The skanner., October 28, 2015, The Skanner 40th Anniversary Issue, Page 6, Image 6

Page 6 The Skanner 40th Anniversary Issue October 28, 2015
People: Union to King
40 Years of Service
What’s in a Name?
By Lisa Loving, Special to The Skanner News
W
e take it for granted now: Martin Luther
King Junior Boulevard.
But back in the 1980s, when local citizens
started organizing to change the name from
Union Avenue, the struggle was so bitter that The
Skanner publisher Bernie Foster–who helped lead to
campaign –received death threats.
King actually visited Portland back in the 1950s,
visiting with parishioners at the Vancouver Avenue
First Baptist Church. A few elders alive today still
remember that visit, which is commemorated with
photographs in the book, “A Heartfelt Welcome: The
Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church Collection.”
Starting in the mid-1980s, a multi-racial commit-
tee was convened by The Skanner Publisher Bernie
Foster to campaign for a street honoring King. The
group included such beloved figures as Rev. John
Jackson, Rabbi Emmanuel Rose, Carolyn Leonard,
State Director of Affirmative Action Kathleen Sadaat,
Michael Chappie Grice — even U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin
had a delegate on the panel. They researched and cre-
ated a proposal to the City Council to choose a street
in the city and rename it.
“Naming a street for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is
not only a tribute to King, it is a tribute to the city or
municipality that chooses to remember one man’s
commitment to humankind,” the committee’s report
“
Carolyn Leonard removing Union Avenue street sign at corner of NE Martin Luther King, Blvd. and NE Simpson St.
The Associated Press reported at the time that
White supremacists–in particular a married cou-
ple who had picketed King while he was alive and
claimed he was a Communist –had formed a compet-
ing committee called Citizens for Union Avenue that
Naming a street for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is not only a trib-
ute to King, it is a tribute to the city or municipality that chooses
to remember one man’s commitment to humankind
to the city said.
The committee collected about 4,000 signatures in
support of the namer change, and eventually per-
suaded the City Council to vote; it passed.
worked to prevent the name change.
The couple, Walter and Rosalie Huss, had no ties
to Union Avenue; they argued that they were simply
concerned citizens. When White supremacist leader
Richard Barrett visited Portland to campaign against
the name change, the Husses denied any connection
with him.
Meanwhile their committee collected more than
50,000 signatures on petitions to reverse the name
change, qualifying for the May 15 primary ballot.
Polls at the time showed the initiative winning 2 to 1.
However it was eventually declared illegal by a
judge and never made it to the ballot.
When the signs were changed in 1990, Rosalie Huss
and about two dozen counter protesters heckled the
ceremony.
``Unfortunately, I think the city is going to take a bad
rap over this, particularly as we try to attract other
people of color to Portland,’’ Foster told the AP. ``You
have to ask what kind of message are we sending.’’
Growing up in LA. I wrote a letter to the editor at 12 years
old that was published in the L.A. Sentinel. Just like then,
The Skanner has meant I have a local newspaper where I
can read about, and be inspired by the topics which affect
me and my community. Without The Skanner our issues
would or could be ignored.
You’re not only a watch dog for the people, but an educated
source; an alternative to the status quo; a place to see people
of color excel in all walks of life. The Black Press is very
important! I commend you on achieving 40 years! Please
don’t let your stories go untold. Black children should know
the story of a group of people here and in almost every city
in America who emerged because the mainstream media
didn’t include them.
—Ted Salter
Bernie Foster, Carolyn Leonard, Betty Thompson and Michael (“Chappie”) Grice with recently-removed
Union Avenue street sign at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard party