P age A2
Editorial articles do not necessarily
reflect or represent the views o f
(Tlje ¡Portland © h srro er
I Gore has been to New
Hampshire already, de
\ fending free trade with
Obtna. Dick Gephart has been to
Iowa, supposedly searching for
Congressional candidates for
1998.
RAINBOW PU$H
Lamer Alexander called together
his key fundraiser immediately after
election day last November. Dan
Q uayle’s visited Iowa, too. Pat
Buchanan has already suggested he
might run supporters on another
ballot line next year.
In short, the next Presidential race
has begun in earnest. It’s time we
got just as serious.
Reverend Jackson has issued the
call for "the family” to assemble, on
Saturday, 8/2, the final day of the
first annual Rainbow/Push Coali­
tion national convention.
From breakfast that morning,
through a Tow nH all m eeting,
Vision 2000
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tation of a number of brilliant
(and ethical) African American
Scientists, let us delve deeper
into the nature of what is some­
times called the world’s most
prestigious discipline (after reli­
gion?).
Such an approach is especially
relevant given the emphasis being
placed on technology in today’s
world (and the future) and the edu­
cational directives that children
should begin their preparation for
science careers at the very earliest of
grades. And that a parallel family
support structure should proceed
apace, this process ranging from a
close interface with the child’s
school/teachers to home reinforce­
ment; home work demands, avail­
ability of related literature. Subscrip­
tions to science magazines.
Before I get further into this let
me advise that I am well aware of the
current turmoil and “reigning un­
certainty” surrounding several north­
east schools. This is far from being
the first time that the predominately
The defections were reportedly
sparked by arrogant exclamations
from some Pittsburgh Democrats that
Black voters would never leave the
party Not long afterwards, in the
recent Allegheny County Commis­
sioner elections -- which includes
Pittsburgh - control of the Commis­
sion changed hands from Democrat
to Republican, reportedly based on a
strong turnout of Black voters for
Republican candidates.
As a longtime activist/critic of
the multiple ways in which the
Democratic Party takes Black votes
for granted, I was glad to see this
story told in the Pittsburgh Tri­
bune-Review Black voters had been
the Democratic Party’s most loyal
constituency, but we have been
shunted aside as the Clintonites
have shamelessly and shrewdly
played the “race card” by reinforc­
ing the notion that white voters’
interests conflict with those o f
Blacks and then trumpeting the
New Democrat” promise that
Black concerns no longer carry
weight in the party. All this while
presuming that we will continue to
vote Democrat because Blacks have
nowhere else to go.
The Republicans, shrewd in their
own ways, recognize the growing
antagonism between Black voters
and the Democratic Party, and seek
to put themselves forward as the
alternative. Insofar as Black lead­
ers and voters are looking to re­
e
minority education vehicle has en­
countered such a high level of turbu­
lence nor is it the first time that the
process has been demonstrated to be
patently defective. What is new is
the “Humboldt Elementary School”
has been “blown up”; A term bor­
rowed from eastern U.S. jurisdic­
tions meaning every body has been
fired, from principal and teachers to
clerks an janitors.
All to the outrage
of most.
However, we
will examine this
volatile and com­
plex issue in the
Education Section
a little later, right now, my phone
lines and fax are backed up with
protests, hurrahs, thinly - veiled
threats to do bodily harm and other
assorted and excited commentaries.
A week or so of reflection should
bring about a cooler and more con­
structive approach to a problem that
has to be solved and very soon (as
has been said before).
But, back to science. I am hearing
from readers who say, “ I saw your
statistic;’poll shows 68% of black
teenagers actually believe they could
make a living as professional ath­
letes’. I cringe when I think of how
much attention they are going to
devote to acquiring the basic shills
needed in a highly technical society.
What can we do? What community
organizations do we have that are
capable of reaching them? It is ions
do we have that are capable of reach­
ing them ? It is
rather obvious that
the schools are not.
The churches?”
O ther readers
are asking how we
can get many more
creative and effec­
tive role models prominently dis­
played and publicized; often men­
tioned is the inspiring example of
Lulu Stroud Johnson, a single black
parent who keeps four daughters on
a four-point grade average path that
already has led two to university
science majors and honors. And in
addition this energetic and vision­
ary mother co-chairs an organiza­
tion dedicated to bring about more
parental support directed at prepar­
ing our youth for this world of sci­
e s
ence and technology. It’s basic skills
from day one and that school inter­
face.
