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The State of Black Oregon
- LATEST COMMENTS
- Does Oregon have a culture, much less a black culture ... - trurl9
- "And it (the report) makes police recommendations in the areas ... - Riposte
- Try visiting the Deep South some time. At least white ... - tumpaijohn
On Monday morning, the Urban League of Portland releases its report on the state of black Oregon. This is the first time the organization has compiled a comprehensive assessment of the local African American community in 17 years. The report features personal stories as well as statistics. And it makes police recommendations in the areas of education, economic development, housing, health and criminal justice among others. The Urban League turned to professors, business owners, elders and civic leaders for their take on how African Americans are doing in the state as well as in their local communities. Tune in Monday to find out what they said.
Are you part of the black community? Did you move here from another state or another country? How does Oregon compare to other places you have lived? Regardless of your race or where you come from, how do you assess the state of black Oregon?
GUESTS:
- Marcus Mundy: President and CEO of the Urban League of Portland
- Henry Luvert: President of Eugene NAACP
- Karifa Koroma: Vice President of Africa House
Tagged as: african-american
COMMENTS: (25 total)
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Sorry - this isn't a reply, but the app is being quirky today. I am wondering what the shift to a "green economy" will do to Black Oregonians. As an environmental professional, I have never seen a more white (OK, there are plenty of women) group of people in my life. We have a white DEQ director, PDX Office of Sustainability, Bureau of Environmental Services, PDC Sustainablity Coordinator, METRO Sustainability Office, in addition to all the white faces in the Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources, etc.
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There is a dichotomy between the african-americans of the west coast vs. the african-americans of the east coast. Whilst the progress of the professional african-american on the east coast thrives, it is very much surpressed on the west. People on the west coast want african-americans to conform to a "white" america on the west and are threathen by a strong african-american influence in the work place. Thus, if an african-american conforms to the "white" america they are accepted and will thrive on the west. But, if african-americans should retain there cultural identity they seem to encounter more issues on the west especially in Oregon.
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Can you clarify what the "white" america is on the west coast?
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I am so glad this conversation is happening. I grew up on the east coast and attended schools that were about half black. Coming out west was a bit of a culture shock as there are so few black people, but also it just feels less integrated. I sort of expected that living in rural Idaho, but I have now lived in Portland for five years and there seems to be just as much segregation here.
The question brought up on the show of having black music awards etc as furthuring segregation is ridiculous. Cultural pride is just as important as healthy integration. A culturally and racially integrated society recognizes differences among groups while giving individuals the same amount of respect. I would like to live in a world where we truly celebrate diversity!
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lifeasana,
No, cultural pride is not important!
Culture like race is superficial, there is no reason to be proud of your cultural history, it is just matter-of-fact what shaped you. Many of the problems we now have in America are the result of cultural pride. It is only when people have artificial pride in their culture that conflicts ensue. Just in the way sports fans get into fights with the opposing fans, because there is not a credible reason to be a fan in the first place---actually, with culture there is even less of a reason to have pride. Culture is meaningless to have pride it is it foolish. If you have pride in one culture it means you prefer it, you think it is special---which means you think other cultures are less special. How could cultural pride not lead to those implications?
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I'm curious what by what you mean by "conform to the white America". If you are talking about being assimilated, that is the experience of any and *all* groups in America. To the degree that, to take just a couple of examples, Japanese or Chinese Americans have assimilated that is the same degree to which they have been successful. I grew up on the West Coast and outside of my time in the military have lived out this way although I've done regular business on the East Coast. While it is true that there are more blacks on the East Coast than on the West (and particularly in Oregon) the greater numbers alone may account for more successful blacks who are not in sports or entertainment being visible in, say, DC or Chicago or Philly.
