Vol.1, No.2 ------------------,------------------------------------ "NOW IS THE TIME!" FOR AND BY BLACK PEOPLE June, 1981 BlackOrganizat ions Call High School Closures"Racist" BU F asks Community to "Challenge" School Board July 2 Ten Black Oammunity organizations rebutted denials by Portland Public School Board officials that its expressed intention-after t"\\0 new board manbers are S\\Orn in--to vote July 2 to close a second high school with high ''minority'' student concentration was racially motivated. ''If it's not a racist roove, '1 said Halim Ra.h.saan, a spokesperson for the National Business League (NBL) chapter, "then what about the population it affects?" he asked, rhetorically of the board's decison it will close Adams high school after it replaces two menbers who refused to go along with the conservatives during earlier board hearings on school closures. Following intense public hearings, preceded by a citizen coomi ttee report on school closure, a divided board voted in May to only close Washington-Monroe (W/M) high school. It had the third highest concentration of Black and other Third World students, including recent Southeast Asian refugees. District adninistrators said school closure is necessitated due to declining student enrollment. Three elementary shool, with very low enrollments, will be closed between now and the end of the 1982 school year. Comrunity protest increased when the board focused high school closure only on the three high schools in the city with the first, second and third highest black student concentration: Jefferson, Adams and W/M, respectively. "Again Black students and carnnmity are asked to carry the brunt of the board's decisions requiring students to leave their neighborhoods," said Ron Herndon, Co-Chairperson of the Portland Black United Front (BUF). The BUF has fought to prevent the board continued practice of closing schools in the Black community and thereby force Black children to attend "desegregated" schools in other schools and districts in or near the city. Black cornmunity middle schools were either closed or converted to early childhood centers--for white parents who used the accelerated learning programs funded by federal dollars and returned their chiilldren to neighborhood schools afterwards-while Black middle school ,students, with no other choice, were assigned willy nilly to attend outlying white schools within the district and schools outside the district. ''We refused to tolerate putting Black kids on school buses to go all around this city helping other schools and districts get the federal dollars that follows the Black student," said Herndon. "And this is bussing again, but this time of Black high school students." Besides the BUF and the NBL, . other Black conmunity organizations \\ho attended the joint press conference June 18, 1981, to protest the school's board's recent decision were the NAACP, Portland OIC, Jefferson High School PTA, the Association of Black Social Workers, Albina Ministerial Alliance, and the N.E. Coalition of Neighborhoods. Vesia Loving, a BUF manber who along with Herndon, urged ''the Black commmity to cane to the board meeting July 2nd and be heard" on the Adams closure. "It's interesting that t"\\0 new board members wbo have not yet been S\\Orn in have the ability to overturn a (outgoing) prior boa:rd decisionwithout having to hold public hearings again,, ., Rahsaan said. Spokespersons for the organizations attending the press conference said they agreed that cornmunity opposition to the closures should be expressed by daronstrations, court proceedings, or by civil disobedience. Ms. Lovir.g said she supported school lx>ard member Herb Cawthorne's promise (Continued on Page 2) Jefferson students rallying in April, 1981 to protest closure of their school. Jefferson was saved, but will Adams students be the next photo feature?
page2 (Continued fran Page 1) to seek an injunction in federal court to prevent the district from carrying out the closure vote. Except for the BUF' ~ efforts asking Black conmunity resident:::. · ·=tttend the July 2 board meeting, and Cav......LOrne' s threat to sue, no other action was announced at the press conference. In 1979, the BUF called off a threathened school boycott when school officials made promises of change. The pranises went unfulfilled. And in May, 1981, the BUF called a successful boycott with 85% of the Black students participating. School officials had balked at returning a middle school to the Black community during so-called desegregation planning. A middle school, Harriet Tutman, was later included in the desegregation plans approved by the conmunity and the board. Calling For Justice by Lanita Duke The march and demonstration on June 4 showed ·once again, that the Black United Front represents the people. The rainy day brought forth a mobilization of rich and poor, young and old, and Black and White, and was an aftennath of the 'reshuffling' that occurred in the Portland Police Department when the only Black Commissioner was literally told to 'go play in the park' . The action has been termed " ... a slap in the face" by The Front's Co-Chair, Ron Herndon. One's first reflection on the march in support of Commissioner Jordan might bring forth the image of ''1\roFacedness' . Sane may feel so, but in this case, one fact will not lend itself to such an idea. Jordan is and will always be a Black man. As such, what he does or does not do will remain a reflection of us and our canmunity. Jordan was trying to awaken the city to the problems of Black citizens in Portland, instead of simply pretending that it was/is non-existant. Through the organizing that is being done by The Front, problems are caning out, and along with than, many solutions. This march was not the first time that The Front mobilized the oppressed of Portland. Although the April 4 "March Against Racien" was distorted by the press, we know that it was a success and that it proved that we can and we will unite. The march on City Hall brought out sane 500 people (and on a rainy day, yet), with background sounds of ''Recall Ivancie". Those who are in the know are aware that Jordan supported Ivancie at every turn, and persuaded many in the camunity to do likewise, so, a 'stab in the back' for Commissioner Jordan is a stab in the back for all Portland Blacks who followed him in support of Ivancie. "This should show everybody that wh:i,.te politicians cannot be trusted", Ron told the CI'O\\d. Others murmured, "You can't trust many of the Black ones, either. '' Portland's Black citizens will not be played off, or played for fools. Be it known by all that we, the people, have a friend in each other. Washington-Monroe last year. We met with each other," she continued, "with any community or school organization, wherever the school board was meeting or holding hearings and we spoke each ••••••••••••••••••time they oould let us get the floor. It stopped than." The result was that the liberal AdamsTargeted ForClosure majority on the board prevented any Because of what he termed "the oorst sort of public policy-making,'' Portland Public School Board manber Herb Cawthorne sent "ALERT! WARNING! URGENT APPEAL!'' letters to se,veral people in our community to notify them that the incaning and new conservative majority on the Board of Education is ready to close Adams high school by July 1 when new board members are soorn in. News accounts indicate the new members, who will replace Sarah Newhall, who was defeated, and Wally Priestley, who chose not to seek re-election, have conspired with Board Chainnan Forrest Reike and member Bill Scott to attempt to close Adams by this summer, if, Reike was reported as saying, there wuld be time enough to re-route the students scheduled to attend Adams this fall. Adams was saved fran threatened foreclosure earlier when the board was considering closing too high schools and three elementary schools. It voted to ·close Washington-Monroe and deferred action on the others. In later action, the board voted to close three elementary schools between now and 1982. Organized community activity was instrumental in limiting the outgoing board's school closure. Joining other community organizations, the Black United Front, parents, and students successfully prevented closure of Jefferson and Adams. "We held meetings, '' explained Jerri Abrams, whose children attended Jefferson and overriding of expressed community concern, she believes, and recognized the determination of our community against neighborhood school closure. Abrams also said that parents and students at Washinton-Monroe and Adams had been negotiating on how to keep "the school located at the Adams site open." A merger of both school and students was actively being discussed. No decision on possible legal action to prevent Washington-Monroe from being closed had been decided. Cawthorne's warning letter told about the merger efforts but failed to offer assistance. A BUF spokesperson observed that the "flip flops" of the board over the past three years has caused the BUF to seriously question the "level of integrity arrong most of the board ~rs. '' Coonrunity board forums have been held, "Black folk have been very vocal in opposition to closing Adams and Jefferson, and we expect the board to keep those schools open,'' the spokesperson said. "Sane of the ,board members have announced their intentions regarding Adams, and community groups have announced their opposition, which points to a long, hot summer, " according to the spokesperson. The integrity of the new board will be questioned after July 1 on a nurnber of issues besides school closure. The seleCtion of a new school supErintendent will certainly head all other issues facing the in-coming board. The out-going board had pranised to · appoint a superintendent to replace Dr. Hobert Blanchard who was fired last year, but, because of Cawthorne's actions preceding the recent school board ele~tion, the in-caning board will select the superintendent in early 1.982. In a surprise move which caught nnst people off-guard, Cawthorne joined the conservatives on the out-going board in voting to choose a new superintendent in early 1982 and not before the old board's term ended by July, 1982. Cawthorne, who was an active BUF member prior to his appointnent to the ooard, explained his decision. to allow an undefined board to select the new school superintendent and to support conservative board members Forrest Reike and Frank McNamara as chainnan and vice-chainnan, respectively. It oould have given this community less concern if he and the liberal majority on the out-going ooard could have selected the new superintendent, he admitted. But he said he was confident the liberal majority oould prevail against the conservative landslide which brought Frank Ivancie and Ronald Reagan in office. Cawthorne has prOIIjised to seek an in- .......................................junction in federal court to prevent the Derrnnstrators march through downtoAn Portland to protest :Mayor Ivancie' s major police shake-up. school board fran following through after its votes July 2 to close Adams. (Continued on p;tge 3)
(Continued from page 2) Closure of both Adams and WashingtonMonroe, he said, would av,ain force minority students to carry the disproportionate burden of school closures. Past district's school desegregation plans have been criticized for forcing Black. students in this area to leave their neighborhood high schools so as to bring about what the board said was school desegregation. Student body enrollment at Adams is 557, Cawthorne said, but there are over 1, 500 hiv)l school age students living in the Adams attendance area. District figures show that 632 of these students-- 64 percent of whom are minority--attend high sc~ools outside their neighborhood. The cumulative effect of the decision to close both schools would disoorse Black high school students in the same manner a.c::; before. Adams and Washington-Monroe have the second (41 percent) and third (35 percent) highest high school minority enrollments in the district's 13 high schools. Cawthorne said he is iri favor of school closure which he said is necessitated by declining enrollment, but, that "it is possible to close other (high) schools, save as much money, improve programs and thereby spread the disruptive effects of closure evenly throughout the district. '' a series of publications by the Black United Front concerning the safety of our neighborhoods. A copy may be obtained from T.H.E. C.R.I.B. at 249-8501. Pa e3 occasions) in recent rronths at Portland's Mallory Avenue Church, will attest to the 'grand anbarkment' against inaccuracies in our history. More :importantly, those that were present will attest to the spirit of the ••••••••••••••••••• messages that these individuals (along ECONOMICS For several rronths the Economics Oarnmittee has been exploring both the Greater Portland Area and the Northeast Portland carnmunity job market. They are seeking donations to continue the various phases of BUF activities and operations. In order to advance the concept of Economic Developnent, the carmittee was instrumental in contacting various carnmunity organizations, which led to the fonnation of a "Black Coalition for Economic Developnent". The coalition will focus on the needs of the Northeast Portland area. During the planning phases of a pamphlet which was to provide parents with safety tips for their children, the carmittee approached Safeway Stores, Inc. for the purpose of seeking a donation to help to defray the cost of printing the material. The request was denied by Safeway's spokesperson. The reason: '' ...too political". Safeway did, however, make a donation in 1979 when the BUF sponsored "Children's Saturday". with many others who are involved in the struggle) have exhibited. We are rEminded that life is constantly changing, and that we are not sllr!ply, a part of that change, but we are to \\Orktogether to bring to the consciousness of all Brothers and Sisters in Portland that ·we are a m:lglity people and, as such, have the capacity to affect ~hat change. To a great extent, the above is the primary focus of the Black United Front Cornmunications Oarnmittee. When the aforementioned illustrious and eloquent speakers were here, this was thE( ccrlriltttee- assigned to the taSk df getting the \\Ord out to the carnmunity. The (totally successful) ''March Against Racism" that took place in Portland on April 4 of this year, left an indelible entry in Oregon history by bringing together nearly 1500 people -nnstly Black. Again, it was the Communications Oarnmittee on its J~B. •••••••••••••••••••• The carmittee approached Nel-Tech, a company which recently relocated on Reapportionment, school closure(s), economic development (or nondevelopment), welfare rights, job discrimination, police brutality, police harassment, and other issues, are all topics which are vitally :important to us as Black Americans. The nrurders of our Black children in Atlanta came instantly to mind when we speak of "other issues". The atrocities, inequities, and injustices inflicted upon our brothers and sisters in South Afrika is another travesty that should not be allowed to continue. Black folks locally should be made aware of how we might counteract those ills. Committee Reports LABOR The Black United Front Labor Committee (BUFLC) is developing alternative strategies against the kinds of reaism which keeps us either at entrylevel jobs, or out of the job market altogether. One such strategy is to not give financial support to any company or store which refuses to upgrade and/or hire Black people. If we ranain wellorganized and united on this principle, we can use the power of selective purchasing, so that those we boycott will feel the power of our community pocketbook, and those we buy from, will know how it feels to be in our grace. That will make the negotiators take us seriously when we ask for jobs from those who reap the benefits fran our camiUnity. The carmittee agreed it was too early to be more specific about additional strategies to obtain equality,in the anployment place, but we have agreed that there is a need to consolidate a sense of ' carnmunity' rurong us as a people. To that end, the BUFLC agreed to sponsor what will became an annual outing where we can came together in a relaxed environment to discuss and learn old, new, and modified strategies and socio-economic liberation. (more about that, later) In other business the BUFLC acknowledges the purposes and need for Black camunities to have Neighborhood Security Patrols. The personal safety of our people -especially our children, is a top priority of this committee. The BUFIC recarmends to parents the sound advice in a recently released pamphlet, Black United Front Personal Safety Guidelines. This is just one of N.E. Union Avenue, and discussed (with a company representative) its intention regarding the hiring of Black community residents. It was apparent that the firm knew little, if anything, about the community. It was decided that the carmittee should continue to monitor its hiring practices. In the meantime, local selections were made from all parts of Portland in order to seat Task Force Representatives to direct rronies as related to the Community Development Block Grant projects. All quadrants of the city will have five (5) representatives, and a carmittee manber has been elected as a Task Force Representative. All camments or suggestions regarding how the money should be spent will be welcaned. Call 249-8501. In the future, the Communications Oarnmittee will continue to get the \\Ord out to the community. We will strive to make that \\Ord timely, accurate, and substantive -something that you can 'sink your teeth into'. We, the carmittee, will deal with rumors and gossip only to the extent of dispelling lies and getting to the truth. We will attanpt to make you aware •••••••••••••••••••of speakers scheduled to be visiting COMMUNICATIONS Today, we are constantly being bombarded (and sometimes inundated) by an enomous tide of \\Ords through the media of television, newspapers, radio, leaflets, pamphlets, brochures, live plays, seminars, and speaking engagements. Historically and traditionally, Black folk have had very little control over what is said either to us, about us, or even for us, on topics which impact greatly upon the Black camiUnity. In realizing the magnitude and gravity of this ever-worsening dilemma, "The Front" has begun a grand anbarkening upon and against the inaccuracies of our history --both ancient and current. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be present when Dr. Asa Hilliard, Rev. Herbert Daughertry, and Ivan Van Sertima spoke (on different Portland, and we hope that we will meet you there. In the event of natural or mancaused disasters (ie electrical blackouts/brownouts, ice storms, health-related information, etc.), we will instruct you on where to go in order that you may receive aid or assistance. We will camiUnicate the need for and aspects of frumily safety. Our t\\0 basic concerns as the Black United Front Communications Cbmmittee are You, the Black Oarnmunity, and to get timely and relevant information to you -with the hope and expectation that you will act upon that infonnation. -- Whether the \\Ord be written, spoken, or projected, we pledge to \\Ork to make it credible. ''Keep swinging when the going gets tough." Roy Campanella
