Equity Conversations: Oregon’s historical white supremacy structure

Oregon – particularly Portland – is often seen as progressive and tolerant. A deeper look at its history will reveal a different reality. Members of Partners in Diversity are invited to a conversation about Oregon’s history of racial exclusion and structures of white supremacy.

Eliza Canty-Jones, editor of Oregon Historical Quarterly and director of community engagement at the Oregon Historical Society, will facilitate the discussion.

Participants will learn about and discuss:

• Oregon’s historical white supremacy structures,
• Where these structures still exist today and how they affect you and your employees of color,
• What you can do to tear them down.

This is open to members of Partners in Diversity.

In an effort to provide a safe group discussion environment, we are offering two sessions but limiting each session to 30 registrants. Due to the limited space, we ask that no more than two people from each organization attend the sessions.

About the facilitator:

Eliza serves as the editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ) and Director of Community Engagement for the Oregon Historical Society (OHS). She began working at OHS in 2003, has overseen the publication of OHQ since 2007, and began managing public programs and community relationships in 2012. Eliza prioritizes bringing diverse perspectives to our shared understanding of Oregon’s past. She works with a wide variety of colleagues, community members, and scholars to maintain institutional integrity and to create opportunities for the public to engage with history. Prior to beginning her career as a public historian, Eliza worked with non-profit and local government organizations doing outreach, fundraising, and campaign development.