May 28, 2003
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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.
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