'fJortlaub © bseruer
Page A4
O pinion
lanuary 9. 2008
Opinion articles do not
necessarily reflect or represent the
views o f The Portland Observer
Make a Difference
we must propose what justice would
look like if «existed. ( Otherwise, we fall
into the habit of always complaining
without offering solutions and hope.
What I’m afraid is that we may
have lost sight o f how to imag­
ine. We may not know what
by M. L in d a J a r a m il l o
justice really looks like be­
W ith the turning o f the
cause we have not seen it for
calendar year to 2(M)8.1 ant
so long. M aybe we have be­
rem inded of how im por­
com e so accustomed to living
tant thi s year w i 11 he i n the
with the status quo, that w e’ve
United States.
Aseitizens in a state that is a major forgotten how to dream about a
international power broker, we must better world. M aybe we don’t dare
recognize that what is important to hope because w e’re afraid to be
the U. S. is important to the world. I disappointed. I propose that we
must admit that I am very anxious paint the picture that we want to
about this election year, because I see. the one that says what w e’re
am convinced that it is a pivotal time for rather than what w e're against.
There are so many issues that
in history. We must pay attention to
need our atten-
the fl urry of election
messages that are
tion this year.
We can see
already upon us.
what is needed
In speech after
to change our
speech p resid e n ­
course tow ard
tial candidates tell
environm ental
us all about how he
d e s tru c tio n .
or she is the best
We will listen to
person to the lead
the sto ries o f
the nation during
those facing ex ­
the next four years.
trem e poverty
But what we hear
more is how their opponents are in the richest nation in the world
and recreate a sense o f hope and
wrong for the job.
What we need is to determine productivity in our com munities.
what we need in a leader to change We will find ways to negotiate with
our chaotic course in domestic and world partners and rebu i Id our rela­
international policies. It is then that tio n sh ip s around the w orld to
we can determ ine whom we are for achieve peace. We will see that our
rather than whom we are against. vote does m atter at local, state, and
This year, let’s cast a vote in favor national levels.
This year we must participate in
rather than one in opposition.
I admit that we raise issue after the public debate about the future.
Engaging in the democratic pro­
issue about the injustices that we
oppose. We repeatedly call atten­ cess is not a dream, it is not in our
tion to the many social problem s imagination. It is real. This year,
that prevail in our nation and around 2008, is the year to make a difference.
the world. We regularly expose the This year, let’s not cast an opposing
serious impact that public policies vote; let’s cast a vote in favor of our
h a v e on p e rs o n s w h o are children and their children.
M. Linda Jaramillo is executive
m arginalized in our society.
W hile we will continue to do so minister fo r Justice Ministries for
because such issues must be raised, the United Church o f Christ.
Participate in
the debate for
our future
We ? may not
know what justice
really looks like
because we have
not seen it fo r so
long.
/
Building Opportunity for Our Young People
By improving
health and
education
by
M
a r ia n
W
r ig h t
E d elm an
In a n um ber o f A m erica's
u pper-incom e co m m u n ities,
parents like g en eratio n s b e­
fore them , p re-re g iste r their
children at birth for blue-chip
nursery schools in hopes o f
p lacing them on the path to Ivy
L eague and o th er to p -tier u ni­
versities. By co n trast, m illions
o f black and Latino children from
poor fam ilies w ith no o r few
stim u la tin g p re -k in d e rg a rte n
' r f pí Cf'
7 f ^ f i 'l w y 'K e e p Alive The Dream "
X.
• 5
Tribute to: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
WHO?
Invited S p e a k e rs: Governor Ted Kulongoski, Mayor Tom Potter,
.
W H E N ? Commissioner Ted Wheeler, Carole Smith, Superintendent (PPS),
•Onday January 21 ’»Of)#
w
Hardy. Jr., Dr. Charles Schlimpert, Senators Avel Gordly and
m
I1 .00 A..VI - 6'30 p y
Senator Margaret Carter, Bishop Grace Osborne
o p p o rtu n ities n ev er m ake it o nto
the co lleg e track.
W ith m ultiple strik es against
them - low birth w eig h t, p o o r
sin g le p aren ts, a b sen t fath ers,
p erh a p s su b sta n c e
abuse - m any begin
life alread y on the
p riso n track.
A good educa­
tion in A m erica is a
major determ inant of
w hat k ind o f life a
child will have w hen s/h e grow s
up. A bad ed u catio n is often a
sentence to social and econom ic
death. E ducation d eterm in es fu ­
ture incom e and social status as
well as a ch ild 's ran g e o f fu tu re
options and q uality o f life. Sadly,
too m any ch ild ren in ec o n o m i­
cally depressed m inority co m m u ­
nities are stuck in failin g schools.
A child's experiences in the dawn
o f life establish the foundation that
will prepare him or her to learn at
school. Children in America's poor­
est com m unities w ho lack stable
parenting, quality child care and
who receive little stimulation in their
early years will lag behind when
they start kindergarten. W hen they
enter first grade, it's likely to be at a
poorly funded, overcrow ded, un­
d e rs ta ffe d an d lo w -a c h ie v in g
school.
