Oregon’s Quiet History of Racism Has Remained Unmatched

You don’t hear too many black people expressing an interest to visit Oregon,and that might have something to do with the fact that even though it’s a stunningly gorgeous state, it has a history of keeping its borders lily white.

Ever since it’s establishment back in 1859, Oregon has never danced around the fact that black people were not allowed entry and this remained in effect until 1926.

But even when the restriction was lifted, there was still a blatant need to make the lives of anyone who didn’t fit the requirements a living hell.

Diners and coffee shops were determined to keep out black folks by identifying as a “White Trade Only – Please” – a sign that was stamped on most store doors.

That was back in the 50’s and 60’s – when the great racial divide was a menacing crater that has since grown deeper with time.

But the absolute fact is that racism in America has been regulated to particular states but rarely do you hear about the system in Oregon that is still in place – hence the reason there are still very few blacks populating the generous terrain of an area that has done an impeccable job remaining under the radar.

This realization wasn’t an overnight adherence but rather a culmination of stringent laws that focused on keeping Oregon free of non-whites in ways that were deemed legal – and that tradition still carries on in subtle ways.