I-5 Scar of Displacement Revisited

Black History Month

PO QR code ‘City of www.portlandobserver.com Volume XLVV • Number 4 Roses’ Wednesday • February 24, 2021 Committed to Cultural Diversity I-5 Scar of Displacement Revisited ODOT takes another look at Rose Quarter project by Beverly Corbell A swath Portland centered at Broadway and Weidler is cleared for construction of the I-5 freeway in this 1962 The Portland Observer photo from the Eliot Neighborhood Association. Even many of the homes still standing were later lost to In June of last year, the nonprofit Albina Vision Trust demolition as the historic African American neighborhood was decimated over the 1960s and early 1970s, not sent an email to the Oregon Department of Transportation only for I-5, but to make room for the Memorial Coliseum, its parking lots, the Portland Public School’s Blanchard withdrawing support for its proposed I-5 Rose Quarter Im- Building, I-405 ramps, and Emanuel Hospital’s expansion. provement Project, which would reconfigure a 1.8-mile stretch of I-5 between the Interstate 84 and Interstate 405 the grassroots effort that began in 2017 to remake the Rose interchanges. Quarter district into a fully functioning neighborhood, em- According to Winta Yohannes, Albina Vision’s manag- bracing its diverse past and re-creating a landscape that can ing director, the proposal didn’t go far enough to mitigate accommodate much more than its two sports and entertain- the harm done to the Black community in the Albina neigh- ment venues, but with several officials, including Mayor borhood when hundreds, maybe thousands, of homes and Ted Wheeler, also dropping support for the project. businesses were bulldozed and the land was sold to make The state transportation agency, however, listened, said way for I-5, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Veterans Me- ODOT project manager Megan Channell, and now is doing morial Coliseum and other urban renewal projects. things very differently. “Despite our good faith efforts, we do not see our en- “This was a direct response to the community input we gagement resulting in meaningful changes to the project of its anticipated outcomes,” Yohannes wrote. Continued on Page 6 At particular issue was the potential, encouraged by Albina Vision, for buildable caps, or covers, to be placed When ODOT offered the possibility of open outdoor over certain portions of I-5 that would allow construction plazas as caps over I-5 at the Rose Quarter in a of apartments and businesses. At the time ODOT was pro- new plan to increase the lanes of travel on the jecting a cost of $795 million, but said the cost would be freeway, the proposal drew wide opposition for not significantly higher if the covers allowed buildable con- addressing the economic development needs of the struction. historic African American community which was first Pushback was swift, not only from Albina Vision Trust, displaced by the freeway nearly 50 years ago. Decorated Trimet Bus Honors Black History TriMet honors Black History Month with a newly painted bus featuring local and national leaders who have helped lead the march toward racial justice. The individuals include Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, the late Portland pastor Rev. T. Allen Bethel, Oregon’s first Black woman legislator, Margaret Carter, and Portland’s first Black woman City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. The bus will be rolling throughout the Portland metro area for the next nine months. Page 2 February 24, 2021 Named Youth of the Year TreNisha Shearer honored for giving back TreNisha Shearer, a senior at to give back to the community ship program, participated in a De LaSalle North Catholic High upon being presented the award club internship in partnership School and a youth volunteer at in late January. with the Portland Timbers, and the Boys & Girls Club in New “I have witnessed the con- created a short film, Black ‘Till Columbia, has been named nection that can be formed be- It’s Backwards. 2021 Youth of the Year for the tween club members and staff. Along with the title, Shearer organization’s Portland metro Seeing these connections and received a $1,000 scholarship area. knowing how big of an impact and will represent the Portland Shearer has been a member the club has on people such as Metro Clubs at the Oregon State of the Regence Portland Boys myself,” Shearer said. Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the & Girls Club in north Portland Over the course of the teen- Year competition in April. She for 12 years. ager’s time at the club, she has has plans to attend Georgia State She shared her motivation traveled to Atlanta for a leader- University and study business

TreNisha Shearer, a senior at De LaSalle North Catholic High School, has been named 2021 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro area. management after graduation. were runners-up to the Youth of Six other outstanding club the Year title and each received members in the Portland area $500 scholarships. Rethink Police Panel Forms Group forms to shape oversight The Portland City Council is now accepting applications for Rethink Police Accountability, a volunteer group that will shape the framework and structure of a new police oversight committee approved by 82% of voters last November. The process will be community driven and members of the group will be composed of community justice organizations, small businesses impacted by community Jo Ann Hardesty safety issues, and people from must happen as we rethink over-policed communities, such community safety in Portland,” as Black, Indigenous and People said City Commissioner Jo Ann of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, Hardesty. “An important piece refugees, people living with of building trust in our police low-income, experiencing house- bureau will be a system of over- lessness, and/or mental health or sight and accountability with a substance use, officials said. structure that centers the com- Membership on the panel is an munity the police are sworn to opportunity for people who want protect and serve.” to have an impact on future poli- Mayor Ted Wheeler said its cies and practices related to police clear Portland wants a new and reform. Potential members who improved police oversight sys- are innovative, collaborative, and tem and that they want regular equity-focused or who like the Portlanders involved in making idea of building something from it happen. scratch are encouraged to apply. “The city is responding to that Those selected should also plan clear demand,” he said. I encour- for a committed minimum of age people who are innovative four hours a month and to meet and dedicated to equity to apply monthly on Zoom for 18 months, to help us construct a new evolu- officials added. tion of community safety rooted “We have a lot of work and in improved trust, transparency, community conversations that and accountability.” February 24, 2021 Page 3 INSIDE L o c a l N e w s The in Week Review page 4