Page4 EBONY EXCELLENCE JOAN WHITE The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward ·J. White of Seattle, Washington, Miss White will becane one of the few Black Naturopaths in the U.S. She will be the first Black fenale fuctor of Natural Medicine in the country. "I became interested in Naturopathy when I was a student of Haki Madhubuti," author, poet, and Director of the Institute of Posit'ive Education. Miss White recently earned her N.D. degree from the National College of Naturopatic Medicine, she has done post-graduate v.ork in Parasitology, and has degrees in Human Biology and Zoology from Kansas Newnan College and Howard University. In spite of spending many hours studying, Miss White has been active in various community activities both in Portland and Seattle. AFRIKA IN BRIEF by N. Funga i Kumbula Sunday, May 31st is supposed to mark the 20th anniversary of South Africa's secession from the British Commonwealth and the proclamation of an Afrikaner republic. The commonwealth, a grouping of former British colonies and member nations were pressuring South Africa to give the Africans a vote and move towards majority rule as most sane nations the world over were doing. To thwart this pressure, therefore, South Africa left the commonwealth and pursued her current, nefarious and dangerous course. For that reason, this 20th anniversary is being observed only by the Afrikaners, white South Africans of Boer ancestry who make up about half of the white population of South Africa which totals 4 million or 20% of the country's total population of some 26 million. The other half of the white population are the descendants of the British who stayed on in South Africa after the proclamation of the republic. So this holiday which should have been a time of extreme joy and pride, as well as patriotism, is actually being observed by less than 10% of the population; the Afrikaners. The rest, the Africans, Coloureds, Indians, Asians, and the British will be sitting on the sidelines boycotting and doing all they can to disrupt the festivities. The Africans would like to see these festivities as the last Republic Day celebration in South Africa as their cousins across the border in Zimbabwe witnessed the last 'Rhodesia Independence Day' in 1979. Toward tha~ end, they have stepped-up the guerrilla campaign. In the past two weeks alone an army recruiting station was blown up and destroyed. The South African regime claims there were no casualties but there has been no independent verification. The.rail line from Soweto into Johannesburg proper was blown up again. This is the line used by the trains taking commuters into Johannesburg to work in the white homes, factories, and other white businesses. The African National Congress fighting for the liberation of Azania has vowed more of these attacks until South Africa becomes the independent, African majority ruled nation of Azania. Three of its guerrillas opened up with submachine guns in a market place in Johannesburg also this past two weeks and several whites were killed and more wounded. The guerrillas managed to disapp~ar into the crowd before the police arrived and have not been seen since. Can you imagine someone spraying the crowd with machine gun fire at the Saturday market .and then disappearing? A few weeks ago, more ANC guerrillas managed to blow up a power station just outside Johannesburg which cut off power to several hundred Durban businesses forcing them to close. The war is definitely on. Now the ANC has won support from a most unlikely quarter: students from the white universities. All along white students have either kept out of the fray between the Blacks and the government or sided with the government. In the past week, however, they have taken to the streets denouncing the government's policy of apartheid and arguing for an open franchise in South Africa as the only viable alternative to averting the bloodbath that is right now at South Africa's doorstep. The police, of course, have moved on to the campuses in force and clashed with the students but that does not seem to have deterred the protestors. The white students have also started fighting among themselves: those that support the government against those supporting radical changes in South Africa's race laws. The ANC's Freedom Charter long banned by the racist government has recently been reprinted in several papers both Black and white and the white students are using that to argue that it is a much better document than the current South African constitution which discriminate on the basis of race. The English community is also becoming more vocal in its opposition to the Afrikaner government. Never before has the government faced so much opposition from so many different directions all at once. And guess who's chuckling? None other than Comrade Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe because in a way he is the cause of so much of South Africa's grief. Not only has he made a success out of Zimbabwe where he was supposed to fall flat on his (Continued on Page 5)
(Continued fran Page 4) face, but he has shown both Black and white in Zimbabwe as well as South Africa the bankruptcy of racism. The question being asked of the racists in South Africa is: if Mugabe can do it and do it so well, then surely either Nelson Mandela (Azania) or Sam Nujoma (Namibia) could do ·just as well once given the chance. The South African whites are realizing that they have been fooled for so long and that under their current leadership and course, they are headed for disaster at express speed. Meantime, the harvest is in in Zimbabwe and it has surpassed all expectations: 40% over last year's and the surplus will be shipped to neighbouring Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique thus reducing independent Africa's dependence on South Africa. These countries in the past have been forced to import food from South Africa thus blunting their criticism of that unhappy regime. With so many reversals on so many fronts all at once, South_ Africa is counting on one friend and that friend is in Washington D.C. and his name is Ronald Reagan, one time Hollywood actor. Unless he can come galloping to the rescue as he has done in so many Hollywood capers, this could very well be the beginning of the end for South Africa. Stay tuned. INSIDE/OUTSIDE by Asmar Abdul Seifullah aka Joe West tt 40404 Author's Note: Inside/Out is the first of a series of articles that will be brought to you in order to give alternatives to the present line of thought surrounding the Oregon Penal System. It's the hope of all the incarcerated Brothers and Sisters now trapped inside the system that these articles will give a new understandiug to the Oregon Penal System and its treatment of Black prisoners. Chains, bondage, and incarceration ~s not a new experience for Black people. Since the genesis of the Black experience in