Portland observer., January 16, 2013, 2013 special edition, Page 13, Image 13

January I6. 2OI3
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M a r t in L u t h e r K in g J r .
Page 13
2013 sp e c ia l eoi tion
What Would Martin Luther King Jr. Say?
Community residents consider issues of today
C ari H achmann
T he P ortland O bserver
by
Rev. M artin L u th er K ing had
dreams o f equality and civil rights for
all Americans that live on and inspire
generations that follow him. But what
if Dr. King was alive today?
In honor o f his legacy, the Portland
Observer asked com m unity residents
what issue King w ould m ake his up­
permost priority if he was still with us.
M any o f the people we spoke to do
not believe we have progressed far
enough in social justice and that King
w ould still be speaking to those is­
sues. O thers believe he w ould be
outspoken on the violence in America,
the lack o f care for our children,
gentrification and a poor econom y.
Portland resident Taucha Bowden,
28, said the gun-related deaths from
young people would probably be one
o f his greatest concerns.
“He would w onder why people are
going into theaters and schools with
guns. H e'd ask w hat is the problem ?
W hat is going on in p eo p le’s heads?
W hat do they need? I think he w ould
address m ental health issues and
w hat's going on in people’s homes.
Taucha Bowden
B ow den said she believed King
w ould help young kids have more
opportunities in the community, such
as after-school program s that they
could look forw ard to.
Glenn, a 52-year-old Portland resi­
dent, also thinks King would be fore­
most concerned with our children who
are at risk.
“His relevancy is still there, even
after all these years, and I see the
need for Dr. K ing's approach and
philosophy today,” said Glenn. “Dr.
King would continue to deal with the
plight of the underprivileged.”
An elderly northeast Portland resi­
dent echoes some of those sediments,
“I think he would address the young,
black male, aged 18 to 40,” she said.
M argie Burks, 78, o f north P ort­
land shared the personal experience
o f her son’s struggles to gain housing
and em ploym ent after a long period
o f incarceration.
“He's learned his lesson,” she said.
“If I had a chance to talk to M artin
L uther King, I'd ask him to fight for
equal rights for our many sons and
brothers. For those who have served
prison time and com e out and still
can't get equal rights and fair hous­
ing.”
A 28-year-old female of southeast
Portland said gentrification or the dis­
placement o f people from their neigh­
borhoods, w ould be an issue King
m ight address.
“ He fought against segregation,”
she said. “It's not as bad or prom i­
nent, but it still goes on today.”
R e g is tra tio n fo r S pring T e rm 2 0 1 3
s ta r ts on Feb. 2 6 . C la s s e s b e g in A pril 1
believed in
a dream.
AtPCC
Cascade
C am p u s
we stand behind
that draam.
To learn more, call 971-722-8888,
log on to www.pcc.edu, or visit us at
705 N. Killingsworth Street.
Portland
< Q > C om m unity
College
She added the thought that K ing
w ould help the different races in the
north and northeast Portland co m ­
munities focus on self sufficiency.
“T hat way, no one can push you
out the way. B ecause if you have the
skills and the education, there's no
way anyone can tell you w here you
Debbie Ezumah
can reside,” said the wom an.
D ebbie Ezum ah, 27, said the late
civil rights leader w ould probably be
concerned about privacy rights, men-
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