Metro page 8 The Portland Street Response team doing outreach in the Lents neighborhood of southeast Portland. Street Team Dispatched First calls taken for non-police crisis unit The pilot Portland Street Re- pilot location because it is not esty, Portland’s fire commission- sponse team, an innovative supported with as many existing er and an early champion of the non-police dispatch to assist peo- resources and services. Addition- Portland Street Response concept, ple experiencing houselessness or ally, the volume of mental and said “The community asked for a a behavioral/mental health crisis, behavioral health calls in Lents non-police response to calls that has hit the streets for the first time. is outpacing the growth of similar don’t require an armed police of- It happened last week as soon as calls in other parts of the city. ficer on site and we’re delivering. the team started taking calls dis- “We all agree we need new I couldn’t be more excited to see patched from 911. and better responses to people suf- this team in action and to learn The team includes a program fering mental health crises. Port- from this pilot period about how page 14 Opinion manager, a firefighter/paramedic, land Street Response embodies to make this program the best it a mental health crisis clinician, and implements that agreement,” can be.” and two community health work- said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “Peo- Hardesty added, “It’s rare in ers. Each member trained for the ple in crisis and people who call modern times for a new branch of past month to prepare for calls. 911 will be better served by this a public safety system to be cre- The team has been walking the new option. Every call the Street ated from scratch. It’s rarer still Lents neighborhood since the be- Response team answers allows for a city department to be built ginning of the year, the pilot lo- Police to respond to other high by the people who will be benefi- cation, to introduce themselves to priority calls. The launch of Port- ciaries of the program. After many business owners and community land Street Response is a win for months of methodical outreach, members. Portland,” he said. Continued on Page 6 Lents was designated as the Commissioner Jo Ann Hard-

Arts page 15 Taking Aim at Gun Law Loophole ENTERTAINMENT& Charleston survivor testifies before Oregon panel pages 18 So many people are buying In Oregon, it’s up to the state Classified/Bids guns in Oregon these days that police to do a background check. the state police are often unable And they are warning that they are to complete background checks in overwhelmed. time, allowing the sales to proceed In 2019, the Oregon State Po- Established 1970 USPS 959 680 if the deadline isn’t met. lice completed 276,912 back- 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97211 A handful of Democratic law- ground checks, said Maj. Tom The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. makers have now put forward a Worthy of the state troopers. In Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. PO QR code bill in the Oregon Legislature that 2020, that total rose by 51% to All created design display ads become the sole property of the would close this loophole. It’s of- 418,061. newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or per- Publisher: Mark Washington, Sr. sonal usage without the written consent of the general man- ten called the Charleston loophole “We saw exponential growth ager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such Editor: Michael Leighton because Dylann Roof was able that we’ve never seen before,” ad. © 2008 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART Office Mngr/Clasfds: Lucinda Baldwin to buy a gun that way, and then Worthy told a committee of the WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. The Portland murder nine Black people at the Oregon Legislature on Thursday. Observer--Oregon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication--is a Admin.Coord.: Quayuana Washington member of the National Newspaper Association--Founded Emanuel African Methodist Epis- “I can tell you that the unit is not in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amal- Creative Director: Paul Neufeldt Sharon Risher gamated Publishers, Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast copal Church in Charleston, South staffed for that volume, and it Black Publishers Association Office Asst/Sales: Shawntell Washington Carolina, in 2015. mother and two cousins were would be impossible for us to stay CALL 503-288-0033 • FAX 503-288-0015• [email protected] “You have the power to prevent killed in the church, said in virtual current based on our current em- [email protected]• [email protected] a similar act of violence here in testimony Thursday before the Or- Continued on Page 7 Postmaster: Send address changes to Portland Observer, PO Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208 Oregon,” Sharon Risher, whose egon House Judiciary Committee. Page 4 February 24, 2021 The Week in Review Oregon’s Struggle for Racial Equity Ice Storm Wreaks Havoc Members of the Oregon Nation- al Guard delivered supplies to people without power in Clack- amas County and other areas near Portland over the past few days as problems lingered from an ice storm the wreaked havoc on the electrical grid. Portland saw almost 10 inches of snow that had mostly melted as the week began. Dumped Food Leads to Conflict About a dozen police officers guarded dumpsters filled with perishable food after being called to the Hollywood Fred Meyer store last week as people attempted to take the items that were discarded when the store lost power. Images on social media showed piles of packaged meat, cheese and juice in the store’s dumpsters. The store said the food was thrown away to prevent food borne illnesses “out of an abundance of caution.” Dive Team Finds Driver Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visits Portland in 1961 where he met with leaders of the Vancouver Avenue First A dive team last week found and recovered the body of a Baptist Church. (Oregon Historical Society collection photo) 57-year-old Portland man whose vehicle ran off the Glenn some the leaders themselves through (colored),” her full name and identi- Jackson Bridge on Feb. 12 during a snowstorm. The man Black leaders who made a difference oral histories in OHS Digital Collec- ty were unrecognized until recently. was identified as Antonia Amaro-Lopez. tions, digitalcollections.ohs.org. As we honor and celebrate Black Kathryn Hall Bogle (1906-2003) History Month in February, the Or- No Charges in Wrongful Arrest Mary Laurinda Jane Smith Beatty A freelance journalist, social work- egon Historical Society encourages The U.S. Department of Justice will (1834-1899) er, and community activist, Kathryn everyone to learn more about the re- not pursue criminal charges in the 2017 Mary Beatty, one of the first Black Hall Bogle was “one of Portland’s markable Black individuals who have wrongful arrest of a Michael Fesser, a women west of the Mississippi to earliest and most passionate advo- advanced Oregon’s on-going strug- Black man from Portland who was tar- advocate publicly for woman suf- cates of racial diversity.” She wrote gle for racial equity. Here’s a brief geted by West Linn police after he com- frage, attempted to vote in the 1872 articles for many African American summary about some of these Black plained about his towing company’s presidential election and a year later newspapers, including the Portland leaders, and you can learn much more racially hostile work environment. The FBI and federal addressed the organizing convention Observer and The Skanner, but may about them online through the OHS prosecutors found they could not prove that the officers of the Oregon State Woman Suffrage be known best for “An American Oregon Encyclopedia page at ore- acted with the specific intent to violate the law. Association. Known as “Mrs. Beatty Negro Speaks of Color,” a 2,000- gonencyclopedia.org and hear from February 24, 2021 Page 5

