This project grew organically out of conversations with community members who have come to a common conclusion: the United States of America is not working for common people’s interests, and it never has been.
This country has a long-lived and effective propaganda machine that has been taken up and spread by common people - from armed service members to journalists; police to teachers; in churches and political rallies and protests. These people believe the story and share it in good faith, many of whom genuinely value the goals of freedom, justice, and equality. The trouble is, that story of America is based on falsehoods. The story we have been told about American Exceptionalism is a fabrication, albeit a convincing one.
The aims of this platform are to share educational content and resources to support a better informed public and further the effort to decolonize Oregon, and perhaps someday, all of Turtle Island.
Decolonization is not a metaphor. This is an effort to dismantle colonial governance and establish independence of Oregon on a foundation of indigenous wisdom, true equality, and restorative justice. This is an effort led by Indigenous people and women, and by people of many faiths, colors, shapes, and abilities. As perpetrators of colonial violence have increased their efforts to lash out and imprison our Latinx indigenous cousins, restrict women’s bodily autonomy, and pushed people of non-Christian faiths into ever smaller safe spaces, they have made us a movement. We have gathered together to say:
- We are the people who give to our extended family in need.
- We are the people who protect those who are targeted by violence.
- We are the people who speak truth to power, and use the privilege we have to affect change.
- We are the people who welcome all.
To start this grassroots work, a Discord Server has been set up under "DecolonizeOR". Join us there! No one individual can define this movement - we must build it together.
