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Oklahoma Civil Rights Leaders Celebrate Lunch Counter Victory
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The 50th anniversary of sit-ins that led to the desegregation of Oklahoma City eating establishments is being commemorated this week.
On Aug. 19, 1958, civil rights leader Clara Luper coordinated one of the nation's early publicized sit-ins at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter.
At the time, blacks had to get their meals at a back door of the restaurant. Luper, then a young history teacher, took students from the NAACP Youth Council to the store, where they endured racial slurs and threats of violence while waiting at the counter for drinks that never came. Within days, the store changed its policy and served the black students.
Such sit-ins continued for the next six years at segregated businesses in Oklahoma.
“I don't think any of us knew what we were doing would change the course of history,” said Marilyn Hildreth, Luper's daughter.
One of the original Oklahoma City sit-in participants, 57-year-old Ayanna Najuma of Washington, D.C., said she also didn't realize her actions would have long-term ramifications.
“Whoever knew the impact of the work I did as a kid would open all these doors for America after 50 years?” Najuma said.
The Freedom Center is hosting events this week to recall the sit-ins, culminating with a day honoring Luper on Saturday ...
On Aug. 19, 1958, civil rights leader Clara Luper coordinated one of the nation's early publicized sit-ins at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter.
At the time, blacks had to get their meals at a back door of the restaurant. Luper, then a young history teacher, took students from the NAACP Youth Council to the store, where they endured racial slurs and threats of violence while waiting at the counter for drinks that never came. Within days, the store changed its policy and served the black students.
Such sit-ins continued for the next six years at segregated businesses in Oklahoma.
“I don't think any of us knew what we were doing would change the course of history,” said Marilyn Hildreth, Luper's daughter.
One of the original Oklahoma City sit-in participants, 57-year-old Ayanna Najuma of Washington, D.C., said she also didn't realize her actions would have long-term ramifications.
“Whoever knew the impact of the work I did as a kid would open all these doors for America after 50 years?” Najuma said.
The Freedom Center is hosting events this week to recall the sit-ins, culminating with a day honoring Luper on Saturday ...
Did McCain Cheat at Saddleback Debate?
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican John McCain used anecdotes and carefully honed campaign positions, while Democrat Barack Obama responded philosophically to questioning by one of the nation's most influential evangelical pastors as both candidates scrambled for support among America's important conservative Christian voting block. But although McCain was supposed to be in a “cone of silence” during the debate to ensure he didn’t hear the questions ahead of time, he evidently was not. He even made a joke about being in the “cone” before the debate started to moderator Pastor Rick Warren:
WARREN: Welcome back to the “Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency.”
And welcome, Senator John McCain.
MCCAIN: Thank you. Good to be here.
WARREN: My first question, was the cone of silence comfortable you were in just now?
MCCAIN: I was trying to hear through the wall.
WARREN: Welcome back to the “Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency.”
And welcome, Senator John McCain.
MCCAIN: Thank you. Good to be here.
WARREN: My first question, was the cone of silence comfortable you were in just now?
MCCAIN: I was trying to hear through the wall.
RSS FeedGrandmother Refuses to Give Up
After grandchildren are adopted out, Carollyn Smith doubles efforts
Carollyn Smith’s fight continues, but she may be running out of time. Smith has been battling state Child Services since 2005 for custody of two grandchildren, Kofi and C’Lynn, ages 7 and 4, who have lived much of their short lives in the foster care system...
Noose Photographed After Break-In
Similar workplace incidents increase around the country since 2006
The construction company site in the Pearl District where a noose was hung early Aug. 4 was broken into by vandals, company officials said. R&H Construction CEO John Ward, in an email message to The Skanner, indicated ... “unauthorized entry,” over the preceding weekend....
Black AIDS: Cases Grow in U.S.
While serving other nations, Bush policies ignore African Americans
“Left Behind! Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic,” praises the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.... However the report issues a stinging criticism ... Community Calendar: Portland
Bulletin Board
What’s happening for you in Portland this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on “Read the complete article” below.
Music, Fun, Food
Sen. Margaret Carter’s Third Annual 10th Street Block Party drew the whole neighborhood to Northeast 10th Avenue between Siskyou and Stanton. The event featured four live bands, a rib cook-off, a silent auction benefitting Project Hope, and a cake-baking contest. Left to right are Chante Hardy, 8, and Bridget Egan, 7. In the background, the “Just Us” jazz trio plays.
Photo by Julie Keefe
Photo by Julie Keefe
Gunshot Reports Are Up
Mentors, officers, officials seek ways to quell the violence
So far, 2008 has seen a record high number of shots-fired reports investigated by the Portland Police Gang Enforcement Team.A total of 41 call-outs had been posted as of Aug. 6 – already one incident more than all of last year.
In 2003, 46 were investigated; 45 in 2004.
“And we still have a few months to go,” said officer Jason Hubert.
The statistics were delivered at a meeting of the Youth Violence Prevention Committee last Friday morning at the Portland Police Northeast Precinct.
“It’s been crazy out there,” Hubert told the gathering. “There was a lull for about five years and now these kids are coming out, and some are very violent people.”
Hubert reported that one shooting occurred after the low-rider show at the Portland Expo two weeks ago, one block from Northeast Precinct – about 40 yards away from two police officers.
“We’re going back to the early ‘90s where the kids don’t care,” he said.
“I’m out there and I’m not seeing anyone stop anyone and talk to these young people,” said Ronisha Harris, founder of the Respect Project. “I just think we need to get out there and be with these kids.”
“You will never be able to reach all the kids because some of them are in the life,” said CREW Director Pernell Brown. “You have to wait it out, also target the ones on the edge, who aren’t totally in it yet — so don’t get discouraged because you talk to these kids and they just go out anyway.”
Harris said Measure 11 mandatory minimums are at the heart of the problem....
Health Coalition receives $10,000
The African American Health Coalition received a $10,000 check from Safeway grocery after the coalition’s African American Wellness Walk Saturday, Aug. 16. The Safeway Foundation for Safeway's Portland Division is made with funds from voluntary employee giving and the Safeway LPGA Classic. Employees from 116 stores in the Portland Division give weekly to the Foundation. The money is used to support the neighborhoods and communities near each store. Front row, Duane Tanner, Troy Williams, Robert (Bobby) Neal, Corliss McKeever, Tammy Brambora, Denise Hayes, Liddie Marshall, Douglass Biolo; back row Ken Coleman, Dan Floyd Julie Brien, Annette Jones, Susan Alexander, Jennifer Swanson, Jessica Aasen, Jodi Wilkons, and Marcoke Lee. The Foundation supports organizations that promote Education, Hunger Relief, Health and Human Services, and People with Disabilities.
Workplace Challenges Persist for African Immigrants
Djimet Dogo (pronounced “Jimmy”) says many of the problems facing Africans are similar to those facing Hispanics – language barriers, different work customs, lack of formal education and a system that doesn’t recognize much of the skilled training obtained in African countries. But with Africans, many cultural differences are largely misunderstood by American employers. That’s where Dogo comes in. He is the program manager for Africa House, a division of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization and the first to say that African employees are some of the best around....