of the Advocate, Oregon’s largest, and at times the only African American newspaper, Cannady launched numerous efforts to defend the civil rights of the approximately 2,500 African Americans in the state (in 1930) and to challenge racial discrimination in its varied forms. Mercedes Deiz (1917-2005) Mercedes Deiz was the first Black woman admitted to the Oregon State Bar and, when she was sworn in as a judge of the Multnomah County District Court on Jan- uary 6, 1970, became the first woman of

Hattie Redmond color to be an Oregon judge. That appointment also made her the only woman then serving in that capacity. Avel Gordly (1947-) In 1996, Avel Louise Gordly became the Avel Gordly first African American woman elected to the Oregon State Senate. Her legislative word article describing the realities of be- record includes an array of initiatives that ing Black in Portland that she sold to the focus on cultural competency in education, Oregonian in 1937. It was the first time the mental health, and the administration of newspaper paid an African American writ- justice. er for a story, and Bogle would contribute Ancer L. Haggerty (1944-) many more articles to the Oregonian over Ancer L. Haggerty was the first African the years. American to become a partner in a major Beatrice Morrow Cannady (1899-1974) Portland law firm and the first to serve as Beatrice Morrow Cannady was the most a judge on the federal court in Oregon. noted civil rights activist in early 20th cen- Continued on Page 7 tury Oregon. Using her position as editor Denorval Unthank Mercedes Deiz Page 6 February 24, 2021

generation,” she said. “In partnership with community organizations, ODOT wants I-5 Scar of Displacement Revisited to bring jobs to minority communities, but covers through a community process. shops for “a targeted outreach to maximize also create apprenticeship opportunities and Continued from Front “Everything is on the table,” Channell historic Albina voices through online tac- mentorships, so jobs become careers for fu- received,” she said. “We want to acknowl- said. “We are focused on working with the tics,” Channell said. Information will be ture economic growth.” edge the harm that was done to the Black community on the design and will produce available on the ODOT website, Oregon. To help implement these goals, ODOT community.” development scenarios with the board, and gov/ODOT, in about two weeks, she added. has hired Hamilton Funds as a consultant Channell said ODOT has done focus then it will go up to the executive steering “This is truly a shift in the way ODOT and is working with Gramor Construction groups with members of the African Ameri- committee.” does business,” she said. “It’s not our typi- “with specific focus and dedication” to ex- can community and wants to make changes But before any decisions are made, com- cal way of operating, but this is an opportu- panding participation of minority contrac- to reflect those public statements and the munity input will again be invited, Channell nity, a catalyst as an agency as well.” tors and women. ideas of Albina Vision Trust. said, and the steering committee will direct In addition to construction, ODOT also ODOT’s overall plan is not just construc- “We would welcome them back to the ta- workshops, starting soon, with the hope that wants to encourage long-term economic tion, Channell said. ble,” she said. “Their voices are important.” a decision will be made by July about just development, Channell said, especially for “So we’re not just building a project, but In response to Albina Vision, Channell what will go on the highway covers. small and minority-owned contractors. developing a pipeline for the future and re- said ODOT has hired an independent con- ODOT is already reaching out to com- “Our goal is to set up job opportunities in quirements for a workforce we want to see sultant to look at the best use for highway munity-based organizations about the work- a way that helps build a pipeline for wealth that requires a high level utilization of mi- norities and women to build the project,” she said. Channell said ODOT also has established a community oversight committee that will have a direct role in helping shape requirements for contractor. “The possibility is on the table for highway covers,” Channell said. “The original design assumed more open space, but we heard from the community and some of our partners that we need a different community vision, so we hired an independent contractor, but this will be a community effort.” Interstate 5 was built in the 1960s and has seen no improvements since then. Channell said ODOT now sees the project as a “gen- erational opportunity” by looking 50 years into the future as far as impacts on the community, which will play an increased role now in the design. “We at ODOT obviously contribute a lot, but we cannot do it alone and we are excited about community partners,” she said. Street Team Continued from Page 3

