Lecture: A Racist History Shows Why Oregon Is Still So White

Context and Introduction

• Recent national protests against systemic racism and police brutality have sparked discussions on white privilege and racial prejudice.
• Oregon, with its deep-rooted racist history, is part of these conversations.

Oregon's Racist Foundations

• Oregon was established as a "whites-only state" through a series of Black exclusionary laws.
• Walidah Imarisha, a Black studies educator, describes Oregon's founding goal as creating a "racist white utopia."

Black Exclusionary Laws

• 1844 Law: Prohibited Black people from living in Oregon territory for more than three years, punishable by 39 lashes every six months.
• 1849 Law: Barred Black individuals not already in the territory from entering or residing.
• 1859 Clause: Incorporated into the Oregon Constitution, prohibiting Black people from owning property or making contracts.
• Despite rare enforcement, these laws aimed to maintain Oregon as a predominantly white state.

Demographics and Legal Changes

• As of 2019, Oregon's population was nearly 87% white, with just over 2% Black.
• The racist language was not removed from Oregon's constitution until 2002, and even then, 30% of voters wanted to keep it.

Ongoing Racism and Institutional Foundations

• Imarisha emphasizes that the ideology is deeply embedded in Oregon's institutions.
• Oregon serves as a case study for the nation, highlighting similar policies and ideologies across the U.S.

Signs of Change

• Recent actions, such as Portland Public Schools ending their contract with the Portland Police Bureau and legislative police reforms, indicate cracks in these racist foundations.
• The renewed Black Lives Matter movement, led by Black youth, is a source of inspiration and hope for systemic change.

Conclusion

• Imarisha believes that current movements and conversations can lead to significant societal changes for people of color.
• She calls for action from those who believe in freedom, justice, and liberation.