Page A4
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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?
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continued on page A5
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