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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2015)
#SK40YEARS October 28, 2015 The Skanner 40th Anniversary Issue Page 5 40 Years of Service People: Politics The Skanner’s Journey: The Early Years O ur first issue came on the heels of the severe recession of 1974- 75. Our front-page headline: Permanent Unemployment Stalks Blacks, expressed the desper- ation of local families. America’s failure to invest in Black communi- ties had consequences then – as it does now. From those early days, The Skanner’s economic reporting high- lighted local efforts to create jobs. We profiled startup businesses and held government accountable for its com- mitments to fairness in contracting and jobs. During our first six months, we “ our readers about the Office of Civil Rights finding that school discipline discriminated against minority chil- dren. In 1976 we declared “Equity” would be our theme for the year. Sadly we could have chosen that theme any In 1976 we declared ‘Equity’ would be our theme for the year mall project. We reported that a po- lice officer had beaten Tony Allen, 16, for backtalking, and informed year since–and it would still be rele- vant. Thankfully, there was good news to report too. Portland City Commis- sioner Charles Jordan, elected in 1974, had worked to create service centers for youth and for senior citizens. Portland Metropolitan Steering Com- mittee won a $400,000 federal grant to feed the hungry. The Ebony Fash- ion Fair raised money for The Links fund for disadvantaged youth. As well as our hard hitting report- ing, The Skanner’s early issues in- cluded a column on veterans, a box- ing column penned by literary giant Katherine Dunn, a ton of sports and fashion coverage, and an advice col- umn that offered answers from three generations of women. Our music column ‘Earl at Midnight’ reviewed clubs, concerts and new releases. We put the spotlight on Black enterpris- es. And our pages were alive with im- ages of Black people who were mak- ing a difference in our communities every day. Celebrate The Skanner anniversary with #SK40YEARS Ron Wyden (left) speaking to schoolchildren reported on the city’s equal employ- ment opportunity ordinance, and on the minority contractors’ lawsuit against the federal and state gov- ernment. We also covered the con- tractors’ efforts to win a fair share of contracts on TriMet’s new transit 40 Years of History 1970s October 9, 1975, The Skanner publishes its first issue June 15, 1978, “City-Wide Day of Tribute Honors Clara Peoples, Portland’s Mother of Juneteenth” March 7, 1976, Microsoft’s first product, Microsoft BASIC, released in Seattle January 1, 1977, Charles Jordan begins second elected term as Portland City Commissioner December 11, 1977, Portland Transit Mall opens April 6, 1977, Seattle Mariners play their first game, at the Kingdome January 9, 1978, plan to desegregate Jefferson High School by busing black students Lincoln and Wilson is voted down unanimously by Portland Public Schools Board President Bill Clinton speaks at an international conference at Portland State University; from left, PSU President Judith Ramaley, Vice President Al Gore, Clinton, and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Furse. Unveiling Pioneer Square, from left, Portland City Commissioner Margaret Strahan, Portland City Commissioner Mildred Schwab, Pioneer Courthouse Square designer Willard Martin, Portland City Commissioner Mike Lindberg, Mayor Frank Ivancie and Portland City Commissioner Charles Jordan Powerful women: from left Judge Mercedes Deiz, Sen. Margaret Carter, Mulnomah County Commissioner Gladys McCoy, and U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm
