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Editor’s Note: The debate continues on “Color Matters,” the cover article from the Fall 2010 magazine, and letters from the Winter 2011 issue. All are available online at pdx.edu/magazine.

Racism in our community

I was very impressed with the article “Color Matters” that was published in the Fall 2010 issue of your magazine. I strongly agreed with the author’s suggestion that a “progressive” community like Portland can overlook subtle expressions of bias and, more importantly, the reality of institutionalized racism. As impressed as I was with the article, I was equally shocked by the subsequent response from some of your readers in the Winter 2011 issue.

One reader stated in his letter that Portland is “not a racist city” and that the “real reason” for economic disparity in Portland is education. He went on to cite the original author, stating that “one-third of the country’s people of color have not graduated from high school vs. 7 percent of whites” and asserted that “This is the root cause of poverty, not racism.” I have to say, I was truly astonished to read this sentence! I would be interested to know what exactly this reader believes has created such an education gap between people of color and whites. His assertion carries the attribution that people of color simply choose not to be educated. It ignores the more complex truth that a deep and prolonged history of racism in every community has created barriers, both internal and external, that prevent people of color from accessing and experiencing education in the same way as whites. It’s like taking a helicopter to the top of a mountain and criticizing people who have been climbing from the bottom for not racing with you to the summit!

Brendon Bassett ’01

Firsthand experience

I wanted to let you know that I agree whole-heartedly with the article, “Color Matters,” (Fall 2010) and we should never forget that it continues to matter. I attended Monroe and Franklin high schools, PSU (1976-79), and University of Portland, and my educational experiences left a lot to be desired, although I had both good and bad teachers, black and white and other. In addition, the job opportunities and pay available to me in Portland were starkly different than my white counterparts, who were no smarter, better educated, or equipped to do the job. It was so bad that I eventually left the city.

Let’s face it, racism is striking and disturbing. Further, any coalition set up to deal with it had better be truly diverse with meaningful citizens who will accomplish the goals set out versus paying lip-service for another 25 years. I am always willing to help.

Cornelia Hicks

Stone Mountain, Georgia

Color does matter

In regards to Tom H. Stanley’s letter (Winter 2011), we can always find exceptions, but color does matter; so does gender, so does attractiveness, so does money, so do political and social connections, so does culture, so does religion, etc. It would be wonderful if we were not so naturally biased, but as humans, we are. It is overly simplistic and dishonest to say that I do not see differences. But it is up to us to transcend those prejudices and biases. We can do this through hard work, education and personal sacrifice, no matter our color, our gender or our social or economic status. We should not be so dismissive of other people’s struggle (and sometimes failure) to fit in nor should we say it cannot be done.

Priscilla Rushanaedy

Continental divide

The problem with Joyce Brustand Gordon’s letter (Winter 2011) is when she suggests that we refer to races by continental origin. Using the label European Americans to identify all white people is bogus, because all European Americans are not white. Time and immigration have changed the racial complexion of the continents tremendously over the last century. Babies of all colors have been birthed in Europe for a long time. When her children are her age, will using continental origins to identify races be appropriate at all? Not likely.

The real irony of her letter comes in the section following her signature: “First-generation Swedish Norwegian and mother of three Asian Americans.” If one were using continental origin as the criteria, wouldn’t her children really be European/Asian Americans?

I understand her argument about consistency in labeling, but in making it she offended the very rule she is rallying against. And that’s the problem with labels. It will continue to be until the day we stop identifying each other by criteria unimportant to the context of the conversation. In the meantime, we should strive to stop using racial labels in everyday speech unless it is purely necessary.

Dee Wilke ’90

Portland State Magazine wants to hear from you. E-mail your comments to psumag@pdx.edu or send them to Portland State Magazine, Office of University Communications, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity.