SALEM, Ore. - As a group, Oregon lawmakers have not done much to ensure that non-white Oregonians have anything close to the same chances for success as white Oregonians. That's the finding of a new report that gives the state Senate a grade of "C" - and the House a "D" - based on their votes last session on bills that could have improved the financial security, health or educational opportunities for people of color.

Kalpana Krishnamurthy, director of the RACE Program at the Western States Center, says that is important because Oregon has become a real melting pot.

"A place like Malheur County is 36 percent people of color. Lake County is 13 percent; Jefferson County is 38 percent people of color. We're not just talking about I-5 and urban centers. We're talking about the entire state, and the demographics of our state really changing."

The report examines the fate of 23 pieces of legislation. Some of them, like home loan modifications, could benefit all families, no matter what their race.

According to the latest census, people of color make up more than 21 percent of Oregon residents. Joseph Santos-Lyons, a coordinator with the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), says public policies in the state have not kept up with the changing demographics.

"We believe that the Legislature has to understand that Oregon's future prosperity is linked to our ability to provide fair opportunities and economic stability to all residents - and there's a wide gap between white Oregonians and Oregonians of color."

Krishnamurthy says there are ways to minimize racial disparities - although in another tight budget year, the Legislature also risks making the problems worse.

"Oregon has some very tough decisions to make about what we fund, and about how to find a balance between revenues and expenses. But if we do these cuts in ways that don't look at racial equity, we will exacerbate some of these growing opportunity gaps in our state."

The report says statewide poverty figures reflect the legislature's inaction on some issues. For whites in Oregon, the poverty rate is about 13 percent, but for Native Americans, it is 23 percent. It's almost 29 percent for Latinos, 39 percent for African Americans and just over 40 percent for Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.

The full report, "Facing Race: 2011 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity in Oregon," is available at www.westernstatescenter.org.




get more stories like this via email

A recent report details how great wealth that later made philanthropy possible around the country but most evidently in the District of Columbia, southern Maryland and northern Virginia -- commonly known as the DMV -- came at the expense of the social stability and economic success of Black residents.

Dwayne Proctor, board chair of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, said older foundations likely had the best opportunity to participate in practices that were unfair and unjust to people because of the times they were in, in the social context in which they began.

"I'm hopeful that many folks will look toward their local foundations and want to know more about how they began and if they've done harm and participated in the oppression of others, like it appears to have been the case in the DMV with the foundations that are studied," Proctor said.

Proctor stressed that if readers can connect the overlaps between the social determinants of health and the necessary healing of Black families today, real and transformative conversations about repair can begin.

Katherine Ponce, research manager for special projects for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, said the report tried to model what the state of California has done for its reparations task force, outlining many categories of how Black people have faced disparities in the region and how that starts.

"We talked about anti-Black media and rhetoric, housing discrimination and segregation, unemployment and hidden opportunity, and then health care, both mental and physical. We have eight case studies of foundations in the region, how their money was createdm" Ponce explained.

Ponce added the report should leave people not just knowing that big systems of oppression impact and harm people of color, but should cause people to start taking measurable actions and fix the disparities and make ties from the eight stories to their reality.

A new report finds some Missouri laws and prospective laws are perceived as discriminatory regardless of their actual intent - and it outlines some big, negative economic implications for the state.

When events are scheduled in places with policies that are considered non-inclusive or discriminatory, that place is often assumed to support these initiatives.

Dr. M. Ray Perryman, founder and CEO of The Perryman Group, who conducted the independent analysis, said some potential visitors will choose to go elsewhere rather than support places they think are less open to diversity and equity. He said this avoidance risks millions for the Missouri economy.

"Travel and tourism losses in Missouri and Kansas could total hundreds of millions of dollars per year," he said, "with an associated loss in revenue to the states and local governments."

Measures now under consideration include Senate Bill 1314, which would limit state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and SB 980, which would prohibit state agencies from doing business with companies unless they'd agree not to be part of economic boycotts. With these types of policies, the Perryman research says, the state would risk losing nearly $2.6 billion in annual income and almost 24,000 jobs by 2030.

Perryman also pointed out that controversial public policies are discouraging to skilled workers seeking long-term employment and young workers as they consider where to begin their careers. He said it also plays a role for organizations in Missouri that are concerned about retaining employees.

"At a time when the U.S. economy is facing major challenges and uncertainty, the competition for quality corporate locations and expansions, as well as skilled workers, is particularly intense," he said, "and anti-DEI measures can be particularly damaging for future prosperity."

The report warns of similar negative financial consequences for the state of Kansas.


get more stories like this via email

Today, a virtual "Ask Me Anything" program will address some of the pressing issues of asylum-seekers, in Pennsylvania and across the country.

More than 500 people were granted asylum in Pennsylvania in 2022, according to the Office of Homeland Security.

Cathryn Miller-Wilson, executive director of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Pennsylvania, said the forum was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s commitment to justice and equity for marginalized communities. The program will shed light on the difficulties of the asylum process and advocate for improved asylum policies.

"We, in carrying on his legacy, are putting together this event to provide critical, truthful information about what's going on," Miller-Wilson explained. "And ask for advocacy about improving things, to make things more equitable."

The online event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Miller-Wilson noted one topic will be the high number of people at the southern U.S. border due to higher levels of global displacement. Recent news reporting indicates the U.S. Border Patrol's ability to effectively handle the influx of migrants is overwhelming its resources.

Miller-Wilson emphasized members of Congress and the White House are considering proposals which could drastically change the asylum system. She pointed to one pending bill, House Resolution 1325, which is intended to help eligible asylum applicants get employment authorization.

"That's another piece of the asylum process that nobody talks about," Miller-Wilson emphasized. "Under our current law, if you are eligible to apply for asylum, you can come into the country, you can apply for asylum, but you are not eligible for work authorization for six months."

Miller-Wilson said her group helps people with incomes below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level with legal and social service needs. She added today's panel includes a client in Philadelphia who received asylum about a year ago, a doctor from the Philadelphia Human Rights Clinic, and a staff attorney for the group.


get more stories like this via email