'I Won'f Go,' Says Youth; Reasons D_iffer From Those Usually Heard This is the story of a young man who objects to military service. His reasons are different from those usually heard in this time of great national dissent. lt reflects another in the viewpoints of young men whose consci~nces are in conflict with the law. My name is Alfred Williamson, I was born in Portland, and graduated from Benson Polytechnical High School and I am presently attending the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Oregon campus. I am applying for a 1-0 C. O. draft deferment. I am a Conscientious Objector for all wars. I prefer to work in a civilian life only. I prefer to work in my own black community for the health, safety and welfare of my people. In refusing to fight in a racist war 10,000 miles away I publicly voice the feelings of the majority of black people in the United States who have refused to express their anti-war sentiments for fear of brutal repression (loss of job, imprisonment, assassination). (The reference to the Vietnam War as a racist war is explained as this: In the view of many, a part of the war's true flavor is that colored countries of the world are in a liberation struggle against those who practice imperialistic and colonialistic policies, either to drain a country of the natural resources that are either depleted or not found in the imperialistic country, or t.o protect themselves from what they would consider t9 be a bigger enemy - in this case, China. (Further, the term "color" refers to countries with populations with a majority of colared peoples, either red, yellow or black,) 1n resisting I (Alfred Williamson) stand firmly aligned with other Afro-Americans who have denounced this genocidal war and have refused to participate, namely: Martin Luther King, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Snident Non-Vi 0 lent Coordinating Committee, Ronald Lockman, Eddie Oquendo and the thousands of Afro-Americans who have said, "Hell No - America is the Black Man's battleground." The black, Indian, Mexican, and Puerto Rican Americans of the United States are denied the basic democratic rights which are provided for them in the Constirution of the United States, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Black people are taxed without being represented. We are subject to trials by juries which are not our peers; we are murdered without having redress; we are taxed to provide superior schools where we are denied the right to live while attending inferior schools where we are forced to live. We are called upon for the military service ,)f their country without receiving proper protection from the country to fight the brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers in the cities of these countries. Our race, the Black People Rankins Passes Test; May Be First Negro to Sell Mutual Funds A new resident of Portland, Rankins is married to the George Rankins, recently former Constance C. Maney passed the state securities and they are the parents of examination and will be work- two children. He is presently ing for Hamilton Mutual working with the sheriff's department. Originally from Maryland, Rankins has considered Portland his home since 1953. Rankins said that he found adjustment to civilian life difficult. He said that after having the responsibility of 200 men under him, it was hard to suddenly adjust to the responsibility of the three people in his family. "Hardest of all," he said, ••was adjusting to the community itself." As an example, he said his children find it harder to make friends here than on an Army post playground. His children are Scotty, 9 years old, born in Portland, and Lisa, 4 years old, born in Augsburg, Germany. were systematically demoralized to build this powerful nation. We have endured the atrocities for 400 years of moral suffering that there can even be no comparison in history. We have been sold from the auction block, we have been lynched, we have been savagely punished without trial or due process of law. We have suffered enough under the double yoke of slavery and history will judge you accordingly. By forcing me to fight the Vietnamese people which are 10,000 miles away, don't you thiI)k they are asking me to add a third yoke to the two I carry already? New Look Pays Off For Boise PTA The Boise Parent Teachers Association has a new look this year. Rather than using the traditional format of speakers for meetings, parents were invited t.o the school for the first meeting, held last October, to meet the teachers of their children. At that meeting, parents hea°rd about what the teachers wece trying to do and the teachers heard what the parents expected. The meeting gave parents and teachers a chance t.o sit down and discuss the school program, In previous meetings, only 15 to 20 parents attended. This year, more than 300 parents have participated in the program. Parents had an opporrunity to plan the P. T. A. activities for the year in November. The school discovered that parents wanted t.o see their children at work in school and provided visiting hours for them. A Parent-Teacher Interaction group was formed in which 14 parents met with teachers, 12 former students and 8th graders. The group discussed the expectations of parents and snidents from the school. Clint.on 'Thomas, principal of the school, said that