Portland Advocate_1981-05

Page 6 of the Court's decision in the Griggs' case, there are in Portland, the State of Oregon, and throughout the U.S. many employers who get away with ex– cluding Blacks from the job market by using artificial barriers. For in– stance, many employers use their bias, prejudical and subjective judgement to determine the qualifications of Blacks applying for jobs. Although there are over 500 jobs ~the Black community, less than 30 Black people are hired. If Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, rurended in 1972, , and the different decisions of the Suprerre Court concerning equality of opportu– nity were respected by employers, the socio-economic conditions of the Black community would have been wonderful. The Black community is falling apart, because of a lack of employrrent for its rrembers. The hiring and the pro– nntion of Blacks have a lot to do with rejuvenating the Black community. Another goal and objective of the Comrrdttee, which is related to the struggle for jobs and promotions, is the consolidation and coordination of all progressive movements related to the defense of human rights not only in the U.S., but all over the world. Several Portland residents are coor– dinating the activities of different organizations for the denfense of human rights as far as public welfare is concerned. The battle cry of the Comrrdttee is: ''Oppressed people of the world, let us unite for better tomor– rows for our children." Black people and all oppressed people must under– stand not only from an intellectual standpoint, but from a practical standpoint the rreaning of working to– gether, organizing together, and struggling together. Otherwise the enemies of social justice will con– tinue to trample upon human rights. The nrure of the game in any colonial situation is dividing to conquer. The history of Black and oppressed people is the history of human beings so con– ditiond and concerned about their sur– vival, that they find it hard to think and act collectively. It has been said, "an injury to one ·is an injury to all." In spite of brainwashing and the dis– tortion of the truth by the news media, the unity of Black and oppressed peo– ple can be achieved. The third main goal and objective of the Committee is the building of strong political movements for the liberation of Blacks and all oppressed people. In the Black liberation move– ment there is a place for every Black person who wants to free of colonia– lism, neo-colonislism, and imperialism. For many years, Africa, the land of Black people, supplied the Western world with diarrDnds, mica, gold, qua– rtz, rubber, cobalt, tantulum, colum– bian magnesium, tin, and zinc. White civilizations became wealthly and so– phisticated becuase of the plunder of the Third World by white investors. The free and cheap labor of Black peo– ple has a lot to do with the building of the Western world. The Western world is indebted to Black people liv– ing in Africa, the U.S., Europe, and the West Indies. The Labor Comrrdttee ;rould like to revive the political awareness of the Black community. The problems of the Black community related to Education, Housing, Employrrent, Due Process of Law, etc., are obviously political problems. It is tirre for Black people to organize their own political party. For many years, Black people have put their confidence in politicians who made promises that they never kept. The tirre has come for Black people to develop self-confidence and the phil– osophy according to which if ''there is a will there is a way." No politi– cian connected with Congress or the White House will liberate Black peo– ple from socio-economic oppression. The liberation of Black people is a matter of Black unity and Black self– determination. Law and Justice The Law and Justice committee of the Black United Front was organized in the fall of 1970. ':'he immediate goal was to assist Black people in the areas relat– ed to the legal system. Because of increased community concern, ~ e quickly responded to the ever worsening problem of police brutality and misconduct. We prepared flyers that gave steps citizens should take if they are victims of police brutality. 7 he Committee also set up a '" :otline", 288-0160, for residents who have exper– ienced police misconduct. The calls to the hotline are hand– led by first interviewing the callers to obtain sufficient in– formation. The second step in– volves evaluating the information obtained and discussing it with a team of attorneys to decide what action should be taken. To date, we have responded to over one hundred calls and related incidents. We have put several people in contact with attorneys who are currently handling their cases. We continue to explore the possibility of filing a class action suit against the police department. Again, ,. ~ thank the Uruan League for allowing us to use their phone number for the police hotline. In November 1979, we filed a complaint with the Department of Treasury, charging the Portland Police Department with discrim– ination because only 13 of 700 c0ps were Black. We hope to get Portland's Revenue Sharing money cut off. The investiga– tion started a year ago, the in– itial findings show Portland is guilty. We await a final deter– mination. We tried to get Charles Jordon to issue new policies that would limit when an officer could shoot someone, this is often called the use Qf "deadly force." This is of particular interest to us be– cause in Portland during the 1970's, 60% of all people killed by the cops were Black though we made up less than 5% of the population. More than a year has passed, and at the city level we see no sign of movement from Jordan. Since it appears he is unwilling to do anything on this issue, we have introduced a bill in the State Legislature that will limit when police officers can use "( 1 eadly fcorce." The new policy would be similar to the F.B.I.'s which allows an agent to shoot only when their life or the life of another person is in danger. In summary, the majority of our attention has been directed at fighting policy abuse, bru– tality, misconduct, and ~ir­ ing discrimination. Public Postings MANY MANY THA..""'03 ! To The Women Who Typed The Entire 1st Issue Of The Portland Advocate Experienced Cleaners 1469 N.E. Prescott Phone: 284-0844 ANNOUNCES If you identify yourself as a BUF mEmber or supporter, 25% of your cleaning bill will be donated to the BUF. Portland OIC Will Hold Its ANNUAL ru1MUNITY BANQUET April 30, 1981 7:30 p.M. Guest Speaker: Dr. l.Bon H. Sullivan For more information call: 287-1271 Seeking works related to the Afrikan Experience? The Talking Drum Bookstore 1634 N.E. Alberta St. 282-9465 Can Assist In Your Search Do You Feel: Tired, Nervous, De– pressed? Digestive Problems? Try The NATURALway Neo-Life Supplerrents contact: V. Richardson 287-2369 -ATTEND- The 2nd ''Ccmnunity Unity'' Basketball Game The KBX) The B U F's "City All-Stars vs. "Ghetto All-Stars" Sunday, ~Aay 3 - 12:30 p.m. PCC Cascade Gym 705 N. Killingsworth Admission: $2.00 All proceeds evenly divided by KBOO and the Black United Front