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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 10, 2013)
News Oregon Historical Society to Honor The Skanner News Bruce Poinsette Of The Skanner News T he Skanner News publisher Bernie Foster and executive editor Bobbie Foster are among the 2013 recipients of the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon History Makers Medal. According to the society, the honor “is presented annually by OHS to individuals who have positively shaped the history, cul- ture, and landscape of Oregon.” They go on to say, “This year’s recipients, as with our previous History Makers, personify what it is to be an Oregonian, and have positively impacted our great state.” In addition to the Fosters, this year’s recipients include Melvin “Pete” Mark, Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Alberto Salazar. OHS is recognizing the Fosters for the Skanner News’ impact over the past 35 years. According to the society, “Each day, The Skanner strives to work in harmony with its mission statement: ‘Challenging People to Shape a Better Future Now.’ For over 35 years, publisher and executive editor Bernie & Bobbie Foster have been committed to doing just that: giving a voice to their com- munity. Established in 1975, The Skanner News Group has been at the forefront of advancing the cause of the Black Press in Bernie and Bobbie Foster are among the 2013 recipients of the Oregon History Makers Medal the northwest. Also an important part of The Skanner News Group is The Skanner Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission it is to promote education through scholarships and technological training.” Marks will be recognized for his work through Melvin Mark Properties. The socie- ty is honoring him for being a central part of Chad continued from page 6 need to play him. KW: Kate Newell asks: In doing this film, what did you find out about Jackie Robinson that surprised you the most? CB: I was surprised that he was considering quitting baseball just before he was signed by the Dodgers’ GM Branch Rickey [played by Harrison Ford]. He had become disenchanted with barnstorming across the country in the Negro League for several reasons: he often had to play sev- eral games a day; there were a lot of places where African-Ameri- cans couldn’t stop to eat, sleep, buy gas or even use the bathroom; and he wasn’t being paid enough at a time when the most important thing to him was taking care of his family. I was also surprised that baseball was only his fourth best sport. He had greatness in him already. He was an All-American football player, a great basketball player, and he could’ve gone to the Olympics in track and field. Jackie was a better athlete than his brother Mack who had been a sil- ver medalist behind Jesse Owens in the 200 Meters at the ’36 Olympics in Berlin. So, Jackie was well aware of his talents but felt very frustrated by the fact that there was no place in the United States at that time where a black man could fully actualize himself. Fortunately, baseball became that place where he could reach his full potential, although he might have achieved it in other sports. But that frustration of his poten- tiality almost made Jackie quit. KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles says: Jackie Robinson encoun- tered extraordinary obstacles on account of the color of his skin pursuing his professional baseball career. Have you encountered similar obstacles in your acting career? KB: Well, you don’t get the same opportunities as white actors. Every year, Hollywood is looking for that new, white lead- ing man and new white starlet that audiences fall in love with. But they’re not looking for the next Page 8 The Portland Skanner Chad Boseman Denzel Washington, Will Smith or Sidney Poitier. Some of that is due to the fact that even in our educa- tional process we’re taught histo- ry from a totally Eurocentric perspective. And so it’s no sur- prise that we grow up to value European literature. Since we don’t value our own history, African-American stories don’t get made into movies as much. Your being the protagonist or the hero is not a fundamental part of our culture. That’s what I run up against trying to get cast as an actor, and that’s what I feel needs to change. It’s very difficult to make strides to play big roles in big movies when our culture doesn’t support it and therefore the movies can’t. KW: What did you major in at Howard, Acting or Black Stud- ies? CB: I majored in directing. However, I did spend some time at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, so I am somewhat well- versed in African Studies. KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for? CB: One wish instantly grant- ed? Woo! I would love for my grandmother and my sister to have been able to see this movie. They both passed. KW: My condolences Chad. Thanks again for the time, and best of luck with 42. CB: Thank you, Kam. April 10, 2013 the landscape of Portland, with 2.8 million square feet of commercial real estate in his company’s portfolio. In addition, Marks and his late wife, Mary, are being recognized for their philanthropy. OHS is honoring the Pendleton Woolen Mills company for its contribution to the dual textile-retail industry since the early 1900s. The company owns and operates seven facilities, manages 75 retail stores, and publishes apparel and home direct mail catalogs. Lastly, OHS is honoring Cuban native Salazar for his role in making Oregon the running capital of the world. After his time as a University of Oregon track star, he went on to win the New York Marathon three times and the Boston Marathon once. Salazar has also set American records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter distances. Later on, he worked as a mentor and coach for the Nike Oregon Project, which aims to produce Olympic-caliber athletes. The fifth annual installment of the Histo- ry Makers Medal will be presented at the Montgomery Park building on Sep. 21, The Skanner News Executive Editor Bobbie Foster and Publisher Bernie Foster. 2013. For information on table sponsorships, individual ticket sales and general inquiries, contact Sue Metzler, Director of Develop- ment, at 503-306-5229 or Sue.Metzler@ohs.org
