Black and White In Oregon

A Common Blood Oxygen Test Fails to Detect the Worst Effects of COVID-19 in Many Black Patients

Michael Sjoding, a pulmonary physician and professor based in Michigan and originally from Salem, Ore., conducted a study on the device.

Black Residents of Multnomah County Face a Greater Risk of Homelessness

“Homelessness is best described as a collection of all massive systemic failures in society.”

Before George Floyd’s Death, Black Portlanders Were Killed by Cops at a Disproportionate Rate

“What happened this summer was not a new item for the black community—it was a new item for the white community.”

Who Has the Most Student Debt? Nobody in Oregon Is Keeping Track.

Across the U.S., Black people are burdened by college debt more than other racial demographics, in part because the racial wealth gap means Black students need to borrow more to attend college.

In Portland Public Schools, a Far Higher Proportion of Teachers Than Students Identify as White

“We are criminalizing behavior that is not criminal,” says former PPS teacher Nichole Watson.

Black Portlanders Are Killed Crossing the Street at Three Times the Rate of White Pedestrians

The pedestrian death rate per 100,000 was three times higher east of 82nd Avenue than it was west of 82nd.

Disparities in Dental Care May Be Growing, Thanks to School Shutdowns

With lack of access to care or oral health education, a simple cavity can become a grave problem.

Bias Crimes Have Spiked Since Racial Justice Protests Began. Most of the Victims Are Black.

According to the Oregon Department of Justice’s interactive portal, the number of reported bias crimes in the state more than doubled from May to June.

A Multnomah County Preschool Measure Could Prove Life-Changing for People of Color

“Access to preschool is a vital importance not only to parents but to improving child care, improving health care and improving housing.”

People of Color in Oregon Are Unlikely to Find a Doctor With a Shared Background

“It’s important to be able to relate to health care professionals,” says Dr. Jill Ginsberg. “It helps to build trust."

Single-Parent Families Are More Likely to Face Poverty, and They’re More Likely to Be Black

The poverty seen more often in single-parent households has long-term effects on health and can even reduce life expectancy.

Black Mental Health Care Providers Are Greatly Underrepresented in Oregon

Black Oregonians can find few mental health care providers who share their experiences.

The Public Health Crisis of Racism Starts Early—With Who Gets Bullied at School

Black eighth graders drink more soda and less water, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol.

Black Oregonians Have the Lowest Rates of Homeownership

From high mortgage and loan denial rates to gentrification, a history of discriminatory practices has prevented Black Oregonians from buying a home.

Black Portlanders Are Still Disproportionately Stopped While Driving and Walking

Traffic stops are the most common way police interact with the public.

COVID-19 Exposed the Underlying Health Conditions That Shorten the Lifespans of People of Color

Black people over the age of 65 were hospitalized for avoidable reasons at nearly double the rate of white people.

Portland Is Not Immune to Racial Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Complications and Deaths

Black and Native American moms had the highest number of infant deaths, at 10.1 per 1,000 live births, nearly double the percentage of all other racial demographics.

New Analysis Shows Oregonians of Color Have Entered a Recession

The pandemic impacts underserved communities, worsening already-present economic disparities.

Oregon’s Black and Indigenous Kids Are Disciplined at Twice the Rate of Their White Classmates

Portland Public Schools has drastic discipline gaps between white and Black children, especially in middle schools.

A 2019 Audit Found Deep Racial Disparities in Student Achievement in Portland Public Schools

When children live in poverty, daily worries become more focused on survival, and education may not be their primary concern.

Unemployment Rates Were Already Worse for Black Portlanders. Then the Pandemic Hit.

One of the reasons was discriminatory hiring practices.

Black and White People Sit at the Extreme Ends of the Multnomah County Wealth Gap

That gap has grown for the past 40 years and is ongoing.

An Average Black Family Cannot Afford a Two-Bedroom Rental in Any of Portland’s Neighborhoods

Life in Portland for Black and white people is overwhelmingly different.

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