since the school's PTA group has been restyled, there has been more consultation between teachers and parents and more communication between the parents and the school. A PTA meeting at Boise will be held Friday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. Scheduled is election of officers and a report on community activities by Walter Morris. GEORGE RANKINS Funds, Inc. Rankins believes he is the first Negro in Oregon to sell mutual funds. Students from Africa Visit; Community Learns of Culture After spending 22 years in the U.S. Army, Rankins retired from the service in November, 1967, with a rank of first sergeant. He was awarded the Silver Star in Korea for gallantry in action under enemy fire and received the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and citation for meritorious service at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He made three trips to Korea, volunteered for the Ranger test unit there, and served in Germany. Community service workers at the Albina Neighborhood Service Center have become acquainted with several African students. These students attend schools in the metropolitan area. The students broug:ht an awareness of their countries, customs, and cultures by contributing to the Neg:ro Heritage workshops held at the center. One of the students, Yusufu Micongomi of Tanzania, was so interested in the program and in the residents of the area that he became a regular volunteer at the center. More Americans should be made aware that the Black man of Africa is an important contributor to world civilization and especially to white European culture. For example, at the same time Europe was in its dark ages and had no schools at all, Africa had both schools and university centers with libraries, scientific research and scholarship. The alphabet we now use was developed by Africans. The calendar was presented to us by Africans. Iron, the base of our steel age was given to us by Africa. Miss Denise Carter, previously a clerk-aide of the Albina Neighborhood Service Center, completed her clerical training March 1. She accepted a position with Portland General Electric Co. as a stenographer. Art Center Dates March 28, 1968 Oregon Advance/TIMES Page 9 Candidates Give Views Alvin Batiste, candidate for the Portland School Board and William McCoy, candidate for the City Council were guest speakers at a meeting of the Albina Neighborhood Council last week. Baptiste said he was running for the school board seat because he feels there should be more communication between the schools and the social agencies. He said, ••A resource pool would improve the quality of information between the school board and the agencies and would help do away with the dissecting of families that exists now.'' "The Portland system must be revitalized," he said, "and we must look ahead to see what will be needed in the term of Portland elected officials to two four-year terms. He said, '' People are ignored at city hall by these officials.' He said he feels we are in a crisis situation as far as housing, employment, park programs and the "slow deterioration'' of the school system are concerned. He suggested evening sessions at city hall so working people could attend and facilitate better citizen participation. He also proposed consolidation of city bureaus for more efficiency. Adoptions Q. How long does it take to adopt a child? The Albina Art Center re- future.'' A. At the Boys Girls Aid Society it takes about seven months. minds the community of two He commended the School E KOAP JV important dates this week. Community Action Group for Y8rS Oft • Friday, March 29, 7 p.m.: the good work it has been ac- Ad/Times Evers on KOAP pj The '' Modus Quan'· Black Arts complishing and mentioned the Ch a r 1es Ever s, the Revue at the Albina Child planned appointment of an NAACP's field director, will Care Center Auditorium at intergroup relations director appear on KOAP-TV, Channel 58 N. E. Morris St. as one of the achievements. 10, Sunday, April 7 at 9:30 Saturday, March 30: Dead- Baptiste told the group that p.m. He will be seen on line for high school artists this is his third try for the the show, "Speaking Freely." school board but the first alk bo hi participating in the Second AnEvers will t a ut s early nual Portland High School Art time he has been endorsed life in Mississippi, what life Show. Entries will be fea- by the Citizens School Com- is like today in Mississippi tured in a gallery show at the mittee. and what he foresees will. Albina Art Center from April McCoy explained his rea- happen there in the next 10 5-30. sons for wanting to limit the years. For a limited time you can obtain a full year subscription BY MAIL for just $4.50. Fill out the coupon, attach your check or money order and send or br Ing to the Advance TIMES office ••• do It now! v) ( ) J • • The Oregon Advance • TIMES doesn't have • reporters all over the world, BUT the • news of the Albina • area · ls covered • every week. No • matter what happens, , you' II get a complete • and accurate report. • • I ·-------~ I want to subscribe ... my check is enclosed. please print Street------------------------------ City-------------------- State-------~ ZiP---------- I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~---------------------------------J
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