But what about the black people? (Portland, Canby: school, ordinance, estimated)

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

I am sure they don't, officially. That is why sundown laws was in quotes. In the hearts and minds of 'some' Oregonians, however, such laws should never have been repealed so they are enforcing them unofficially.
H

I think this is how alot of people in America think. It's illegal to exclude residents based on race, but it doesn't mean opinions won't change. Sometimes I wish I was eight years old again. At that age I didn't know anything about racial tensions and the subject of race hardly on the brain. But former President Ike Eisenhower said that changing laws can't change a man's heart. He was right. Eisenhower enforced the law when it came to the Little Rock 9. He did what was right. He also knew people woud still do stupid things. That fact still holds true today. We know what is right and what is wrong, but human nature often gets in the way of what is right.

[NorthernCalifornia]

I haven't read the entire thread but most black people on the west coast moved here to the cities during world war 2 when there were ship-building jobs.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by NorthernCalifornia

I haven't read the entire thread but most black people on the west coast moved here to the cities during world war 2 when there were ship-building jobs.

Yes. places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton(WA), and even Portland. The ship uilding jobs is part of why Portland's black population increased during the war years. After WWII, many blacks were finding that there were few opportunities for them there, so some blacks went to other cities. Some went to Seattle from what I have heard.

[GB1]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

After WWII, many blacks were finding that there were few opportunities for them there, so some blacks went to other cities.

...helped along by the Vanport Flood, which destroyed the insta-city that had been built for WWII workers. 40-50% of them, it's estimated, were black.

[jread]

We saw many blacks in Portland when we were there. Some neighborhoods off MLK seemed to be almost entirely black. I think Portland is a lot more diverse than people give it credit for.

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by jread

We saw many blacks in Portland when we were there. Some neighborhoods off MLK seemed to be almost entirely black. I think Portland is a lot more diverse than people give it credit for.

I agree with you. It's just that North Portland is a fair way from the downtown area-southwest areas that people frequent and tourists visit.

[jread]

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

I agree with you. It's just that North Portland is a fair way from the downtown area-southwest areas that people frequent and tourists visit.

We saw many different people downtown as well (black, Mexican, etc.) It is true that it wasn't diverse once you got outside of Portland, but the city itself was a lot more diverse than I was expecting.

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by jread

We saw many different people downtown as well (black, Mexican, etc.) It is true that it wasn't diverse once you got outside of Portland, but the city itself was a lot more diverse than I was expecting.

What was your favorite "thing" downtown?

[jread]

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

What was your favorite "thing" downtown?

"Thing"? You mean as far as the people? We thought there was a prevalent "Ned Flanders" way about many of the people there, lol.

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by jread

"Thing"? You mean as far as the people? We thought there was a prevalent "Ned Flanders" way about many of the people there, lol.

Funny.

Actually, though, I used the oh-so generic "thing" to include any/all category (a shopping area, particular area, skyscraper). Makes it harder to pin-point the answer, I know.