Frequently Asked Questions

What does Decolonization mean?

Decolonization is the process of dismantling a colonial structure of governance, and replacing it with indigenous governance. For us, this effort is strictly focused on establishing independence for Oregon, but that geographic boundary isn't set in stone. We welcome collaboration with neighboring movements like Cascadia and CalExit, so long as our aims align. 

 

The objective is not to establish a nation state that closely mimics the nation we've been part of since 1859, as was the case when the USA established independence from the British Empire. Rather, any new nation should dismantle systems of oppression against women, BIPOC community members, LGBTQ+ community members, and the earth. That oppression is, and always has been the foundation of this country, allowing the exploitation of the oppressed to enhance the wealth of the ruling class; we can do better.

It seems unlikely the US would allow this without a war. Is that what this group is preparing for?

This group is strictly non-violent, although we are perfectly capable of self-defense. The goal is to use the tools of non-violence to achieve the goal of independence. In the 1868 Supreme Court case Texas v. White, the Court held that no state could unilaterally secede from the union. What does that mean? Congressional approval is required. That's a long road, but nothing is impossible.

We will use the peaceful tools of community-building, mutual support, strikes, boycotts, public office campaigning, letter writing, ballot initiatives, and all other non-violent forms of resistance that our creative community can dream of to achieve that end.

Why would we want to leave the US? Couldn't we stay and work to make the existing country better?

The existing country was built on, and relies on, a foundation of explicit exploitation and oppression of women and minorities, and 250 years of evidence has shown us that it may be incapable of being anything besides racist and sexist.

Twice in our history, we have fought for and successfully made meaningful strides toward equality - the Reconstruction of the American South after the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Both instances were met with extensive counter-organizing by racist and sexist groups who feel disadvantaged by equality, because they were accustomed to privilege. In both instances, advances have been clawed back by racist and sexist counter-movements, at the expense of the life, safety, and economic stability of women and minorities. They have succeeded because the foundation of this country - the Constitution - is inherently racist and sexist. 

Even today, 150 years after the abolition of slavery, and 100 years after women claimed their voting rights, no branch of government has achieved gender parity; we have not had a single woman President; and we have 6 members of the Supreme Court who apply the law using something like "originalism", ignoring the fact that originally, the Constitution considered neither women nor black people to be citizens.


For DecolonizeOR, it has become apparent that this country is incapable of achieving equality, because the privilege of white male Christian land owners are a feature of this nation, not a bug. 

What would be different about this new nation?

The goal of this group is to answer that question. What can we make possible, and how do we get from here to there. Broadly, our current aims are to organize to separate from the US, and establish a nation where:

  1. Those with the greatest need come first. Food, shelter, medical care, and human connection are the highest priority investments.
  2. All people are welcome. No identity should be privileged above any other.
  3. Sustainability. We will cease to assume that capitalistic infinite extraction and growth is the goal (or is even possible on a finite planet), in favor of stability and wellbeing for all community members.
  4. Tax the rich. From each according to their ability, to each according to their need, in order to provide a meaningful and judgement-free social safety net. Any of us could need it someday.
  5. Incarceration is the last resort. We must break the cycle of prison and poverty created by the current Justice system.
  6. Security. Protects our community from our warmongering parent nation and someday neighbor - the US.

These goals are likely to change as the movement grows and evolves.

A critical part of this work is caring for our community while we are organizing this movement, including providing food, childcare, and problem-solving support as we're able at meetings.