Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon?

Lake Oswego United Church of Christ and Beit Haverim Host a Conversation:

“Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon? A Hidden History” – October 11, 2015 – 12:30 to 2:00 pm

Lake Oswego, OR – Oct. 4, 2015 – Lake Oswego United Church of Christ (LOUCC) and Beit Haverim (BH) in collaboration with Oregon Humanities’ statewide Conversation Project will sponsor a discussion on Oregon’s historic struggle with race on Oct. 11, 2015.

FREE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN OREGON

Lake Oswego, OR – Have you ever wondered why the Black population in Oregon is so small? Oregon has a history not only of Black exclusion and discrimination, but also of a vibrant Black culture that helped sustain many communities throughout the state – a history that is not taught in schools.

This is the focus of “Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon? A Hidden History,” a free conversation with Portland State University author and adjunct professor Walidah Imarisha on Sunday, October 11, 2015 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm at 1111 SW Country Club Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. This program is hosted by Lake Oswego United Church of Christ and Beit Haverim and sponsored by Oregon Humanities. Imarisha has taught in Portland State University’s Black Studies department, where she has created classes about topics as diverse as the history of the Black Panther Party, race and the history of prisons, Hurricane Katrina, and hip hop as literature. She has facilitated writing workshops for students in third to twelfth grade, in community centers, youth detention facilities, and women’s prisons.

Reverend Jennie Ott states, “We are thrilled to host Walidah Imarisha and offer this important dialogue in our community. For both Lake Oswego United Church of Christ and Beit Haverim, our faith compels us to help dismantle racism in our society. A critical part of this work is understanding our history.”

Rabbi Alan Berg agrees adding, “Joining together with Rev. Ott and the Lake Oswego United Church of Christ has advanced Beit Haverim’s social justice commitment. We join hands together to become a source of strength to the larger community.  We are blessed to share a vision of community, a valuing of diversity and a hands on approach to doing something about it.’”

Through the Conversation Project, Oregon Humanities offers free programs that engage community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state’s future. For more information about this free community discussion, please contact Rev. Jennie Ott at 503-635-4348 or pastor@loucc.org and Rabbi Alan Berg at 503-568-1241 or alanbfpd@gmail.com.

Oregon Humanities (921 SW Washington St., Suite 150, Portland, OR 97205) connects Oregonians to ideas to change lives and transform communities. More information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Idea Lab, Public, an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.