From Slacktivism to Activism

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

Foster Care 101
Supporting our youth means supporting our future. Learn how the foster care system works and what the state of Oregon is doing to support the 7,500 kids in foster care every day. Hear from professionals in the field and a current foster parent and child. Cedar Mill Community Library, 12505 NW Cornell, Ste 13, 6:30-8 pm, FREE

Sexual Assault & Rape Culture: A Courageous Conversation
On this panel organized by Lincoln High School’s student-led club SAFER, Multnomah County deputy district attorney Dave Hannon, and Julia Noble of Raphael House will provide an overview of rape culture, consent, sharing sexual content via social media, and more. Open Q&A session to follow lecture. Lincoln High School, 1600 SW Salmon, Room 169, 6:30-8 pm, free

Environmental Town Hall with Representative Rob Nosse
For Portlanders residing in House District 42, your state representative, Rob Nosse, will host a town hall meeting on the environment. In addition to updating folks on legislative efforts, invited guest speakers include members from Oregon Environmental Council, the Department of Environmental Quality, and others. SEIU Local 49, 3536 SE 26th, 7-8:30 pm, FREE

THURSDAY, MAY 25

Portland Pride 2017 Volunteer Orientation
Have you always wanted to enrich your Portland Pride experience with behind-the-scenes organizing? Now’s your chance! Get the scoop on the event’s needs and how you can help. If you can’t make it to this one, the Q Center will host two more sessions on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 11, both at 10 am. Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi, 6-7 pm, FREE

I/DD Community Forum
Since closing its gruesome Fairview and Eastern Oregon facilities, Oregon is one of a handful of states that has completely eradicated the institutionalization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). However, we’ve got a long way to go before we’re adequately meeting this population’s needs. Join Oregon CareWorks in a public forum, offering shared stories from within the I/DD system and guidance on how you can organize for change. Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th, 6-8 pm, FREE

Broken Treaties and Tribal Sovereignty
Deepen your understanding of tribal treaties and how they’ve shaped our regional tribal communities from the past to the present. Hear directly from members of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde at this discussion hosted by Confluence and OPB. Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th, Ste 200, 6:30-9 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, MAY 26

The Vanport Mosaic Festival 2017
In 1948, Oregon’s second-largest city was destroyed by a flood. In honor of what would have been Vanport’s 75th birthday, a four-day festival chock-full of history and immersion will take place. Top picks include an excerpt from Priced Out and a dialogue with Oregon Humanities, Vanport tours by bus or bike via the Gentrification Is Weird project, and screenings of oral histories. See full schedule and event details at vanportmosaic.org. Various locations in Portland, Fri May 26-Mon May 29, FREE

Crossing Over: Stories of Immigration and Identity Screening
For Chicanx Week and Pride Month, Portland State University’s MEChA chapter is hosting a variety of intersectional and educational events. In this short documentary by Isabel Castro, three undocumented trans Latinas shed light on what it’s like to navigate the health care system in the US and combat xenophobic violence. PSU Queer Resource Center, 1825 SW Broadway, noon-2 pm, FREE

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments
The August Wilson Red Door Project is bringing back the revered Hands Up, a monologue commissioned in the wake of Michael Brown and John Crawford III’s murders. Each of the seven testaments were created by individual Black playwrights. Past runs have sold out quickly, so get your free tickets in advance. Wieden + Kennedy, 224 NW 13th, Sat 7:30-10:30 pm; Sun 2-5 pm, FREE

TUESDAY, MAY 30

On the Fence: Border Culture & Spanglish
Sticking it to racists who want to build up el muro can be as facil as proudly speaking Spanglish. Hear from Gabriela Martínez, documentarian and co-creator of Latino Roots in Oregon Project, and Peter Laufer, a professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, as they discuss the dialect that bridges cultures in the borderlands and beyond. World Affairs Council of Oregon, 1200 SW Park, 6:30-8 pm, $10-15

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Know Your City
Engaging and educating the public through activism and arts is the proven approach Know Your City has taken in empowering folks to get to know and give back to their communities. Since its founding in 2009 by activist Cameron Whitten, the nonprofit has expanded to include organized city tours, lectures, youth programming, and local history zines.
Opportunities: Ongoing needs for tabling, programming support, and fundraising. Urgent needs for remote editors, Spanish translators, and graphic designers for Youth Print PDX magazines.
Typical commitment: For urgent needs, programs coordinator Lydia Grijalva says, “As much as you can between now and mid-June.” Others are dependent on the position so just ask! Fill out form at knowyourcity.org/join/volunteer-2/ to get involved.