F o r t ia n i»
© b a e ru e r
B LA C K
H IS T O R Y
19
M O N T H
9 8
February 18,1998
C3
O R N T T H O U X 1Y
it is so hard to be earth bound
when yr wings are aching to challenge the high-tide
o f a revolutionary wind.
so hard to remain terrestrial when the skin remembers
being bird, and the heart soars back and forth in its
ribbed cage...
the song o f the crow gives rebirth to a loneliness that
manifests itself in the flight-time o f the life-time,
it is so hard to be earthbound
wings dragging beside u on the ground
u cld lift them if folks wld ju st get o ff o f 'em.
they kno u re dependable so they lean on u
hopin to be included on yr next flight.
and not being able to take o ff gives u the woes
occasionally u claw at what loves u the most
and everything u sing after that is beyond even the blues.
Vanport flood evacuees staying temporarily at the Trinity Episcopal Church. 1948. For the many
left homeless, they were taken in by families in the metropolitan area.
Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society.
the unsurpassed splendor o f our united plumage makes
them plot to slaughter the bird in us. their media tells us
to hate the sky.
they make us think stagnation is better than flight o f any
kind,
motion o f any sort, they trick us into turning in our
wings, and they burn
the wings that are not turned in.
R ■ Sb
* s.
»1
but sometimes, the way we can feel about each otha is
totally
regenerating to the most scorched wings.
the right look, an opening smile that never closes,
sometimes, the way we dare to feel about each otha, is
all the flight-times o f the most magnificent birds in all
the worlds where luv and freedom are a way o f being,
sometimes, we do that to each otha.
wanna fly?
Poem by Laini Mataka
Quote from the community:
-
Albina Neighborhood Cleanup. By the mid-1960's, The Albina
Neighborhood Improvement Program succeeded in rehabilitating
houses in a 35 square block area. By 1972, nearly 300 homes
had been rehabilitated. This proved a better alternative to Urban
Renewal.
Courtesy o f the Oregon Historical Society.
“We (African Americans) feel we have to rely on each
other. Economically, it isn’t instilled in us to support each
other’s business.”
(Zakiya Zuri, N. Portland resident)
Dining car cooks o f the S&P Railroad in 1919.
Railroad jobs in Portland was stable work for
Black men. Although, they were denied any career
advancement. Honoring the Black Man was our
special feature for the second week o f Black
History Month.
Courtesy o f the Oregon Historical Society.
talk about
pride
Black history. Rich in culture, stories, songs
and traditions. Keep these close to your
heart and your family. AT& T makes it easy.
Stay connected w ith AT&T digital PCS. W ith
AT&T W o rld N e ts e rv ic e s , visit historical
■Aunt Lavinia" Wright was the first Black
woman settler in Halfway, Oregon. The
Exclusion Laws restricted Blacks from
voting, testifying in court, demanded Blacks
carry proof o f freedom and excluded them
from living in these territories. Honoring the
Black Woman was our special feature for
the first week o f Black History Month.
Courtesy o f the Oregon Historical Society.
sites w ithout leaving home. And save with
AT&T long distance calling plans. AT&T can
make every day an historical one.
w w w . a tt .c o m
I t ’ s a ll w it h in
AT&T
y o u r re a c h .
I