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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1995)
I he P ortland O bserver • A pril 26, 1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------------------------_ _ _ _ _ _ -_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P age A5 Affirmative Action Foes Come Out Of Closet IVI c / ' K I*.’ inley I M I B y P rof i* M B i rt L ast w eek I m ade the poin t here that th ere w as not found in this co u n try th at level o f acro ss- th e -b o a rd “ im p le m e n ta tio n o f life -su p p o rt for A ffirm a tiv e A c tion as one w ould e x p ect in its tim e o f tra v a il M ost o f us w ould d isc o u n t the rash o f sy m p a th e tic h e a d lin e s g e n e ra te d by the m e e t ing in P o rtlan d o f the A m erican A sso c ia tio n for A ffirm a tiv e A c tion. The real w o rld ’ is m uch too in tru siv e. T his w as the c o n fe re n ce o f A ffirm a tiv e A ctio n O ffic e r re p re se n tin g c o lle g e s, g o v ern m en t ag e n c ie s and p riv a te b u sin e sse s from acro ss the co u n try . An ap p a re n tly sy m p a th e tic local press a ssig n ed re p o rte rs w hose h e a d lines and key p h a se s (se le c te d by „ e d ito rs) w ere o f the c la ssic “ lib e ra l" b ent and th e ir re p o rts could h ard ly be e x p e c te d to su p p o rt a v alid a sse ssm e n t o f the p re se n t “ a f f ir m a tiv e a tm o s p h e re ” . An a rtic le o l A pril 9 featured a side b ar o f in te rv ie w s w ith p ro fe s sio n als in a tte n d a n c e. The q u e stio n s o f the m edia so u g h t to e lic it a pattern o f r e p lie s th a t w o u ld p r e s e n t the read er w ith a w orking d e fin itio n o f A ffirm a tiv e A ction from the v ie w p o in t o f the p ra c tic in g p ro fe ssio n a l. A nd that is w hat we hav e, an e c le c tic c o lle c tio n o f v ie w p o in ts; a d iv e rse th ick et o f sta te m e n ts co n cern in g intent, o b je c tiv e s , rig h ts, q u a lific a tio n s, q u o tas, equal o p p o rtu n ity , d e m o g ra p h ic s, etc. -- begging for se m antic an a ly sis. L eaving for a m om ent the sem an tics and e p iste m o lo g y o f “ w hen is a q u o ta not a q u o ta ? A nd w hen are p re fe re n c e s fair? - - we note that from the P resident o f the U nited S ta te s on dow n to a num ber o f frightened D em ocratic m em bers o f C o n g re ss there is m uch b a c k -p e d a lin g on p re v i ously firm and un w av erin g c o m m itm ent to A ffirm a tiv e A ction and E q u a l O p p o r tu n ity law s. E ven am ong c o lle g e p resid en ts and a d m issio n o ffic e rs, we have a re tre a t to lin g u istic s and o p e ra tive d e fin itio n s - “ w hat the law really m eans is thus and so ” - “ No q u o ta s, but u n lim ite d good faith e f f o r ts ’ are p e rm issib le ” . Dr. A lan K eyes, the black talk show host, has suddenly b e com e a c a n d id a te for P resid en t, and is riding the a n ti-A ffirm a tive A ction horse at as fu rious pace as G eo rg e Bush rode the W illie H o rto n issu e , A n o th e r black A ffirm a tiv e A ction foe to recen tly com e out o f his c o n s e r vative c lo se t is H orace C o o p e r, the U ncle Tom le g isla tiv e c o u n sel to R epublican S e n a to r R ic h ard A rm ey. The program m a n ager o f C N N was o p e ra tin g at his ironic best when on M arch 14 he setup a d ebate betw een C o o p e r and D r. AI fred B lu m ro se n o f R utgers U n iv ersity . T he g o o d D o c to r is no n e other than the man w ho set up the Equal O p p o rtu n ity C o m m issio n - ra th e r cruel w a s n ’t it? H orace C ooper, w hose co g n itiv e reflex es are slow at best, play ed the fool, rolled h is e y e s , and g en erally and th o ro u g h ly e m b a rra sse d anyone o f c o lo r w ho was w a tc h in g The p rin c ip le o f A ffirm a tiv e A ction n e ith e r gain ed or lo st from his co n d e m n a tio n . L ast w eek there w as a m ost in te re stin g te le v isio n interview with Dr Ruth S im m ons, the black w om an recen tly chosen president o f noted Sm ith w o m e n ’s co lleg e. A m ong o ther th in g s she pointed out that from her ow n e x p e ri ences as a co lleg e a d m in istra to r that hate Equal O p p o rtu n ity Law s that forced in stitu tio n o f higher le a rn in g to open up th e ir jo b o p p o rtu n itie s to p u b lic a d v e rtis e m ent in the n atio n s m ed ia, a c tu ally R e su lte d In T he H irin g O f T h o u sa n d s O f W hite M ales! T h is w as b ecause p re v io u sly not only w ere black s and fem ales fenced o ut, but the “old b o y 's n e tw o rk ' passed th e se jo b s out only to th e ir own e th ic and c u l tural gro u p . N ow , if this is tru e for u n i v e rsitie s o v e r the p a st tw o d e c a d e s o f E q u a l O p p o r tu n ity L aw s, w hat about the sam e s itu ation w ith all the g o v e rn m e n t a g e n c ie s and d e fe n se c o n tra c to rs across the co u n try . N o, me thinks the A ffirm a tiv e A c tio n o p p o s i tion doth p ro te st to o m uch as S h a k e sp e a re w ould say. D o n 't w orry folks, I ’m going to get even d e e p e r into this. Next week: Maybe we better latch back on where I left o ff with my Affirmative Action Class o f the 1970's. We needed jobs and 1 