Portland billboards take aim at ‘issues of white supremacy and racial inequity’
By M.L.
Nestel, ABC News, Apr 17, 2018
Activists
in Portland, Oregon, have launched a billboard campaign to battle white
supremacy.
in Portland, Oregon, have launched a billboard campaign to battle white
supremacy.
 |
| An activist group called Portland Equity in Action has been erecting billboards in Portland, Ore., in order to, “confront and disrupt the rampant complacency in this city regarding issues of white supremacy and racial inequity.” |
The
“PDX Billboard Project” began in the past week with 25 black
billboards, some featuring images of slain black youths, plastered around the
city with large typed slogans to “confront and disrupt the rampant
complacency in this city regarding issues of white supremacy and racial
inequity,” according to its website.
“PDX Billboard Project” began in the past week with 25 black
billboards, some featuring images of slain black youths, plastered around the
city with large typed slogans to “confront and disrupt the rampant
complacency in this city regarding issues of white supremacy and racial
inequity,” according to its website.
“We
aim to create a public demand for change to the inequitable structure of our
society, through stimulating and challenging visual campaigns.”
aim to create a public demand for change to the inequitable structure of our
society, through stimulating and challenging visual campaigns.”
The
messaging ranged from direct attacks against white supremacists with one
reading, “PORTLAND… IS YOUR WHITE FRAGILITY SHOWING?” and another
next to a football photo of Larnell Bruce Jr. kneeling and the words next to
him: “21 # OF ACTIVE WHITE SUPREMACY GROUPS IN PORTLAND,” the latter
relying on a statistic from the Southern
Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which tracks hate groups.
messaging ranged from direct attacks against white supremacists with one
reading, “PORTLAND… IS YOUR WHITE FRAGILITY SHOWING?” and another
next to a football photo of Larnell Bruce Jr. kneeling and the words next to
him: “21 # OF ACTIVE WHITE SUPREMACY GROUPS IN PORTLAND,” the latter
relying on a statistic from the Southern
Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which tracks hate groups.
Bruce was
a 24-year-old black man who police said died after a group of reputed white
supremacists allegedly ran over
him on purpose in the summer of 2016. They were all convicted.
a 24-year-old black man who police said died after a group of reputed white
supremacists allegedly ran over
him on purpose in the summer of 2016. They were all convicted.
Among the
reasons for this mission, the organization says on its website, is to expose
what it says is white supremacist activity in the greater Portland community
and to show “the real consequences faced by our non-white brothers and
sisters.”
reasons for this mission, the organization says on its website, is to expose
what it says is white supremacist activity in the greater Portland community
and to show “the real consequences faced by our non-white brothers and
sisters.”
The
mayor’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
mayor’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
The group
also wants to expose how national police shootings have resulted in
“unfair and unjust policies and processes for investigating them” and
the need for investment in “proper and effective mental health
and de-escalation training.”
also wants to expose how national police shootings have resulted in
“unfair and unjust policies and processes for investigating them” and
the need for investment in “proper and effective mental health
and de-escalation training.”
The
billboards come months after a holiday-themed Dr. Martens billboard ad hovering
above the city of Portland took some heat for appearing to critics as glorifying
white supremacy.
billboards come months after a holiday-themed Dr. Martens billboard ad hovering
above the city of Portland took some heat for appearing to critics as glorifying
white supremacy.
The
billboard in question features a pair of black, patent-leather Dr. Martens —
commonly known as “Doc Martens” — boots above a bleak metropolis
with white capital letters reading, “ROCK THE HOLIDAYS.”
billboard in question features a pair of black, patent-leather Dr. Martens —
commonly known as “Doc Martens” — boots above a bleak metropolis
with white capital letters reading, “ROCK THE HOLIDAYS.”
Plaid red
laces were tied vertically through the holes of the boots, unlike the
horizontally tied, red or white laces associated with white supremacy groups.
laces were tied vertically through the holes of the boots, unlike the
horizontally tied, red or white laces associated with white supremacy groups.
Red or
white laces tied horizontally are considered white supremacist symbols or
badges of honor by so-called skinheads, who would commit acts of violence and
“earn your laces,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
white laces tied horizontally are considered white supremacist symbols or
badges of honor by so-called skinheads, who would commit acts of violence and
“earn your laces,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Dr.
Martens became “popular with skinheads” — or “skins,” as
the SPLC refers to in its glossary of terms – who wear them with “either
red or white laces,” according to the SPLC
Martens became “popular with skinheads” — or “skins,” as
the SPLC refers to in its glossary of terms – who wear them with “either
red or white laces,” according to the SPLC
Dr.
Martens did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Martens did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Heidi
Beirich, SPLC’s director of its Intelligence Project, doesn’t blame the British
shoe company for the commandeering of its products and said it’s unclear
whether the billboard crosses the line, though adding that perceived racism
has been a problem in the city for decades.
Beirich, SPLC’s director of its Intelligence Project, doesn’t blame the British
shoe company for the commandeering of its products and said it’s unclear
whether the billboard crosses the line, though adding that perceived racism
has been a problem in the city for decades.
“Portland
has had pretty bad problems with hate groups,” she told ABC News.
has had pretty bad problems with hate groups,” she told ABC News.
She
referenced Mulugeta Seraw, a 28-year-old Ethiopian student who was beaten to
death by bat-wielding members of the East Side White Pride gang in Portland in
November 1988.
referenced Mulugeta Seraw, a 28-year-old Ethiopian student who was beaten to
death by bat-wielding members of the East Side White Pride gang in Portland in
November 1988.
She
applauded the effort to espouse racial tolerance in Portland.
applauded the effort to espouse racial tolerance in Portland.
“The
racism and the history of Portland is pretty serious,” Beirich said. “The
campaign and some of the posters is drawing attention to raise awareness of the
problems of the area and making people think.”
racism and the history of Portland is pretty serious,” Beirich said. “The
campaign and some of the posters is drawing attention to raise awareness of the
problems of the area and making people think.”
