| Portland's
Demographic Imperative
Portland
has often described as the "largest, whitest
city in the United States." One look at
the last U.S. Census figures, however, and it is clear
that's about to change.
Portland
is a different city than it was a decade ago. According
to recent
data, one out of every eight residents in the greater
Portland Tri-County area is foreign-born. In some East
Portland neighborhoods, immigrants represent one out
of every three residents. Rapidly increasing diversity
can stretch our social fabric, as we have seen in cities
across the United States—particularly when new
communities are scapegoated and demonized or marginalized
in the public policy making process.
Recent events in Europe, particularly in France, highlight
the importance of public policy in responding to population
shifts and racial and economic inequality. Restrictionist
and protectionist policies serve to further isolate
foreign-born residents. The peaceful co-integration
of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious groups is,
perhaps, the single most important social
issue facing U.S. cities today.
The City of Portland faces a demographic imperative:
it must find ways to engage tens of thousands of diverse
newcomers in local democratic processes and promote
equal opportunity for all of its residents. Our newest
neighbors deserve no less.
Our
Approach
At the heart of the Center's
approach to building a multi-racial, multicultural democracy
is co-integration, that is: integrating
immigrants/refugees into civic and institutional structures,
and integrating mainstream organizations and communities
into cultures of difference. We believe that breaking
down these barriers will strengthen our society, creating
a more equitable social, political, and economic environment
for all.
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