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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2011)
Page 28 Minority & Small Business Week September 21, 2011 ‘The Help’ has People Talking TheHelp Movie on black domestics inspires conversation ing about, “the H elp,” a film ( E m m a S to n e ) w ho returns from a d a p ta tio n by d ir e c to r T a te college to her M ississippi h o m e T a y lo r’s o f c h ild h o o d frien d tow n as an aspiring w riter and K athryn S to c k ett’s 2009 novel. finds that her adored ch ildhood O n T hursday, Sept. 22 from 6 maid, Constantine, has unexpect p.m . to 8 p.m ., the T alking D rum edly left. C afé and Book Store has invited Skeptical o f the unspoken m al the com m unity to jo in in a c o n treatm en t o f black d o m estics W ealthy w hite m others m is versation o f the book and m ovie. within her societal circle, Skeeter t r e a tin g A f r ic a n - A m e r ic a n The 2011 com edy-dram a is decides to w rite a secret book m aids w ho served them in the about a young w hite w om an, exposing the racism faced by 1960s has m ovie-goers w hisper- E u g e n ia “ S k e e t e r ” P h e la n m aids w orking for w hite fam i lies. She develops relationships with Aibileen Clark ( Viola Davis) and M inny Jack so n (O c ta v ia Spencer), tw o A frican -A m eri can m aids that give voice to such 520 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 • 503-796-9250 perspectiv es. First reluctant to speak out for fear o f losing their jo b s, A ibileen, a m iddle-aged black m aid w ho has raised w hite children her entire life and recently lost her only son, and M inny, an o u tsp o •B irth d a y s » A nniversaries ken black m aid w ho has been • F u n erals • W eddings fired m any tim es fo r being a Open: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am til 5:30pm difficult em ployee, begin to share Saturday 9am til 2pm. their stories w ith Skeeter, w ho later publishes the book. Website: avalonflowerspdx.com Cori S tew art- If y o u ’ve read the book or dom estic, o r knew som eone w ho email: avalonflowers@msn.com Owner, Operator seen the m ovie, have had a black w as o r are ju st interested in the We Offer Wire Services dom estic in y o u r fam ily, w ere a topic, jo in the conversation! Talking D rum Café and Book Avalon Flowers A full service flower experience K atu ryn S r o c k m Skill defined. Our members are men and women from all ethnic backgrounds and all walks of life. They have three things that set them apart from the crowd. 1) The best training In the business of construction, 2) Pride In the work they do. 3) And the know-how to get the job done right, the first time, on time, every time. WE ARE THE CARPENTERS UNION! WANT TO KNOW MORE? Pacific Northwest Regional Council of CARPENTERS www.nwcarpeniers.org & Jll r Il / 1 L W 7in S to re L o c a te d at 4 4 6 N .E . Killingsworth. For m ore inform a tion, call 503-299-4106, or email Gloria@talkingdrumbook.store.com. Black History at Talking Drum Many Oregonians may be surprised to learn that black people have played a part in Oregon’s history since the 1700’s. To share their research with the public, Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers will present the recently published, “Persever ance: A History of African Americans in Oregon’s Marion and Polk Counties.” In celebration of their new publica tion, residents have two chances to at tend book signings with Gwen Carr, a m ajor researcher and contributor to the book. The first event one will be held Sat urday, Sept. 24, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Talking Drum Bookstore, 446 N.E. K illingsw orth St. The second session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill at 1313 Mill St. in Salem. The book is available for purchase through local sto res, online re ta ile rs, and the w ebsite oregonnorthwestblackpioneers.org.
