I he P ortland O bserver • A pril 26, 1995
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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