B lack H istory M onth
February II. 2 00 4
Page A7
Note: All letters this week are from
inmates.
Oregon
drugs are smuggled into the jail, but
nowhere near the street level ca
pacity. Over the next 3 years, focus,
pray and meditate on being drug
free. Those cravings are nothing
but Satan trying to discourage you.
Open your mouth that smoked co
caine and ask the Lord to deliver
you from that evil. Ask in His name
in faith and it shall be done. Every
one that’s reading your story, will
now have you in prayer.
Dear Deanna!
We Fail When Alcohol Àds Reach Kids
Kids see and hear it everywhere— on televi and 3.3 hours reading magazines for pleasure.
sion, billboards and in magazines, and they hear
We know in Oregon that one out of four 8th-
a lot of it on the radio.
grade students, and almost half of 11 th-grade
I'm talking about alcohol advertising. And a students, report that they consumed alcohol in
new study released in January shows that, per the past 30 days, and that alcohol use contributes
capita, youth continue to hear more alcohol ad to the three leading causes of death among youth:
vertising on the radio than adults over age 21.
suicide, homicide, and unintentional injuries.
In a study of 104 radio markets conducted be
Studies also show that alcohol advertising is
tween June 15 and July 31, 2003, the Center on one factor that can influence a youth's decision
Alcohol Marketing and Youth found that in 92 of to drink. The Federal Trade Commission, in a 1999
those markets— including Portland—youth ages report on alcohol advertising, acknowledged that,
12-20 heard more alcohol adver
“While many factors may influ
tising percapi ta than adults over
ence an underage p e rso n ’s
age 21, measured by gross rat
drinking decisions, including
ing points.
among other things parents,
Furtherm ore, the center
peers and the media, there is
found that more than a quarter
reason to believe that advertis
o f the radio alcohol advertis
ing also plays a role.”
ing in this analysis was aired
A survey of parents con
when underage youth com - Ken Ray, Oregon Partnership
ducted for the center last sum
prised more than 30 percent of
mer also shows that two-thirds
the listening audience. This exceeds new limits o f parents believe that exposure to alcohol ads
established in voluntary advertising guidelines makes kids more likely to drink alcohol. The same
by the Beer Institute and the Distilled Spirits study also showed that three-quarters of parents
Council, the country’s two largest alcohol indus believe that alcohol companies do not do enough
try trade associations.
to limit the amount of their advertising that reaches
The bottom line here is that the alcohol indus youth.
try will need to drastically reform its radio adver
Reducing underage drinking is a collective
tising practices to comply with their new market responsibility. That means we all play a part—
ing guidelines and reduce the exposure of under parents, educators, and law enforcement as well
age youth.
as the alcohol industry. Reducing the amount of
Youth overexposure to alcohol advertising on alcohol advertising in youth-oriented media and
the radio is a significant concern. During a given sharing our concerns about the prevalence of
week, the average U.S. teenager ages 12-17 listens alcohol advertising with local broadcasters and
to 13.5 hours of radio, compared with 10.6 hours regulators are important steps that can make a big
spent watching television, 7.6 hours spent online, difference in the lives and welfare of our youth.
Overexposure to
alcohol advertising
on the radio is a
significant concern.
m M M NM M HN
■■■MMIMNaM
Leader Fought for Labor Rights
Documentary celebrates Black History Month
The video “A. Philip Randolph:
Porters, and united other organiz
For Jobs and Freedom,” will cel
ers in the civil rights movement for
ebrate Black History Month at the
the historic 1963 March on Wash
Bread and Roses Center, 819 N.
ington.
Killingsworth.
A discussion will follow the video
This documentary chronicles the
showing on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7
courageous and militant leadership
p.m. The event is open to the public.
of A. Philip Randolph in the labor
A Southern buffet, with vegetarian
and civil rights movement to ad
options, will be served at 6 p.m. for
vance the rights of African-Ameri Philip Randolph
a $7 donation.
can workers.