C o n s e q u e n t ly , to o m a n y
schools are likely to be staffed by
teachers and ad m in istra to rs w ho
have low ex p ectatio n s fo r c h il­
dren from m arg in alized fam ilies
w ho they m ay label as “d u m b ” or
“b ad .” C u rren tly , 88 p ercen t o f
black ch ild ren and 85 p ercen t o f
L atin o ch ild ren in fourth grade
c a n ’t read at grade level. T h is is
w hen m inority children w ith poor
p resch o o l p rep aratio n begin to
be sorted out.
T he lack o f health and m ental
h ealth care am ong low -in co m e
ch ild ren is also an im p o rtan t fac­
to r in a c h ild ’s ed u catio n al d e v e l­
c o u n s e lin g o r p s y c h o lo g ic a l
th erap y , too m any ed u c ato rs d is­
pense "zero to leran ce" d iscip lin e
- usually in the form o f su sp e n ­
sio n s o r ex p u lsio n s.
T h ere are th in g s w e can do.
C o n g ress and states m ust fully
fund q u ality H ead S tart, Early
H ead S tart, ch ild care and p re­
school p ro g ram s th at target the
n e e d ie st ch ild ren b etw e en the
ages o f th ree an d fiv e to p rovide
com prehensive ed u cation, health.
Too many schools are likely
to he staffed by teachers and
administrators who have low
expectations fo r children from
marginalized fam ilies.
o p m en t. A ch ild 's m isb eh av io r nutrition and social services. A nd
m ay be a reflectio n o f an u n ad ­ w e can all en c o u rag e the children
d re sse d le a rn in g d isa b ility o r in o u r lives and c e le b ra te th eir
acad em ic ach iev em en ts.
m ental o r e m o tio n al d isorder.
F in ally , ed u c ato rs w ho do not
R eg rettab ly , too few sch o o ls
have the sta ff cap ab le o f rec o g ­ love and respect the ch ild ren they
nizing the b eh av io r o f a d istu rb ed are en tru sted w ith p rep arin g for
o r d isab led ch ild for w hat it is, the fu tu re sh o u ld go do so m e­
and if th ey do, are unable to p ro ­ th in g else.
Marian Wright Edelman is
vide treatm en t. M ore o ften , th ese
ch ild ren are seen as "d isru p tiv e," president o f the Children's De­
an d in ste a d o f o ffe rin g th em fense Fund.
F e a tu re d A rtist: Jefferson Dancers. Linda Hombuckle, Janice Scroggins,
wHEK*7
Highland Center
7600N.E.Ghsan,
Portland, Oregon
NW Gospel Community Choir, Eugene Blackmon and Chosen Generation,
Janice Flowers-Hopkins, Battle Ground High School Jazz Band, DaNell
Dayman & Royalty, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Highland Christian
Church Choir, Gospel Crew (U of 0), Goldie Irby, Danny Osborne & Time
Sound Ensemble, Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Ensemble, Jefferson
High Gospel Ensemble. Kukatowon (Woodlawn Elementary School), Boise
better la lhc<3Lditor
Good Read
I read your n ew sp ap er w hile
visitin g my m o m -in -law at the
Irvington V illage on N ortheast
M artin L uther K ing Jr. B o u le­
vard. 1 like the variety o f articles
and the lead article about gay
rig h tstN e w Y ear A dvancesG ay
R ights, D ec. 26).
I' m not gay myself, a Christian,
but I think com m itted gay couples
are ju st fine in G o d ’s eyes.
K eep up the good w ork and
thanks for the paper. I enjoyed read­
ing it.«
fiarían Simantel
Northeast Portland
Elementary Choir. Aaron Meyer, Vancouver Ave. First Baptist Church,
Marion Reid
Special F eatu res: Life Time Achievement Awards, A Showcase of
Artistic Displays. Dreamer Villagc/Vcndcr Bazaar
Live Program /Radio Broadcast: KBOO (90.7 FM)
Broadcast/tape delayed on Portland Community Media (PCM - channel 11)
Broadcast/tape delayed on Television Services (PPS - channel 28)
D onation: $4.00 OK 4 cans o f n on -p erish ah ic food.
SPONSORS:
Safeco Insurance
Portland Public Schools
McDonald's of Oregon
and SW Washington
City o f Portland
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Portland Association of Teachers
Dignity Memorial Locations
Oregon Education Association
Providence Health System
Concordia University
Portland General Electric
African American Chamber o f Commerce
KBOO Radio
Portland Community Media (PCM^
Television Services (PPS)
Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC
Zchon R. Jones, DC
333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212
(503) 284-7838
Truly making a difference in the lives of
Auto Accident victims and In jured Workers for 16 years.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident,
call us so we can help you with your needs. (503)284-7838
A Production of
W orld Arts Foundation, Inc.
A Non-Profit Organization
For program information
& event schedule log onto:
We are located ott the
corner ofM L K and Russell
Street, on the second floor
above the coffee shop.
w w w.w orldartsfoundationinc.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT: 50.3-816-9001
V ilit our BLOG at
http 7/nlemedia com/blog/2007/10/16/
23rd-annuaFtribute-to-rev-dr-martin-iuther-l(ing-jr/
W
PwktitB Are»
Russell St