consultation, and construction: we’re ready. For community members living on the streets, this program could not come soon enough. People caught in the trap of a criminal justice system that ensnares them for simply trying to survive demand change, neighbors and family members demand change, and the first responders who need to be focused on high-level calls for service demand change. This first step toward change is here.” According to Fire Chief Sara Boone, who is the first Black woman to lead the department, the fire service has had to be nimble over the years to respond to the ever-changing needs of the community. “Portland Fire & Rescue is proud to help launch Portland Street Response and we’re thankful for the hard work put in by our staff on this vanguard program,” she said. “We’re excited to learn more from this pilot period and see how this much needed service can serve the whole city. This latest chapter of the first response story is historic, and we thank all of our partners who joined together to make this moment happen.” The Street Response Team initially will be available in Lents, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After six months, a second team will be added to cover the same area and to expand services to nights and weekend. By 2022, the program will ramp up to include more teams and coverage to locations across the city. February 24, 2021 Page 7 Oregon’s Struggle for Racial Equity Continued from Page 5 Before his appointment to the U.S. District Court, We are Open! he was a judge of the Multnomah County District Court and the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Gladys McCoy (1927- 1993) Gladys Sims McCoy was the first person of color elected to public office For your light bulbs & parts in Oregon. Whether in to repair or make fixtures her position at Head Start 503.281.0453 • Fax 503.281.3408 or as a member of the Portland School Board 3901 N. Mississippi Ave, and the Board of County Portland, OR 97227 Commissioners, McCoy Web: www.sunlanlighting.com • believed that what people E-mail: [email protected] do is “not worth doing” if others are “not better off as a result.” Gladys McCoy Providing Insurance and Financial Services Willie Mae Young Hart (1915-2007) Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 As a founding member of the Portland Chapter of Agent Thelma Johnson Streat Continued on Page 13 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. 311 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 [email protected] Taking Aim at Gun Law Loophole 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R Continued from Page 3 The bill generated almost 300 one of them.” pieces of written testimony either On the national level, Rep. Brad ployees that we have.” praising or denouncing the mea- Schneider, D-Illinois, in Decem- Nationwide, gun sales hit a his- sure. ber introduced legislation to close State Farm R toric high in January as violent ri- Michael Smith, chairman of the the loophole that allows some gun ots hit the U.S. Capitol and a new Gun Owners Caucus of the Dem- sales to be completed without president took over, continuing a ocratic Party of Oregon, said it the results of an FBI background record-setting surge that began as “opens the door to a de facto ban check. Under current law, federal the coronavirus pandemic took on firearms purchases.” firearm licensees may automati- hold in early 2020. Witnesses also lined up to testi- cally go forward with the sale of Under Oregon law, if state po- fy by video link. a firearm if an FBI background lice fail to provide a gun dealer Talia Wexler, a sophomore at check is not completed after three with an approval number or notify Grant High School in Portland, business days. that the purchaser is disqualified named several schools, including In South Carolina, a bill in from obtaining a firearm before several in Oregon, that have been the statehouse would close the the close of the gun dealer’s next bloodied in mass shootings. Charleston loophole by prohib- business day, the dealer may de- “The last thing that people iting a gun transfer until a back- liver the firearm to the purchaser. should be afraid of at school is a ground check has cleared. Similar This bill amends that, saying bullet,” Wexler said. “We do know bills have been filed ever since the Rib Express plainly that the dealer may not that there are common-sense mea- 2015 church shooting, but have 625 NE Killingsworth, Rib Express, tasty food transfer a firearm unless the dealer sure that the Oregon Legislature not advanced far in the GOP-lean- Portland, OR 97211 and friendly neighborhood receives a unique approval num- can take to prevent gun violence. ing state. Call to Order: 503-919-6921 atmosphere. ber from the state police. Closing the Charleston loophole is --Associated Press Open (hours) Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun: 1pm- 9pm • Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

