News
Mother’s milk: Momentum gains in helping low-income mothers breastfeed their children
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States is one of the sickest. Obesity is one of the fastest growing chronic conditions both globally and nationally, affecting 15 percent of American adults and 18 percent of American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s a contributing cause to…
‘They considered me a traitor and a spy’
Fifty-year-old Omar Al-Kubaisi says he wanted to give his people a voice and help prevent bloodshed. That’s why, in the spring of 2003, he decided to work with the Americans after they invaded his home, Iraq. Al-Kubaisi was a professor of linguistics and comparative literature in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. He’s published numerous academic papers.…
#MyHomePDX: How does supporting people in poverty help our community?
Street Roots recently asked civic leaders around Portland, “How does supporting people in poverty help our community?” The project was inspired by the #MyHomePDX campaign on Twitter, recently launched by Street Roots and allies to talk about homelessness and poverty in the community in a more thoughtful and engaging way. Tune into those conversations on…
Homeless camp called Dignity Village featured in Grand Theft Auto Five
Dignity Village, Portland’s only sanctioned homeless tent city, unknowingly finds itself featured in the latest version of the Grand Theft Auto video game that came out earlier this year. The game has made billions of dollars from sales. There are several scenes depicting the homeless camp. Below are images from the GTA Wiki website. …
Mother’s milk: breastfeeding among low-income and minority families
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States is one of the sickest. Obesity is one of the fastest growing chronic conditions both globally and nationally, affecting 15 percent of American adults and 18 percent of American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s a contributing cause to…
Holiday thanks from Street Roots vendors
“I’m grateful for the community around me. Those who buy Street Roots, those who smile or give me a nod for the work I do selling SR. And I’m grateful too for the work SR does. Coming into the Street Roots office is a blessing.” — Marlon Crump “I’m grateful for my housing, for my…
Opinion
With honor and humility: Journalist Paul Beban reflects on Typhoon Haiyan
When the waves came, Elena Gayda swam. I met Elena in Lawaan, a fishing and farming town of about 10,000 people on the northeastern shore of Leyte Gulf. Sheltered by a crescent of low-slung mountains, nestled on the south-facing shore of a bay shaped like a ragged parabola, Lawaan is picturesque and – it would…
For 60 years, waiting for the freedom to marry
Eugene Woodworth passed away Dec. 21. He was 85 years old. Before he died, he wrote this piece for Street Roots about his dream of marriage equality in Oregon. When I first met Eric, I got cold all over and couldn’t move. It felt like destiny: I’d just met the person I was going to…
Camp sweeps shouldn’t be inhumane
Lawsuits seldom provide the most compelling reads. But the stories told in the recent filing by the Oregon Law Center are personal and disturbing. It tells the story of several Portland men and women experiencing homelessness, who after losing everything lost it again under government authority. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the men…
Help lead the way to a weekly paper!
Nothing about publishing a newspaper is easy. Being able to maintain a timely and informative product that engages and educates the public is even harder. Street Roots works tirelessly to bring readers insights and stories that represent the community we serve — readers and people experiencing poverty alike. We hope that readers who have not…
Dylan and the DoJ? The times they are a-changin’
In 1963, Bob Dylan wrote his famous ballad “The Times They are A-Changin” to capture the spirit of the social and political upheaval that characterized the 1960s. The song is a call for people to come together in a movement for social progress and became something of an anthem for many working for civil rights,…
