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Volume XCI, Number 25
Bradley emphasizes family, education
Says obstacles of racism gave strength
By Yolanda Austin
Staff Writer
Mayor Tom Bradley, the leading democratic candidate for the gubernatorial election in November, opened the Second Annual University Religious Speakers Series Wednesday by stating his belief in family and religion, and by recounting how the obstacles of racism have strengthen his faith and determination.
“I believe in the sanctity and strength of family life in America,” Bradley said. He said the family is the basis for religious beliefs and principles as well as the building block of a community or nation.
Bradley, whose parents separated shortly after coming to California when he was seven, said, “Even in the spirit of separation early on life, there was a strong identity of a mother and father and a strong motivation drilled into my head to get a good education. My family saw a division with the separation of my mother and father, but we were still guided by family.
“I believe in the principle of public education. I am a product of it.”
He added that he was determined to go to college because of the high ideals instilled in him by his family, even though he did not have the money or the means to attend college.
He said public education builds the finest minds and national and world leaders. He admits the system has
some inadequacies, but compared to other nations, it is superior. “We can always pick out failures, but we should not judge it (public education) on those failings,” he said.
Bradley also described the racial discrimination that he has experienced since childhood. At the age of seven, his white playmate told him his parents said they could not play together anymore because he was colored.
As a young track athlete, he said he was not accepted at this university because it did not encourage black athletes then. He attended UCLA instead. “I didn’t have any bitterness against this university or athletes. I ran and tried to beat them when I could,” he said laughing.
He noted an improvement in university policy toward minorities and the opening up of equal opportunity in general. “I’m happy to see the change that has taken place (at the university). There is an opportunity for everyone to achieve, regardless of race, creed, color or sex,” he said, adding that the full potential of this opportunity needs only to be developed.
“We’ve made progress toward the fulfillment of the American dream,” he said.
Bradley said he was the leading candidate in the 1967 Los Angeles mayoral election, but his lead disappeared when he fell victim to tactics of hatred and discrimination. He was disappointed, but he said, “It gave me the
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trojan
University of Southern California	Thursday, February 18, 1982
Staff photo by Andrew Innerarity
SPEAKING OUT — Olu Osei, university alumnus (upper left), and Darryl Adams, co-chairman of Black Students Union (upper right), protested the dismissal of Black Student Services assistant director Bobbie Rodgers Wednesday at a rally in front of Tommy Trojan. Bernard Walker (lower left) listens attentively at the rally, where the student protesters called for a boycott of the BSS office until director Pamela Porter is removed.
Black students call for dismissal of BSS director, urge boycott
By Mark Ordesky
Staff Writer
Black students continued to protest the dismissal of Bobbie Rodgers, assistant director of the Black Student Services (BSS), with a rally Wednesday in front of Tommy Trojan.
The controversy in BSS, which prompted earlier protests, goes back to the appointment in August of Pamela Porter as director. Since the appointment, tension has grown within BSS to the point where some black students and members of the university’s black alumni are calling for Porter’s dismissal, as well as removal of the program from the jurisdiction of James Appleton, vice president of Student Affairs.
“Porter has done more in four months to destroy black student programs than Appleton did in seven years,” said Olu Osei, an alumnus.
Reacting to this statement, Appleton said he has always endeavored to respond to the needs of BSS, using various surveys as guides.
“In the last two years, we’ve responded to the Black Student Services’ needs for increased personnel and resources,” Appleton said. “In fact, their funding is not going down, it’s going up.”
Meanwhile, Osei gave the university an ultimatum: reinstate Rodgers, remove Porter from her present position and off campus altogether and take
BSS out of Appleton's control.
Osei has also urged a boycott of the BSS office as long as Porter occupies it. “When Rodgers left, Black Student Services was terminated also,” Osei said.
Appleton, however, said he believes that removing Porter would not solve the problems the protesters are concerned with.
“I do not view that (the firing of Porter) as an acceptable solution,” he said.
Black students have compiled a “list of facts” that they feel are grounds for Porter’s dismissal. They say Porter has refused to meet with student groups or organizations, has little administrative experience and allegedly slandered Rev. Ronnie Martin, a university student. They also expressed displeasure over the firing of eight work-study students over the winter break.
Osei referred to Appleton as a “slavemaster” several times throughout the rally and made equally damaging remarks about Porter as well.
“He has no right to make decisions regarding black people,” Osei said of Appleton.
Appleton said he felt the name-calling was unnecessary. “They’re (the derogatory titles) not true,” he said. “And I can’t say it doesn't hurt.”
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TOM BRADLEY