Voters want racist terms and slavery
29% of voters opposed “removing historical racial references, such as “negroes,” “mulattoes” and “whites," from the Oregon Constitution." (Oregon Measure 14).
What do I think
When I first read this, two thoughts crossed my mind. First, I assumed that the proposed amendment vote happened a very long time ago. Second, why on earth would 29% of voters oppose the motion? I dug into it. It turns out that Oregon's racial history is not rosy. “Oregon began as a whites-only state, through a series of Black exclusionary laws that were designed to discourage Black Americans from living here in the first place.” (Tiffany Camhi, OPB, October 20, 2024). I wonder: did that culture and history influenced those that voted "no"?
But I was also very wrong on the timeframe. It did not take place in the 20th Century. Or the 19th. Measure 14 was actually voted on in this century, in 2002. And yes, 29% of voters opposed it.
I never imagined I could find something more insane. Of course I was wrong. Look up Oregon Measure 112 of 2022. 44% of voters opted NOT to “repeal language from the state constitution that prohibits slavery or involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime.” Let me say that again. Just 2 years ago, almost half of Oregonians wanted to keep slavery as a punishment for criminal acts. (Oregon Measure 112).
I know the wording of ballot initiatives can be very confusing. We see a lot of them in Washington State. But some of them are binding and some of those can change the State's constitution, which is the governing law of the state and all its citizens. I have to hope that voters read the measures very carefully. But if that was true, why did so many vote no? Are that many people opposed to racial integration and deny the horrific aspects of slavery? They voted to keep slavery as a punishment for a criminal offense.
To sleep better at night, or to visit Oregon's beautiful sites, beaches, and restaurants, I have to tell myself that this is not true. That people are just careless; they don't read things carefully. Which of course raises a host of other concerns in a country that offers important democratic choices.
Why should you care
The Black Lives Matter movement may appear to focus on police and other systemic injustices but the underlying premise permeates much of American history, law, and policy. Voters need to pay more attention to ballot initiatives and especially proposals to amend their state's constitution. You must evaluate your every day actions, comments, and decisions. Are they tied to a horrible past or do they relate to a better future?
Hi Galeeb. I am surprised that your post does not mention that the U.S. Constitution explicitly allows slavery and involuntary servitude. The language is Section 1 of the 13th Amendment, which says:
ReplyDelete“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
The Oregon Constitution before 2022 had almost identical language. Maybe that is why or part of why a substantial minority voted against changing the Oregon constitution. Apparently, an argument for keeping that language is that it allows for prison work programs that otherwise might eventually be found unconstitutional.
However, I think it more likely that many and maybe most of the people who voted against measure 112 thought they were voting to repeal the allowance for slavery of convicted criminals. I suspect many people have a hard time getting their minds around double negatives. Anyway, good on Oregon for making an appropriate change to its constitution. I hope someday the US Constitution can be changed.