If you’re one of those who think Portland is currently sitting on an emotional powder keg in regards to racism, you’re not alone. Bigots seem to be growing more emboldened by the second, poking their heads out of comment sections, and into the streets. For a sad, terrifying example, check out this thread from the legal director of the Oregon chapter of the ACLU, Mat dos Santos.
1. Did an interview with Al Jazeera in downtown Portland this morning and man walks up and starts doing the Nazi salute behind me on camera.
— Mat dos Santos (@MatPDX) June 1, 2017
2. The interview was on the rise of hate and Free Speech. The woman interviewing me was wearing a hijab. The cameraman was African American.
— Mat dos Santos (@MatPDX) June 1, 2017
3. It was horrifying. We had to stop the interview and ask him to leave. You can’t make this up.
— Mat dos Santos (@MatPDX) June 1, 2017
4. If you still think racism and Islamophobia in Portland isn’t an thing, you’re fooling yourself.
— Mat dos Santos (@MatPDX) June 1, 2017
For how you can get involved, check out our Resistance & Solidarity calendar for loads of good ideas.
Does anyone else notice all of these crazy racists are mentally ill, semi-homeless types. The crazy, screaming when they cross the middle of a busy street type? Most of the public raciism I see is committed by people who are well known mentally ill street people who need help.
@aem – mental illness does certainly seem part of the equation!
@GLV – RIGHT??!!
Yes, jake, it does. Sadly, it does.
Mental illness is a convenient scapegoat for people who want to pretend white supremacy isn’t a thing.
Sat May 27th while my friends and I were walking along the trail in Silver Falls State Park, a man with a baby on his chest screamed ‘White Power’ while surrounded by people of color.