Uniting to Understand Racism, a non-profit, community based organization in Portland, Oregon was formed, the result of the merger of two leading diversity organizations in Oregon - the Understanding Racism Foundation and Oregon Uniting.
The mission of Uniting to Understand Racism is to advance racial justice and reconciliation through honest dialogue, acts of reconciliation and education. To accomplish our goal, Uniting to Understand Racism works throughout the year with local businesses, schools, government and nonprofit to sponsor a six week dialogue program within their organizations. The program, led by two trained facilitators, focuses on helping participants raise their level of awareness concerning unexamined racist attitudes and encouraging proactive change
Understanding Racism Foundation History
In 1994, in its comprehensive study of race in the Oregon judicial system, the Oregon Supreme Court Task Force wrote: If a poll were taken of all the lawyers, court staff and judges in Oregon, it is doubtful that even one person would admit that he or she discriminates against minorities in any way.
"Sure," they might say, "There's a problem, but someone else is causing it, not me." This attitude is not limited to the justice system, but pervades all of our institutions.
The truth is that many non minorities were raised in a culture in which discrimination was common, even accepted. Not surprisingly, the habits and attitudes we learned as children carry over into adult life. The Understanding Racism Foundation was inspired by the response to issues identified by the Oregon State Supreme Court Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Issues in the Judicial System. Since its formation, the Foundation has developed a unique curriculum and conducted courses for hundreds of participants throughout Western Oregon. The classes are 90 minutes long and meet once a week for six successive weeks. The Understanding Racism Foundation believes that the root cause of racial discrimination in the United States is the conduct of white people. In large part, the discriminatory conduct is unintentional, not overt; subconscious, not conscious.
Our program has been very well received, with participants reporting a new awareness of their own attitudes toward racial equality and justice. Most participants complete the session with a deeper understanding of the racial barriers that still exist in society and a resolve to integrate their new found understanding into their personal and professional lives.
Oregon Uniting History
Oregon Uniting began as a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations interested in advancing racial reconciliation and justice in Oregon. It was founded in 1997 as a part of a National (Hope in the Cities) and international (MRA Initiatives for Change) initiative calling for actions to end racial/ethnic and religious division through honest dialogue, the healing of history, and personal responsibility for change. In November, 1997, Hope in the Cities and MRA initiated a conference at Portland State University in association with the Urban League of Portland, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the Institute of Judaic Studies, and the City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Associations. More than 200 people attended the conference, including some of Oregon Uniting's founding members. The there of the conference was healing the wounds of history and interracial dialogue. Its purpose was to establish ongoing dialogues among diverse ethnic, racial and religious communities.
After the conference, some attendees wanted to build on the relationships they had established. They came together to create a vision of a racially just and unified Oregon. From this shared ideal Oregon Uniting was born. OU's initial development work was partially funded by a grant from Hope in the Cities/Kellogg Foundation. Individuals and organizations within the state contributed as well.