Regarding cultural identity. Like it or not, black American culture is American culture. Even our criticisms about American culture come from a distinctly American (and therefore Western) starting place. I think that this idea of a uniquely black American culture can be, if taken too far, disastrous for our community because it unmoors us and makes us feel like strangers in our own land. Yes, there are black writers but their novels and poems are still firmly in the tradition of Western narrative forms. There are the various forms of music we have invented (and why is it that we, as black people, are less proud of jazz than of rap/hip-hop?) but still these are not African in any meaningful sense of the word. When we criticize American culture, we are doing so in the spirit of Locke or Hobbes. When we talk about the breaking of the social contract (whether we use those words or not) we are echoing Rousseau. When we talk about the various strategies for achieving equality, we are invoking John Rawls (again whether we realize it or not).
Cheers
Aj
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Answer to the question "what is white america on the west coast"?....I really can't answer that not being white myself...but I can speak from experience as being1 of 5 blacks growing up in a small rural town in southern oregon (and the only one who wasn't an adopted child) and then going to University of Oregon for a college education, moving to the East coast to further my education with a graduate degree, living in Europe for 5 years post graduate years and finally returning to Oregon to raise my children. I find "white" america in Oregon does not tolerate African Americans who show more passion in their speech and in their body language, those who dress in brighter colors are looked at differently, our hair is often referred to as brilo pads as we do not have the free flowing Herbal essence commercials sterotypes, etc....
If you notice just from the conversations on the radio as well as the blogs...who is in charge in the State of Oregon? Who called in the radio show? Go into any workplace and find 90% of the people are white. Its not about race your right, but tell that to the odd man out. We might not think about it everyday but its the elephant in the room and its always there. I love Oregon to death, I grew up here but the fact is when I go to the East Coast or Europe its like I can breath....people are people there. Here it's about whether your black or white and it weighs on our personal being. Yeah, there may be issues on the East too like the Massachutsetts thing but its not nearly as bad as the West. So why don't I move if its such a problem? Why should I have too? We as americans are conforming to the hispanic language, why can't we conform to us being one nation not separate races?
Who is trying to change this? That is my question. Is the State of Oregon even keeping up with its Affirmative Action? Check out the state's attempts like their office of multicultural affairs or the commision of black affairs. Its a joke just like the NAACP in my personal belief. They only end up helping those priviledged African Americans.
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Hi there... as you can likely tell, we are having some technical difficulties with our website today. Hopefully they'll be fixed soon, but in the meantime, feel free to check out information about the report in the Oregonian (http://is.gd/1P2pJ) and let us know your thoughts here! OPB Reporter Kristian Foden-Vencil will be following your comments today. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience.
Sarah Jane Rothenfluch, Executive Producer, Think Out Loud
Sarah Jane Rothenfluch — Mon July 27th 9:03a.m.
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I am wondering what the shift to a "green economy" will do to Black Oregonians. As an environmental professional, I have never seen a more white (OK, there are plenty of women) group of people in my life. We have a white DEQ director, PDX Office of Sustainability, Bureau of Environmental Services, PDC Sustainablity Coordinator, METRO Sustainability Office, in addition to all the white faces in the Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources, etc.
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What is wrong with being around mainly white people? What is wrong with being around mainly black people? There is nothing inherently wrong with either scenario. Race is either important or it isn't. So if race isn't important than being more diverse can't possibly be seen as a good or bad thing---it is just a thing.
If you are in Africa and you are around mainly black people is that bad? If you are in China and you are around mainly Han Chinese people is this bad? If you are in New York and you are around many races---does this make you a better person? It can't possibly if race isn't important!
We can't have a conversation about race in America or Portland without being stupid and without suggesting that every statistic equals a racist conclusion. It gets boring and tired. I for one would rather live in a place where race isn't much of an issue if that means living in a place that is mostly white---I would prefer that then to dealing with a place that is trying to come to terms with the superficial problem of race.
Race is not important and having to have endless trite discussions about something, where I have better things to think about gets tired, it bogs you down. I feel empathy for blacks, whites and most other people---I don't have a problem with race (although people reading this probably can't understand how that is possible based on this comment), but it is very possible. When you have the same arguments and fears over and over again, with two irrational sides, you would just rather walk away, and be in a place where something so banal isn't predominate.
