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The follow ing is an editorial
o f the Portland Observer:
Portland likes to project an
image o f a diverse city in which
people o f all colors and ethic
backgrounds get along, but
that’s far from the truth.
The investigation and re
sponse to the police shooting o f
Kendra James is an example.
A frican A m eric an s have
b e e n le ft is o la te d a n d
m arginalized by the non-black
political m ajority. The absence
o f racial unity dem onstrates
story together before being ques
tioned by investigators?
Now w e’re told an unspeci
fied suspension for the olficer is
“severe” but the public servant
keeps his job.
The silence from our non
black officials at City Hall and
the Capitol in Salem is deafen
ing. This is not the time to sit
back and watch.
Don't wait for another police
investigation, the end o f law
suits, the end o f union appeals
or some other report to join the
fight for a better Portland.
This is a sad chapter in our
c ity ’s historythat is not going
aw ay. Justice will not come
until the errors o f the past are
righted.
how the color lines that divide
us still dom inate the city and
the state o f Oregon.
W ouldn’t it have been fan
tastic if som e non-black politi-
c ia n s s to o d up a n d s a id
so m ething's wrong when a 2 1 -
year-old woman is shot, regard
less o f race, during a traffic
stop.
W o u ld n ’t it have been re
a s s u rin g fo r th e c a u se o f
p ea ce fu l c o e x ista n c e if our
p u b lic s a f e ty le a d e rs e x
p ressed shock o r reg ret w hen
a m o rta lly in ju re d w om an is
h a n d c u ffe d and left to die
alo n e on th e stree t?
Shouldn’t public servants o f
all colors question fairness when
an officer is given days to put his
You Owe It To Yourself!
The National Urban League ap
plauds th e S u p rem e C o u r t’s d e
c isio n to u p h o ld the U n iv ersity
o f M ich ig an Law S c h o o l’s a d
m issio n s p o lic e s, th e re b y re a f
firm in g its B akke d ec isio n and
sta tin g u n eq u iv o ca lly th at the
g o v ern m e n t has a co m p ellin g
i n t e r e s t in
p ro m o tin g
A
d iv e rsity in
e d u c a tio n
and the work
place.
This is an
historic victory for Am erica and a
reaffirm ation o f the nation’s com
m itm ent to equality and diver
sity. The U niversity o f M ic h i
g an L aw S c h o o l s h o u ld b e
lau d ed fo r ta k in g on th is fig h t.
T he effo rts o f a b ro ad c o a litio n
o f le ad e rs in the civ il rig h ts
m o v em en t, la b o r u n io n s such
as th e A F L -C IO , F ortune 500
com panies, and more than two so that they can train, prom ote,
dozen o f the n atio n ’s top form er and build a high caliber w orkforce
m ilitary officers are also due ap capable o f m eeting the needs o f
plause for their courage and co n custom ers in the global m arket
viction.
place.
With this decision, the court has
In February, the National Urban
made clear that diversity and excel League filed an amicus brief sup
lence are not mutually exclusive. porting affirmative action in admis
sions policies at
the University o f
M ich ig an . The
brief argued that
b e c a u s e ra c ia l
disparities stem
ming from past
Affirmative action is a critical tool discriminatory practices continue
that can help universities achieve a to affect our nation’s institutions at
student body that is diverse, ra all levels, affirmative action remains
cially integrated, capable, and multi the most effective tool for higher
talented.
education institutions committed
For U.S. com panies to com to educating a diverse student body
pete in an increasingly global that is reflective o f the larger soci
econom y, they m ust be able to ety.
access a diverse pool o f talented
M ark M orial is the present o f
students from the best schools the N ational Urban League.
This is an historic victory fo r America
and a reaffirmation o f the nation s
commitment to equality and diversity.
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D ecision is
setback for
radical right and
B ush
adm inistration
by
the wisdom o f leveling the playing given Bush’s closed-door policy.
field for all Americans. We have There has not been one meeting
come too far in our struggle for with NAACP, Leadership Confer
equality to allow the clock to be ence onCivil Rights, Legal Defense
turned back now.
Fund, Rainbow/Push, or labor lead
Since Brown v. Board o f Educa ers with this administration. The
tion, the Supreme Court has served Bush administration has consis
as an institution that protects mi tently demonstrated its hostility to
nority rights. But affirmative action civil rights enforcement.
is not a special interest, it isam ajor-
We call on all people o f con-
R ev . J esse J ackson S r .
Although a clear victory, the
Supreme C ourt’s decision on affir
mative action should be interpreted
to reaffirm the value o f advocacy
and direct action.
The victory is in no small mea
sure a result o f the broad national
mobilization and sets back the as
sault by the radical right and the
Bush Administration to re-segre-
gate the nation.
