Environment
Arturo Rodriguez on the fight to improve the lives of America’s farm workers
Since Cesar Chavez’s passing in 1993, Arturo Rodriguez has been the president of United Farm Workers of America, the nation’s largest farmworker union. During his time at the helm of the organization, Rodriguez has negotiated provisions for agricultural workers into an immigration reform bill passed under the Obama administration, won union contracts with major growers…
News
Arturo Rodriguez on the fight to improve the lives of America’s farm workers
Since Cesar Chavez’s passing in 1993, Arturo Rodriguez has been the president of United Farm Workers of America, the nation’s largest farmworker union. During his time at the helm of the organization, Rodriguez has negotiated provisions for agricultural workers into an immigration reform bill passed under the Obama administration, won union contracts with major growers…
The hands that feed us
At the height of a sweltering afternoon in late July, more than a hundred people descended from a caravan of air-conditioned Blue Star buses onto Oregon Sen. Chuck Thomsen’s (R-Hood River) Hood River Valley orchard. They were there to tour several rows of modest labor housing nestled in a grove of pear trees on the…
These best friends survived homelessness together
Karen Flemming, 59, met Belinda Estermyer Beason, 62, at the Wisconsin-based hospital they both worked at 22 years ago. Belinda was new and Karen was the one who trained her. They’ve been friends ever since, and they have a relaxed dynamic found only among people who have known each other a long time. They even…
Culture
The hands that feed us
At the height of a sweltering afternoon in late July, more than a hundred people descended from a caravan of air-conditioned Blue Star buses onto Oregon Sen. Chuck Thomsen’s (R-Hood River) Hood River Valley orchard. They were there to tour several rows of modest labor housing nestled in a grove of pear trees on the…
Tech tools profile, police and punish the poor
When politicians and business leaders talk about using technology to streamline service provision to the poor, they conjure up an efficient, values-free process. Helping homeless people might become like Airbnb, where shelter and subsidized housing are matched with available spaces. Assistance for the poor might bypass all the cumbersome application forms and waiting times. Risk…
‘Generaciones’ musical highlights local Latino artists
Latino Network presents "VOZ ALTA: Generaciones," a dramatization of the lives of Latino artists Rodolfo Serna and Jesus Torralba. This presentation is an intimate view into the formative experiences that shaped Rodolfo and Jesus as artists and youth mentors. Both in search of a home and a place in the world, they each turned to…
Opinion
Leaving LGBTQ+ out of 2020 census perpetuates inequality
The Census Bureau keeps track of how many people speak Gaelic, how many employees the greeting card industry has and how many houses have wood-burning stoves. Researchers, administrators and anyone with a basic knowledge of statistics can see how America has changed over the years for better or worse. Census Bureau data are why we…
We must overcome tokenism to achieve real equity
Tokenism seems to be a topic that folks want to avoid, but the argument against addressing it usually looks something like, “I don’t like that term.” (In fact, that’s an exact quote from the pushback I encountered in one recent experience – and the predominantly white women’s organization that originally invited this article sought to…
SR editorial: Saturday rally a sideshow distraction to ‘sanctuary law’ repeal
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. If ever there was a time to aspire to that philosophy, it is now. On Saturday, the so-called Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer movement will be busing in people from out of state to stage a demonstration, or judging by their rhetoric, instigate…
Sheeptoast editorial cartoon: August 3, 2018
Portland native Elizabeth Considine is the creator of Street Roots' editorial cartoon, Sheeptoast. Want to see more Sheeptoast cartoons? VIEW OUR GALLERY Street Roots is an award-winning, nonprofit, weekly newspaper focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. Our newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: Reflecting on new life development
We’ve profiled vendor Harry Richards in the past, but this reflection looks at a new development in his life. A couple of months ago, Street Roots vendor Harry Richards met his 33-year-old daughter Amanda for the first time. Well, it may have been the first time. Amanda remembers her mom taking her to Lloyd Center…
Housing
These best friends survived homelessness together
Karen Flemming, 59, met Belinda Estermyer Beason, 62, at the Wisconsin-based hospital they both worked at 22 years ago. Belinda was new and Karen was the one who trained her. They’ve been friends ever since, and they have a relaxed dynamic found only among people who have known each other a long time. They even…
