Unveiling Oregon's Hidden Histories: A Journey Through the University of Oregon Libraries' Collection
The University of Oregon Libraries house a rich collection of books that unveil the often-overlooked histories of diverse communities within the state. These books, carefully curated and grouped by subject, complement the themes explored within the library's exhibits, offering a deeper understanding of Oregon's multifaceted past.
African American Stories: Resilience and Achievement
The collection features several works that shed light on the experiences of African Americans in Oregon, from the early 19th century to the present day. These narratives reveal stories of resilience, achievement, and the ongoing struggle for equality.
- "Image of Rev. S.S." and "History of Portland’s African American community (1805-to the present)" by Martha Anderson: These resources offer a glimpse into the historical development of Portland's African American community, capturing the challenges and triumphs of its members.
- "A Peculiar Paradise: A History of Blacks in Oregon, 1788-1940" by Elizabeth McLagan: McLagan's work provides a comprehensive account of the Black experience in Oregon, tracing their history from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century. It highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African Americans in the state.
- E.D. Cannady and "The Advocate": The collection includes information about E.D. Cannady, the editor of "The Advocate," Portland's second African American-owned newspaper, which began publication in 1903. His work provided a voice for the Black community and addressed issues of importance to them.
- Beatrice Cannady-Taylor: The story of Beatrice Cannady-Taylor, the first African American woman to practice law in Oregon, is also highlighted. Admitted to the Oregon Bar in 1922, she paved the way for future generations of Black female attorneys.
- "African American Athletes in Oregon" by Herman L. Brame: This book delves into the contributions of African American athletes in Oregon, showcasing their talent and perseverance in the face of adversity. It includes an account of the "most exciting and controversial" contest between George Fletcher, Jackson Sundown, and John Spain.
- Ken Kesey's "Last Go Round": Kesey's novel, inspired by a photograph of three cowboys from different races competing in the Pendleton Round-Up of 1911, touches upon themes of racial diversity and competition in the American West. The cowboys, George Fletcher, Jackson Sundown, and John Spain, represent the intersection of different cultures and experiences in the region.
These books collectively paint a vivid picture of the African American experience in Oregon, highlighting their contributions to the state's cultural, social, and political landscape.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Labor, Culture, and Community
The University of Oregon Libraries' collection also recognizes the significant contributions of Hispanic people to the state's history and culture. These resources explore themes of labor, immigration, and the establishment of vibrant Hispanic communities in Oregon.
- "Nosotros: The Hispanic People of Oregon: Essays and Recollections": This collection of essays and personal accounts offers a multifaceted perspective on the Hispanic experience in Oregon, capturing the diversity of voices and experiences within the community.
- "Mexican Labor and World War II: Braceros in the Pacific Northwest, 1942-1947" by Erasmo Gamboa: Gamboa's work examines the role of Mexican laborers in Oregon's agricultural sector during World War II. The Bracero Program brought thousands of Mexican workers to the Pacific Northwest to fill labor shortages, contributing significantly to the war effort.
Gamboa's book details the history of Mexicans in Oregon, noting that nearly four centuries ago, Spanish explorers sailed along the Pacific coast. In the 1800s Mexican vaqueros helped establish the vast cattle ranches of the Oregon High Desert and skilled Mexican mule packers brought supplies to soldiers and settlers. Until 1848, the US-Mexico border lay just south of Ashland, Oregon. There was a steady flow of commerce between the two nations. In the early 1900s, many Mexican people immigrated to the northwest, some seeking employment opportunities, and some fleeing the politics and increasing rural poverty of a post-revolutionary Mexico. Between 1910 and the 1920s, one in ten Mexicans sought sanctuary in the United States after Mexico had endured two decades of civil war following the 35-year dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.
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After World War I and through the Great Depression, Oregon farmers continued to recruit Hispanic laborers, as many Anglos avoided the hard “stoop” labor jobs, despite the surge in unemployment. Additionally, railroad companies were hiring more and more Hispanics to build and maintain their tracks. World War II created a labor shortage that was especially hard on Oregon farms. Jobs were now plentiful and farm work ranked as the least desirable. In the years following the war, Hispanics found new opportunities for employment and families came to Oregon in increasing numbers.
Many of the Mexican laborers were still relegated to the hard, low-wage jobs on farms and railroads, but some were able to find work as farm-equipment operators, crew leaders and supervisors, and in food processing. Migrant workers made up a large percentage of this growing work force. Some families found that they could find employment all year-round, moving from crop to crop throughout Oregon, Washington, and California. By the time the green bean harvest ended in one place, the hop harvest was beginning in another. Permanent Hispanic communities began to develop as families decided to stay in one place instead of migrating from job to job. More Mexican Americans began to move to Oregon and into some of the smaller rural communities, such as Independence, Woodburn, Nyssa, and Ontario.