America, Black people have known physical and psychological limitations of all serts. Our response to those limitations have been disconcerting at best. How we respond as a people to the system of justice now imposed upon us is of paramount importance to our struggle for liberation. For any Black man or woman to think or respond to the present penal system in terms of passivity is counter productive and reeking with negroism. The "that's not my problem" attitude of most Blacks concerning the just or unjust incarceration of other Blacks is a direct outgrowth of years of slavery. During those years we were taught to not become involved in the plight of our brother slave. "If Ned got whupped -- it was Ned's whuppin', Ned broke a rule, therefore, Ned deserved what he got." That line of thought is good only as long as the rules are just and are applied to everyone equally. First let us view the ghetto, our community,in terms of a colonalized community. The term colony is applied because our community is controlled by outside forces. Its economic base is dependent upon the favors or benevolence of its oppressor. Its progress is measured in terms of progress outside itself and not in terms of what it can accomplish on its own. Welfare and poverty programs that create a dependency in the recipients are forms of colonalization. They destroy selfesteem and self-reliance on all levels of human development. Those of us that are fortunate enough to be employed are merely a reserve work force that keeps the larger community in check. Our earnings are spent outside the community which denies us the true benefit of our labors. Lurking outside yet within the colony is the "whuppin post" or the criminal justice system. When Black people were emanicipated on paper the system implemented fear, death, and incarceration as methods of control. Incarceration being by far the most profitable of the three has not only become a means of control, but a viable source of revenue for the system. The American Corrections System is by far one of the largest corporations in the country. White America will dispute this fact but countless numbers of white Americans are supported by and profit greatly from Black incarceration. America, therefore, perpetuates situations for-increased revenues in corrections. Drug traffic, prostitution, miseducation, vice, and crime of every sor~ are creations_of greedy America. Blacks are the targets of these ventures in vice and are therefore, economic and political slaves for the perpetuation of revenue through corruption and corrections. The increasing number of Blacksincarcerated in Oregon and elsewhere is indicative of a system of discrimination that finds its focal point in penal justice. White juries, judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers reinforce this discrimination to the Nth degree. The absence of true peer j~ice ~thin the criminal justice system is the earmark of racism. The state PageS of Oregon is and has always been very guilty of excluding Blacks from the justice system but it has never discriminated· against us in incarceration. Oregon leads the nation in incarceration of Blacks and other minorities. "The Oregon Penal System is being used as a whupping post for black economic slaves -- don't you think that it's time that it changed!" Significant steps must be taken in exposing police arrest tactics, duality in courtroom justice, and treatment and services for incarcerated blacks. The recent evidence of Portland police officer planting evidence on suspected criminals, racial harrassment of local black businesses all prove that justice is not equal for blacks and whites. "Reflect back to Ned's whuppin', isn't it possible that the "whuppin'" is not only unjustified but also racist. There can be no liberation for you, if there is none for me. The unity of our movement must include a corrupt criminal justice system and Oregon is a blue ribbon example. The number of Blacks aff~ted insidejoqtside. these prison walls as a result of the "whuppin' post," is far too great to ignore. R.emanber that it's rre today but it could be you torrorrow!!! "When a slave cannot be Whipped, he is rrore than half free. " Fredrick Douglass "Violence is as American as apple pie." Jamil Abdul Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown)
Pages EDITORIALS Onward Christian Soldiers ... The Portland Skanner has informed the Afrikan-American comrr.- unity about prostitutes lined up wall to wall along N.E. Union Avenue, and for five months the BUF and supporters have been picketing Walnut Park's X-rated theatre also located on N.E. Union Avenue. Adding insult to injury, an adult bookstore recently opended its doors two blocks away from the theatre. Is the Afrikan-American community bordering along Union Avenue becoming known as a "love for sale" and porno~raphic dumping ground? In its efforts to "close it down", the BUF has asked for help in order to picket the theatre. While "right ons" and c·lenched fist salutes boost the morale of the picketers, such gestures of good will will not close it down. More people on a daily basis are necessary, if ·the community wishes to see more acceptable forms of entertainment at the theatre. However, throughout the protest period, the question of where is the religious community is a profound one. It is hoped the Black Church will play a more active role, given its concern with morality and decency. Practicing what's preached should be the order of the day, similar to the "right ons" and clenched fists, daily or Sunday prayers along is not enough to chase the evil away. Black Folk Are Rational -After All As a result of hearings that focused on Portland Public School closures, a valuable lesson went virtually unnoticed. That is, when the Black community announces it will fight and protest actions detrimental to its well-being, white racist and neo-negroids say Blacks are irrational, emotional, seeking attention, and being devisive. Yet, when white folk protest by threatening to succeed, disenfrancise itself, etc., what then do we hear as public commentary? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! 