
was strong in talking not by fighting and shooting. Mr. King had good thoughts for the blacks and whites
he was a man that stayed to his word but his words was too strong. Mr. King was took out by a bullet. Mr.
King had a family, he was taken away from his family on August 28th, 1963. He was put on this world for
a reason to make a change and he made his point and the lord must have thought his work was done and knew
that he had made a change. Mr. King will be missed and thought of by many people and his hard work will
be remembered.
Open eyes January 15th, 1939
Closed eyes August 28th, 1963
--Allen J. Collins
lf J
J. .lu m a n
progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look
at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.
Every step toivard the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle;
the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without
persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces
Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential
leaders in the civil rights movement, was bom in Atlanta,
Georgia, on January 15, 1929.
His father, grandfather and great grandfather were all
preachers. At age 15 King entered Morehouse College in
Atlanta, he received a doctor of philosophy degree from
Boston University.
At age 25, King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue
Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama.
King began getting involved with the fight for civil rights
because he was deeply concerned with the conditions of the
black people.
Dr. King taught me how to be tolerant o f other people. He
really practiced what he preached.
--Ahmad Stevens
“Happy Birthday
Dr. King”
of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or
complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action."
o
-Marcus Branch,
Outreach Coordinator
Member FDIC
First Interstate Bank
‘ 6 Worship at its bes.* is a social experience with people of
all levels of life cominy together to realize their oneness and
unity under God. W henever the church, consciously or uncon
sciously, cateis to one class it loses the spiritual force of the
‘whosoever will, let him com e’ doctrine and is in danger of
becoming little more than a social club with a thin veneer of
religiosity. ”
y
- Martin Luther King Jr.
V’
Fbrthnd Cenemi Electric
o
January . I 994
AFTER BEING
ABANDONED BY H IS PARENTS,
September. ¡094
AN UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS
AGENT ARRESTS LOUIS FOR
SELLIN G CRACK COCAINE.
12 YEAR-OLD, LOUIS
JOHNSON, FINDS A NEW HOME.
o
Dccemb er, 1994
LOUIS ( GOES TO THE PGE
HOLIDAY PARTY FOR A T -R IS K K ID S .
WITH HIM ARE TWO NEW
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
WEST IS N O T IF IE D .
May r 1 994
LOUIS IS ARRESTED FOR
BREAKING INTO A RESTAURANT.
HE'S LATER RELEASED.
PARENTS HE GOT FOR CHRISTMAS.
©
July 1994
LO U IS BEFRIENDS A
CRACK COCAINE A DD IC T.
February. L294-
?<
LOUIS STARTS TO FEEL PAIN IN
H IS LEFT HAND. HE GOES TO A
H O SPITAL WHERE TWO FINGERS ARE
REMOVED BECAUSE OF FR O S T B IT E .
o
October. 1994—
PGE DONATES » 1 5 ,0 0 0
TO "PROJECT RESPOND," A MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES WEST
PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP
A p ril 1994
SPRING HAS ARRIVED
AND LO U IS ENJOYS SLEEPING
IN A PARK ON A PATCH
M
PEOPLE L IK E
L O U IS .
OF FRESH, GREEN GRASS.
■■
PGE. THE
POW ER
TO
MAKE
A D IF F E R E N C E .
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A lot offolks who see homeless people don't really see them at all. But M ental Health Services West is focusing
directly on the problem. "Project Respond" aims to get people o ff the streets and into meaningful lives. Every
year, PGE hosts a holiday party fo r at-risk children a nd their families. This year. 40 PGE employee volun
teers were on hand. How effective is it? Well, i f you run into Louis, he'll be happy to answer any o f your
questions. I f you w ould like to know more, please phone M ental Health Services West a t 503-228-1804.
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