Ethnic Studies Campaign: What You Need to Know
Our goal is for the Lake Oswego School District to require one semester of Ethnic Studies for all high school students.
Resources to protect the rights of immigrant and migrant families
Last Wednesday, Unite Oregon, Oregon for All & IMA (International Migrants Alliance) hosted a mass call titled, “Protect Im/migrants Now!” Each of these groups work tirelessly to protect the rights of immigrants and migrants alike, while also providing resources for the broader community to learn and take action to aid disenfranchised im/migrant folks. View the presentation slides from the call. … Read more
Respond to Racism and Arts Council of Lake Oswego Extend Deadline for Major Public Art Installation Proposals at Lake Oswego Public Library
This major public art opportunity ($31,000 commission) is open to Oregon-based artists and artist teams until Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm PST.
Watch: Bruce Poinsette at Oregon City Juneteenth Celebration Author Discussion
Respond to Racism Executive Director Bruce Poinsette recently joined a panel discussion celebrating Oregon Black authors. They discussed why they write, how they decide what to focus on, and the ways they incorporate Black history into their writings, revealing history that may have been hidden by others. Other panel participants included
Interview with Bruce AD Poinsette
Interview conducted by Nancy Slavin First question – Do you have a brief bio you’d like me to include? I imagine most people know you, but if there’s some fresh stuff, please add it in. My name is Bruce AD Poinsette. I’m a writer and semi-retired journalist. For the last year and half, I’ve been serving … Read more
Gloria Brown Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the following Class of 2025 graduating seniors and Respond to Racism Gloria Brown Scholarship recipients! The Gloria Brown Scholarship for graduating Black, Indigenous, Bi-racial and/or Students of Color was started to honor Gloria’s legacy. Brown wanted to provide opportunities for talented individuals whom, she knew from personal experience, are too-often overlooked for educational … Read more
Seeking Community Panelists for New Art Installations
RtR is launching our next art installation project on Monday with a call for selection panelists. Community members with experience and passion for local arts, social justice, and/or amplifying BIPOC histories encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted June 2 – June 20, 2025. The first installation project we did like this was the beautiful Ms. Willie’s … Read more
RtR featured in BlackOut edition of the Portland Mercury
RtR Executive Director Bruce Poinsette has penned a new essay for The Mercury’s special insert, BlackOut: A Five-Year Retrospective on Portland’s Racial Justice Movement. In The Lesson he reflects on what changes he has seen (or not seen) in Lake Oswego as he navigated the ebb and flow of activism and commitment and and his … Read more
Recommended book display now in Lake Oswego Schools
Uplifting local histories and stories of communities of color is vital to our work. In November, we began a push to get books from author talks we and/or our community partners have hosted in recent years into Lake Oswego School District schools. Thanks to a generous donation from our friends at LO for Love and collaboration … Read more
What do your School Board Candidates think about Equity and Sustainability?
Written by Dorothy Atwood, President of the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network and Bruce Poinsette, Executive Director of Respond to Racism The May 20 election will decide who will be on our Lake Oswego School Board. Respond to Racism (RtR) and Lake Oswego Sustainability Network (LOSN) reached out to the five candidates that are running for … Read more