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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 2021)
Back to School special edition September 8, 2021 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. O PINION In This Movement, At This Moment By E. D. Mondainé Jr. As I consider the evo- lution of Black Lives Mat- ter, it reminds me of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Given work left undone after the assassi- nation of so many leaders, it seemed inevitable justice would return to bend the arc of history once again. For a time, I was deeply encouraged because it seemed like we would finish what we started over 70 years ago. And in many ways, I am still motivated. But I do have profound concerns and believe it is essential with all that is going on in our world right now that we ask ourselves an important question: Where are we in this movement, at this moment? I pose this question in the context of this movement because I am con- cerned that we are losing focus. It is understandable in the face of press- ing global issues like the COVID pandemic and the rising threat of climate change. But if we allow ourselves to be displaced, I fear that we will once again find ourselves relegated to the back of the bus. We cannot, and must not, allow this to happen again. So, I hope that the ob- servations I put forth here will help us see our fight more clearly. To be dragged under the wheels of the same systems of oppression that have bedeviled Ameri- ca’s Black communities for centuries is not an option. The most glaring example of where we need to place our effort and attention urgently is the voter suppression laws sweeping through our nation unapologetical- ly. We must see this for exactly what it is - the resurrection of Jim Crow. I know many in both the Black and white communities understand what they see. I watch them talk about it nightly on news broadcasts, I read what they write in newspaper edi- torials, and I cannot avoid the nev- er-ending glut of social media posts. And yet, I feel all of this will, in the end, avail us nothing. The only way to beat back the resurrected Dracula of Jim Crow is to organize. And so, in this movement, at this moment, with the 2022 and 2024 elections looming, I ask us all: are we ready? Not unrelated to the attempt to erase black citizenship is the 2020 Census. In 2019, Governor Brown appointed me to serve on the state- wide Oregon Complete Count Committee (Oregon’s official 2020 Census advisory body). I continu- ally cautioned the commission that the 2020 census could rival and even exceed the shocking failings D OUBLE J T IRE C ENTER NEW TIRES • USED TIRES Taxes, Mounting & Balancing Included Ask About Our 30 Day Gaurantee “Now With 2 Locations” 6841 N.E. M.L.K. Jr. BLVD Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 283-9437 4510 S.E. 52nd & Holgate Portland, Oregon 97206 (503) 771-1834 Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm • Saturday 9am-4pm 971-276-8674 Cut, trim, edge, power washing, hauling, leaf removal, cleanup, anything! FREE ESTIMATES FAIR PRICING of the Census of 2010, which failed to count approximately 2.1 percent of Black Americans and 1.5 percent of Hispanics. Combined, the under- counting represented about 1.5 mil- lion citizens. The assuredness that launching an aggressive advertising and minority outreach effort would be made, just as there had been in 2010. However, those efforts failed again, just as they had in 2010, si- multaneously pushing the total cen- sus costs to an unprecedented $20 billion. The reason for this tragic fail- ure primarily flies under the radar for most Americans. As a standard practice, the Census places Black communities named “hard-to-count groups.” The result is a consistent undercounting of Black communi- ties who will remain underfunded for vital social services. Based on Census data, federal dollars allo- cated to districts across the country represent better than $600 billion or as much as $1.5 trillion for 10 years. Given these kinds of numbers, the long-term impact of undercounted African American communities will not just be unfair; it will be devas- tating. We should also be aware that the Continued on Page 10 Page 9 $5.00 TEES CLUBS FAMILY REUNIONS SCHOOL CLUBS BUSINESSES SCREEN PRINTING 971-570-8214 Avalon Flowers 520 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 • 503-796-9250 A full service flower experience Cori Stewart-- Owner, Operator • Birthdays • Anniversaries • Funerals • Weddings Open: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am til 5:30pm Saturday 9am til 2pm. Website: avalonflowerspdx.com email: avalonflowers@msn.com We Offer Wire Services
