In conjunction with Portland JACL, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, and other organizations, Portland Taiko sends condolences to George Floyd’s family. We are saddened and outraged, yet we are not surprised. We recognize that the murder of Black and Brown people at the hands of police is part of an ongoing pattern that plagues our country and our city. While we mourn Mr. Floyd, we must also remember Keaton Otis, Quanice Hayes, Aaron Campbell, and Patrick Kimmons who are among the more than 14 African Americans killed by police in Portland since 1996.
We are in solidarity with the Portland protesters as they stand in opposition to police violence that disproportionately affects Black and Brown people. We demand justice for Black lives. At the same time, we know that we must grapple with the anti-Blackness that exists within our own community, our families, and ourselves. We commit to using our position as community leaders to engage our people in conversation and the necessary work of confronting ways in which we have benefited from the “model minority” myth and contribute to the perpetuation of anti-Black racism.
We know that this is a challenging time right now and that recent events are weighing heavy on peoples’ hearts and minds. We also know that neither sadness nor silence will bring about the change we so desire. We call on our community to take action to elevate Black voices seeking justice in this country. Will you join us?
Take action today:
- Donate to a local Black-led fund or organizations:
- Black Resilience Fund: Provides direct support to Black Portlanders so they have an opportunity for some healing in the wake of a painful month. https://gf.me/u/x59zzr
- Don’t Shoot PDX: Advocates for marginalized communities through social justice art and free legal resources. dontshootpdx.org
- Portland African American Leadership Forum: Helps the Black community imagine the alternatives the community deserves and build the civic participation and leadership to achieve those alternatives. paalf.org
- Urban League of Portland: One of Oregon’s oldest civil rights and social service organizations, empowering African-Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life. ulpdx.org/
- Demand justice for:
- George Floyd- Text FLOYD to 55156 to sign the petition
- Breonna Taylor- Sign the petition
- Ahmaud Arbery- Text JUSTICE to 55156 to sign the petition