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Oregon Historical Journal To Highlight State's Racist Past

A KKK meeting in Lane County, circa 1920s.
Oregon Historical Society
A KKK meeting in Lane County, circa 1920s.

Oregon’s legacy of racism - including the prominence of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as resistance against such groups - is the focus of an upcoming publication from the state historical society. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the organization is calling for articles.

A KKK meeting in Lane County, circa 1920s.
Credit Oregon Historical Society
A KKK meeting in Lane County, circa 1920s.

From early state laws that opposed African-American settlers, to KKK members influencing politics in the 1920s, the Beaver State has seen its share of racial prejudice.

Klan members march through Ashland during the 1920s.
Credit Oregon Historical Society
Klan members march through Ashland during the 1920s.

Eliza Canty-Jones is editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly.  She says its Winter 2019 issue will be entirely devoted to this topic.

“Everything from the pioneer-era of white supremacy to labor history, including unions…to organized resistance work and resistance leaders…those are some of the subjects that are called out there.”

A Ku Klux Klan gathering in Porland, 1922.
Credit Oregon Historical Society
A Ku Klux Klan gathering in Porland, 1922.

Jones adds Eugene itself had a so-called “Klavern” roughly a century ago, that drew people in with its “One Hundred Percent Americanism” stance.  She notes that White Nationalist and Nazi graffiti continues to plague the city.

Proposals for articles are due June 18 th.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. He is a 20-year reporter who has worked at NPR, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including three Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award in 2012.