The contracts stipulated that the workers, called braceros (“laborers”), had to return to Mexico when their jobs were done. These initial contracts also provided certain guarantees for the workers, specifying minimum standards for living and working conditions. Most of the farmers disregarded the contracts, and many, if not all, of these guarantees were not met. The “compliance officers” were very few in number and were assigned large territories. The program ended nationally in 1964, but only existed in Oregon for five years, 1942-47, during which time approximately 15,136 braceros were contracted as farm laborers from Mexico.
These resources highlight the vital role that Hispanic people have played in Oregon's economy and culture, particularly in the agricultural sector. They also shed light on the challenges faced by immigrant communities and the ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive society.
The Experiences of Japanese Americans: Exclusion and Resilience
The collection addresses the difficult history of Japanese Americans in Oregon, including their forced removal and incarceration during World War II. These resources serve as a reminder of the injustices of the past and the importance of protecting civil liberties.
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- "In 1925 a mob forced Japanese workers out of an Oregon mill town" by Ted W. Cox: On July 10 a group of Asian workers arrived in Toledo. Contracted by the Pacific Spruce Corporation sawmill, the group included 27 Japanese, four Filipinos, and one Korean. Most of these workers were already residents of Oregon, and had left previous jobs to come to Toledo. The following day a group of residents rallied against the presence of Japanese workers in Toledo. Five of the expelled workers filed civil lawsuits against a group of Toledo residents, providing a first test of the rights of alien workers. The first case went to trial on July 12, 1926, exactly one year later, under the protection of American law. The jury ruled unanimously for the expelled worker. A new precedent had been set.
- "Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese American Family" by Lauren Kessler: Kessler's book tells the story of a Japanese American family in Oregon, tracing their experiences across three generations. It explores themes of immigration, assimilation, and the impact of World War II on their lives.
- "The Yasui family of Hood River, Oregon" by Robert S. Yasui: This book focuses on the Yasui family, who were prominent members of the Hood River community before their forced removal during World War II. It documents their contributions to the local economy and their struggle to rebuild their lives after the war.
These resources provide valuable insights into the Japanese American experience in Oregon, highlighting both the discrimination they faced and their resilience in the face of adversity.
Beyond the Green Book: Navigating a Segregated America
The collection also acknowledges the importance of "The Green Book" as a vital resource for African American travelers during the era of segregation. This travel guide, published from 1936 to 1966, listed businesses that were welcoming to Black customers, providing a safe and reliable network for those navigating a discriminatory landscape.
The Green Book, more formally known as The Negro Motorist Green Book, sought to amend these very notions. When it was first published, The Green Book tried to change the narrative of fear with a tried and true network of hotels, restaurants and gas stations that were open and welcome to black travelers. It invited black travelers to depend on community and safe spaces to guide their way along their journey.
Each edition of The Green Book was formulaic in that it was formatted the same way. It began with a foreword and basic information of what one could expect to find in the guide. An index followed the foreword, separated by state. Within its pages, listings that black travelers could trust would treat them fairly, kindly, humanely and hospitably: hotels, motels, restaurants, vacation resorts, tourist homes. Initially it was just for the United States, but grew to include Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The first edition was simple and minimalistic: a solid green color, just the title with Green’s name underneath. As the years wore on and more editions were published, the covers became less simplistic and depicted symbols of travel: a bus, cars packed in single file lines on the highway, a train, faces of black people with a suitcase in tow, ready to embark on their latest and greatest trip.
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Printing and production of The Green Book continued until its last edition for the years 1966-1967. It was renamed Travelers Green Book: For Vacation Without Aggravation for that last edition, as it focused more on international locales for any traveler, not just black ones. The Civil Rights Act had passed in some years prior in 1964 and some wondered if a resource that had been so mightily needed was relevant anymore. Hotels, restaurants, and resorts were slowly integrating throughout the South and the country at large.
Oregon's Environmental Ethos: A Legacy of Stewardship
The University of Oregon Libraries' collection extends beyond social histories to encompass the state's environmental legacy. These resources explore the key events and policies that have shaped Oregon's reputation as a leader in environmental stewardship.
- "Keeping Oregon Green" by Derek R. Larson: This book examines the signature accomplishments of Oregon’s environmental era, including the revitalization of the Willamette River, the Beach Bill, the Bottle Bill, and the nation’s first comprehensive land use zoning law.
Through the detailed study of the historical, political, and cultural contexts of these environmental conflicts, Derek Larson uncovers new dimensions in familiar stories linked to the concepts of “livability” and environmental stewardship. Connecting events in Oregon to the national environmental awakening of the 1960s and 1970s, the innovative policies that carried Oregon to a position of national leadership are shown to be products of place and culture as much as politics.
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