Ms Johnson, of course, is not by
far the only dedicated and enthusi­
astic parent out there. And they have
to have support - which they are not
getting a lot of. Money, times, tutors
and facilities are needed for junior
science clubs, chemistry and biol­
ogy equipment (which my peer
groups had 60 years ago). This is
what is needed, "not more basket
ball and pool table evening jails” to
keep’em off the streets”, eastern jour­
nalists are saying.
And black fathers need to be do­
ing what others are doing at their
plants. Arranging with owners and
managers to sponsor youth groups
from their neighborhoods - not only
to be brought out to see the technol­
ogy at work and be impressed with
what education is required to oper­
ate it, but have the youth integrated
into possible summer/evening or
weekend job structures. Technicians
to visit their schools.
Next we will get into the actual
structure and exposition of the “Sci­
entific Method.”
Civil Rights Journal
Lament for fallen warriors
Taken for granted and a ride
spond to the Democrats’ manipu
lation o f Black America — support
forRepublican party candidates can
be temporarily useful. However, I
am concerned that we not end up
manipulated by the Republican
Party as well, which has played
many “race cards” of its own and
which, in my opinion, is not com
mitted to addressing the concerns
of Black America. Weshouldn’tgo
from being taken for granted to
being taken for a ride
Black leaders and voters do have,
however, another alternative. It’s
becoming politically independent
and aligning with the Reform Party
The Reform Party stands for the
proposition that all Americans -
Black and white — have been tragi­
cally manipulated by both parties
The two parties and the government
they control have disempowered the
voters and now determine policy on
the basis of what’s good for various
special interests and not for the
American people.
How must Black America re­
spond to the arrogant disregard by
the Democratic Party and the
Johnny-come-lately approaches of
the Republicans? By joining with
the millions o f other Americans
who have also been disregarded by
both parties to create a new party -
- the Reform Party - which be­
lieves that the political culture of
racial manipulation must be re­
placed with political and fiscal re­
form that will pave the way for a
democratized, inclusive and pros­
perous America.
Dr. Fulani is currently a leading
activist in the Reform Party and
chairs the Committee for a unified
Independent Party. She can be
reached at 8OO-288-32OI or at
w w w .Fulani.org.
p
the Democratic Party moves further
to the right every day?
What must we do to protect “the
least of these” in the emerging win-
ner-take-all economy? What are the
defining - and neglected - issues of
the coming century?
The Rainbow/Push convention
will be for four days - but you should
at least be there for Saturday. If you
were one of the rejected stones in 84
and 88, or if you wish you could
have been, the Hilton Towers in
Chicago on the second of August is
c t
/
r
More science the right kind
f * i> ^ o llo w ln g right along
4 ► with the hoped, „.for ef
/“• ¿ J
feet of last week's ci­
THIS WAY FOR BLACK EM POW ERM ENT
he Pittsburgh Tribune-
Review recently pub
lished an editorial en­
titled “Democrats on Notice”
which reported on a wave of
defections by Black leaders
from the Democratic Party to
the Republican Party.
through lunch-and beyond into the
afternoon, if discussions warrent-
Jesse wants to gather the family
together to discuss the rainbow vi­
sion for 2000, the issues that are
currently being ignored in Ameri­
can politics, and our thoughts on a
course of action.
To run or not to run? That is
obviously one of the key questions
which you should help Rev. Jackson
decide, in person.
What should our game plan be for
1998? What should we be doing as
s
T hank Y ou F or R eading T he P ortland O bserver
Ili
I enora F ulani
by I#K.
D r . L
C O A L IT IO N
the place to be. Be there or beware
(C all
Velma
W ilson
at
773.373.3366 for conference de­
tails.)
A Tangled Webb - the San Jose
Mercury News, in a desperate at­
tempt to win back the approval of the
mainstream corporate media, is now
violating its own guild contract to
punish reporter Gary Webb for his
articles on CI A/contra/crack cocaine
linkages.
After his address at Dr. King’s
workshop at the Rainbow/PUSH
building in Chicago, Webb has been
transferred to another bureau, 150
miles from his home. The paper has
pulled him off the CIA crack story,
and refuses to publish his follow-up
articles. Shame, shame.
Webb’s response: “They think I
need to be re-educated...I don’t in­
tend to let them run me out.” Hang
in there, Gary!
i» \ i a^r.
rx
b
B ernice
n
P owell J ackson
'his year, 1 9 9 7 , Is turn
ing out to be a difficult
'one for me as we lose
some of those warriors for jus­
tice whom I treasure and re­
spect, those who have made so
many contributions to the free­
dom and reclaiming of my people.
In March we lost Mac Charles
Jones, long-time civil rights activist
and Baptist pastor. Mac, a big man
in stature, was big in heart as well,
working as an agent o f reconcilia­
tion while fearlessly facing down
those who deny rights to any who are
oppressed.