Important elements o f the deci
sion include the recognition that
race is a legitimate concern, that
diversity is still a com pelling state
interest, that affirmative action does
not require proof o f prior discrim i
nation, and affirmative action need
not be remedial.
The historic decision confirms
We have come too far
in our struggle for
equality to allow the
clock to be turned back
now.
ity proposition. Beyond the civil science to join us on Aug. 23rd for
rig h ts co m m u n ity , c o rp o ra te a march on W ashington to con
America and the mi I itary realize that tinue to bring about the promise o f
Am erica’s strength is its diversity. equal opportunity and inclusion.
The Supreme Court has moved to We must register and vote as if our
protect a conservative remedy: af national security depends upon it,
firmative action for the m ajority— because it does.”
women and people o f color.
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is the
Unfortunately, we realize that it fo u n d er and president o f the Rain
may be left to future adm inistra bow Coalition and long-time civil
tions to right this egregious wrong. rights activist.
Race-Neutral Options Best
The court’s decision on affirmative action reaffirm
competition o f college and graduate school admis
sion. But there are many effective, race-neutral op
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Congressman from Portland
institutions ofhigher education must engage in a good
faith assessment o f workable race-neutral, non-dis-
«*—« - -
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~3
Voluma «XXII Numb«! 74
index
Sp o rt»
F o tt t t
Pott« p/Vanrotivpr
campuses.
graduate school start from the same place— too many
students in this country have been left behind by
Top S to ri« *
schools that have failed to prepare them to meet the
Top S to rtrs
M r tr o
criminatory ways to achieve diversity on our nation’s
We agree that not all applicants to college and
Ç o rib w ô <Jf)h»©ruer
Adam« High Await« Wrecking Ball
The PoroaraJ Schoo) CnMnci has pnxlaim ad that
ffw« w l to « naw Wtutakw M u tt* School io
raplac« ttw empr, and tomwi Adems High School
at 5700 N E 39th Av* Of couch the now balding
w l look -<wy dtflorenl and m t bong new housing
willi it — something that makas netahy easing
netghhors a nine netvous
tions available to promote broader access and diver
sity in higher education today.
As the court acknowledged, race-neutral policies
fJnrtbui» (Dboerurr
can and are working across the nation. This spring, the
reach more people with banner ada call 503 286 0033
K«»pinf « Cíete Bye On Crime
within our public institutions.
Ron Paige, U. S. Secretary of Education
Julian Bond, NAACP Board Chairman
detailing these programs and brought together many
o f our nation’s distinguished higher education lead
commua to make «inda»
ers for a conference to discuss effective race-neutral
Sgraytrg Mah et Profrett in Met«ufto Fight
ways to achieve diversity. Consistent with the court’s
Taha a ngh of rabaf Multnomah County health o fe ia ta am
rapnmng «ucc««« m »ha tight to nd you» backyard of
opinions, the department will continue todo its part by
From border to bordar bom c o a ti to caaat
examining and highlighting effective race-neutral ap
ham am «oma ol
tha top «tona« mah mg naw» aero«» tha lindad Stato» and bom
91
proaches to ensure broad access to and diversity
.......... t p w w
J
Rulings Mixed Blessing at Best
The Supreme C ourt’s rulings on affirmative ac
tion are a mixed blessing, at best.
The supporters o f justice and equity should be
sobered by the narrow margins in both cases. We
should recall how we celebrated the Bakke decision
as a victory 25 years ago. despite its obvious retreat
from the goal o f insuring fairness in American life.
For now, let us reaffirm our commitment to affir
mative action as a remedy for past and present-day
discrimination, and celebrate the Supreme Court's
endorsement o f diversity.
department’s Office forCivil Rights released a report
D tt p f tt program c u lt and budget «tonfa»« returning Nortbeaat
Pobr.« Prormet Commanda» 8»«ca Pmofc to p o tx n e tha
community ha c a M hom»
A Victory for All
The decision by the Supreme Court upholding
affirmative action is a victory for all Americans.
As our nation continues to struggle with the
vestiges o f systemic bigotry, we should not under
estimate the critical importance o f affirmative action
efforts for minorities and women.
We are not talking about quotas; we are talking
about efforts to address the egregious inequities o f
the past and to make sure that our institutions reflect
the communities that they serve.
The government has a compelling interest in
promoting diversity in education. I commend the
Supreme Court for recognizing this in its decision.
the president’s and my position that diversity in our
public institutions is an important value and that
As it quickly
becomes more
and more an
electronic world,
The Portland
Observer endeav
ors to meet the
needs o f our
readers and
advertisers by
going online.
With the capabil
ity o f the
Internet, the
Portland Ob
server now
reaches a broader
audience, and
thus sets your
business in
front o f a new
generation.
I
Wisdom in Leveling the Playing Field
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Sounding Off on
Affirmative Action
Isolated and Marginalized
Kendra Jam es’
death shows race
is an issue
iuiy02,2003