'Treed' By lvancie Was the ouster of Charles Jordan as Police Cbmmissioner a case of 'the chickens coming heme to roost ... again ... under the mayoral wings of Frank Ivancie', or, was the ha\\kish Mayor 'clipping the wings of change' that appeared to be hovering over the police departrrent? While the Black United Front (BUF) was following the history of other camnunity groups in canplaining publically 'lHE PCRTLAND ADVOCATE Vol.l, No.2 June, 1981 The Portland ADVOCATE is published monthly by the Black United Front. ... all inquiries and caunents to: P.O. Box 3976, Portland, 00 97208, or call(503) 288-6700. All material subnitted to the ADVOCATE will be considered for publication and becane property of the ADVOCATE. The Portland ADVOCATE is carmi tted to articulating the Black experience fran a local, state, national, and international perspective. Serving as a voice of the BUF, The ADVOCATE will focus on Portland as its first source of infonna.tion, and will never be apologetic about its Black !Viewpoint - be it popular or unpopular. In our attempt to serve as a !voice for the Black ccmmmi ty, ~ ~lcane your caunents, suggestions, ~d contributions. about police abuse against Black people, Cbmmissioner Jordan was running around the city saying that nothing was wrong with the police treatment of Blacks. The recent wave of media revelations detailing police crimes against Portlanders in general and Blacks in particular shows clearly the lie that Jordan was living. He himself, was in a to-the-death struggle with those he called "my officers". Mayor Ivancie began public ~ blings against Jordan following the media revelations and Jordan's limited actions against two of eight police officers who \\ere involved in the "oppossum incident". Consider the attitudes of the police and the mayor toward Jordan; salt that with continuing police abuse in our camrm.mity; pepper it, then, with Ron Still's sudden appointment as Police Chief AND the possible loss of any affirmative action plan for the department, and \\e still charge the PPD with genocidal intent towards us. Until such time that Ivancie and his Police Chief show sensitivity and respect for Black people, \\e will continue to stand up and accuse those who \\Ould threaten our existence as a camrunity, and practice genocidal intent on us as a people. With those sudden and unexpected changes in the PPD we ask, "Who lost?" Jordan says he will do a crackerjack job as Parks Coomissioner. One 'wag' suggested that Jordan \\On't fight Ivancie because the mayor threatened to make him commissioner of the city's parking lots if Jordan challenged him, but ~ don't believe that. This cammunity certainly lost with his rarnval by Ivancie. Early in his career on the City Council, Jordan is reported to have said that Black folks did not elect him. That may be true, but he recognized, as did we, that \\e could unelect him if we collectively remove from him the mantle of Black community leader. That is a po\\er \\e do not have with Frank Ivancie, ho\\eVer, and Police - Chief Ron Still answers to Ivancie, not Jordan. 'nlat, then, is what \\e have lost. Still, the loss is not that excessive. At one point, it was difficult . to have our police canplaints adcepted as valid. Now, many people and groups have publically stood up and voiced concerns about the direction and control of the police department. And Jordan responded. It was his finest hour as Police Commissioner. He was told By Ivancie that his time was up, but \\e are aware that our time is now. We cannot be fired for standing up. Further, \\e can and should \\eigh carefully the advantages of again accepting a Black leader appointf'l(i ;_..., ''ll:lom we have no confidenc~ A Call For Afrikan Unity ''Th.e Afrikans had had, in the very center of the heartland on the continent, a history from which their posterity could learn how unity alone provides the conditions for strength and progress, and that each one of a thousand little 'independent' chiefdoms is but a standing invitation to the aggressors and ultimate domination for all. '' This passage, taken from Chancellor Williams' The Destruction of Black Civilization in reference to Afrikans in antiquity, is very much relavent to Afrikans today. Throughout our history the many " 'independent ' chiefdoms" has blinded us to the comron cause we face as a people. If we, collectively, would only corre to agreerrent on the source of our oppressive dilenma and move in unity to eradicate that source, then we as a race of people, would surely prosper. Just as Jews from around the world recently convened and reaffinred that ''never again" will they be the victims of another holocaust, we (whose losses have been much greater) should never forget the inhumme atrocities of slavery and continued denials and victimizations. We must identify our colii!Onalities and rally around than as an Afrikan people. Let us unite which will provide the "conditions for strength and progress". Black United Front P.O. Box 3976 Portland, OR 97208 Ujima 1• a kiswabili word meaning collective work and responsibility. The BUY bas functioned within the framework of a. principle which is practiced by its various coa:nittees. The expan8ion of coiiiDittee work is always appreciated, and giveo your interest , pleaae check one of the following BUF coaaittees : _La.~i!"' _Welfare -; -.., ___________ ~; ------------ clip aDd return
Public Postings WOO WilL SPEAK FCR US? The Black Education Center(BEX::) will sponsor a tv.o day Conference, ''Who Will Speak For Us? Preparing Black Cllildren to Meet the Cllallenges of the Future," June 26 and 2:7, at 1639 and 1640 N.E. Alberta Street. '!he Conference will focus on strategies to involve the total camumity in developing m:xiels to inprove the quality of life for Black children fran infancy through the teens. Derrick A. Bell, Jr., Dean of the University of Oregon's Law School, will be the Keynote Speaker. Worksoops will include Black Operated Adoption Programs; ~tions in the World of Work; Education vs. Training; Psychological Developnent; Black History and OJJ.ture; Education; Ehlployment and Training; Parental Involvanent in Education; Canbatting Social Oppression; and Innovative Qmrmrlty Programs. For registration infonnation, please call: 284-9552 or 282-9465 2nd National Convention The National Black United Front Boys and Girls High School 1700 Fulton Street ORGANIZING FOR VICTORY IN THE 80's July 2nd-5th, 1981 Brooklyn, New York u.S.A. For Information: (212) 638·0811/625·8292/ 596-1991 ....----·- -~~?