Upcoming Events
- Mon, Mar 01Online Event
- Many events taking place in FebruarySee a list of LO Reads events


Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 17, 2020
- 1 min
EVENT: Zoom Discussion on COVID-19 and the Shock Doctrine
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is as good a time as ever to discuss the prospect of the Shock Doctrine, which author Naomi Klein describes as "the political strategy of using large-scale crises to push through policies that systematically deepen inequality, enrich elites, and undercut everyone else." Klein, the author of "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism," recently spoke with Vice News about how COVID-19 is the "perfect disaster" for this type of b
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Willie Poinsette
- Mar 15, 2020
- 1 min
Notice of Upcoming Cancellations
Dear Respond to Racism LO community, In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be suspending all public RtR events until further notice. This includes our upcoming Apr. 6 community meeting and the remaining dates for the BIPOC Speaker Series we were set to co-host with the West Linn Alliance for Inclusive Community and Mary's Woods. While we will not be hosting public events, we will be continuing the conversation online, both on our website and on our respective social medi
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jan 9, 2020
- 1 min
ACTION: Submit Comments for the 2020 City Council Goals Input by Noon on Jan. 10
If we want to change the culture of racism in LO, we need to attack it at all levels. That includes applying pressure to local government to make sure they prioritize funding, resources, and space for anti-racism work. The LO City Council is accepting public comment for their 2020 goals until Jan. 10. You can help contribute to making sure anti-racism stays on their radar by submitting comments that highlight these needs. If you're looking for an example of what that might lo
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jan 1, 2020
- 1 min
Congrats to RtR Steering Committee Member Gloria Brown on Publishing Her New Book!
LO doesn't always do the greatest job of celebrating the history makers in our midst. With that in mind, we would like to congratulate RtR steering committee member Gloria Brown on publishing her new book "Black Woman in Green: Gloria Brown and the Unmarked Trail of Forest Service Leadership." You can read more about the book here. #gloriabrown #usforestservice #history #respondtoracism #racism #oregon #california #government
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Terri Kraemer and Bruce Poinsette
- Nov 6, 2019
- 1 min
ANNOUNCEMENT: RtR and LO Library to Host "Priced Out" Screening on Dec. 6
Mark your calendars. We are thrilled to share that the Lake Oswego Public Library is partnering with Respond to Racism for the Library’s December First Friday Film Discussion Group. The Library's Film Discussion Group meets monthly at the Lake Theater & Café, and the Library plans to partner with Respond to Racism for these events on a semi-regular basis. This partnership is an opportunity to bring community members together to view and discuss movies and documentaries that
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Bruce Poinsette
- Aug 7, 2019
- 1 min
Latest LO Review Column Addresses Thoughtful Allyship
In case you missed it, the latest column in our monthly series with the Lake Oswego Review tackles the subject of thoughtful and effective allyship. While many people say they want to be allies to people of color, the fact is, a significant number don't truly understand what that work entails. Being an ally isn't an excuse not to examine and constantly challenge your own privilege. It's not something you can jump in and out of and expect to maintain your credibility. Furtherm
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jul 9, 2019
- 2 min
Cheat Codes for Creating a More Welcoming Community
At our last monthly community meeting, RtR steering committee member Christine Moses led a discussion titled "A Design Thinking Approach to Belonging." During her presentation, Moses explained how creating a more welcoming and inclusive community for everyone requires us to be intentional in our efforts. Specifically, we have to think about the needs of marginalized people and design activities and approaches that meet those needs, as opposed to demanding that they simply fit
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jul 1, 2019
- 1 min
Latest LO Review Column Sheds Light on Tokenism
Since Lake Oswego, in most respects, is operating from a major deficit when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, there is a tendency for us to celebrate every instance of progress as if we just won the championship. For example, when a talented, ambitious person of color assumes a position of influence in LO, there is no shortage of people patting themselves on the back. However, if we're not taking the next step to explore how we can better support these individuals
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jun 25, 2019
- 1 min
EVENT: Reframe: When They See Us
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably aware that the Ava DuVernay-produced series "When They See Us" is making major waves throughout the country. The mini-series based on the infamous Central Park 5 case has been setting Netflix records while illustrating in gut-wrenching detail just how oppressive the justice system can be to people of color, and Black and Brown children in particular. For our next installment of Reframe: Exploring Pop Culture Through an I
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Bruce Poinsette
- Jun 6, 2019
- 1 min
Walidah Imarisha to Present at Mary's Woods on July 23
