Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2002)
Page A4 ortlanb (fili » i roer _____________________________ J i j e ^ o r t l a x t b < f)b s e ru e r__________________ ,__________July Q3,2002 O pinion Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect or represent the views o f ( E l|v |J o r tla n h (D b acru cr The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or personal usage without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad. © 1996 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER ALL RIGHTS RESERV ED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART W ITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. 5 0 3 -2 8 8 0 0 3 3 • FAX503-288-0015 • EMAIL: news@poniandobseiver.com subscriDtion@Dortlandobserver.com ads^BQrtlandobservSLcgm The Portland Observer--Oregon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication-is a member of the National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Repre sentative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publishers Association • Serving Portland and Vancouver. C harles J ordan S peaks Civic Leader Addresses Church Scandal, Racism never understand. And since we The Portland Observer is proud don’t understand, I don’t think to present the following interview we should start guessing and ex with Charles Jordan, the esteemed perimenting with how to fix it. director of Portland Parks and What I propose is to leave this Recreation and a former city coun matter to God. cilman. Our correspondent, Yugen Yugen: Are there higher stan Fardan Rashad, recently sat down dards for the preacher, priest, iman with this dynamic leader for this or rabbi in matters of behavior and First part of a continuing series: morality? Yugen: Charles Jordan. Now Jordan: No. The Bible wasn’t there’s a name that records Sa written just for preachers, it was maritan proportions of service and w ritte n fo r a ll o f us. commitment to community life. Even though we don't call our Jordan: Through parks and selves preachers, we don’t have recreation, I serve. This is one of any less responsibility than an the tools of my trade. At one time, ordained minister. it was education and research. Yugen: I want to shift to an- When I was a gardener, I had certain tools. But whatever 1 have, * other social problem: Racismand equality. whatever I do, it’s all about ser Jordan: Racism is ignorance vice. and fear. Yugen, we don’t know Yugen: I know you place a lot each other. And so when we judge of stock in the faith community people, we do so based not on and the role o f service. Therefore, what I see “you” do, but by what I suspect this matter regarding the group does. That’s where the certain priests of the Catholic stereotype and discrim ination Church is a bit unsettling for you. comes in. Jordan: Yes. Of course I look at Yugen: In this America, people things a little differently. We generally draw social lines based shouldn’t be shocked. It’s unfor on skin color. tunate that we stereotype, be Jordan: But I will say we like to cause there are far more (priests) hang with our own, and there is out there who would never abuse nothing wrong with that because child ren and who reject the I sure do (smiles). I sure enjoy worldly life. They’re doing a great being around my people. I feel job; but we don’t read about good being around my people, them. and it’s natural that people of like Yugen: Is this a simple case of kind enjoy being around each bad things happening to good other, and there’s nothing wrong people? with that. But it doesn’t mean I’m Jordan: If only the good ones going to discriminate against you who knew (about priest miscon because you’re different or be duct) had spoken out and gotten cause you’re a white person. rid of the bad ones... But the good Yugen: Power and race is a ones didn’t speak up and now powerful combination that often they’re tainted. Everybody is not creates iniquities and prejudice, called to preach. A lot of people particularly in the workplace, volunteer and go on their own. which of course ties into econom B ut the real preachers, people who ics, politics, and affects quality of are called by God to preach the life issues such as business, mor word, he will bless. And there are tality, health, housing, etc. so many o f them. Jordan: This is what I see: Black Now, having said that, Yugen, people are a very fair people. Take there are those who are sick. Some for example where w e’re bosses. have sicknesses and can’t help We don’t have to talk about diver themselves. I think some people sity because we don’t think about just have to be sick to do what justhiringa bunch of black people. they do. And in cases like this, I We are a fair people. In some ways think there are some mysteries that has hurt us in the world, but about life that none of us will When You've G ot Family Behind You, You're Never Alone! Charles Jordan not with God. It hurt us because people have taken advantage of that fairness. Yugen: I also hear you saying that to be fair is not exclusively a black thing. J o r d a n : All w hite people aren’t racists. “Oh God! N o-N o! B lack people have never won a major civil rights battle without Jewish people involved either as attor neys or victims. Yugen: Racism lives in the subconscious mind. Yet, it’s a very lucid idea, and influences the lives of many Americans. Jordan: T hew orldis a good place and God didn’t make a mistake. People, all people, are ba sically good. Racism came about because of a small num ber o f bad people, and the majority, didn’t say anything or do anything and didn’t want to get involved. See, you’ve got to speak up. Institutional racism hap pened b e c a u se good people didn’t say nor do anything. If you don’t say something, racism will thrive. The rest of the people we call racist are just fearful and ignorant and that includes black people. We just don’t get to know each other. Yugen: It’s the mod em day leprosy written about in the Old Testa ment. Will the patient ever recover? That's why so many single people, In your hometown and all over the country, rely on American Family Insurance for their insurance protection. American Family Insurance is committed to providing insurance coverage at a competitive price for millions of people, just like you. And, we're dedicated to handling your claims with impeccable speed and care. Call an American Family Insurance agent today, or visit us at www.amfam com A ll Your Protection Under One Root. 6 2002 American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries. Madison. Wl 53783-001 www.amtam com continued on page A5 V H. & B. Too NOW OPEN Oregon’s Oldest Licensed Pawnshop 4709 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd. 2 blocks south of Alberta Weekdays til 6 p.m. - Saturdays til 4 p.m. Free Parking - State Controlled Rates — Se Habla Español www.hbloan.com Oregon Family Business for over 50 years I J I II l I