-lit · ·"'· · ····· · · ···· · · ··· ·· ···:· · ····~ · ·· · ·· ~ page7 CROSSWORD Across 1. Slang tenn to denote approval and used to distinguish taste 2. Abbreviated title of BUF CoCllainnan 3. Led a slave revolt 4. Known for his sky hook 5. He gained the attention of this v.urld body 6. Blacks had to use it for acquiring equal rights 7. Portland's only Black female judge 8. Fonner Black Congressnan serving a prison tenn 9. Lincoln University is located in this state 10. Fonner President of country where W.E.B. DuBois died 11. Many Black teens do not have one 12. Initials for this West Afrikan nation 13. Many are becaning concerned about its activity 14. Oltspoken preacher who is called this name by friends Down A. What Portlanders seldan see B. Led his people against the French C. Seldan mentioned East Afrikan nation D. 1st state to abolish slavery E. Nationalists name for South Afrika F. His base of operation was Harlan G. Black songtress and pianist H. Ancient city of Songhay/Niger known for its scholars I. "For Colored J. Leader of this East Afrikan nation K. Was suspected as the Mau 1!au leader L. Wife of an outstanding Black scholar Answers To Last Month's Crossword Make the most of your youth. r····································· ~ ~· · · ~ ······················ ·r F00 FURTHER I'NFCmfATIOO OONI'ACI': RENEE WATSON PROJECT COORDINATOR National Alliance of Business 921 S. W. Washington Suite 403 Experienced Cleaners 1469 N.E. Prescott Phone: 284-0844 ANNOONCFS If you identify yourself as a BUF manber or supporter, 25% of your cleaning bill will be donated to the BOF. Portland, Oregon 97205 226-4063 ~ ...... .... .. ... .. .................. ...... .... ... .. .... ....... .... ~. ····················· .............................................................................. : '!he Black Educational Center is now recruiting students for Fall '81 enrollment. Call 284-9552 or 282-9465 for further information. '!he Black United Front's Ghetto All-Stars and the K800 City League All-Stars clashed in the second "Cornmunity-Unity" basketball game. After suffering a tough defeat in the first grure, the Ghetto All-Stars was victorious the second time around. Meanwhile, Ulysses Tucker, the coach of the BUF All-Stars, was recogni~d by "Ebony" magazine as an eligible bachelor for 1981. In the spirit of the End of the SUl!IOOr Jam, which was held last Labor Day, when over 10,00 community residents bided farewell to the summer of 1980, we 're ready to welcane the stl[IIOOr of '81 with a Beginning of the Sumner Jam, Sunday, July 5th, at the East Delta Park. Our welcortE will include live entertai.rllrent , music, skits, gospel singing, speakers and food. This event is sponsored by the Community Professionals and The Organization for the Inner City's Blues. Be there or be square. .. . I I I
PageS Effects of Each Decennial Census: Reapportionment by James Hi II The OregQn COnstitution requires the Oregon Legislature to reaprx:>rtion political districts after each decennial census (every ten years per the census) . On May 8, 1981, the Oregon House of Representatives by a vote of 53 to 5, passed House Bill (HB) 2001 which allows for a Black JX>pulation of 44% in the new District #18. The Oregon COnstitution further requires that both the House and Senate ·concur on an identical plan before July 1, 1981, or the decision to redistrict will be zmde by the Oregon Secretary of State. Oregon has a history of not meeting the constitutional deadline. The courts have ruled that all constitutional district plans must be designed in a rmnner to ensure the JX>pulation is composed of "communities of interest . '' M:>reover, each district must IOOet mandated federal guidelines -"one man, one vote" principles-which was established by the Mississippi Freedom ~ ocratic party and the Voting Rights Acts currently being debated and re-evaluated by COngress. On the other side of the aisle, in the Senate, Sen. Bill McCOy's (D-Portland) ineptness was devastatingly ~ barrassing. McCOy, the only Black state senator, oprx:>sed HB 2001 because the new District would be Black, he said, and thereby become "segregated." On June 4, 1981, the Senate Goverrurent Operations Comnittee accepted McCOy's advice 9-2, voting to reduce the Black JX>pulation in District #18 by 5%. McCOy's actions are not difficult to understand given that he was found to be one of the least effective legislators in Salem. Just consider · the following: A) He fought against the establishment of an Oregon COrrmission on Black Affairs; B) his supJX>rt for statewide recognition of Dr. King's birthday was weak; C) he went against corporate divestiture in South Afrika; D) backed away fran introducing a bill related to the extension of the Voting Rights Acts; E) gave no input on the state's racial harrassment bill; and, F) allowed the use of his name on only one affirmative action bill. Due to McCoy's actions, which contradict the expressed desires of the majority in the Black community, a joint House and Senate COnference committee will have to resolve differences over HB 2001, History may repeat itself and reapportionment will not be decided by the state legislators by July l, 1981, ~ required. And possible court challenge seems a fore~ne conclusion because any elector in the state is empowered to challenge the plans. The final date for state reapportionment whether by the legislators or the Secretary of State (who decides if they can't) is Nov. 1, 1981. In essence, the coonrunity must organize, conduct sessions whereby Black folks can. decide who and under what conditions they will become a ''New District." We now have the chance to put into practice the contention of the community that it is in our interest to speak with one voice as our congres~ sional delegation advocate our local, national and international concerns in Washington, D. C. We now need people to lobby the Oregon senate, prepare t:est:JJIDny ana mscuss the issues with the various interest groups in our coonrunity. If we utilize a process whereby all concerns are heard in an open forum, with the prevailing c0ncerns supported by all, then our community will be empowered and politically viable. At the April 30, 1981 meeting of the House Elections and Reapportionment hearings at King Neighborhood Facility, the constant and clear voice of our commmity was simple: We will conduct our own political affairs. But today there is an absence of the kind of leadership in Salem to represent our interests. '!here is no Black legislative leadership to focus statewide attention to the lack of employIIEnt opportunities in both public and private sectors in our community. Those Blacks who do have jobs are subjected to the worst jobs without any authority to make decisions. This is another aspect of the lack of political power here. Another example is of a Black candidate fran this carmunity who, under the Republican Party banner, campaigned as a Republican first, a businessm.n second, and a B1.ack man further down the continuum of ''who am I and who am I to serve. '' This misguided allegiance flies in the face of the political Ilm{im; "In politics you have no permanent allies and no permanent enemies.'' (COntinued on page 9) BUF pickets in front of heme of Senator Bill !&:Coy, D-Portland. !kCby opposed a reapportionment plan approved by t}le House, saying House District 18 sllould not be a "segregated" one. '!be Senate accepted ~{cCoy's proposal, which is antitlletic to Black political tho~t. HaNever, a joint Halse and Senate Conference O:mni.ttee voted unarunDusly to aoopt tile "new" House District plan }laving a 44% Black population. All pootos courtesy of Richard J. Brown
