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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2015)
Street Roots • Aug. 21-27, 2015 Page 3 Editorial Write in If you would like tohave / \ / something \ ------- "A. that you’ve written published ~ — \ J in our pages, or would like to get invotved as a member of our reporting staff, contact Managing Editor Joanne Zuhl at 503-228-5657, joanne@streetroots.org. We ask that all submissions include the author’s name and contact information, If available. Street Roots 211 NW Davis S t Portland, OR 97209 503-228-5657 Fax: 503-227-3117 www.streetroots.org www.news.streetroots.org Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. M on.-Fri, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. and 7:30-11 a.m. Sun. Advertising Interested in advertising in Street Roots? Contact Israel Bayer at tsraeitstreetroots.org Staff Executive Director Israel Bayer . israel@streetroots.org .. ; loanne O f r l '-"t - joarme@streetroots.org"’ Vendor Coordinator Cole Merkel coie@streetroots.org Operations Director Sarah Beecroft Development Director Sarah Cloud Program Assistant Scott Jackson, Jesuit Volunteer Development Assistant Ann-Derrick Gailiot Reporters Emily Green, Sue Zaiokar, Ann-Derrick Gailiot, Sarah Hansell, Lenora Ko, Sam Bouman, Jared Paben > Photographers Diego Diaz, Joe Giode Canvasser Desmond Hardison • M a n a g in g E d ito r In loving m em ory of old Portland study and enjoy. had the pleasure of being asked According to many people that to read a short eulogy, along knew Portland well — Portland was with other longtime Portlanders this past week at a funeral for Old very passive-aggressive, very rarely ever saying what he or she actually Portland. meant. The funeral was held to pay Somewhat judgmental, always respects to a Portland that has been freaky and almost always stoned lost in the past 20-plus years. It was Portland always walked her own one of several events in August put way. together by Hand2Mouth Theatre During downtime, Portland and supported enjoyed long walks in the park, by Oregon spray painting graffiti under the 1-5 Humanities DIRECTOR'S looking at how viaduct, biking and self-publishing witty, and at times, unreadable Portland has DESK, zines. changed Unfortunately, Portland also had a By Israel Bayer through the dark side. lens of Gus Van The medical examiner reported Sant’s film, “My that Portland died of greed-borne Own Private illness out of years of redlining, Idaho.” The eulogy is below. racism and the lack of political will Portland has left us with an to support people experiencing amazing and troubled legacy. Over the years, Portland captured poverty. More so, after looking at the hearts and minds of many Portland’s DNA, it was determined people, many of whom are here that the Portland 20 years ago with ns todav. wasn’t aU that different than the Prior to her death, Portland ? Portland today. Besides higher rents influenced countless counter- and a tech-boom, it is still a cultural movements. Known for her predominantly liberal, white city support of social justice activism with thousands of people sleeping and the arts, she believed that on the streets. Moderate regardless of a particular individual Republicans claiming to be or group’s lot in life everyone had Democrats continue to make money something to contribute. hand over fist. She left behind hundreds, if not Some have argued that Portland’s thousands, of poems, books, movies fortitude and openness to social and songs for future generations to I Israel Bayer is the executive director o f Street Roots, You can reach him at israel@streetroots.org or follow him on Twitter @israelbayer. change and free-market capitalism left the city better in a better place. Still, underneath Portland’s success; the boutiques, the green ways and the shine — there still lays a layer of dirt and grime. Portland grew up in a complicated time. Her father, an abusive man that stole the Native’s land. Her mother, a drug boss and law enforcement official responsible for the War on Drugs and flooding our city with heroin and crack cocaine - helping contribute to thousands of deaths and thousands more going to prison for non-violent drug offenses. Portland left behind two children, one that now lives in New York and is a successful fashion designer and another who ended up homeless and traumatized for life after being forced to do unimaginable things to survive. Portland said, days before her death, “My life has been . complicated, but the coffee is brewing, the whiskey is flowing and the music is still playing. We are a sustainable city filled with hope, creativity and innovation. What more do you want from me?” Old Portland will always remain in the hearts and minds of the people who lived and worked in her green city. Loved and hated, Old Portland will be missed by some and remembered by many. Board of Directors Chairman Bruce Anderson Vice-Chairman Brad Taylor Treasurer Heather Stadick Secretary Amber Bielman Directors Rich Rodgers, Michael Anderson, Leo Rhodes, Nora Coon, Darren Alexander, Eddie Barbosa, Rachel Langford Volunteers Jan Bayer, John Barker, Stacey Heath, Brian Ritchie, Anders Frederickson, Stephanie Hoium, Anjali Rathore,,Sam Bouman, Joanna Chase, Zoe Klingmann, Haven Herrin, Eliese Baker, Dan Jones, Rob Shyrock, Tom Ray, Doug Spangle, Susannah Kamala, Jessica Pollard, Christine Menges, Lee Ko, James Yu, Siri Carlson, Diana Richardson, Sarah Wise, Cherie Manning If you are interested in volunteering with Street Roots, please submit a volunteer application at streetroots.org/volunteer. Or call our volunteer coordinator for more Information at 503-228-5657.
