CultureWork ; Vol. 19, No. 01
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Date
2015-04
Authors
Moreland, Kimberly S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Community Arts Studies, Arts & Administration Program, University of Oregon
Abstract
Oregon has long acknowledged, portrayed, archived, and celebrated its pioneer heritage. Settlers and explorers of
Western European descent have been the focus of most mainstream pioneer narratives. Deeper within state history,
we find that Oregon’s social and economic growth was also built, despite exclusion laws and discriminatory practices,
through often unrecognized contributions by Black settlers, slaves, immigrants, and emigrants to this state and nation.
The all-volunteer organization, Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP), seeks to promote more complex and diverse pioneer
stories. OBP is reclaiming these rich stories through exhibitions, historic preservation, and community events that
assist to commemorate, interpret, and educate about Black pioneers who were drawn here seeking change, questing
for new horizons and new beginnings. Understanding this pioneer precedent is evermore significant as Oregon
experiences rapidly changing demographics, gentrification of historically Black neighborhoods, and ways in which
decisions are made within, about, and for communities. We are pleased to present the OBP model in this issue of
CultureWork as arts and culture workers around the country grapple with similar questions about ways in which to
best represent new historical stories within previously established narrative frameworks.
Description
7 pages
Keywords
African Americans, Oregon Black Pioneers, Portland (Or.), CultureWork