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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.