Black History month by Isaiah Rainner

The Racist History Of Portland Oregon

irainner8100 — 2024-01-31 19:11:31 UTC

Portland Oregon has never been a place for African Americans. "In 1857, Oregon adopted a store constitution that banned black people from coming to the state, residing in the state, or holding property in the state." also in the 1870s Oregon explicitly banned black people from living in its borders. And currently with a population of 85.9% white and 2.3% black, I think we still do not quite belong here. The Ku Klux Klan made Oregon even more unwelcoming for black people, the state had the highest Klan members per capita in the country. After World War 2, a large amount of the black population moved to Oregon, they moved expecting good jobs at shipyards. I think Portland has stayed about the same, I experience racism all the time. It's pretty crazy how that works, we were taken from our land and brought to stolen land... but we are the bad people?!!

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/racist-history-portland/492035/

Freedom riders

irainner8100 — 2024-02-01 18:49:48 UTC

The Freedom Riders were a group of white and African American civil rights activists. Black riders rode through the Jim Crow South and attempted to use white-only restrooms, lunch counters, and waiting rooms.

The Freedom Riders' main task was driving through the South in mixed racial groups challenging local laws or customs that enforced segregation in seating. This hits home because some people in my family were a part of the freedom riders, they told me stories about what they went through to make America a somewhat safe place for me. The South has come a long way with racism, it's still pretty racist but not as racist as it used to be. People are more racist in their homes than out in public. But of course, there's always someone who is racist out in public. I've personally experienced more racism here in Portland than I ever had back home in Alabama.

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/freedom-rides

LIVE.LOVE.A$AP

irainner8100 — 2024-02-06 19:14:43 UTC

On A$AP Rocky's Iconic LIVE.LOVE.A$AP, we see him standing in front of the American flag with smoke from his mouth. This iconic album cover art was taken on a black and white CVC disposable camera—the grimy, real look. During this time Rocky and the whole A$AP Mob were living in an unfurnished apartment, with empty beds, blow-up air mattresses, pizza boxes, an Xbox in a corner, and people freestyling in the other corner.

https://www.complex.com/style/a/lei-takanashi/asap-rocky-live-love-asap-mixtape-cover-art-brock-fetch-interview

Black Panther Party

irainner8100 — 2024-02-12 19:27:28 UTC

The Black Panther Party was founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The Black Panther Party proteced black neighborhoods and their communites from police. They were protectors, revolutionist and soliders. In harlem New York the Black Panther Party where security at events in the black communites of New York. The Black Panther party teached the youth to be against the police and defend themselves from them, they taught the youth about guns and how to use them. Instsead of being peaceful with their beliefs they were considered "Violent", "rationalists" and "Black terrorists" .

https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/black-power/black-panthers#:~:text=The%20Black%20Panther%20Party%20for,defense%2C%20particularly%20against%20police%20brutality.

B.B King

irainner8100 — 2024-02-16 22:56:31 UTC

Riley B. King, notably known as B.B King was an American Blues artist. In 1987, B.B King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. He is also considered to be one of the "Three kings of Blues Guitars", this includes Albert King, Freddie King, and B.B King. B.B King fathered 15 kids, after his death all 15 of his kids fought over his million dollar estate. During his run as the king of blues, he would perform 275 concerts a year, he did this for 40 years. I have a personal connection with B.B King, my grandfather also played the guitar and would constantly play B.B King, he also had the same guitar as B.B King.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._B._King

Portland NAACP

irainner8100 — 2024-02-20 05:03:34 UTC

The Portland NAACP branch was founded in 1914. Founded by Dr. J.N. Merriman as its very first head president. Beatrice Morrow Cannady was this NAACP's editor of African American newspapers "The advocate".

This Portland NAACP branch withheld the main task that "Americans are sanctions by the Declaration of Independence to uphold - protecting the singular belief that all men are created equal, and ensuring that Portland upholds its civic responsibility to do that same". The NAACP are a very powerful organization in the black community, they are very important to our people.

https://portlandnaacp.wordpress.com/about/

Kent Ford

irainner8100 — 2024-02-20 05:12:19 UTC

Born in 1943 near Maringouin, Louisiana. At three he moved to Redmond California with his Mother, her husband, and his three siblings. He moved to Oregon in 1961 where he set up a candy business, buying candy wholesale and having children sell door-to-door. He later founded the Portland Black Panther Party. The Portland Black Panther Party was active against the Vietnam War. They created the childrens free breakfast program and fed kids in the community daily in the dining room at Highland United Church of Christ in Northeast Portland.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kent_Ford_(activist)

irainner8100 — 2024-03-04 19:17:34 UTC

At PSU they had original posters from when famous artists came to Portland to perform. I saw the Ike and Tina Turner poster, which featured Ike & Tina Turner, Johnny Reginald, Elayna Armstrong, Eloise Carter, Jose Armstead, and the Ike-etts. Ike and Tina Turner had a very interesting relationship, full of drugs, abuse, and money. I never knew that Ike and Tina Turner came to Portland, I thought they only performed in the South.

irainner8100 — 2024-03-04 19:25:54 UTC

At PSU they had original posters from when famous artists came to Portland to perform. I saw the orignal James Brown poster, James Brown was an influential artist, he was also addicted to drugs and had his own mental issues. Coming to his undeniable demise of death.

Lee Roy Young Jr

irainner8100 — 2024-03-18 05:00:38 UTC

Lee Roy Young Jr, Born in Del Rio, Texas, On January8, 1947, was the first black Texas ranger in 1988, this is a big historical milestone within the Texas Department of Public Safety and the black community. He served in the US Navy after graduating high school in 1966, he gained recognition as a "plank owner" aboard the USS Samuel Gompers. He later transitioned into law enforcement, pursuing higher education and joining the Texas's Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a state trooper in 1973. He served for 15 long years, in many different locations before he was promoted to a Texas Ranger in 1988. Throughout his career, Young's perseverance and dedication to law enforcement and public service was well known. He later retired from the rangers in 2003 after he created his very own private investigations agency.

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/lee-roy-young-jr-1947/

Bill Moss

irainner8100 — 2024-03-18 05:15:40 UTC

Theres no picture of her I can find?!

But,

Bill Moss, born Williebelle Stringer on Aigust 20, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, made many big steps and significant strides in Tacoma's political and social landscape. In 1975, she became the first black women to win Tacoma's councilmanic primary election, even though she lost in the general election. later on she secured the third district council seat, and became the cities second back women to be elected as city council. Mosses career also includes serving as the first executive director of planned parenthood of Pierce County, a role she held for over a decade. She faced lots of discrimination, Moss and her Ex-husband Harold Gene Moss settled down their life in Tacoma's West End, where they raised three children. Moss's ability to be a leader was very notable since she had a calm demeanor, earning her the roles of Deputy Mayor.