Facing Race: the 2013 Oregon Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity

To mark Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday today, about 70 advocates and organizers, including the Oregon Student Association, will deliver “Facing Race: the 2013 Oregon Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity” to Oregon legislators in Salem. The report card is  a multi-issue assessment of the 2013 legislative session, evaluating lawmaker’s commitment to advancing opportunity and addressing disparities affecting Oregonians of color. The  report card was put together by the Western States Center and the Oregon Student Association along with many other advocacy groups signed on in support earlier this year and have taken an active role in it’s creation. 

“Facing Race is a collaborative effort of the Racial Equity Report Working Groups that includes: Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Causa Oregon,Center for Intercultural Organizing, Partnership for Safety and Justice,Urban League of Portland and Western States Center.

In this report card, each member of the Oregon House and Senate was given an individual grade, based on both their votes and their leadership on 21 bills. Out of 30 Senators, there were 13 A’s, 3 B’s, 3 C’s and 11 Needs Improvement. Out of 60 Representatives, there were 25 A’s, 9 B’s, 5 C’s and 21 Needs Improvement.

Out of the 21 bills examined in this report card, 18 were passed into law compared to 10 out of the 23 that were examined in the 2011 Facing Race report card. Although there has been some progress, more work and leadership is needed to meaningfully address issues of racial equity.  

Oregon’s racial and economic gaps run deep. For example, in 2012, the poverty rate for Whites was only 15%, but 30% for Latinos, 34% for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, 36% for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and 41% for African Americans. The report also includes recommendations to improve Oregon’s approach to racial equity and inclusion” (From the Western States Center).

Download the report here: http://www.westernstatescenter.org/tools-and-resources/register-download-2013-facing-race