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Student Nahlee Suvanvej (right) and her career mentor Tracee Wells are pictured outside the Portland Metro Workforce Training Center, located at Northeast 42nd and Killingsworth. A Degree and a New Lease on Life In 2019, Suvanvej participated in Through a partnership with the De- from an on-ramp class to better prepare Workforce training the center’s Career Launch, which is a partment of Human Services, her team for school. one-week workshop held exclusively offers career coaching and exploration, “We also work closely with our part- center puts student for non-traditional and non-credit stu- skills workshops, and ongoing wrap ners like DHS, who provide students dents who are interested in either an around support. with a means to receive an income, on new path academic track with the college or oth- food subsidies, healthcare, transporta- Enrolling in Portland Community er vocational training. Staff members “This is pretty much the idea behind tion, and other critical support service College’s Metro Workforce Training help them identify career goals and Career Launch,” Wells said. “Students assistance while they are in school,” Center gave Nahlee Suvanvej not just create a personalized plan for success focus on which academic program or she continued. a degree but a new lease on life. in college, and introduce them to key other vocational training track they Wells said that the next Career The Humboldt Neighborhood res- PCC services like financial aid, aca- would like to pursue.” Launch group of about half dozen co- ident had overcome past addiction is- demic advising and more. The center’s work echoes the col- horts will start in March. Those inter- sues and mental health challenges to The Career Launch program is a pre- lege’s commitment to equitable student ested can visit the Portland Metro WTC move to a frame of mind where she cursor to PCC’s Career Pathway certif- success with 83% of the students be- webpage at pcc.edu/workforce-devel- could start looking at career training icate and college degree programs. ing served identifying as women, 56% opment/metro/. possibilities. But it wasn’t until the “I had a point of contact who knew people of color and 23% persons with As for Suvanvej, she completed the 38-year-old entered the “Discovery my situation and created a positive ex- disabilities. “Peer Support Specialist” and “Basic Options” class at the workforce train- perience,” Suvanvej said. “I think this “Everyday, we serve some of Ore- Life Support” training certification ing center, located at Northeast 42nd made a major difference and I felt con- gon’s most marginalized and vulner- through HealthCareers NW, which and Killingsworth, that everything nected to a larger community through- able students,” Wells said. “Nahlee is another college workforce devel- became clear. Through that class, Su- out the entire journey.” symbolizes the successes we strive to opment program that is supported by vanvej received intensive one-on-one Tracee Wells is part of PCC’s Com- gain from the workshop, as many of Worksystems. She then moved on coaching and guidance that allowed munity Workforce Development team our non-traditional students may have and finished the “Foundations in Hu- her to build skills, examine interests that oversees Career Launch and con- multiple academic and employment and create a plan. nects people to family-wage jobs. barriers and can most greatly benefit Continued on Page 18 February 24, 2021 Page 9

of A memorial bust of York, the black Bust Advertise with diversity slave who was part of the Lewis & Clark in expedition, emerged The Portland York in Mt Tabor Park on Saturday. (AP photo) Observer Call 503-288-0033

Appears or email [email protected] in Park A memorial bust of York, a pedition to cross into the new- Black slave who was part of ly acquired western part of the the Lewis and Clark expedi- country following the Louisi- tion, has appeared at Mt. Tabor ana Purchase in 1803. Park in southeast Portland, the The York piece “should maker unknown. make all of us reflect on the in- The artwork emerged on visibility and contributions of Saturday, in the same place Black, Indigenous, Latinx and where a statue of Harvey Scott, other Oregonians of color—es- a well-known conservative pecially artists,” Carmen Ru- figure from Oregon’s pioneer bio, the city’s commissioner, days and a former editor of the said in a statement on Face- Oregonian who opposed wom- book. en’s suffrage, was toppled in She added that the bust is a October 2020. “much-needed reminder to city York was enslaved by Wil- leaders to hasten our work of liam Clark, who, along with rooting out white supremacy in Meriwether Lewis, led the ex- our institutions.”

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Randi Stewart of Portland is running her own online business, 526 Beauty and Skincare Products, at 526beauty.com. Entrepreneur Inspired by Family Randi Stewart of Portland The number in the company’s turned the grief of losing her fa- name is in memorial to the fifth ther three years ago to cancer month and date of her father’s into action for launching her own birth. online business, 526 Beauty and “I was looking for something Skincare Products, 526beauty. com. Continued on Page 18 February 24, 2021 Page 13 Oregon’s Struggle Advertise with diversity for Racial Equity in Beef - $5.29 per lb The Portland Continued from Page 7 Pork Chops - $4.09 per lb Observer the National Council of Ne- Stew Meat - $5.09 per lb gro Women (NCNW) and Women In Community Ser- Ground Beef - $4.99 per lb Theotis Cason Call 503-288-0033 vice (WICS), Hart inspired Beef Tenderloin - $4.00 off 503-287-0855 or email others to serve as agents of 5015 NE MLK Blvd. change. She helped oper- Whole Frozen Chicken - [email protected] ate Portland’s first Black- #1.99 per lb Portland, OR 97211 owned cab company and Catering Available Baby Back Ribs - $2.99 per lb was the first African Amer- ican nurse to work at Port- land’s Physicians and Sur- geons Hospital. Harriet “Hattie” Red- mond (1862-1952) Harriet “Hattie” Redmond was a leader in the long struggle for Oregon woman suffrage, especially during the successful campaign of 1912. The right to vote was especially important to Redmond as a Black woman living in a state that had codified Black exclusion laws in its constitution. Redmond’s work for vot- ing rights helped lay the groundwork for the Black civil rights movement of the mid-20th century. Thelma Johnson Streat (1912-1959) Thelma Johnson Streat was a multi-talented Af- rican American artist who focused on ethnic themes in her work. Streat began painting at the age of sev- en and received art training at the Museum Art School in the mid-1930s. In 2016, Streat’s mural, Medicine and Transpor- tation, became part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Amer- ican History and Culture’s permanent collection and is currently on display in Washington, D.C. DeNorval Unthank (1899-1977) DeNorval Unthank received his M.D. in 1926 from Howard Univer- sity College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. James A. Merriman recruited him to work care for Black workers of the Union Pacific Rail- road in Oregon, and upon Merriman’s move to Arizo- na, Unthank became the only Black physician in Portland. He was a co-founder of the Portland Urban League and was active in the passage of Oregon’s 1953 Civil Rights Bill. Lizzie Weeks (1879- 1976) Lizzie Koontz Weeks was an African American activist in Portland in the years after women in Oregon had achieved the right to vote in 1912. She organized Black women to empower them to be successful voters and was an early candidate for local party office. Weeks was the first female African American social worker employed by Multnomah County. Page 14 February 24, 2021

Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to [email protected]. Opinion Letter to the Editor Our Gun Violence Crisis Forbes magazine ran a recent op-ed “Portland is dying” that grabbed the attention of city leaders. What doesn’t seem to garner the same kind of immediate response is the gun violence that is killing Black people in Portland. According to Portland Police statistics, over the past 11 years in the city, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color under the age of 40 made up 45% to as high as 70% of the homicides where a person was shot and killed. New police data also shows just how disproportionately the violence affects the Black community. Of the 191 people shot last year in Portland, 57% were Black compared to 28% who were white. In addition, almost half of the 41 people killed by gunfire in 2020 were Black. I remember many of the gun violence victims in our city over the past 10 years. Billy Moore, a 16-year-old Black child shot while getting off the bus after saying goodbye to his dying mother in the hospital, for example; and Shiloh Hampton, a 14-year-old Black child gunned down while leaving the Lloyd Center mall and walking through Holla- day Park; and Dhulfiqar Kareem Mseer, a 23-year-old refu- gee from Iraq and a Uber driver who was shot and killed as Black Women Seldom Get Support We Deserve he stopped to pick up a passenger; and Kelley Marie Smith, 53, a Black woman who was shot and killed while delivering Uber eats. Black History Month time to celebrate accomplishments We have a public health crisis in our city. Gun violence is by Sirius Bonner ers to testing and receiving care. disproportionately impacting, wounding and killing Black February is Black History The COVID-19 pandemic and maternal health crisis Portlanders and other Portlanders of Color, and so far, the Month — a time to celebrate the have shown us how deadly structural racism is to our Portland City Council doesn’t seem to care or have a plan brilliance, beauty and accom- health. For Black women, becoming a mother shouldn’t to fix the problem. plishments of Black people. As be a life-or-death decision. We need maternal health Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, when the past year has dramatically care that is compassionate, comprehensive and unbi- asked recently if she believes Portland has a gang prob- illustrated, Black communities, ased — and we need policies that address the urgency lem, said “no” and laughed when recounting how people in and Black women in particular, to save our lives. Portland would tell her to stay out of North and Northeast are the backbone of justice and In addition, PPCW is horrified by last month’s violent Portland because of gang violence. Commissioner Hardes- social change. attack on the U.S. Capitol by white supremacists. This ty is wrong. Portland does have a gang problem. Her false Throughout U.S. history, insurrection was the extension of a pattern seen across narrative is dangerous to creating the funding and resources Black women have nurtured families — often not our the country, as state legislatures have been threatened to address the issue of gun violence that overwhelming im- own — organized communities, led social movements by paramilitaries and anti-democratic groups often pacts young Black men. More importantly her words ignore and re-imagined fields like the arts and sciences. Black aligned with white nationalist movements. the pain of the victims and families impacted. women’s influence radiates in every corner of American The stark difference in how police treated armed do- Hardesty also recently stated in a KATU interview “They culture. mestic terrorists storming the U.S. Capitol compared need to stop the supply of guns into the city of Portland.” Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette knows with the brutal treatment of peaceful protesters demon- Who is they? the Police? The gun violence reduction team? that in the tireless effort to survive and care for our- strating against the murder of Black people cannot be Disbanding the Portland Police Gun Violence Reduction selves, our families and our communities, Black wom- ignored. Those protesting racial injustice this past sum- Team was a poorly thought out, and was even worse in how en seldom get the support we deserve. PPCW is proud mer were met with a militarized police force, mass ar- Portland City Council went about it. We are witnessing the to provide the health care, education and resources that rests and tear gas. void it left to address gun violence in our city. Black women need to thrive, while recognizing Black Let’s be clear: White supremacy is terrorism. These So far, the only Portland official with a plan to address women’s heritage, achievements and future. violent assaults on our democracy cannot be tolerated, the gun violence is PPB Chief Chuck Lovell who has re- As reproductive justice leaders have said for years, and we cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated. sponded to the concerns made clear from a city audit and racism is a public health crisis in our country. From This Black History Month, PPCW recommits to data from police stops. targeted voter suppression to state-sanctioned violence work with Black-led organizations and elected lead- We as a community need to support every Black, Indig- by police, Black people consistently overcome unnec- ers to advocate for Black communities and promote enous, Latino, Polynesian, and any Portlander or person essary barriers rooted in white supremacy to keep our- equity, especially within our healthcare system. The of color who is seeking racial justice, including those that selves and our communities safe. Biden-Harris administration has taken the first steps are being shot and killed in our streets, but we also need to Because of centuries of deeply entrenched institu- to rescind the global gag rule, which harms Black and support our police chief who as a Black man has a vested tional discrimination, bias