8 community may2 2019 Racism in Oregon: An Egregious History continued from page 7 in a letter. “... I believe this place is very clean and the washroom and shower very sanitary.” Soejima continued, “We have a library, recreation hall, and a big arena converted into a gym. All in all I can tell you, I guess I’m enjoying myself immensely. Please let my friends know I am thinking about them and wish them well,” she graciously ended her letter. Historically the camps are re- membered as prisons, surrounded by barbed wire fences and guard towers with deplorable living conditions that in- cluded rooms made from plywood walls with no ceilings and open pit latrines. The families tried to create a sense of community, establishing fire and police departments, publishing newspapers, and forming baseball teams. Children attended school, although they were pro- vided with almost no books, desks, or supplies. The Oregon Plan, implemented in May of 1942 created the first Japa- nese American farm labor camp in the United States, located in Mahleur County, where 350 citizens were housed and worked tending crops and pick- ing produce. Japanese Americans were also allowed to join the military when the government formed the 442 nd Regi- mental Combat Team, which became one of the most highly decorated units in American history. During WWII PUBLIC NOTICE 8,000 citizens of Japanese decent served in the American armed forces. After being confined for two and a half years, in January 1945 the War Department announced that Japa- nese Americans could leave the camps. Many Oregon residents actively cam- paigned against the return of their Japa- nese American neighbors and “No Japs Allowed” signs were common in busi- ness windows. Japanese citizens were encouraged to relocate away from west coast states where they were particularly made unwelcome. The Oregon House of Representatives passed Joint Memorial No. 9 on February 28, 1945, calling on President Roosevelt to prevent the return of Japanese Americans “for the duration of the present war with Japan.” The leg- islators based their request on what they described as “considerable antagonism to such return” to Oregon. Hood River received national attention when the lo- cal American Legion Post removed the names of 16 “Nisei,” Japanese Ameri- can members of the U.S. Military, from a plaque honoring local members of the armed forces. Many of the Japanese that did return to their homes in Oregon found their farm equipment and orchards van- dalized, windows in their homes broken, and faced intimidation, harassment, and boycotts of their produce. Only about 70% chose to stay in Oregon. ** In Oregon the 1950s saw some progress for African American citizens, in some ways putting the state ahead of other parts of the nation. In 1951 Oregon repealed its law prohibiting interracial marriages. In April 1953 the state leg- islature passed a civil rights bill which prohibited hotels, motels, restaurants, and amusement places from discriminat- ing on the basis of race, religion, or na- tional origin, even though a group calling themselves the Civil Freedom Commit- tee, headed by Rev. Elbert D. Riddick, attempted to use a referendum measure to delay the vote until the 1954 general election; the group’s effort failed when they only collected 9,925 of the 23,375 valid signatures needed. In 1959 Oregon finally ratified the 15 th Amendment to the Constitution, officially granting all citizen the right to vote. Employment opportunities be- gan to open up for African Americans and the Portland region saw a number of “First Black Employees” in numerous fields, including the first firefighter; the first manager of a large business; the first sports writer, and church editor at The Oregonian; and the first black employ- ees at the Crown-Zellerbach paper mill in Camas, and at Sears and Montgom- ery Ward. In 1957 Mrs. Phil Reynolds was named Oregon Mother of the Year, the first African American to receive this honor. Other firsts included the first black dentist, the first real estate agent, and the first pharmacist. In 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin across the United States. It prohib- ited unequal application of voter regis- tration requirements, and racial segrega- tion in schools, employment, and public accommodations. The legislation was originally proposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Johnson carried it forward after Kennedy’s assassination. The Civil Rights Act led to the bussing of African American students in an effort to desegregate schools; Portland took up the practice in 1965. Racial tensions escalated be- tween blacks and whites across the United States between 1964 and the continued on page 15 Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks available 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 10-6 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun