Yes it's true, even though the history books show Oregon on the side of the North, some Oregonians proudly hoist the Confederate flag. I am not sure why as it couldn't be Southern Pride. Surely Colonel Baker and the Oregon boys in the Pennsylvania regiment that fought bravely for the North would surely roll in their graves. It is true that Oregon was founded in large part by Southern yeoman, escaping the cast system slavery created, who took their racist ideals with them. It is also true Oregon instituted "lash laws" and various other exclusion laws that stayed in the Oregon Constitution for years. But seriously why are these people over 150 years later proudly displaying the flag on their trucks and sleeveless T's?
Oregonians think of themselves as progressive, feeling ties to men like Tom McCall, but they forget about the pockets of hatred and racism in our rural areas. Yes racism. They mask it behind political excuses but it is nothing more than that. I hear the tasteless jokes at the grocery store and local barbecues. They have the audacity to make cracks about Obama, a Yale man, while they dropped out of high school in eighth grade. I love my town and the people in it, but am often ashamed at the ignorant venom they spew. Like that racist granddad that makes you cringe at his dated comments, but that you love nonetheless, my sweet little town makes my heart swell with love and shame.
No comments:
Post a Comment