Many thanks to the writers of the extremely informative Why They Had to Go: Statement on The Fall of The Pioneer Statues (EW, 6\/25). I moved to the Eugene area in 2013 from out of state, and like most Americans had been taught the white-washed (pun intended) version of hard-working pioneers settling the Western territories.<\/p>\n
I did not know the 1919 dedication ceremony for The Pioneer had extolled the conquest of the Anglo-Saxon race over savage Indians in the context of the eugenics movement. Only after moving here did I learn of Oregons laws designed to keep Black and Brown people out and not mixing with Whites.<\/p>\n
The continuing resistance to taking the statues off their pedestals and plainly explaining their racist significance speaks volumes. As Black Lives Matter activists keep reminding us, we have a long way to go in dismantling this countrys institutionalized racism. Its time to buck up for the long haul.<\/p>\n
Leigh Rieder<\/p>\n
Creswell<\/p>\n
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We Have A Long Road Ahead - Eugene Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many thanks to the writers of the extremely informative Why They Had to Go: Statement on The Fall of The Pioneer Statues (EW, 6\/25). I moved to the Eugene area in 2013 from out of state, and like most Americans had been taught the white-washed (pun intended) version of hard-working pioneers settling the Western territories Continue reading