Clarion Defender_1971-12-23

THIS NEWSPAPER IS THE OLDEST BLACK PUBLICATION IN THE NORTHWEST DECEHBER 23, 1971 WATCH DOG I have always drea1ned of doing something for the sake of human 'dignity. Today, I feel that I have fulfilled my de– sire. Some six years ago, my decision was made towards this long awaited dream to later one in reality. I, too, had dreamed many years ago. I was born and partially raised in Canton, Mississippi, a small and congested town. I left the .south at the age of eleven. The only important thing I am able to best remember about the South is the cotton fields and farming in general, because I grew up on a huge Plantation, some twelve miles from Canton, which was the neares-t town. I once stated, "I'd Never Again " return to the State of Mississippi, but as time progressed, and I grew older, I began to realize the facts of life and the way some of our people were treated, I decided upon taking advantage of the knowledge I had gained. I was determined to take a giant step and go forth to the land in which I first lived, and be– come re-united with my people. I had a dream and that dream was not a dream that one can forget easily. I was constantly approached by the same dream and the same place. I had to go to the rescue because I was needed, needed in my home state, the soveign State of Mississippi. Finally, I did reveal to my mother of my proposed trip South, and for particular reason, she wasn't at all surprised. At first, it wasn't at all easy for her, as she knew the situatior. in the South far better than myself and perhaps better than may others. Being a faithful Christian and church worker, she said she would not ask me not to go ahead as that might have discouraged me. So, in turn, she said if this is what you desire to do, and is what you really want," I am all for it and God will take care. I was late on arrival at Oxford, so therefore, I did not r.ecieve the proper amount of basic training others had re– cieved in order to continue on to Mississippi as planned. I was somewhat despondent and irritated after being in on the actual training sessions, therefore, I accumulated an upset stomach and lost my appetite for a few days. Then, I asked my Coordinator permission to see a Doc– tor to learn the cause of my sudden loss of appetite and stomach illness. So, I did, and after conducting a complete examination along with several other physicians and psych– iatrists, they all came to the very same conclusion that it was my nerves, and that I shouldn't go on to Mississippi and suggested that I return to Portland, and that I could be more useful at a later time. I flatly refused, as nothing could or would hinder my trip to Mississippi, and I would not let them turn me back. I disobeyed their orders and did continue the 11 Long Hot Journey" to Mississippi, where I was so determined to take an active part in my native born land, as was mentioned in earlier paragraphs. After having arrived in Canton, where I was as signed to work, I had to be re-assigned, after facing minor difficulties in Ohio. I was determined nothing was preventing me from doing what I had a dream to do for my kind of people. By the time I arrived in Jackson, Mississippi, the Civil Rights Act had been passed, and there was built-up pres sure from all directions in the white community. Those were my downfalls, as I could no longer stay in com– fort with my relatives, who no longer made me welcome. I had one choice left and the choice was to come back to Portland, Oregon, and report my true findings of my exper– iences in the weary South. _ I had a de sire in lending a hand in something I felt was a need and a necessity for every decent citizen, black or white to fully tak.~ part in a progran in order for every human-being regardless to race, creed, color or national orgin, to be accepted in th e American way of life as citizens and not aliens. I am proud I participated in the Gr e at and now historic project in the name of fr e edom, liberty, and justice for all of God's children. In essance, I'd like r e minding e very c ourag eous and d e dicat e d pe rson who also took part in per– forming a r e sponsibility in Mis s issippi, 11 1 live with these words: It's Not 'N.hrt.l My P<''">p l C' \ an Do For M e , It's What I Can Do For My P <•oplC' , ., t e •eeoad front DON'T BUY FROM THESE STORES! J. C. Penney Company's national policy is to hire as many qualified Blacks as possible. During this year's Christmas season the Walnut Park branch J. C. Penney store has hired a total of 7 extra holiday workers, none of which is .Black. This brings the store's total number of workers to 47. Only 6 out of these 47 are Black. J. C. Penney has a company policy to uphold. Do they think that there are only 6 qualified Blacks in this city? Let's don't give them what they want (money), until they give us what we want (equality). We 1 ve got to get it together. Don't Shop For Christmas Presents At These Portland Area Stores: Allied Stores Corporation Frederick's of Hollywood Good Will Sales Inc. House of Nine 1237 Lloyd Center Joseph Magnm Company. Inc. Y30 S, W, 6th Lan:).pus Company Z600 N. E. Union Avenue Meier & Frank Company 1106 Lloyd Center National Shirt Shops. Inc. 1137 Lloyd Center Neiman-Marcu• Company Portland Outdoor Store 304 S. W. 3rd S. H. Kress Company Sears Roebuck and Company 5Z4 N. E. Grand Avenue Specks'. Chicken 445 N. E. Killingsworth W. T. Grant Company 1408 N. E. lOOth Zukors, Inc. 1232 Lloyd Center D~e_ If'~ ~o-1" A Nord•trom Be•t L~ \rlf\~ 1004 Lloyd Center {) ~ '"\ > J.C. Peneey. Wal- Par• Braach\ C L ~,;-! I S411 N. E. Union AveJNe ../ f<' c~l}(. • MERRY CHRISTMAS cuewant~OU asa§aver n.~.!!j.~Q !!~~!!~~in Robert H HaLcn. l';;;; • 15 Offices • Phone 224-3333 Home OlliL·c · l=r:mklin Dldg.. Portland Ore. 9/204