African Americans in Oregon
African Americans in Oregon or Black Oregonians are residents of the state of Oregon who are of African American ancestry. In 2017, there were an estimated 91,000 African Americans in Oregon.[1]
 The family of America Waldo Bogle, one of the first African Americans to settle in Oregon. | |
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| 91,000 | |
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| Portland | |
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| English | |
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| African Americans |
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The state has a history of discrimination against African Americans, with laws from 1844 to 1936 prohibiting them from residing in the state and owning land. Despite these challenges, African Americans have significantly contributed to the state, notably in the timber industry in the early 20th century. Notable African-American Oregonians include playwright Tanya Barfield, civil rights activist Beatrice Morrow Cannady, professional basketball player A.C. Green, and rapper Aminé.
History
African-Americans, like Blacks in other states, were historically discriminated against, but much more strongly contrasted to the rest of the US. When Oregon became a state in 1859, it was the only US state restricting people of certain ethnic backgrounds from owning land. From 1844 to 1936 the Government of Oregon set up restrictions and laws prohibiting people of African descent from residing in the state, which has caused socio economic issues that still exist today.[2]
In the early 20th century, the African American population became heavily represented in the timber industry, transforming it into one of Oregon's most diverse trades.[3][4]
Notable African-American Oregonians
- Tanya Barfield, playwright
- Dick Bogle, first Black television reporter in the Pacific Northwest
- Beatrice Morrow Cannady, civil rights activist and co-founder of the Portland branch of the NAACP
- Brandon Gonzáles, boxer of both Black and Mexican descent
- A. C. Green, professional basketball player
- Charles Jordan, first Black city commissioner for Portland
- Gladys McCoy, politician
- Harriet Redmond, suffragette
- McCants Stewart, first African-American lawyer in Oregon.
- Aminé, Rapper
See also
References
- "Blacks in Oregon". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- "Oregon once legally banned Black people. Has the state reconciled its racist past?". National Geographic. 2021-03-08. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- "Discover Oregon's Diverse Timber History". Travel Oregon. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- "The Faces of Black Oregon". Travel Oregon. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
Further reading
- Pioneers, Oregon Black; Moreland, Kimberly Stowers (2013). African Americans of Portland. ISBN 9780738596198.
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