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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 26, 2001)
Page A4 fJurtkiuò (Observer MINORITY BUSINESS--------------------------------- September 26, 2001 JL. r J p tf. C t Ü I C-* d i i t o r Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect or represent the views o f ( C ^ v ^ J n r t l a n h (If)b e v rü e r m a u rn o » » » «■ M M ^ a rtlan h (Dbseruer USPS 9 5 9 -6 8 0 Established 1970 s TA FF E d it o r C h in ie f , P u b l is h e r Charles H. Washington E d it o » Larry J. Jackson, Sr. B f. M u s in e s s anages Gary Ann Taylor A sst . P u hushes Michael Leighton E C o n d it o i Joy Ramos C r e a t iv e D ir e c t o r Paul Neufeldt 4 7 4 7 NE M a rtin L u th e r King, Work for Freedom, Justice Goes On Same Flag, Different Look U ntil m oving to P ortland som e 20 years ago, I ’ve always lived on or near m ilitary installa tions. G row ing up, the flag was alw ays a focal point and an inte gral part o f daily life. As toddlers we held our little sticks in our tiny fists, waving ‘Old Glory’ on Armed Forces Day as we swayed to the cadence o f synchronized marching Infantry Battalions; As young children w e’d proudly wave the ‘ Stars and Stripes’ as high as we could dur ing the 4th o f July parade so the Blue Angels flying over, would see a sea o f flags. W hen we started school, w e’d pledge our allegiance to the flag every morning. It was a privilege and an honor to be chosen for the flag team : you had to get to school early and stay late, but you got to hoist and lower the flag. You learned how to do it, so it never to u ch ed the ground and we learned not only how to fold the flag, but what each fold meant. As teens we knew the day and place the flag was born: June 14, 1777 in Philadelphia, Pa. W e knew that the 13 red and white alternating stripes repre sented the 13 colonies; the 50 stars, one for each state were sym bolic o f the heavens and the di vine goals to which men aspired: ‘Liberty and Justice For A ll.’ We knew the red stripes pro claimed the courage and valor of American men and the devotion o f American women. We knew the white stripes were symbolic rays o f light emanating from the sun, and the color blue represented heaven’s faith, signifying vigi lance and perseverance. 1-------------- Now when I look at the flag, I am reaf firm ed by the fact that we are indeed one nation. ________ k We grew older, and as young adults we draped the caskets of our fallen fellow citizens with the American Flag during the VietNam war. G row ing up, 1 possessed the histo rical know ledge o f our nation’s flag; 1 knew the rules o f etiquette and 1 understood the indom itable spirit o f determ ina tion brought to this country by men like the Buffalo Soldiers, T u sk e g e e A irm e n , and the M ount Ford Point M arines. But not until last w eek did I fully comprehend love for one’s coun try. The kind o f love that when tran slated into actio n sp ells duty. To dedicate your life to the protection o f those prin ciples and privileges that the flag em bodies: peace and secu rity, civil and political liberties, our freedom o f speech, religion, assem bly, and sanctity o f home. Now when I look at the flag, 1 am reaffirmed by the fact that we are indeed one nation. W hatever our other differ ences, as Americans we share the core values o f a love for liberty, the pursuit o f happiness and a commitment to a government o f the people, for the people, and by the people. My father loved his country, through World War II, the Korean Conflict, and V iet Nam. Even though the American Creed did not always apply to him here at home, he loved America. I now understand what he knew all along: Our flag is a living flag; that every glory that we associate with the flag o f the United States is the result o f a duty done. Now when 1 look at the flag, I too will be reminded o f my duty: to value and protect for succeeding generations the freedom that oth ers sacrificed and won for us. This will always be an unfinished task for Americans. Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 9 7 2 1 1 5 0 3 -2 8 8 -0 0 3 3 Fax 5 0 3 - 2 8 8 0 0 1 5 e-m ail nerrsSdoitlandobeener.com subscnpbonS'portlandobeener.aom Rp adsSdorVandobeener.oom P ostmaster : Reporting Personalizes Attack Michael and Mark, you can’t possibly know how much your Sept 19 article (page one “Son Escapes W orld Trade Center At tacks) article has impacted our community and us. Many o f M oe’s friends and schoolmates have called and left messages o f joy and celebration for his escape. I must tell you that the way in which you conveyed my words was so vivid that I realized those hours all over again. People have told me that even though they were somewhat tired o f hearing about the catastrophe, the article p e rso n a liz e d the e v e n t and brought home that we never know how we ’re going to be affected by news. Your article had added to my joy and I’m sure Moe appreciated not only just being alive but also having his story told in such a beautiful way. Blessings to you and your or ganization. Dee Craig-Arnold Northeast Portland ers, law enforcement personnel N A A CP C hairm an Julian and ordinary c itizens and we her Bond says the NAACP’s work ald our public servants for their for freedom and justice must steadfastness. We join our fel continue in order to thwart one low citizens and people world o f terrorism ’s main goals - “dis wide in condemning this hor ruption o f daily routine.” rific, savage deed. We pledge Kweisi M fume, NAACP Presi our support for national defense. d e n t and C E O , sa id “ T he We dedicate ourselves to end NAACP is strong and resilient ing terrorism. in our resolve to help make “The NAACP was bom to America a more united nation fight for freedom and justice in a during this courageous test o f nation dedicated to those goals. tim e. O ur organization was Those twin towers - freedom and founded to ensure that all Ameri ’ ju s tic e - still c a n s have the stand. B ecause fre e d o m s and we believe in free rights guaranteed dom,ourworkwill by the Constitu go on. Because tio n . W e are, we believe injus unapologetically, tice, we know the bound to the civil guilty will be pur lib e rtie s th a t su ed and p u n make this democ ished. racy great.” “ W e v ig o r In a letter to the ously condem n N AACP fam ily those bigots who and supporters. blame feminists, Bond said: Julian Bond, gays and lesbians “As we moum and civil libertar NAACPChalrman the e n o rm o u s ians for this hor losses - personal ror. We recoil at and national - in how quickly a few flic te d on our yield to mindless prejudice, at loved ones and our country by tacking and killing Muslims and the vicious attacks in W ashing persons suspected o f being ton, New York and Pennsylva Muslims or Arabs. We praise nia, we must be careful not to be President George W. Bush for defeated by one o f terrorism ’s his visit to W ashington’s Is main goals - the interruption o f lamic Center and his forthright normal life and disruption o f stand against hate crimes and daily routine. racial and ethnic profiling. “New Y ork’s valiant Mayor “We affirm the right o f peace Rudy Giuliani has asked Broad ful dissent, protected by the First way shows to perform again. Amendment, now, when if is W all S tre e t o p e n e d . T he most at risk. We know our Con wounded Pentagon is up and stitution can protect Americans ’ running. Baseball is in full swing. security and America’s freedom. A merica is back in business “Our work goes on. America again. goes on. We know our work is “It is not business as usual, America’s work - as we succeed, but, with greater determination America succeeds. America is than ever. strongest when her people are “We all applaud the heroism strong and free.” demonstrated daily by fire fight- 1 We vigorously condemn those bigots who blame fem inists, gays and lesbians and civil libertarians fo r this horror. Send address changes to Portland Observer PO Box 3 1 3 7 Portland, OR 9 7 2 0 8 Periodical Postage paid in Portland, OR Subscriptions are $ 6 0 .0 0 per year D E A D L IN E S ■ < Ml U E M E fl D MA ARTICLES: M onday by 5 p . m . ADS: Friday by noon The Portland Observer wel c o m es freelance subm issions. M anuscripts and photographs should beclearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads becom e the sole property o f the newspaper and cannot be used in other publica tions or personal usage wi thout the written consent o f the general man ager, unless theclient has purchased the composition o f such ad. C 1996 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, RE PRODUCTION IN WHOLEOR IN PART WITHOUT PERMIS SION IS PROHIBITED. T h e Portland O b server— Oregon'sOldest Multicultural Pub lication- isamember ofthe National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885,andTheNationa! Advertis ing Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publisher? Association • Serving Portland and Vancouver. ---------------------------------- 4 4
