Oregon City mayor joins Portland event marking 100 years since repeal of Oregon's Black exclusion laws

Community members, performers and civic leaders filled a room at the North Portland Library on Monday to mark a milestone in Oregon history: 100 years since voters approved removing language from the state constitution that had excluded Black people. The commemoration was organized by Oregon Black Pioneers, a statewide African American historical society.

The clause at the heart of the anniversary dated to 1859, when Oregon's constitution banned Black people from living, working and owning property in the state. Oregon was the only state admitted to the Union with an exclusion law written into its constitution. A century ago, Black community organizers, working alongside organizations such as the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, helped change the minds and hearts of Oregon voters, leading to the removal of wording that had long denied Black people the right to live freely in the state.

"In every iteration of Oregon as a governmental body, there was some form of a Black exclusion law, the final being article one, section 35 of the Bill of Rights in Oregon's Constitution," said Mariah Rocker, public programs and exhibits manager for Oregon Black Pioneers. That provision, she noted, was the one finally struck from the constitution 100 years ago this week.

Zachary Stocks, executive director of Oregon Black Pioneers, framed the anniversary as a lesson in civic power. "It was voting which created the Black exclusion laws, and it was voting which got rid of the Black exclusion laws. Everybody's vote matters," he said.

Among those in the packed room was Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff, one of five mayors who signed a proclamation recognizing the anniversary that was first issued by Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. Portland, Wilsonville, Ashland, Gold Beach and Tualatin also participated in the recognition, and Oregon City held its own celebration honoring the significance of the signing a century ago.

"This celebration is important because I recognize being a long term resident of Oregon, that there are so many people in this state that do not understand or even know about their history, let alone the contributions of African Americans whose contributions in this state have been significant," McGriff said.

Organizers acknowledged that Oregon's history of racial exclusion and discrimination is no cause for celebration, but the gathering offered an uplifting chance to reflect, learn and connect. The afternoon featured a presentation on the history of Black exclusion laws in Oregon, a pizza party and rollicking performances by Arietta Ward & Friends.

The day culminated with a performance of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day," which brought the crowd to its feet as attendees sang along, filling the room with laughter and joy.

For performer MaryEtta Callier, the anniversary carried a significance that reached beyond the historical milestone. "Even though a hundred is a large number, it still seems like it's brand new because of what we are experiencing right now," she said. "Whatever has been learned can be unlearned. So we're here to plant some new seeds today."