African-Americans+issues

The State of Black Oregon reveals stark disparities
Seven months after the inauguration of the first Black president, a statewide report on the condition of African Americans in Oregon reveals that black Oregonians remain at or near the bottom of every meaningful social and economic measure. African Americans in Oregon have significantly higher infant
mortality rates, are more likely to live in poverty, have higher levels of unemployment, are half as likely to own their own homes and are far more likely
to die of diseases such as diabetes than their white counterparts.

The State of Black Oregon was published today by the Urban League of Portland for the first time in 17 years. The report contains a stark inventory of statistics that show a persistent gap in living standards between black and white Oregonians – a gap that is growing wider as a result of the current economic downturn.
"During the last eight years, the poverty gap in America and in this state has continued to grow," says Marcus C. Mundy, president and CEO of the Urban League of Portland.

"If there’s a poverty gap for Americans generally, the African-American poverty
gap widens to chasm proportions. This flies in the face of the ideals our country
stands for, and simply should not be acceptable here in Oregon or anywhere
else."

Download a complete PDF of The State of Black Oregon.

visit the State of Black Oregon homepage: http://www.ulpdx.org/StateofBlackOregon.html

07/09 Phoebe Owens

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