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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2016)
May 4, 2016 Page 3 INSIDE The Week in Review This page Sponsored by: page 2 L OCAL N EWS A Fitting Choice pages 6-7 O PINION Diversity grounds race for state representative by C ervante p ope t he p ortland o bserver Oregon House District 43 is one of the most racially diverse legislative districts in the state, en- compassing inner north and north- east Portland and the heart of the city’s historic African-American community. Having Lew Fred- erick as its state representative, this heavily Democratic district has had a black leader ighting for issues important to minority com- munities since 2009. Now, with Frederick stepping down to run for an Oregon Senate seat, inding a itting replacement for his House seat may seem dificult. Focusing on the two main can- didates running in the May 17 Democratic Primary, Tawna San- chez and Roberta Phillip-Robbins, both minority females, stand up against one another pretty fairly. What it boils down to, is how each of them plans to go about allevi- ating pertinent issues, as well as their particular prioritized agen- das. Coming from both an educa- tional background as a former teacher and a legal background af- ter earning her law degree and do- ing policy work for children and families, Phillip-Robbins aims to focus her campaign and time in ofice around stabilizing disad- vantaged families. “The reason I’m seeking ofice is to really create the opportuni- ties for families to thrive and not just make things meet,” says Phil- lip-Robbins. “A good quality of life, to me, is not just something rich people should have. That’s what our country has turned into page 8 S PORTS page 11 M ETRO Tawna Sanchez and I vehemently oppose that.” Other top priorities for the Af- rican-American candidate who serves as a youth and gang vi- olence prevention specialist for Multnomah County, is bringing quality and affordable childcare to the state, supporting a livable wage, and making sure everyone, regardless of race or economic standing, has equal access to jus- tice. Yet this isn’t to say that San- chez, a Native American, doesn’t come from and support some of these same ideas. As a former foster parent, pris- on volunteer and director of fami- ly services at the Native American Youth and Family Center, San- chez has experiences with family stabilization and justice issues. She lists some of her major polit- ical priorities as providing good schools for children, advocating for a higher minimum wage and workers’ rights, and reforming the criminal justice system. “It’s not necessarily what we’re trying to do, it’s how we’re trying to do it. I have a broad spectrum of experience and I think I look at things from a very community ac- tivist perspective,” Sanchez says. “I’ve stood outside places protest- ing, that very direct on-the-ground activism. I’m deinitely not afraid to do that.” One of the most crucial topics both candidates have to address right is opening up access to hous- ing and preserving the cultural fabric of an inner city population that has lost thousands of residents to gentriication. Creating affordable housing across the district is a given, but each candidate feels that the Cul- ly Neighborhood which is situat- ed across several blocks on both sides of Northeast Killingsworth Street between 42nd and 82nd Av- enues could use the most attention for multiple reasons. C ontinued on p age 15 Black United Fund Scholarships Arts & pages 10-13 ENTERTAINMENT C LASSIFIEDS C ALENDAR Roberta Phillip-Robbins page 14-15 page 15 The Black United Fund of Oregon’s annual Scholarships Awards Luncheon will be host- ed at Sentinel Hotel on Wednes- day, May 25, from 11:30am to 1pm. Many deserving Portland and southwest Washington area students will be awarded schol- arships. The Black United Fund builds on a legacy of philanthropy and education support services that positively impact students and academic institutions throughout the state of Oregon. Supporting unlimited futures for young peo- ple in the community with edu- cation attainment at the core is the goal of the community effort. This year the Black United Fund of Oregon welcomes home Renee Watson, an accomplished author, Oregon native and Jefferson High School alumna who will deliver the keynote address. The awards luncheon is open to the public, a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the bright futures of our amazing students. Tickets and tables can be purchased at bufor. org. All proceeds will go to the Mentor4 Success program.