Oregon's Racial History

Oregon’s racial history is marked by Native American displacement, exclusionary laws against Black and Asian residents, and racially motivated policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and restrictive immigration laws. Despite early Native presence, indigenous peoples faced forced removal and violence. White settlers prioritized land acquisition and racial homogeneity, leading to systemic discrimination that marginalized people of color. Over time, activism and civil rights efforts challenged these inequalities, but racial disparities and historical injustices remain integral to understanding Oregon’s social fabric today.