It was because of the trust that so
many had in Mac that the story of the
burned churches became known as
he visited with local church pastors
across the South »0 hear their stories
on behalfofthe National Council of
Churches.
It was because of his dedication to
saving young people that Mac opened
the doors of his church in Kansas
City to gang members in 1993 so
that there could be peace in neigh­
borhoods across the nations.
Mac Charles Jones stood tall
among human beings because he
listened to the oppressed and the
outcast and then fought side by side
with them for their rights. So, he
supported women called to the min­
istry in their struggle to become
ordained. He supported gays and
lesbians in theircivil rights struggles.
He supported gang members and
poor people and, alw ays, the
struggles of his own people to be
free.
James Washington was another
man big in stature and big in heart.
The preeminent African American
church historian. Dr. Washington
was a professor at Union Seminary
in New York City and mentor to
hundreds of young clergypersons
across the nation.
It was Jim Washington who ed­
ited the most extensive collection of
the writings, speeches and sermons
o f Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Re­
cently he had edited a beautiful book
of African American prayers, Con­
versations with God. An incredibly
gifted teacher, Dr. Washington had
done extensive research on religion
and the civil rights movement.
Wayland Melton is not a name
read in headlines. But Wayland
Melton was one of my heroes. An
Episcopal Priest, Fr Melton com­
mitted his life to saving African
American Children. Not only did he
serve as a chaplain at Cincinnati’s
Children's Hospital Medical Cen­
ter, but, as a single father, he adopted
five children, earning him the
Hamilton County Adoptive parent
of the Year citation.
A gifted preacher and pastor, Fr.
Melton most recently served as dean
of Philadelphia’s Cathedral Church
of the Savior.
Many, many people knew the
name Samuel Proctor. A Baptist
preacher par excellence. Dr. Proctor
served for 20 years as pastor of Ab­
yssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
A respected educator, he had also
served as president of two black
colleges and as a professor at several
seminaries. Thousands of men and
women in all walks of life were
impacted by Dr. Proctor’s legacy of
commitment to young people and to
the uplifting of African Americans.
A wonderful example of old-fash­
ioned values and leadership, Dr.
Proctor’s life was a sermon in prac­
tice.
The human race is enriched be­
cause these brothers lived. The Afri­
can American race can be proud of
each of them and I miss their bril­
liance, their leadership, their com­
mitment every day.
Price applauds Clinton’s race relations speech
by
M
. -, V ~
N ational . T
U Tnn
rban L eague
'ational Urban League
P re s id e n t, Hugh B.
Price praised President
's San Diego address on
race relations in America as “a
very strong speech, rooted
deeply in the President's experi­
ences and belief system and a
strong step forward.”
In anticipation of the President’s
speech, Mr Price outlined four cru­
cial points that must be dealt with if
the nation is to close its racial di­
vide: First. Americans need help in
seeing, understanding and accept­
ing the nation’s changing racial de­
mographics. In today's speech. Presi­
dent Clinton emphasized this very
point, noting that Hawaii and Cali­
r
.
1
.
fornia are examples of this. Already
there is no racial majority in Hawaii;
the same will be true in California
within three years. Mr Price firmly
believes that the opportunity struc­
ture in higher education, employ­
ment and business must be inclu­
sive.
“The President presented a strong
defense of affirmative Action,” said
Price, “reminding the critics that
even if it is reformed, it must con­
tinue to keep opportunities open to
all our people.”
The second of Mr. Price’s crucial
1 better
..
. ...
points is police/civilian tensions,
particularly the “profile stops” Afri­
can-American men are confronted
with across the nation. “We need
appropriate policy changes to re­
solve this issue, discussion alone is
not enough," Price said.
The third point is that of closing
the ever-widening gap between the
haves and have-nots. While the Presi­
dent did not address this directly, he
did point ou, the importance of eco­
nomic self-reliance
Mr Price's fourth point concerned
stren g th en in g
the
federal
dtp dditor
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J
government’s ability to respond t<
issues involving race.
“ We are pleased with the pane
the President has assembled,” sai<
Price. “ They are all serio u s
thoughtful and committed indi
viduals. We are particularly en
couraged by the appointments o
John Hope Franklin and Nissan’;
Robert Thomas ”
While Price salutes the President’:
initiatives, he is mindful that the)
are but a beginning.
“ In resolving the issues of big­
otry, we agree with the President
that there is a need for dialogue,
attention and action,” said Price
"Ih e speech is a solid step in the
right direction, but beyond dialogue-
there must be action.”