Editor in chief: Laura Cadiz
Editorial Editors: Bret Jacobson, Laura Lucas
Newsroom: (541)346-5511
Room 300, Erb Memorial Union
P.O, Box 3159, Eugene, OR 97403
E-mail: ode@oregon.uoregon.edu
Friday
June 2,2000
Volume 101, Issue 165
Emerald
They say
history is written
by the victors — and it’s pret
ty well agreed upon that the victors have
been white, upper-class and male — but hopefully
that view will soon change in Eugene. This city’s
process of deciding what makes a building histori
cally significant is undergoing change to recognize
the contributions of minorities and different class
es to the area’s history.
Under consideration by the Eugene Historic Re
view Board is the very process and criteria that de
termine which properties are designated as historic.
Included is the modification that would attempt to
recognize sites with “blue collar” and minority his
tory in addition to the older tradition of simply list
ing the largest and most grand properties. Such an
example is the Mims House at 330 High St., the first
Eugene house owned by African-Americans after
laws prohibiting home ownership by such groups
were repealed.
At the very heart of this effort is the recognition
that it’s time to start recognizing the whole of our
history and not just what traditional history books
may teach us is important. By examining our entire
history perhaps we can realize the trials and
successes of those who may have had a much hard
er time realizing the American dream.
That effort is an important one. For one reason,
the process makes aware those who wouldn’t oth
erwise know of the plight of minority groups in city
history. Another reason is that some formal valida
tion is granted for the contributions of historically
under-represented groups.
Still, some are concerned that the recognition will
be for the wrong reasons. University student Shaw
na Adams-Jacobs believes that recognizing home
ownership by a woman simply because of her gen
der would reinforce the traditional stereotype of
male ownership. Therefore, she and others argue
that the historical merit would be based on “being a
woman in the man-sphere.”
While that is a valid concern, the overall push to
rec
ognize minority contri
butions to local history must move
on to give us the most complete and accurate
view of history so that we may avoid our past mis
takes and build on our past successes. And though
historical merit should still be thoroughly examined
in every individual case, there is no reason not to
give a full effort into digging up the history of groups
who wouldn’t normally have made it into the static
category of “biggest and best.”
There is certainly room in Eugene’s history to rec
ognize minority history. The area has been — and
currently is — largely Caucasian. When any group
is in such an overwhelming majority, the tendency
can be to overlook the contributions and struggles
of other groups. Hopefully, now the effort to exam
ine the legacies of those ignored groups will give us
all a better picture of where we’ve been and where
we’re going.
This editorial represents the view of the Emerald editorial
board. Responses may be sent to ode@oregon.uoregon.edu
Thumbs
To health care
for the poor
Come October, the
extremely poor
can receive better
health care at the
Volunteers in Med
icineClinic, which
will offer more se
curity and depend
ability to those in
need.
To requiring renter
responsibility
Though many stu
dents are against
the Eugene Police
Commission’s pro
posal that would
fine renters for re
peated police calls
to their residence
within a 90 day pe
riod, it would
hopefully keep
area gatherings
peaceful, quiet
and safe for police.
To the possible de
mise of the
Tandem Taxi
The service might
temporarily stop
when University
bike coordinator
David Niles resigns
his position in mid
June. The Office of
Public Safety will
evaluate the serv
ice that transports
injured or disabled
students during
the day.
To unduly harsh
punishment
The Powers High
School senior from
Coquillewas
turned down by a
Coos County Cir
cuit Court judge in
her attempt to re
store her valedic
torian title after
the school district
stripped her of the
right after she was
caught showering
with five boys.