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RE: Scottmil's comments-
It's obvious you are a white male with privilege!! and Boy Oh Boy, you do not have any clue about race!! Your white skin is an unearned advantage - how dare you come in here and talk to us about RACE? specially when you say "It gets boring and tired. I for one would rather live in a place where race isn't much of an issue if that means living in a place that is mostly white---I would prefer that then to dealing with a place that is trying to come to terms with the superficial problem of race." Come walk on my shoes for one day and tell me how "BORING" it is!!
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Deqa,
There are also black people who find the topic of race tiresome---do they have black privilege? Actually, the most intelligent people I know, black, white, Hispanic don't focus on race at all---they are too busy thinking about topics that are not superficial. I guess you don't get the irony in what you are saying and many are saying: We claim race isn't important and then at the same time we must talk about it. Well I generally don't like to spend my time talking about things that are not important.
Your comments are full of generalizations and stereotypes that I find unacceptable considering the point you are trying to make. Thanks for the insult---it's terribly advanced. You gave enough evidence of why talking about race in America is particularly lame. Because people are too angry and illogical to ever have a productive discussion about it. It is an endless angry loop---that I have unfortunately contributed to here.
Yep. I am white. I am a male. This is not relevant to me; but, perhaps to you it will mean something: I grew up in two of the most diverse cities in the country and went to a high school that was 10% white---one of the "blackest" schools in the country. I was the victim of many acts of racism from black students---on two occasions I had to be escorted by police from the school because of racially sensitive events in the media. You may find this humorous: during one of these events I had a padlock thrown in my face by someone I did not know simply because I was white, which broke my nose. I still went back to the school and completed my education there, because at the time I thought it was important.
Anyway, this isn't a debate about who had it worse. It is perhaps a debate about whether there is something inherently wrong with Portland because it isn't as diverse as other places. To which I say "NO." Diversity has no meaning in a world where race is not important. Sometimes diversity can help certain people with bigotry, because it forces them by repetition to acclimate to multiple races, but those people aren't very intelligent to begin with, if they need that experience not to be racist.
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Kristian Foden-Vencil please read Black Redneck White Liberal written by Thomas Sowell. His credentials follow. His views are backed by emperical studies not political Demagoguery . Thanks
http://www.tsowell.com/
Ph.D. in Economics, University of Chicago, 1968
A.M. in Economics, Columbia University, 1959
A.B. in Economics, magna cum laude, Harvard College, 1958 -
I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. I was raised in Africa and Europe and have lived in different states in USA. One thing that I do know is that as much as the Oregonians think they are so "Progressive" because they into "cycling, hiking, recycling, camping" THEY ARE FAR FROM BEING PROGRESSIVE!! Portlanders do not like to talk about race, nor do they like to discuss anything to do with race, nor do they want to be bothered. Only in Portland people will ask me the following:
How did you get here? umm.. by boat?
Are you Islam? ummm.. no, I am muslim.
Do you speak African? umm.. no, there is no such thing!
Wake up Oregon!
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Why does talking about race make you progressive?
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Try visiting the Deep South some time. At least white folks talk to you here.
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Commenting on the remark: "I was more qualified, but I got the job because I was black..."
Two years ago I got a job with an association for which my uncle sat on the board of directors. I know my application was moved to the top of the pile because of that connection, but I believe I got the job because I was more qualified than the other candidates. So, perhaps your application moved to the top of the pile because you are black, but, as you stated, you got the job because you were more qualified.
Sexism, ageism, nepotism, racism...we're all fighting an "ism" and the sooner we acknowledge that as a common plight, the better off we'll be.
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As a transplanted Eastern white guy, who has been fortunate enough to have been in almost every state of the country over the years, I was utterly horrified when I popped up in Portland in 1985 to be slapped in the face with how racist this city was.
In transfering, the company for which I worked put me up in a NE Portland motel for a week or so while I found a place to live. I asked my soon to be coworkers where I should locate, and they all instantly responded, 'Southwest... and definitely not Northeast.' I asked why not, and the instant reply was that '...That's where the mixed neighborhoods are.'
