New Report Gives Oregon Legislature Low Marks on Racial Equity
New Report Gives Oregon Legislature Low Marks on Racial Equity
In the midst of the celebration for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, a coalition of community based organizations presented findings from Facing Race: 2011 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity. This report card is a multi-issue and multiracial assessment of the 2011 legislative session, evaluating lawmakers’ commitment to advancing opportunity and closing disparities in the health and well-being of communities of color in Oregon.
The Senate received a “C” and the House received a “D.” These grades show the need for more collective leadership from lawmakers in addressing racial equity and inclusion.
Communities of color are here today and are becoming an even more significant part of Oregon’s future. Recent census data shows that Oregon’s communities of color have doubled in the past two decades. In 1990, people of color in Oregon were 9.2%. In 2010, people of color made up 21.5% of Oregon’s population.
This report, which is the first of its kind in Oregon, is a tool to help legislators understand Oregon’s changing demographics and how to better address the needs of communities of color. It provides legislators with new information about the experiences of people of color in the state, and sends a clear message: Lawmakers ignore the needs of these growing communities at their own risk.
“The legislature must understand that Oregon’s future prosperity is linked to our ability to provide fair opportunities and economic stability to all residents.” says David Rogers, Executive Director of Partnership for Safety and Justice. “Real solutions to racial disparities exist. Change is possible. We need more legislative leadership.”
This report was the product of a working group that included the following organizations:
- Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO)
- Causa Oregon
- Center for Intercultural Organizing
- Partnership for Safety and Justice
- Urban League of Portland
- Western States Center
Oregon has a deep history of racial inequality and exclusion. It is largely untaught in schools and it is not a part of our civic dialogue. A brief review of Oregon’s racial history can help us begin to understand our current challenges.
To view the report's Executive Summary and Introduction, click here.
"Facing Race" gives state lawmakers three key recommendations in order to see that outcomes and opportunities can benefit all Oregonians now and into the future.
To view the report's Key Recommendations to legislators, click here.
Criminal justice policies and practices clearly have a disproportionate and biased impact on communities of color in Oregon. National research shows when looking at crime rates as a whole, there is no meaningful difference among racial groups in regard to their likelihood to commit crimes. Clearly there are other factors at play in creating the significant racial disparity within Oregon’s criminal justice system.
To view the section of "Facing Race" that addresses the category of Civil Rights & Criminal Justice, click here.
Press Coverage
The Oregonian editorial highlights criminal justice issues as a critical area of racial disparity needing more focus, and indentifies PSJ’s HB 2707 as an example of legislative progress.
- The Oregonian Editorial- Wrinkles in the welcome mat
- The Oregonian - Oregon House, Senate get low grades in report on racial equity bills
- Statesman Journal - Coalition grades Legislature on addressing racial disparity
- KTVZ - Oregon Lawmakers Get Low Grades on Racial Equity
