An article by
Matt Novak over at Gizmodo revisists a slice of history that most people in the Northwest would just as soon forget.
When Oregon was granted statehood in 1859, it was the only state in the Union admitted with a constitution that forbade black people from living, working, or owning property there. It was illegal for black people even to move to the state until 1926. Oregon's founding is part of the forgotten history of racism in the American west.
While we sometimes want to believe racism—or at least
institutionalized racism— was endemic only to the South, this is far from the truth. Racism wasn't just common and accepted practice in many, if not most, areas of the country, it was simply the law.
Waddles Coffee Shop in Portland, Oregon was a popular restaurant in the 1950s for both locals and travelers alike. The drive-in catered to America's postwar obsession with car culture, allowing people to get coffee and a slice of pie without even leaving their vehicle. But if you happened to be black, the owners of Waddles implored you to keep on driving. The restaurant had a sign outside with a very clear message: "White Trade Only — Please."
When I was a kid, the "whites only" signs had been replaced by "We retain the right to refuse service to anyone" signs—good for both uppity blacks and for any wandering hippies—but the lines were still drawn very clearly.
People who believe that the economic, educational, and social damage of racism is something from the distant past, are simply people who have benefited from racism.
Today, while 13 percent of Americans are black, just 2 percent of Oregon's population is black. This is not some accident of history. It's a product of oppressive laws and everyday actions that deliberately excluded non-white people from a fair shot at living a life without additional obstacles being put in their way.
A terrific and interesting article. Go read it all.
