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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2003)
May 28, 2003 ®l|e Jlortlanh ©bseruer Page AS Judge Thomas Tells Teens to Think Independently Supreme court justice says there’s more to diversity than skin color (AP) — The Supreme C ourt's only black justice said that he has been wrongly maligned for not embracing the views o f black civil rights leaders. Justice C larence Thomas, one o f the c o u rt’s m ost conserv ativ e members, told a group o f students, most o f them black, that he believes the death penalty is constitutional and that there's more to diversity than skin color. And he told the students at Ben jam in Banneker High School in W ashington that they don’t have to base their beliefs on being black although "w e’ve reached a point where people are very comfortable telling blacks what they ought to believe." Asked about his disagreements with civil rights leaders, Thomas said: “I think they’re struggling with me. I’m not struggling with any body. “ I have my own opinions and my ideas. T hey’re mine," he said. “ I w on’t tell you you must believe certain things because o f your skin color or because you’re bad for not agreeing with me. T hat’s all I can see, is that people are upset be- yers, doctors and journalists. Thomas talked about his unlikely rise from poverty in rural Georgia to his nomination to the Supreme Justice Clarence Court in 1991 during the first Bush Thomas speaks to administration. students at “ I was a little nappy-headed little Benjamin Banneker kid. That's what they called me High School in ’nappy-headed little kid,’ running Washington. around barefoot in Pinpoint (Geor (AP Photo) gia). Who would have known what *01 was in there? Nobody knew," said Thomas, who considered becom ing a Catholic priest before picking the law as a career. cause I disagree with them.” dency; and about replacing civil Thomas said that with the en Thomas was quizzed by the stu rig h ts tra ilb la z e r T h u rg o o d couragement o f his grandparents, dents about his views on affirma Marshall as the second black ju s he worked hard and developed his tive action; about his vote in Bush tice on the court. He repeatedly own ideas. The justice said he still v. Gore, which ended candidate A1 turned the subject to the futures o f rises each morning at 4:30 a.m. be Gore’schancesofwinning thepresi- the high school students — as law cause he can feel his grandfather's spirit hovering over him, saying, "Get up, think you're rich?” Thomas, who was participating in an educational series televised by C-SPAN, refused to discuss his views on affirmative action because o f two cases pending at the Su preme Court that chai lenge the con- stitutionality o f adm issions poli cies that help minorities. He did mention a recent speech to a di verse college crowd. "So often you go to universities and it’s all white or predominantly black. I looked out there and it was a mix o f everybody. And it’s w on derful. "But are you telling me you all can’t learn in this group?” he asked the students. “ Now you know you can.” Jefferson Plans Graduation Party Chaperones, contributions needed for June 2 festivities The Jefferson II igh School Par- entTeacher Association is throw ing an all-night party at a super secret location for high school graduates, following their gradua tion ceremony on Monday, June 2. The night promises tempting food, exciting movies, impressive raffle prizes, rock climbing, basket- ball, dancing and swimming with no drugs or alcohol. “We want these kids to know that all o f us involved at Jefferson are proud o f them for accom plish ing one o f life’s most important goal," said Dan Bell, o f the event’s planning committee. To keep the night fun and afford able for all graduates, the PTA is asking people from the Jefferson community for donations. They are also seeking chaperones for the Grad Night Party from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Strides Against Breast C ancer Encouraging Adoption Charlie Stiff, Diane Dukeshire and Kym Lamb, foster care specialists with the Oregon Dept. of Human Services, encourage area residents to help a child in need during the recent Mississippi Avenue Multicultural Fair. For information about adoption or offering care to foster children, call S tiff at 503-280-6993, extension 428. photo m M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver Minority Contractors Win Parking Deal to end a contract w ith the P ort land B usiness A lliance, in this D avid versus G oliath-type com petition. O fficials with Star Park and the A frican A m erican, Filipino and The C ity Council finalized a H ispanic cham bers o f com m erce m uch-anticipated decision last have vow ed to meet the alliance’s week to hire Star Park, a parking standard o f garage safety and company in partnership with three cleanliness, and pledged that ja n i m inority business associations, tors w ould receive a living wage. to m anage its dow ntow n garages. The new contract, costing $4.35 The council voted unanim ously million over five years, saves the Council decision will save Portland $400,000 a year city approximately $400,000 a year. A citizens review committee said that diversity was only a small fac tor when recommending Star Park for the job. The committee based its decision on the com pany’s refer ences, experience and financial benefit to the city. Star Park officers assured down town shoppers that the company has no intention o f raising the cur rent rate structure or changing the validation program. photo courtesy D eston N okes /P acif C orp Shalonda Page with babyAshlie Walton (from left), Nyree Henderson and Letha Holley attend the recent Making Strides Against Cancer walk to support a co-worker who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The women work at Epic Imaging, which performs mammograms in northeast Portland. The American Cancer Society walk raised about $175,000 for breast cancer research and programs. Now You Can Shop Online Too! 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