of medical providers and Brown women most, and now it must follow through interest in ending these killings. economic inequality, the Black community already fac- with its campaign promises for sexual and reproduc- We need a plan, an accounting of the $15 million in up- es limited access to health care and a heightened risk of tive health. stream services, and the funding for The Office of Violence health complications. This has resulted in disparities in Health equity is at the center of Planned Parent- Prevention. The solution must include more Portland police sexual and reproductive health outcomes. hood’s mission. Our first priority is, and always will be, officers on the streets, improving trust, building relation- According to the latest data from the Centers of Dis- the health and safety of our patients. We strive to see, ships, and responding to gun violence in the community or ease Control and Prevention, Black women are three hear and learn from Black women as a care provider more BIPOC Portlanders will die. times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes and educator they can trust — no matter what. We can work to prioritize racial justice for all Portlanders compared to white women. And recent data show that Sirius Bonner serves as vice president of equity and and make the BIPOC community feel safe from gun vio- Black Americans are disproportionately affected by inclusion at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. lence and trust the police. COVID-19 due to medical racism and structural barri- For more information visit ppcw.org. Sam Sachs, Portland founder of No Hate Zone February 24, 2021 Page 15 Arts ENTERTAINMENT& Zoo Reopens after Digging Out Michael E Harper Snow and ice shuttered Agent the Oregon Zoo over the R long Presidents Day week- State Farm end, but the popular desti- nation re-opened on Friday, with a return to regular op- Providing erating hours. Insurance “Most people didn’t get to and see it, but it’s been beauti- Financial ful up here on the hill,” said Services Scott Cruickshank, interim zoo director. “The animals had a lot of fun playing in Home Office, the snow. We can’t wait to Bloomingon, welcome back guests.” Illinois 61710 Under COVID-19 safety procedures, all guests, in- We are located at: cluding zoo members, must 9713 S.W. Capitol, reserve tickets online in Portland, OR advance, and masks are re- 503-221-3050 quired throughout the zoo. To learn more about what to Fax 503-227-8757 expect when visiting, go to The Oregon Zoo re-opened to regular operating hours on Friday after digging out michael.harper.cuik oregonzoo.org/reopening. from snow and freezing rain that caused a week long closure. @statefarm.com Recipes Coconut & Squash Dhansak Ingredients: • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 500g butternut squash Jada-Jewell Latin (about 1 small squash), peeled and chopped into bite-sized Outreach Manager chunks • 100g frozen chopped onions Scan to download • 4 heaped tbsp mild curry the Nombolo app! [email protected] paste www.nombolo.com • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 400g can light coconut milk • mini naan bread, to serve • 400g can lentils, drained Harris Video • 200g bag baby spinach • 150ml coconut yogurt, plus extra to serve & Photography Directions: 1. Heat the oil in a large pan. 503-730-1156 Put the squash in a bowl with a splash of water. Cover with Funeral and cling film and microwave on High for 10 mins or until ten- Memorial der. Meanwhile, add the onions to the hot oil and cook for a few mins until soft. Add the curry a low oven or in the toast- a further 2-3 mins to wilt the Coverage paste, tomatoes and coconut er. Drain any liquid from the spinach, then stir in the co- Capturing the Services milk, and simmer for 10 mins squash, then add to the sauce conut yogurt. Serve with the For You, For Others until thickened to a rich sauce. with the lentils, spinach and warm naan and a dollop of ex- Forever! 2. Warm the naan breads in some seasoning. Simmer for tra yogurt. Page 16 February 24, 2021 Illuminating the Black Power Movement New films explore FBI’s historic obsession with Black leaders Some of the most dramatic in what way. And that wholly and important American sto- fixable problem becomes hard- ries have garnered the least er to address the longer we ne- attention in popular media. It’s Opinionated glect it--the scale of the untold an obvious point, but a neglect- stories is so large, and how we by Judge ed one--money and power pro- udge hear them will be impacted J Darleen Ortega tect whose stories are told and by the ongoing and unnamed skewing of our collective per- spective. It’s important to notice this so we accord appropriate re- spect to artists who make a se- rious attempt to wade into un- derexplored territory, and also so that we view our response with appropriate skepticism and curiosity. I want folks to see “Judas and the Black Mes- siah”--but first I want us to look around. Where are the films de- picting the Black Power movement, or the Black Panther Party? And in contrast, how many stories have made it into popular media in which law enforcement are the heroes? Director Shaka King, col- laborating with writers Kenny The new film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” now streaming on HBO Max, shines a light on the leadership and assassination of Fred and Keith Lucas and Will Ber- Hampton, chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party in 1969, and Bill O’Neal, the young man who fed the FBI much of the information son, plunge into the neglected that made that assassination possible. side of that contrast, choosing February 24, 2021 Page 17 two canny vantage points: The law enforcement. As brilliantly leadership and assassination of embodied by Daniel Kaluuya, Fred Hampton, chairman of the aided the canny choices of King Illinois Black Panther Party, and the creative team, a picture in 1969, and Bill O’Neal, the emerges of a young man moti- young man who