English Transcript:

Hello! Right now, it is raining—birds are flying around, in fact, there is a bird right there. It brings memories back in Oregon, it rains all the time. I used to be a bicyclist heading for school or work, do I miss it? Yes and no.

Portland only see sun 70 times a year–that explains why it rains all the time! That is why it is depressing state, not only that, but SAD (seasonal affective disorder)–when heavy clouds, makes your body and mind very tiring and not enough exposed to sun. What is positive about Portland: Food, Arts, Creative Minds, Books, Bicyclists…

Negative: Serious Racism. That is why I am letting you know that this vlog will warn you with graphic pictures that may be sensitive to the viewers and I will be talking about the roots of Racism in Oregon.

See that? The Great PNW. What is PNW? Pacific Northwest. (Washington, Oregon, Idaho…) I was bred and buttered there for 37 years then I moved to a diverse city. Most of my family members were born in PNW. I first learned Racism roots where in my class, Hate Crime and Bias. Maybe my first taste of Racism–possibly hate, around in 2003 or 2004, when I was a community college student walking to school from my old apartment one day then I saw something that really taken back.

There was a meeting room with glass windows next to a restaurant which owned the room, there were ALL of were skinheads, ALL of them were WHITE. There was a sign that says “Volksfront”–a hardcore skinhead and hate group. I remember giving them dirty facial expressions to them, telling them “Fuck you” allowing hate in my “backyard”.

Three years later, in 2007, I signed up for Hate Crime and Bias course, and that was where I learned deep Racism roots in Oregon, that was when I became shocked. That is why it is my duty to educate you all in ASL. Portland is the most whitest city in America. When Oregon became statehood in 1859, they were called “White Utopia” and that was where they followed racist principles.

The year, 1859—89% of residents voted Oregon to be WHITE ONLY STATE. That means they do not accept Black people or People of Color. Blacks cannot live, work, or own property from 1859 until 1926. Even with 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, meaning former slaves can vote, live, whatever they want. Oregon refused to recognize 14th Amendment.

What is 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution? It was passed in 1866 recognized by United States Congress then ratified in 1868, still Oregon still refused to recognize it from 1868 until 1973–more than 100 years later! I remember taking Hate Crime class, there was a discussion about year 1922 where there were more than 14,000 memberships in KKK groups. 9,000 members were living in Portland alone. That was a large number!

If you want to read books, I will put links in the video. Sadly, today in Oregon, the state are still targeting Blacks–only less than 2% of Blacks living there. Comparing to 14% in America. Oregon is still practicing Racism—invisible or not. Thank you! The pictures will be shown–along with references.

-JT

Copyright © 2017 Jason Tozier

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