secured them by the hun dred. Boise-Elliot Launches Savings Program isp .P Ih ^ i El PI Students nt at R B n o ise-E lliot ementary were able to make the first deposit to their new school savings account April 19, as the school teams with W ashington Mutual to offer the innovative program that helps teach children how to wisely manage their money and plan for the future. "T heearlierchildren learn about m anaging money, the better pre pared they will be for the future,” said Lena Baszniak, m anager of W ashington M utual’s Interstate Fi nancial Center, which established the new School savings partnership r?u- . "W ashington with B o ise-E llio t. Mutual s School Savings program lets children learn by using their own savings accounts.” Boise-Elliot students will be able to open school savings accounts at their school with as little as 25 cents. Each week, the students can make a deposit to their account, which have average balances of $94. Bank em ployees and parent volunteers serve as tellers, using Macintosh computers to track deposits and print receipts and helping children practice their math skills as they total their balances. Nearly 15,000 Northwest children participate in school savings at more than 150schools throughout Oregon and Washington. There are no service fees for the accounts, which earn the same interest rate as Washington Mutual’s regular Passbœk Savings accounts and are FDIC insured. Established in 1923, the pro gram is an example of Washington M utual’s commitment to education. W ashington Mutual, Inc.’s subsid iaries operate more than 250 finan cial and loan centers in Oregon, W ashington and Idaho. Kenton Fire House Site of Foot Patrol Training Participatinginaneighboi+Kxxlfoot patrol is one of the best ways a resident can make his or her block a safe and secure place to live. Organized foot pa trols, aCity sponsored program in which volunteers are trained to walk the vicinity around their homes, allow residents to make their neighborhoods safe while getting a bit of exercise and getting to know their neighbors. Citizens arc in vited toan introductory trainingon Thurs day, April 27th, at the Kenton Fire House, located at 8105 N. Brandon. Anyone who wishes to attend this training should contact Vada Grimsrud. the North Portland Neighboituxxi Crime Prevention Coordinator, at 823-4098. For information on joining the Kenton Foot Patrol can call the Kenton Action Plan at 289-6693. April 22 April 27 April 28 April 29 April 30 Brunch Cruise Dinner Cruise Secretary’s Day Kids Cruises: Bridges Tour Lunch Cruise Cheap Thrills Harbor Tours Brunch Cruise ■ — > • - 11 am-l pm 6-7:30 pm 11 am-l pm 9-10 am & 10:15-1 am 1-3 pm On the hour from 12-5 pm 11 am-l pm IF YOU NEED HELP BUYING A HOME, WE'LL LEND YOU A HAND. $22.00 $25.00 $22.00 $5.00 $22.00 $5.00 O w ning a hom e can be m ore than just a dream . To find out how, give W ashington M utual a call. If you qualify for o u r special hom ebuyer assistance programs, we can help open a few doors. $22.00 Call N ow ... yyy Washington Mutual The friend of the family* FEATURING BRUNCH, LUNCH, DINNER CRUISE C h a r t e r s a v a ila b le a n y t i m e y e a r a r o u n d . 1 -8 0 0 -7 5 6 -8 0 0 0 503-286-7673 Í& E qual H o u s in g Lender F D IC Insured H EALTH A, M M S V E F® Planting A Seed Of Hope This Spring Metro Crisis Line is recruiting volunteers to staff its 24-hour tele phone crisis intervention and infor mation referral hot line. The agency needs volunteers for day, evening, and weekend shifts. Spring training classes begin Monday, April 24, 1995. Metro pro vides extensive training for its vol unteers. Volunteers accepted into the program are asked to make a one- year commitment to work one four- hour shift each week. No experience is necessary; however, applicants must he 18 years or older. Call the Metro Crisis Line vol unteer coordinator, Sara W atkins, a, 226-3099 for more information. A IS V Join us in celebrating |.îortlanù (©bsevuer’s Twenty-fifth Anniversary. Red Cross Offers Classes For Spring Safety Spring is the season o f flowers, trees, strains, and sprains. Almost as soon as armchair athletes come out o f hibernation to become intermural heros, emergency clinics see an increase in sprained ankles, twisted knees, and strained backs. T hat’s why this spring is a great time to learn how to prevent and respond to all types of injuries and accidents. Oregon Trail Chapter, American Red Cross has ju st released the Spring 1995 health and Safety Course Schedule, which highlights different classes available for all ages. Copies are available at the chapter, or by calling 280-1440. Classes include Standard First Aid, which teaches adult CPR and first aid, including abdominal thrusts for choking and appropriate care for cuts, broken bones, and bites and stings. Community First Aid and Safety teaches those skills, plus infant and child CPR. Other Red Cross classes are offered throughout the area, including swimming classes for all ages. Also available are youth courses in babysitting, first aid, and "When I’, in Charge.” the Red Cross class that teaches children to be safe when home alone. Course fees vary, and classes are offered throughout the five-county area (Multnomah, Clackamas. Washington, Yamhill, and Columbia). For more information about