May 4, 2016
Page 5
During the 1960s civil rights era, Arthur ‘Bantu’ Palmer Sr. battled for black jobs on Portland south-
west waterfront.
A Portland Leader for Racial Progress
Arthur ‘Bantu’
Palmer was a
change agent
Palmer pushed for voter regis- had all the amenities for celebri-
tration and led black people to the ties to feel well pampered. And it
polls. He arranged for local and was conveniently located near the
national political candidates to Portland Coliseum.
speak with the Portland’s minority
As years passed, Palmer pur-
community, including Presidential chased more land and ran multiple
Racial progress in Portland has candidates John F. Kennedy and businesses. His drive for prosper-
ity was not for the sake of greed,
forever been shaped by Arthur Richard Nixon.
Born
and
raised
in
Florida,
but an earnest drive for commu-
James “Bantu” Palmer Sr., a late
Palmer
came
from
a
family
of
nity advancement and social im-
Portland black business owner
sharecroppers
and
provements. Ron Herndon, Joyce
who pushed for diversity
clergy.
Determined
Harris and scores of other com-
in a city that was beset by
to
see
the
world,
he
munity leaders and past employ-
discrimination, racked up
joined
the
Merchant
ees remember and appreciate his
victories in employment
Marines
at
a
young
strength and encouragement.
and voting, and brought
age
and
ventured
out
Mr. Palmer’s strong leadership
diversity to the Rose Fes-
into
the
world.
He
was
also apparent in his religious
tival.
fought
in
World
War
beliefs
and founding of his Bantu
In every way a cata-
II,
where
he
was
Nations
Church with meetings at
lyst for change, Palmer
wounded
and
award-
the
Bantu
House on Sundays—
was a land developer and
ed
a
Purple
Heart.
next
door
to
his residence. The
builder of the Desert Ho- Arthur ‘Bantu’
He
settled
in
Bantu
members
would ill the
tel, founder of New Rose Palmer Sr.
Portland
in
1950
pews
and
come
for
his lessons and
City Cab Company, Ban-
deciding
the
Rose
preaching.
tu Towing, a gas station, car repair
In his passing, we can fully ac-
shop and landlord to many of his City was the place to seek the
American
Dream.
He
began
buy-
knowledge
that racial progress he
neighbors. He died three years ago
ing
property
and
decided
to
build
worked
towards
in Portland has
and May 19 will mark what would
an
upscale
hotel
to
accommodate
gained
momentum
and continues
have been his 93rd birthday.
black
performers
when
they
come
to
develop.
Mr. Palmer’s activism was a
Arthur James “Bantu” Palmer
leading force to get our commu- to Portland on tour. The Desert
Hotel
would
not
be
considered
Sr.
was a change agent who is not
nity of young African-American
luxury
by
today’s
standards,
but
forgotten
and his works continue
women on the loats in the Port-
back
then
Palmer
made
sure
it
to
enrich
the
lives of many.
land Rose Festival and in the prin-
cess pageant. His efforts began by
commissioning a loat for the pa-
rade himself and selecting his own
pick of Portland black beauties
to ride the entry. The parade had
never had a loat with black repre-
sentation until that moment—June
1952.
In addition to employing many
people in the community, Palmer
fought to open more work to mi-
norities. One major victory came
on the waterfront, when he orga-
nized groups of people to picket
and participate in other publici-
ty stunts. He made certain to get
media coverage to demand that
15 percent of federal funds appro-
priated for Portland infrastructure In June 1952, diversity is brought to the Portland Rose Festival
and highways lead to minority when Arthur ‘Bantu’ Palmer Jr. commissions his own loat to show-
case young black females from the community.
employment and/or contracts.
DATI AWARDS LUNCHEON
Dr. Audrey Terrell Institute will be recognizing
various women on their accomplishments
Theme:
Date:
Place:
Time:
Tickets:
“Celebrating Women’
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Embassy Suites Portland International Airport
12:00pm to 2:00pm
$35.00
For more information contact www.datinstitute.org
“Making Life’s Challenges The Keys
To Your Accomplishments”