M A R . 3, 1999
Page B I 2
<Tliv IJortlaub Oibeeruer---------------------------------------------------
A DIALOGUE ON RACE SERIES
[
J r y & s \ w eek at a
state’s history.
W hite H ouse
Now, lawm akers and
c erem o n y ,
community activists have
President Clinton issued a full
joined together and pro­
pardon to Army Lt. Henry O.
posed a bipartisan “ Day
flipper, the first African Ameri­
o f A cknow ledgem ent,”
can to graduate from West
when state governm ent
Point. Lt. Flipper was forced
leaders could come to ­
out of military service in 1882
gether and officially rec­
after receiving a dishonorable
ognize the state’s racial
discharge that the Army later
h istory , condem n d is ­
ruled was racilly motivated.
c rim in a tio n , and c e l­
The President’s action fully ex­
ebrate those in history
onerates Lt. Flipper o f all
with the courage to bring
wrongdoing, and finally sets
about change. It is an idea
right an injustice that lasted for
whose time has come.
—- j
The proposal, which
over a century.
Here in Oregon, we have a
has been introduced in the
similar opportunity to address
state legislature and has
another racial injustice from
the support o f the Gover­
our nation’s past. It was nearly
nor, would play an impor­
150 years ago when territorial
tant role in helping our
legislators voted to ban African
state come to grips with
Americans from living or trav­
i t ’s racial past. It also
eling in Oregon. The law was
would give all Oregonians
repealed some eighty years
a chance to think about
later, but it is still a painful re­
modern-day issues of race and
approaches about how to deal
minder o f an ugly period in our
perhaps produce a few creative
with those issues.
in race relations in the 150
ted to the ideal that all men and
years since Oregon passed
w om en are created equal.
it’s exclusionary law, but
Laws like this play an impor­
there is still a ways to go.
tant role in dealing with racial
We as a nation are still
issues, but it will by no means
struggling with issues o f
solve the nation’s racial prob­
race.
lem s. W hen it com es to
Racism and hate con­
achieving true racial under­
tinue to stain our national
standing and healing, there is
greatness. The brutal mur­
no substitute for an open dia­
der o f James Byrd Jr. in
logue. That’s the goal behind
Jasper, Texas, is a painful
th e
reminder o f that. I plan to
Acknowledgement.”
“ D ay
introduce in the Senate
O f course, observing a “Day
this week the Hate Crimes
o f Acknowledgement” w on’t
P rev en tio n A ct, w hich
erase past w rongs. And it
would hopefully prevent
w on’t magically wipe out the
horrific crimes like the
vestiges o f hate and intoler­
one in Jasper from hap­
ance that still plague our coun­
pening again. It would put
try today. It would encourage
bigots and racists on no­
people to speak frankly and
tice that hate crimes will
honestly on an issue that they
not
often find too uncomfortable
be
to le ra te d
in
America.
to discuss. It will be a day to
1 hope to pass the Hate
educate. It will be a day for un­
C rim es Prevention Act
derstanding. And a day with­
T here’s no doubt that our
this year to send the clear mes­
out blame. These things alone
nation has made great strides
sage that our nation is commit-
will make it a productive day.
Senator Ron Wyden
The Portland Public
Schools
Celebrate
Black History Month
We all
“Stand on the shoulders
of Gants"
Learn as much as you can about
those giants so that, in the future,
others can see
clearly
of
Steve Bradley Band
Thursday, February 11 • 7:00 pm
Valentine’s Dance with X Angels
Friday, February 12 • 7:00 pm
Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Concert Series
KKJZ 5th Birthday Bash with Rick Braun
Sunday, February 14 • 7:00 pm • $20 admission
Arthur Moore Four Blues Band
Thursday, February 18 • 7:00 pm
Paul Delay Trio
Thursday, February 25 • 7:00 pm
Songwriters in the Round • Craig Caruthers
Sunday, February 28 • 7:30 pm • $7 admission
All ages welcome • No charge except where noted
February Music