Portland observer., February 11, 1998, Page 19, Image 19

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The relief train at Bridal Veil, Oregon. 1885. As early as 1900, Black
railroad men began to organize to improve working conditions. As a
result, monthly wages were raised from $25 to $27.50 a month.
Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society.
Bill Travis (on left), a Black policeman joins the force in Portland. Travis
formerly worked in Vanport, a special housing district.
Back Again, Home
(confessions of an
ex-executive)
Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society.
Pains o f insecurity surround me;
shined shoes,
conservative suits,
button down shirts with silk ties,
bi-weekly payroll.
Ostracized, but knowing why;
executive haircut,
clean shaved,
“yes ” instead o f “yeah ” and “no ” instead o f
“naw, ”
hours, nine to five, (after five h e ’s alone)
“Doing an excellent job, keep it up; ”
promotion made-semi-monthly payroll,
very quiet-never talks,
budget balanced-saved the company money,
quality work-production tops.
He looks sick, (but there is a smile in his eyes)
He resigned, we wonder why;
let his hair grow - a mustache too,
out o f a job - broke and hungry,
friends are coming back - bring food,
not quiet now - trying to speak,
what did he say?
“Back Again,
BLACK AGAIN,
Home. ”
Poem by Don L. Lee (1942 - )
Robert Ford was one of the first two Black teachers in Portland. He taught
at Holladay School. (1945).
Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society.
Quote from the Community:
“There is the notion o f ‘Last Hired, First Fired’. We (African American men) have to reckon with
that. It's not a reassuring place to be. We ’re overly job conscious. We approach the workplace with
a certain am ount o f buffoonery. People tend to think that it’s the apex o f intellectual prowess o f
the Black fo lk .”
, .
,
(Charles Tatum, Portland Sculptor)
Quote by the Community:
aThe strength o f a Black man is reflected in a strong work ethic. Many Black men
would work multiple, menial jobs in order to gain enough to support their
fam ilies”.
(Reverend Alcena Boozer)
)
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