The Bread and Roses Center is
Randolph co-founded tf\e socialist newspaper located a half block west of North Albina Avenue
The Messenger, fought the Pu 11 man rai I way com on North Killingsworth Street on bus lines #4 and
pany to win union recognition and a historic #72. To arrange childcare, rides, work exchanges
contract for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car orform ore information call 503-240-4462.
Me and my partner were dealing drugs but
when we got caught, the police claim I had
the dope. My partner threw the crack out
of the window and we tried to run. The
police say they found it in my pocket. My
homeboy testified against me and now llm
doing all these years. It's killing me. -B ig
G .; Central Corrections Facility (McCloud,
OK)
Dear Big G.
Thank God those officers didn’t shoot
you in the back as you were running. If you
were dealing with dope you deserved to be
caught and punished. When it comes to
drugs, your flesh and blood will turn on
you in a second if they can get out of the
drama. Since police brutality has been on
the rise, patrol cars have cameras and your
incident should have been recorded. Drop
to your knees in prayer and use your jail
time to think and plan to be a better person
when you're released.
Dear Deanna!
I’m serving 20 years for numerous crimes.
It's hard in prison when no one tries to
encourage you or give you hope. I ’ m look
ing for a female to start a relationship with
and help pass the time until I get out in
2014. —M.K.T.; Raleigh M en's Prison
(Raleigh, NC)
Real People, Real Advice
An advice column known fo r
its fearless approach to reality
hosed subjects.'
Ask Deanna is written by Deanna
M. Write Ask Deanna! Email:
a s k d e a n n a l @ya h o o .c o m
or
write: Deanna M. P.O. B ox88847,
Los Angeles, G4 90009. Website:
www. askdeanna. com
la m w i
& C h o c o la te s : F o o lp ro o f.
Dear M.K.T.
instead of a relationship, get your degree
and prepare yourself to come back to so
ciety as an honest educated man. The
employment sector still discrim inates
against ex-cons. With a criminal record
and no education, you’ll set yourself up
for a low paying job that’ll force you back
to the streets. Use the system and get a
slamming for a degree so when you’re
released, you’ll be an educated man on a
mission.
Dear Deanna!
I’ve been in prison for 5 years and I have 3
more to go. Since I’ve been incarcerated,
Jesus has been my Lord and Savior. I'm
trying to serve him as best I can since I’m in
jail. Hard drugs have been a part of my life
for 25 years and when I’m alone, my mind
goes back to those days. I’m a 47 year old
man and when I get out, I don't want to go
back on drugs. Please pray for me if you can.
-K .E .; Solano State Prison (Vacaville, CA)
The diam ond heart pendant, set in U K yellow
or while gold, comes with a free box of Sentile
Chocolates, perieel to r concealing jewelry
Dear K.E.
You may not see it now, but prison is the
best place for you to dry out. I’m sure
Dqwntown Portland SW 5th Ave & Yamhill (503) 295 2800, Lloyd Center (503) 249 8373
W ashington Square (503) 620-8452, Clackamas Town Center (503) 65 3-7797
benbridge com
W ELLS
FARGO
The Next Stage*
Colonel Roberts'
service record is a credit
to the country
and the community.
In the spirit of Black History, Wells Fargo honors Colonel George
"Spanky" Roberts. His impressive m ilitary career began as a Tuskegee
Airman and he was one of the first African American pilots to fly in the
U.S. Army Air Corps. During WWII, Colonel Roberts fought in North Africa
and Italy, flew over 100 combat missions and commanded the 99th
Fighter Squadron. After his distinguished military career, he continued
to serve his com m unity as a Wells Fargo credit officer. Wells Fargo
salutes Colonel Roberts'commitment to helping people reach the next
stage of success.
Wells Fargo honors Black History.
€ 2003 Wells Fargo Banks. All rights reserved. Members FDIC
w e lls fa rg o .c o m