Northeast community advocate testifies on redistricting before the House Elections and Reapportionment Committee at the King Facility. (Continued fran page 8) We nrust use our percentage of the vote to the ma.xium advantage possible. We alone will be able to create better conditions for our community. &meone has amply coined the definition that "politics is the art of the possible. " Once again, without representation in Salan, we have no one to voice our opinions and participate in the decision making process. As a result of the recent joint House and Senate Conference Committee vote.in favor of a "new" House District with a 44% Black population, our ~ nunity realizes we can make a difference with collective voices. and rmnipulated in whole or in part by outsiders. America does not have any new frontiers and Black people are going to have to make their stands wherever they are. Many Blacks have historically marched, prayed, picketed, fought and died for same kind of change in this country and this is no tline for than to become an inert, nebulous rmss. Hilliard obviously does not comprehend nor relate to what it means for ....,-,y:- 0 -u--can--,t-be--f-r_ee_ 1 _· f----t Black to develop and maximize therr someone let's you be free" political, econanic and ·social interests by their own efforts. The signifHarlen subway graffiti icance of Black people raising their L--------..::_.:::::....:..:...___:_:..:....... political consciousness, increasing ters; criticised Herndon and Eaton for supporting Jefferson; inferred that the race issue is used judgmentally to clutter the minds of young people and insinuated that Blacks speaking strongly against racial bigotry, polarize the romrunity. In addition there w~ a request for the NAACP, Urban League and "Blacks of relative security" to make thanselves; heard. Along with these, he recited his pleasant experiences as a Lincoln parent. Well this can be countermanded a hundred t:imes over by other Black parents of Lincoln students who encountered for many years extrenely hostile attitudes fran administrators and teachers. For most Black people in Portland it is painfully evident that discrimina:...· tion against Black children in the public schools is not just a faulty functioning of the systan. It is the intent and purpose of the systan. The BUF and all others who are concerned about this are involved politically and socially with removing disabilities imposed by unconscionable administrators and racist group cohesiveness and denouncing without reservations white bigotry and tyranny eludes h~ campletely. White racism has inrneasurable h~ ful effects on the quality for Black people in Portland. The Oregonian as one of Oregon's major racist institutions has played an :important role in shaping many of the despicable attitudes and social relationship polic1.es that have been characteristic of thiS environment for more than one hundred and twenty years. Hilliard has the audacity to find Blacks in error who attempt to confront the situations which have resillted from this newspaper's deep implication in creating and maintaining the anti-Black structures in the educational systan. In performing this service he appears as a relic left over fran the bad old days. He is revealed clearly to Blacks as the. Oregonian 1 s staff link to connect the white racist codes of the slave era to the social programming of the present. Unfortuately for some Blacks the meaning of civil rights suggests that they will be allow the freedom to honor, obey and ally thanselves exclusively with those ideas, which strengthen and expand white racisn. These people are canfortable in their predicaments of preferred servility. They admire what they perceive to be white power, authority and influence. Anyway they are used or misused does not make than uneasy, uncanfortable or guilty. They have no conception of the real meaning of liberation...and that "jS really sad. MOST OMINOUS OPPONENT! advocates who nay be or become board members. by Henry Garfield In Arrerica, in Oregon and in Portland ~~~~~-~-'"'!--~---~- the socio-political systan is unable to "We(African-Americans) are the It is not of interest to most Blacks to be raninded that The Oregonian newspaper historically has been one of the strongest consistently anti-Black media in the state. Therefore, the comments of Willirun Hillard (May 6, 1981) criticizing the Black United Front and its supporters for vitriolic criticisms of the school board 1 s proposed school closures did not find an enthusiastic reception in the Black carnmunity. However, for the benefit of those who are actively involved in dealing with rmtters of maltreatment and maleducation of Black children in the Portland public schools, an added assessnent is provided. Hilliard praised the Lincoln and Jackson school facilities and suppor~ provide an equitable existence for the only people who are at war and Black population. The economic proces- don't know it." Jerry Henderson ses do not intend to offer Blacks equality in life and legal structures are arrayed against justice for Blacks under-----------------....1 law. Generally all levels of the Black :population nave varyrng degrees of awareness of these circtlliEtances. For Hilliard to argue against Blacks challenging impositions of racist disrespect and contempt is both stupid and irresponsible. He displays an appall- ''The Black tifeader" wb:>m white men consider to be "responsible'.' is invariably the Black "leader" who never gets any results. You only get action as a Black man if you are regarded by the white man as "irresponsible" . ing ignorance of Black history in re- El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz commending that the NAACP and Urban (Malcolm X) League be propelled into the most pran- ._ __ ...;;;;;;;;;;;.;;;;.;.;.;-"----------J inent roles in these critical Black struggles. No other people in this country or in the world now would subject their political fates to organizations that are financed, controlled
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