Respond to Racism is excited to announce that we're partnering with the West Linn Alliance for Inclusive Community and Mary's Woods to host renowned scholar, activist, and author Walidah Imarisha and her presentation "Why Aren't There More Black People in Oregon?" at Mary's Woods on July 23. The interactive discussion delves into the history of Oregon's anti-Black laws and lingering effects that we can still feel to this day. Imarisha's scholarship on Oregon Black history, am
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Bruce Poinsette
- May 10, 2019
- 1 min
VIDEO: Dr. Paul T. Miller Discusses the History of Systemic Racism in Lake Oswego
During the May 6, 2019 Respond to Racism community meeting, Dr. Paul T. Miller shared a presentation on the history of racist public policy in Oregon. As part of the presentation, he discussed how and why white supremacist policies were enacted in Lake Oswego, as well as how the effects can still be felt to this day. Most importantly, Dr. Miller urged concerned community members to attack white supremacy with the same level of intentionality of those who created these systems
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Bruce Poinsette
- Apr 26, 2019
- 4 min
This Week’s 5: Twitter’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Excuse for Protecting White Supremaci
Author's Note: This Week's 5 is a weekly collection of stories designed to provide insight into how racism works and serve as an easily accessible resource for people trying to have nuanced discussions about these issues. For more explanation on how This Week's 5 works and descriptions of each of the categories, click here. Overt White supremacists are masters of projection. They often justify their bigotry by fear mongering about people of color. When it comes to immigration
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 29, 2019
- 5 min
This Week’s 5: Killing Us Softly With Stress
Author's Note: This Week's 5 is a weekly collection of stories designed to provide insight into how racism works and serve as an easily accessible resource for people trying to have nuanced discussions about these issues. For more explanation on how This Week's 5 works and descriptions of each of the categories, click here. Overt This week, Facebook decided to go through with something it should’ve done years ago. Starting next week, it will ban white supremacist content and
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 22, 2019
- 4 min
This Week’s 5: Because White Supremacists Love Attention...
Author's Note: This Week's 5 is a weekly collection of stories designed to provide insight into how racism works and serve as an easily accessible resource for people trying to have nuanced discussions about these issues. For more explanation on how This Week's 5 works and descriptions of each of the categories, click here. Overt If there’s any upside to the rise of white supremacist terrorism, it’s the revelation that many of these terrorists are really bad at their jobs. Co
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 12, 2019
- 1 min
VIDEO: More Clips from the Feb. 18 RTR Student Panel
The Feb. 18 Respond to Racism student panel was full of powerful, poignant, and at times, heartbreaking moments. Recently, we released the first batch of videos so those who missed it or would just like relive the event could watch it in full or broken up into two parts. Now, for those looking for more bite-sized clips, we've heard your requests and those videos are now available. Check them out below. #rtrstudentpanel #respondtoracism #lakeoswegohighschool #lakeridgehighscho
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 8, 2019
- 4 min
This Week’s 5: What You’re Not Going to Do is Erase Palestinians
Author's Note: This Week's 5 is a weekly collection of stories designed to provide insight into how racism works and serve as an easily accessible resource for people trying to have nuanced discussions about these issues. For more explanation on how This Week's 5 works and descriptions of each of the categories, click here. Overt I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t feel a bit of sympathy for kids who decide to record themselves being virulent racists and then h
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 8, 2019
- 2 min
Organizers Looking for Input on Resolution to Name Racism as a Threat to Public Health
As human beings, especially in our current political environment, we have a tendency to view all political decisions as all-or-nothing. If someone proposes something that isn't a magic bullet, there is inevitably a chorus of, "Well, what's the point?" Unfortunately, this collective mindset often squanders opportunities to build on important steps in the justice process. Currently, community organizers in Clackamas County are working on a resolution that will officially classi
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Admin
- Mar 7, 2019
- 1 min
Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce to Honor Willie Poinsette at Annual Celebration of Excellence Dinner
The Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be honoring Respond to Racism co-founder Willie Poinsette with the Community Leader of the Year Award. Poinsette will receive the award at the Celebration of Excellence Dinner on Mar. 16. According to the Lake Oswego Review, "The annual event pays tribute to community members and local businesses who strive throughout the year to make Lake Oswego a better place to live, work and play. "Among this year's honorees is Res
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Bruce Poinsette
- Mar 4, 2019
- 1 min
VIDEO: RTR Student Panel
On Feb. 18, 2019, Respond to Racism hosted a student panel on experiences with race and racism in Lake Oswego. The panel featured students from Lake Oswego and Lakeridge High School who are heavily involved with equity work in their schools and communities. These panelists included Lake Oswego High School students Anushka Nair, Penelope Spurr, and Janelle Pranger, and Lakeridge High School students Anna-Marie Guenther, Evan Melendez, Mya Gordon, and Maximus Herrera. Below is
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