Wow! What an initiation! My first stage role in Portland and I get the most vicious and mean-spirited mention an actor could hope for in the WW [Review of Buried Child, March 21, 2007; see page 48 this week]. I understand many actors in Portland theatre never get a mention at all or wait years for some crumb of a mention. Right out of the gate I'm "truly abominable." This is a real badge of honor, like being on Nixon's enemies list! Hooray!!

Maggie McOmie

Portland

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

As President of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators, I felt it a sense of urgency for our organization to go on record specific to an incident reported in your paper that occurred during a Black History assembly which was directed at Jefferson High Principal Leon Dudley [Murmurs, WW, March 21, 2007]. While much of the state has been focused lately on the treatment of students/adults of African Descent at Roosevelt which was unacceptable—but unfortunately not surprising—to many of us, the real elephant in the room is the uncomfortable circumstances around the behavior of students mainly of African Descent toward their principal who is also of African Descent.

While students were engaged in celebrating and recognizing Black History in filmed presentations of faculty/staff, many of the students of African Descent took it upon themselves to boo their principal in unison as his image appeared on the screen. As an organization, we are embracing Mr. Dudley and taking a firm stand as an organization in not tolerating, condoning, or in any way looking the other way when students who are mainly of African Descent behave in such a manner. The fact that these students chose to act out in this way during an assembly that focused on African History is the most disturbing aspect to me as a person of African Descent who was raised by a father who was a social activist around issues specific to our historical struggle.

While some may argue that students should be free to express their feelings, members of OABSE feel that there is a time and place for everything. Publicly disrespecting anyone is unacceptable, but the choice of students predominantly of African Descent choosing a Black History assembly to display boorish behavior toward a principal who shares the same cultural ancestry cuts against core intrinsic values, traditions and practices that this organization promotes as our purpose. Our members will take the lead in owning our responsibilities as elders to not only admonish our youth for inappropriate actions, but to also disciple, mentor and build a proper sense of self and purpose for our youth as descendants of African Ancestry.

Humbly,

Charles L. Hopson

President, Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators