opinion
What Would King Say? Occupy Wall Street
I
always feel inspired and elated, but
also challenged and chagrined, at some
of the celebrations of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. There are
those, too many folks, who want to sani-
tize Dr. King and turn him into a dreamer.
Too many only quote the part of his “I
have a dream” speech that talks about
character content and skin color. Too few
remember that in the same speech he said,
“We have come to the nation’s capital to cash a check, and
the check has been marked insufficient funds.” Dr. King
was an economic populist, an anti-war activist, as well as a
classically trained theologian. Too many put emphasis on
Unless policy shifts are made,
the wealth gap will grow even
wider than it is today
the latter, without acknowledging the former.
That’s why each year, I am excited to receive the State of
the Dream report from United for a Fair Economy. This
organization does great work in talking about the wealth
gap, and their annual foray into exploring the dream has
looked at joblessness, homelessness, and austerity. Last
CAREER READINESS INSTRUCTOR
year their report shared facts on the rel-
ative pay that people of color earn in
the public and the private sector and
concluded that austerity programs that
cut government jobs disproportionately
Julianne
affect people of color.
Malveaux
This year’s report focuses on the
Emerging Majority, and concludes that
unless policy shifts are made, the
wealth gap will grow even wider than it
is today. Additionally, they project that by 2042, just 30
years from now when people of color are a majority in our
society, nearly 5 percent of the African American popula-
tion and 2 percent of the Latino population will be in prison
if current incarceration trends continue. The report’s set of
policy recommendations includes a recommendation to end
the war on drugs. Indeed, more than half of those currently
incarcerated are casualties of the drug war, some with very
minor offenses, and others with conditions that warrant
drug treatment, not incarceration.
“Economic inequality between whites and people of color
will persist unless bold and intentional steps are taken to
make meaningful progress towards racial equity, to sever
the connection between race and poverty, and ultimately to
eliminate the racial economic divide altogether,” the report
says in its Executive Summary. But such bold words are
belied by the growing gap, increasing poverty, the unem-
ployment rate differential, and continuing barriers to educa-
tional access in communities of color and among those who
are low income. While our international competitors are
investing in education, we are simply divesting. It is almost
as if we have made a decision to devolve into a developing
country.
B enneTT
C OlleGe
What would Dr. King say about all this? I think he’d be
outside with the folks from Occupy Wall Street, and I think
he’d be directing them to a 21st century version of the Poor
People’s Campaign. I think he’d be standing outside some
of the banks, asking why they deserve the bailouts that ordi-
nary people can’t get. Just as he occupied a housing project
in Chicago, I bet he’d camp out with a family experiencing
foreclosure. I know he’d be challenging us all.
There have been significant changes since Dr. King was
assassinated in 1968, and the signs don’t say white or col-
ored any more. The signs don’t have to say it – in some
instances outcomes do.
Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com
We honor the many
accomplishments of
African Americans.
VANCOUVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
VISTA COURT
Troutdale, Oregon
Career Training and educational school serving young
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Provide aptitude and interest assessments to assist in
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required. Must have bachelor’s degree and valid Oregon
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dence with an acceptable driving record required. One
year instructional experience preferred. Competitive
salary and complete benefits package available.
Applicants must apply on-line at www.mtcjobs.com by
close of business day Friday, January 30, 2012.
Veteran’s and minorities encouraged to apply. We are an
Equal Opportunity Employer!
1-18-12
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Household income must be below 50% of Area Median
Income: $25,200 for one person $28,800 for two
To apply call 993-9581 or come by Vancouver Housing
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Property Address: 1405 Esther Street
Vancouver Housing Authority, in accordance with vari-
ous Federal and State laws, does not discrimi-
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1-18-12
SUB-BIDS REQUESTED
Multnomah County
Sellwood Bridge Replacement Project
Bids Due: February, 10, 2012
Plans available January 20, 2012, at the OAME
Plan Center, ARC Oregon, MCIP, and at the
Sellwood Bridge Jobsite Trailer at 8240 SW
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Packages also available at the ftp site upon regis-
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Mandatory Pre-Bid is January 26, 2012 at 8 a.m.
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JOINT VENTURE
Contact: Mike James
at 602/377-2825 or at
dmjames@sundt.com
for technical questions and
bidding information.
SUB-BIDS REQUESTED
City of Portland
Guilds Lake Pump Station
Improvements
Rebid Date: January 26, 2012 @
2:00 P.M.
NATT
McDOUGALL
COMPANY
Phone: 503-783-0620
Fax: 503-783-0626
20182 SW 112th Avenue
Tualatin, OR 97062
Richard Krumm Chief Estimator
For plans and specifications, visit our website @
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OR CCB#186281
WA license number: NATTMC*055RE
We are an equal opportunity employer and request
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1-18-12
It is our primary goal as a labor union to
better the lives of all people working in
the building trades through advocacy,
civil demonstration, and the long-held
belief that workers deserve a "family
wage" - fair pay for an honest day's
work.
A family wage, and the benefits that go
with it, not only strengthens families, but
also allows our communities to become
stronger, more cohesive, and more
responsive to their citizens' needs.
Our family wage agenda reflects our
commitment to people working in the
building trades, and to workers every-
where. In this small way, we are doing
our part to help people achieve the
American Dream. This dream that work-
ers can hold dear regardless of race,
color, national origin, gender, creed, or
religious beliefs.
The Pacific Northwest Regional
Council of Carpenters
Representingmorethan
5.000constructionwork-
ersinOregonState.
Do you want to know
more about becoming
a Union carpenter?
1-18-12
January 18, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 7