Volunteers of America Oregon stands with the communities, organizations, and individuals across the country and world fighting against the systemic racism that exists within our nation. Significant social change has come in our country from peaceful demonstrations, marches, advocacy, from voting for change, and from elected officials rising to the occasion. We are at the crossroads and must take the active steps to eliminate systemic racism. Together we can become the nation that was promised in our founding documents. May we all find wisdom, guidance and courage to address the issues, practices, and barriers that divide and separate us as a people.
Volunteers of America Oregon has a long history of reaching out to populations that have been marginalized, that have been victims of bias and discrimination. We stand for social justice. Today we stand by our commitment to help the most vulnerable in our community, no restrictions.
We stand for racial justice and equity.
Stand with us! Stand together!
We ask that you stand with us for racial equity and social justice.
Make a Difference
How to contribute to this major societal change agenda?
Develop Self-awareness
Have uncomfortable conversations. “What do I do that might contribute to the problem of racism?”
Volunteer and Support
Get involved with organizations that serve the vulnerable, people of color, specifically blacks.
Educate Yourself
Watch films, read books, listen to podcasts, and attend lectures about race.
See something, say something
If there appears to be an inappropriate action or slight say something. Silence is our enemy.
Listen to Black voices
This is a time for each of us to make the extra effort to get to know our community, to get to know blacks in our community.
Register to Vote
Be an advocate and a loud voice in the movement for change.
Resources
- 1619 – The New York Times
- Code Switch – NPR
- Seeing White – Duke University Center for Documentary Studies
- How to be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi - White Fragility Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
by Robin DiAngelo
Between the World and Me
by Ta-Nehisi CoatesSomething Happened In Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice
by Marianne Celano PhD, Marietta Collins PhD, Ann Hazzard PhDA People’s History of the United States
by Howard ZinnSo, You Want to Talk About Race
by Ljeoma Oluo- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
by Dr. Ibram Kendi- The Autobiography of Malcom X
by Alex Hayley The Fire Next Time
by James Baldwin
- A is for Activist
By Innosanto Nagara - Hands Up
By Breanna J. McDaniel - A Kids Book About Racism
By Jelani Memory - Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights
By Rob Sanders - Not My Idea
By Anastasia Higginbotham - Separate is Never Equal
By Duncan Tonatiuh - We March
By Shane W. Evans - I Am Enough
By Grace Byers - Sulwe
By Lupita Nyong - Wings
By Christopher Myers - I Love My Hair
By Natasha Anastasia Tarpley - The Book Itch
By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson - Before John was a Jazz Giant
By Carole Boston Weatherford
- US Businesses Must take Meaningful Action Against Racism
Harvard Business Review Byron Allen: Black America speaks. America should listen.
The Grio- Black Pioneers an Oregon Experience
OPB - Lift Every Voice
OPB - The Case for Reparations
The Atlantic - 5 Bold Ways White Male Allies Can Step Up Against Racism
By Tiffany Jana
The New York Times (Subscription needed)
Films
- 13th, 2016
- After Selma, 2019
- Becoming Barack, 2012
- Birth of a Movement, 2017
- Blackklansman, 2018
- Do the Right Thing, 1989
- February One: The Story of the Greenboro Four, 2003
- Get on the Bus, 1996
- Jim Crow of the North
- John Lewis: Get in the Way, 2017
- Life of a King, 2013
- Malcom X, 1992
- Obama to Selma, 2015
- Rodney King, 2017
- Salute, 2008
- Self-Made—Inspired by the Life of Madame C. J. Walke, 2020
- Selma, 2014
- Teach us All, 2017
- The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, 2005
- When They See Us, 2019
Videos
- We Need to Talk About Injustice
Bryan Stevenson - The Urgency of Intersectionality
Kimberle Crenshaw
Check out your local library and community center.
Do you have resources to share?
Please send us resources that can be added to this page.
Email information@voaor.org