classes for you, your family, or your employees call 280-1440. Tips For Care Of Muscle, Bone And Joint Injuries Injuries to the muscles, bones and joints are rarely life-threatening. However, ifnotrecognized and cared for, they can cause serious problems and be disabling. tim felt or heard a snap or pop at the time o f injury 5. The injured area is cold and numb 6. The cause o f the in jury suggests that the injury may be severe Signal of injury; 1. Significant deformity, bruising Caring for sprains and strains: and/or swelling 2. inability to use the affected part normally 3. Bone fragments sticking out o f a wound 4. Victim feels bones grating: vic 1. Check and care for other injuries 2. Call EMS (9-1-1) if necessary 3. Elevate injured area if possible 4 Immobilize injured area 5. Apply ice periodically for about 72 hours or until swelling goes away. 6. Next apply heat. 7. If unsure whether to use cold or heat on an injured area, alwavc apply cold until a physician is consulted. 8. Keep victim comfortable 9. If appropriate, apply an elastic bandage for support and to con trol swelling 10. Care for shock. I he American Red Cross sug gests everyone learn first aid and CPR Health Reform Speakers Now Available Free p re se n ta tio n s on the O regon H ealth Plan are now a v ailab le from tra in e d v o lu n te e r sp e a k e r in c o m m u n itie s th ro u g h o u t the state. This innovative speaker’ bu reau consists entirely o f people who have chosen to share their time and talents to he Ip Oregon residents learn more about the Oregon Health Plan o f 1989. Approxim ately 25 volunteers participated inaspeakertrainingses- sion held earlier this month. Addi tional training has been planned to assure that there are enough speakers to meet the demand. Training and support o f the speaker’ bureau have been sponsored as a public service by the American Association o f Retired persons. The G overnor’s Commission on Senior Services, and the Oregon Health Action Campaign. Volunteers will be kept in formed about ongoing develop ments in health care reform during the legislative session. Organizations that would like to schedule a speaker are urged to contact the Oregon Health Care Reform Speakers' Bureau at I -800- 228-2304. Freedom Of Choice Affirmed Good news for nursing home residents who pay their own nursing home bills-the state has recently af firmed their right to choose their own pharmacy. A guideline issued by Senior and Disabled Services Divi sion (SDSD) on February 24, 1995, is in response to a case brought to SD SD 's attention by the Office o f the Long Term Care Ombudsman on behalf o f a facility resident. A repre sentative o f the resident, concerned by high charges for medications, ap proached the facility to see if it was possible to identify an alternative supplier at a lower cost. The facility refused to allow any other supplier to furnish the resident’s medications, unless the medications could be de livered every third day in unit dose They refused to accept medications in 30-day cards, a delivery system which is standard in many nursing facilities and widely considered to be safe. Many Oregon nursing homes have a primary pharmacy with which they do business and they prefer that the residents purchase their pharm a ceuticals from that pharmacy. Fur ther, some facilities have developed rigid standards for drug delivery, ef fectively limiting consumer choice by making it difficult to identify al ternative pharmac ies that meets those nursing facilities' standards. In 1983, consumer concerns re garding the high cost o f medications prompted the Oregon Legislature to pass Senate Bill 316 that provided for freedom ofchoice, allowing con sumers to shop for a lower price. According to SDSD, the clear intent o f the statute and rule is to allow residents to choose an alternative supplier o f pharmaceuticals. SD SD 's interpretive guideline makes it clear that residents shall have the option o f selecting an alter native pharmacy, as long as the alter native provides for timely delivery ofdrugs, adequate protection against tampering, delivery in a unit o f use compatible with the facility's system o f dispensing drugs and 24-hour emergency services, either directly or through contract The guideline clearly states that the 30-day card system, or bubble pack, is a safe and cost-effective drug delivery system and one compatible with unit does systems. SD SD ’s guideline states: If a facility defines their drug delivery system so narrowly that it creates a de facto denial o f choice, the facility will be considered to not be in compliance. The intent o f the statute is to allow residents a mean ingful opportunity to select an alter native supplier o f pharmaceuticals. State Long Term Care Om buds man M eredith C ote a p p la u d e d SDSD's interpretive guideline “They showed real leadership in afflrm inga resident s right to meaningful choice. Our experience suggests that phar maceuticals frequently can be pur chased more cheaply in the com m u nity than through the facility’s pre ferred vendor " The Office o f the Long Term Care Ombudsman is a state agency dedicated to improving the quality o f care and the quality o f life o f O re gon's long term care residents For more information call 1-800-522- 2602
