Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, April 25, 2007, Page 15, Image 15

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    A p ril 25. 2007
page C3
'ri" '|t ln r t la n b © b s e ru e r
IMIIHMISI
Home to Walata
A play by NE Portland playwright E v e r e t t G o o d w i n
West Coast Premier
An African American family’s
return to “Mother Africa”
Hopes
Dreams
Fears
Frustrations
Lessons
Surprises
Edward Perkins meets with President Reagan in the Oval Office. Perkins spent part of his childhood in
Portland and graduated from Jefferson High School. He served three years as U.S. ambassador to
South Africa during the Reagan years.
Ambassador Relates
Tale of Apartheid
Diplomat from
Portland a role model
‘'Apartheid South Africa was on
fire around me.” So begins "My
Ambassador: Warrior for Peace,”
the memoir of Career Foreign Ser­
vice Officer Edward J. Perkins, a
foreign diplomat who spent part of
his childhood in Portland and
graduated from Jefferson High
School.
Perkins’ life is a model for young
black males.
Bom in the segregated South, on
a Louisiana cotton farm by grand­
parents who could neither read nor
write, Perkins went on to become a
U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations, South Africa and Austra­
lia, serving Presidents Reagan,
George Bush Sr. and Clinton.
He recently was in Portland for special appearances
and book signings at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist
Church and Reflections Talking Drum Bookstore.
Friday, April 27 & Sunday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
1st Unitarian Church
1011 SW Salmon
SW 12th and Salmon
Portland.OR
Gang of Three Productions
G U A R D IN O
G A LLE R Y
NEXT SHOW
The highlight of his career was his historic and
heroic services as an ambassador to South Africa
during a volatile time.
His mission was to dismantle apartheid without
violence. As he fulfilled that mis­
sion, Perkins was scourged by the
American press, despised by the
Afrikaner government, hissed at
by white South African citizens
and initially boycotted by black
South African revolutionaries, in­
cluding A rchbishop Desm ond
Tutu.
Perkins contributes his success
to the determination, integrity and
pride instilled in him by his grand­
mother. a former slave, his military
career and a life-long study of Asian
philosophy.
Now retired, Perkins has received
many awards, including the Kappa
Alpha Psi highest honor, the Lau­
rel Wreath Award for Achievement
and Distinguished Diplomatic Service, and the Links,
Inc. Living Legend Award. He is also a life trustee of
Lewis and Clark College in Portland.
In the Main Callery:
Andy Paiko
blown glass sculptures
Smith Eliot
Photo-based acrylic lifts
In the Feature Area:
Craig Leaper
kiln formed glass
Darlene Pucillo
oil paintings
A p r il 2 6 - M a y 29
10 Year Anniversary!
• Changing M o n th ly Exhibitions
•Contemporary Art & Craft in Gift Shop
• Frameshop
OPEN six days a week
Convenient Northeast location:
2939 NE Alberta • Portland, OR 97211
503 281-9048 • www.guardinogallery.com