fed the FBI vated by love and prophetic vi- much of the information that sion, prepared to prioritize “the made that assassination possi- people” even at the cost of his ble. The film is not a biopic, in own interests. Shortly before the usual sense, and it doesn’t his death, Hampton elects to try to be a definitive account put collected resources into a of the Black Panther Party or medical clinic rather than into the Black Power movement- an exile that would have saved -we’ve got way more stories his life, ending debate with the to explore. But the angles they simple question, “Is the par- have chosen, aided by two ty about me, or is it about the stunning lead performances people?” Now that, friends, and excellent supporting work, is dangerous--and it suggests open the way to long-overdue why the Party’s breakfast pro- curiosity about how the Par- grams and medical clinics were Martin Luther King Jr. speaks after a Dec. 3, 1963 meeting with President Lyndon B. ty and its best leaders were perceived by law enforcement Johnson to discuss civil rights. The new documentary MLK/FBI explores the FBI’s obsession viewed and targeted, and the to be insidious and intolera- with King. (National Archives photo) way the cards were stacked ble. The prevailing argument against them, even inside the older and more famous Mar- bringing down this young man, were much higher than pop- was that those efforts--getting black community. This film tin Luther King Jr. (killed the who was viewed (as King had ularly imagined, that a com- done what white supremacy both educates and, if we let it, year before he was), Hampton been) as one of the most dan- plete overhaul--indeed, a rev- did not attempt to do, and with helps us begin to realize how was clear in his politic, clear gerous men in America. The olution--was demanded. That few resources to work with- little we know. in his concern for the crushing film doesn’t shy away from the sense of the stakes is perhaps -were not a sign of ingenuity The focus here, wisely, is on and senseless poverty and vi- violent rhetoric that was part the most important contrast be- and resourcefulness but rather a brief window of time, about olence that plagued the black of the politic of the Black Pan- tween movement leaders and only a trick to lure people into the last year-and-a-half of the community, and also clear that thers and of Hampton himself, the rest of the country--and also becoming radicals. But looked short life of Fred Hampton. the black community was not but subtly and without sim- between Hampton and O’Neal. at another way, those actions Murdered by law enforcement meant to find its natural allies. plifying, it offers context for Importantly, the film also put freedom into the hands of at age 21, he had managed to He saw these problems as solv- that rhetoric. Hampton spoke conveys a sense that Hamp- the people and pointed the way rise to leadership of the Illinois able, but requiring a revolution. from a heightened awareness ton’s use of violent rhetoric to a liberation that was treated chapter of the Party, and was a A focus here is the intensi- that the stakes for black peo- was not the real, main, or only charismatic visionary. 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Pol- ican culture lens. lard, too, means to awaken our The film’s focus on Bill curiosity--not to what those O’Neal--the Judas of the title- long-buried tapes of King’s -is just as complicated. O’Neal private activities might reveal as a person was more opaque but to what it reveals about us than Hampton--a petty crimi- that we are so prone to identi- nal, he became an easy target fying black visionaries as pub- for the FBI. He was evident- lic enemy number one. ly lured by money that, while The other is episode 6 of modest by some standards, “Eyes on the Prize II,” which was far beyond what he could features not only an interview acquire by other legal means, with Bill O’Neal, but also some and he no doubt lacked the good context for the Black principled vision of the stakes Power movement and how the that drove those he spied on. black community in Chicago But as played by LaKeith Stan- responded to the government field, he is not exactly a fool or lies told after Hampton’s as- a sociopathic, and he is almost sassination. There is also a sympathetic. As I’ve read other chilling account of the upris- reviews critiquing the film on ing in Attica prison, another that score, I’ve paused to won- shameful episode that most of der if part of the problem is our us know too little about. reluctance to see ourselves in We’ve got work to do. I’m O’Neal. Most of us are much grateful for the work of these more like him than Hampton- artists to assist us in undertak- -and the culture we all partic- ing it. “Judas and the Black ipate in and don’t find ways Messiah” is enjoying a limited to disrupt creates people like theatrical release and is stream- O’Neal who powered the FBI’s ing on HBO Max; “MLK/FBI” counterintelligence program, is streaming on Amazon Prime; known as COINTELPRO. If and you can find “Eyes on the we really want to understand Prize II,” which originally this Judas, we would do best to aired in 1990, on YouTube, look at ourselves. though it is (tellingly) harder to The curiosity this film awak- find than season 1 of the series. ened in me sent me to two oth- Back to work. er films that make good com- Darleen Ortega is a judge panion pieces. “MLK/FBI” on the Oregon Court of Ap- is a new documentary by the peals and the first woman of venerable Sam Pollard (whose color to serve in that capacity. “Two Trains Runnin’” topped Her movie and theater review my list of the best films of column Opinionated Judge 2016) and explores the FBI’s appears regularly in The Port- obsession with King. It offers land Observer. Find her review some further unpacking of the blog at opinionatedjudge.blog- dirty methods that were used spot.com. 503-288-0033 Subscribe! Fill Out & Send To:

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