Horrified, I said 'That's racist...this is 1985!' They all looked at each other, then at me, and said that no, it wasn't racist. I then said, 'Well, give me another word for it, then,' to which they responded, 'Property values.'
I remain horrified to this day, and would say that although there has been some progress, Portland / Oregon still have a ways to go.
While the racism back east is very overt, the racism out here is very ... sotto voce, behind your back, and essentially dishonest.
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An odd train of thought on the show and blog. We seem to be accepting (totally without evidence) that Oregon is not diverse because of something cooked up by white people?
Does anyone wonder whether Oregon isn't diverse because racial minorities just don't want to live here? Maybe racial minorities don't particularly like the Oregon cultural lifestyle (not the whiteness)? Portland is a minority city anyway (intellectually). I don't think most mainstream whites fit in here. I think often because racial minorities happen to be minorities, they inherently have a less diverse culture that tends to be on average more mainstream. And, if the mainstream doesn't entirely mess with Oregon culture then it would only be expected that their would be fewer minorities here then in other places.
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I appreciated hearing from the caller today that told his story about his neighbor from Nigeria sharing her experience at airports with him.
As someone who is white and grew up in the midwest I also experienced a culture shock in Portland. I was miserable living in SE Portland and moved to N Portland and feel much more at home there than anywhere else in the city. I am thrilled that my daughter goes to school with children that have a different first language, that have different economic backgrounds, and are different colors. The inequities are glaring when you take a look at the schools and the opportunities that vary depending on your home address. I have had parents say to me, "but have you seen the kids that go to that school your daughter attends?"....yes I have and all I see are learners.
It is a matter of personal responsibility for me to address outdated ideas and work towards greater equity. All I can do is set an example and educate people along the way. I get looks from both white and black people in my neighborhood park if I get a game of tag going with all the kids and invite anyone within earshot. My daughter has autism and has not yet experienced that layer of inequity and all that matters to me is that she has friends from all walks of life and that I can shield her just a few more years from the reality of the discrimination and barriers she may endure.
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The perenial problem is human. Race is a distraction.
People of good will and personal stregth will always have to defend the vulnerable from the multitudes of shortsighted, self-interested humans looking for an advantage over someone else. Institutionally we do this with laws and enforcement. Culturally we do this by elevating talented minorities. Personally we do this through force of personality and courage in our communities.
The problem of socially destructive oportunism never goes away. The mission of people of good will is to minimize those opportunities.
We get confused by racism in this country because being black, and historically dis-enpowered, as well as a minority, makes you generally an easier target for the most opportunistic in the non-black majority. This all in a species that is largely oportunistic in a personal and tribally superficial way.
There will always be plenty of work to do.Oregon will have special challenges in this regard because of the specific demographics.
Human nature in the un-enlightened is not a pretty thing. Appearance, power, (or lack of), affiliation, are all clues used by the ruthlessly opportunistic, to find advantage at someone elses expense.
I have good (Kenyan) friends who found themselves in mortal danger because of human opportunism taking advantage of a power differential based on tribal affiliation and location in their own country.
People of good will, of every stripe will alway have their hands full in riding herd on the excessively opportunistic.
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WOW, How deep!
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"And it (the report) makes police recommendations in the areas of education, economic development, housing, health and criminal justice among others."
This sentence above from TOL's promotion makes about as much sense as the torturous "discussion" on Think Out Loud. I used to think that the staff never listens to their show. Now I see that the staff doesn't read their promos for the show either.
This report the the Urban League has produced is an amazing piece of work. Too bad the people who could promote it couldn't find the time to read it.
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Does Oregon have a culture, much less a black culture? I see Oregonians as a collective of individuals who spend their time trying to make it. I don't perceive much culture of any kind in Oregon.
Before I can participate in a discussion about the state of black Oregon I need to read the Urban League's report first. Since the topic hits close to home I've written and "torn up" about 20 responses to this topic. Thank you for making me think anyway.
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Well the news is never good. Sometimes i feel as though Blacks are the most forsaken people on Earth. Then again, polls & reports are often inaccurate, & noone's ever asked ME how I felt about things.
It'll be interesting to see how the show covers this.