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Racism in Portland ? |
Travel Info I'm planning on moving to Oregon in a few months and after reading things like this http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/08... I'm somewhat concerned about racism (hostile stares/ racial slurs etc.) being an issue for me and my interracial family once we move there. I am aware of the fact that prejudice and ignorance exists EVERYWHERE. I鈥檇 like to know more (from Portlanders if possible) before I move there. Let me paint a picture about us in case it helps... We鈥檙e a family of five. We鈥檙e vegan, liberal, 鈥渉ippiesh鈥? my husband is white/Hispanic, I'm biracial (german, black, hispanic) my 9 year old girl is white/hispanic, my 5 year old boy is dark skinned with straight black hair ( Taino) and my mom who's coming along with us is hispanic/black. Also, it would be of great use to us if someone could please let me know about the general attitude towards minorities in other areas/burbs such as Beaverton, Gresham, or Vancouver Wa. etc. Travel Tips I think that of all the places in the nation, that Portland will fit you and your family to a "T". Racism exists everywhere in America - but here, I think Portlanders are more open to discussing it, and then doing something to change those old, abusive attitudes. Portlanders, in general are very politically active and justice-minded in comparison with other states. President Bush senior called Portland his "Little Beruit"... I know that you would find the Irvington, Mississippi, Belmont/Hawthorne, or Woodstock neighborhoods in Portland, suitable and accepting. There are larger populations of mixed race families in those neighborhoods, without the whole "slum" thing. Actually, Irvington in particular has property values shooting through the roof (average housing prices are from 500K to over 1mil.), so your not getting encouraged to move to the ghetto, just the opposite... These areas have a history of attracting second-generation free slaves out of the south who were looking for work and oppertunity to own property. I won't say that all that was peaches and cream (even as little as12 years ago these areas were still red lined). But now, these areas are part of the citiy's urban renewal project. Part of that project focused on encouraging the local residents to remain in the area - so the southern influence and racial diversity is celebrated there. Beaverton has some diversity, but most of it comprises of Indian (from India) and Aisian cultures (mostly Japanese). Although I think you would enjoy the area and the neighbors, there are not alot of folks there who would share your specific cultural concerns. Vancouver, WA. gets an F in racism. My brothers live over in that area, and although there are several financial tax advantages to living there, your family would definately prove to be a minority, amongst several ethnic populations more known for their poverty than anything. The larger concern in that area is that the sprawling pattern of development and cheap/fast construction has encouraged drugs and violent crime to flourish. This is not so much about race as economics, but add racism to the mix of classism, and you will likely not feel overly welcome. Gresham used to be a quiet-"white" city, a suburb off of Portland, However, they also have simular issues as Vancouver at this time. The city has allowed developers to quickly throw up cheap, dense apartment housing that has encouraged migrant minorities and illegal immigrants to live in cramped conditions. This leads to higher crimes rates and racial stigmas, particularly for Korean, Vietamese, and Mexican populations. If you head over to Portland, and feel inclined, please come visit us and Pastor Henry at Irvington Covenant Church. The congregation is heavily mixed African,Carribean, Ethiopian, Japanese, German, Dutch, English, Scottish, you name it...with several mixed race families either through marriage, remarriage or mixed race adoptions. I think you could plug into finding friends there who share your concerns and views. I hope this helps. If you need the name of a good relator or two, let me know. :) Others Think the whole west coast are pretty open minded people. But as with any place on this planet, you will encounter ignorance. Try to toughen that hide, and remember that their view is such that was taught to them as a child...and that part of their understanding hadn't matured. You can help them past their ignorance by consistently being polite, however you do not have accept disrespect. I have found that when simply saying "That was rude" People take a step back and try to understand where their manners have failed them. Don't rampage, they expect that, and even based their prejudice on it. Instead, calmly and gently explain that we are all individuals and even though there is a stereotype, we can all rise above it. I hope you find your new home and that all your fears were completely unwarranted and are accepted into your new neighborhood with understanding and warmth! That article is absolutely ridiculous. Hispanic background or hippieish describes half the population of the Portland area. Although Portland is predominately white, I don't think folks are overtly hostile and violent towards other people. They're pretty liberal and laid-back, in general. However, you'll probably encounter a lot of ambiguous incidents (like the one in the article) that could either be chalked up to cultural misunderstandings or be considered a form of 'stealth' racism...depending on how you look at it. I'd say most of these issues are easily solved with a little diplomacy, however. Certainly, the expectation is you'll adapt to local Northwestern practices/tastes, and not the other way around. Portland is not Los Angeles. Blasting loud Mexican Rap at 2 AM in the morning or demanding a Spanish language menu in a neighborhood where the population is 90% white will probably not endear you to the locals. Lived in the the Pacific Northwest for a while. You are right that racism exists everywhere. I have lived in Portland and Hawaii in my lifetime and in Hawaii I experienced a lot more racism. I have no warnigs to give you about Portland. I am a white male and I grew up in Northeast Portland and went to a predominantly black school. 4 white people in a school of about 450. I experienced racism there but then again I was one of four white people in a predominanly black school. I live in Hillsboro now which is right next to Beaverton and I have to tell you that it is well mixed as far as different races go. There are a lot of hispanics, whites, some blacks, and a variety of other races. If you do move to the Beaverton area I can tell you that the area with the most mixes of race is the Bethany area. Over there it seems that there are more mixed races than whites and it is an upper class neighborhood. A very nice place to live. There you will find Indians, whites, blacks, somalians, thai, etc. It is very mixed. Then if you consider Southeast Portland in the Hawthorne district you will find a mixture of races and a lot of vegans. I hope this information helps you a little in making a decision. I have to say that I think you would like it here and find that the racsim here is less than that of other places. Experience |
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