Understanding to Understand Racism's History 

Uniting to Understand Racism, a non-profit, community based organization in Portland, Oregon was formed, the result of the merger of two leading diversity organizations in Oregon - the Understanding Racism Foundation and Oregon Uniting.

In 1994, in its comprehensive study of race in the Oregon Judicial system, the Oregon Supreme Court Task Force wrote: If a poll were taken of all the lawyers, court staff and judges in Oregon, it is doubtful that even one person would admit that he or she discriminates against minorities in any way.
"Sure," they might say, "There's a problem, but someone else is causing it, not me."  This attitude is not limited to the justice system, but pervades all of our institutions.

The Understanding Racism Foundation was inspired by the response to issues identified by the Oregon State Supreme Court Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Issues in the Judicial System.  Since it's formation, the Foundation has developed a unique curriculum and conducted courses for hundreds of participants throughout Western Oregon.  The classes are up to 120 minutes long and meet once a week for six successive weeks.  The Understanding Racism Foundation believes that the root cause of racial discrimination in the United States is the conduct of white people.  In large part, the discriminatory conduct is unintentional, not overt; subconscious, not conscious.

The truth is that many non minorities were raised in a culture in which discrimination was common, even accepted.  Not surprisingly, the habits and attitudes we learned as children carry over into adult life.

Our program has been very well received, with participants reporting a new awareness of their own attitudes toward racial equality and justice.  Most participants complete the session with a deeper understanding of the racial barriers that still exist in society and a resolve to integrate their new found understanding into their personal and professional lives.

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