timely follow up
This morning's service* talked about the migration of black people out of the south in the early 20th century, and specifically about Oregon's hostility to to non-white arrivals.
It's easy to think the northwest's racial history is minimal and innocent, that Orgeon just didn't have a large enough black population to attract migrants, which is partially true. But there were also some pretty deliberate policies in place to discourage people of color from moving or staying here. Oregon didn't ratify the 15th amendment until 1959.
Which is not to say Portland isn't a fantastic place to live, or to feel any particular guilt enjoying the advantages it has over other places. It's to say it's good to remember that it wasn't by accident it was sheltered from some of the uglier and more complex economic and social forces in American history. I don't know that I, or any of us, owe places anything for the darkness in their histories. But honestly experiencing and appreciating a place takes an honest understanding of how it was made. Starting with a recognition that current social reality was made, not just accreted through some unbiased natural process.
Checked A People's History of The United States out of the Library. Seems like a good thing to read in my (for once I say this unironically) copious spare time. Feels like there's a lot I could stand to brush up on. If anyone is interested in reading and discussing, I would love that.
*I have been attending the local Unitarian church with Linda and the kids.
It's easy to think the northwest's racial history is minimal and innocent, that Orgeon just didn't have a large enough black population to attract migrants, which is partially true. But there were also some pretty deliberate policies in place to discourage people of color from moving or staying here. Oregon didn't ratify the 15th amendment until 1959.
Which is not to say Portland isn't a fantastic place to live, or to feel any particular guilt enjoying the advantages it has over other places. It's to say it's good to remember that it wasn't by accident it was sheltered from some of the uglier and more complex economic and social forces in American history. I don't know that I, or any of us, owe places anything for the darkness in their histories. But honestly experiencing and appreciating a place takes an honest understanding of how it was made. Starting with a recognition that current social reality was made, not just accreted through some unbiased natural process.
Checked A People's History of The United States out of the Library. Seems like a good thing to read in my (for once I say this unironically) copious spare time. Feels like there's a lot I could stand to brush up on. If anyone is interested in reading and discussing, I would love that.
*I have been attending the local Unitarian church with Linda and the kids.