Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 30, 2015)
Page 22 Minority & Small Business Week New Prices Effective May 1, 2014 Martin Cleaning Service O PINION September 30, 2015 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 $VPDOOGLVWDQFHWUDYHO charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area 3UH6SUD\7UDI¿F$UHDV (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 ,QFOXGHV3UH6SUD\7UDI¿F$UHD (Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) Area/Oriental Rugs $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool) $40.00 Minimum Heavily Soiled Area Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) UPHOLSTERY CLEANING 6RID /RYHVHDW 6HFWLRQDO &KDLURU5HFOLQHU $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning $XWR%RDW59&OHDQLQJ • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 Fundamental to Living in a Democracy Voting rights matter M. L INDA J ARAMILLO I graduated from high school just a few months before the monumental Voting Rights Act was passed on Aug. 6, 1965. In the photographs of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing that day, we VHHIDFHVRIMR\ZLWKWHDUVÀRZLQJ from a weary yet jubilant commu- nity of African-American sisters and brothers and their allies sur- rounding him. I was a teenager then, living in a small rural town in Colorado. As someone who could not yet vote, I didn’t realize all that it would mean to millions who had been denied that very fundamental right of living in a democracy. Even though I had read about it, I didn’t fully understand all the trials that courageous leaders endured to get this epic legislation through Con- gress and to the President’s desk. Just a few weeks ago, we marked as a nation the 50th anni- versary of the passage of the Vot- LQJ 5LJKWV$FW D VLJQL¿FDQW FLYLO rights legislation that has protect- BY ed voters from discrimination for a h half century. There have been other m milestones in our 200- plu plus years of history as a democracy, but this on one proved that we are a nation for the people, that was so valiantly fought for by generations before us. Two years ago, in 2013, the key provisions in the law which HQVXUHG WKDW VSHFL¿F DUHDV RI WKH country with a long history of discrimination would be held ac- countable were stripped away by a The Act has proved immensely successful at redressing racial discrimination and integrating the voting process. --Chief Justice John Roberts by the people, and of the people -- ALL the people. Those who had been denied access to their own GHVWLQ\ZHUH¿QDOO\DEOHWRVSHDN up and speak out at the voting booth about candidates and issues that matter to them and should matter to everyone who believes in justice for all. In the midst of this anniver- sary celebration, we lament that millions of citizens, members of our proud democracy, are once again being denied the very right slim majority of the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote. In the words of Chief Justice John Roberts, “things have changed dramatical- ly” in the South in the nearly 50 years since the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965. At the same time, Justice Roberts also ad- mitted, “The Act has proved im- mensely successful at redressing racial discrimination and integrat- ing the voting process.” Since this Supreme Court deci- sion, states such as North Caroli- na, South Carolina and Texas have already passed new laws with the very voting restrictions feared by those who gathered around Pres- ident Johnson that historic day 50 years ago. It mattered to them and it should matter to each of us who believes in democracy. We can join the efforts to stop the attack on voting rights, like the Moral Mondays Movement, orig- inating in North Carolina, which has spread across the country. We can join the efforts of Progres- sive National Baptist Convention. Members of the United Church of Christ will continue to join the efforts of religious and civic lead- ers who are organizing to register voters and pressure Congress to repair this damage before more are excluded from the polls in our next election. We can and must act to ensure democracy for ALL the people. The handshake between President Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Aug. 6, 1965, was a promise that mattered to them and it must matter to us. The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo is executive minister in Justice and Witness Ministries for the United Church of Christ.
