Meet the 2024 Community Storytelling Fellows
Oregon Humanities is excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Storytelling Fellowship,
The Devil, You Know
In an excerpt from Night Mother: A Personal and Cultural History of “The Exorcist”, Marlena Williams writes about satanic panics from Geraldo to QAnon
Broken Glass, Broken Trust
A sermon by Robert Leo Heilman first read at the Umpqua Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Roseburg in spring 2022
Amplify Women
Have you noticed that we don’t hear enough women on the radio in Portland (or nearly anywhere)? For the last 5 years, XRAY has sought to shine a spotlight on these disparities and inequities in the voices we listen to and the perspectives whose media we consume. Since radio is an industry that continues to exclude women and those with intersecting experiences of marginalization, we hold an all-day radio teach-in each year on International Women’s Day.
Beyond Pigmentocracy
Chance White Eyes and Rachel L. Cushman write about how racism, representation, and internalized oppression affect their family
“Let’s Give Oregonians a Chance to Shape the Future of the State”
Hanna Merzbach interviews Kevin Frazier, founder of the website The Oregon Way
Consider This with Mitchell S. Jackson
Join us for a live virtual conversation with the author of The Residue Years and Survival Math and winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.
Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on pandemic response or the protests in Portland to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
Conspiracy Theories
Why do we gravitate toward conspiracy theories to make sense of the world? What human need do these stories fill? In this program, we’ll explore some conspiracy theories old and new, famous and obscure. What common themes do they share? How do they operate as stories and how do they evolve? What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and myth, folklore, and “fake news”? We’ll talk about the mechanics of conspiracy theories as we explore how to determine what’s true, what’s false, and whom to trust.
The New Americans
Brian Liu on David Chang's Ugly Delicious, honesty, and what it means to be Asian American.
I Dream an Oregon
Trying to get Oregonians to invest in antiracism left me frustrated and disillusioned. But I’m still pushing. An essay by Bruce Poinsette
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
OH Grant Event: Oregon Experience: “The Modoc War”
Oregon Experience: The Modoc War examines one of the most dramatic American Indian wars in US history—and one that happened in and near Klamath. The Modoc War of 1872 to 1873 was one of the costliest American Indian wars in US history, considering the number of people involved. For nearly seven months, a handful of Modoc Indian warriors and their families held off hundreds of US Army soldiers. The documentary revisits the battle scenes, and uses rare historical images and original wood cut drawings from the period. Interviews with Modoc descendants, national historians and written first-hand accounts, bring the Modoc War to life. There will be a Q & A after the showing, as well as a reception with the Klamath County Museum.
Conversation Project: Keeping Tabs on America
Recent revelations about government surveillance, including Edward Snowden’s leak of NSA documents, have renewed worldwide attention to questions around privacy. Why is privacy important? What are the uses of surveillance? What are the dangers? Independent scholar and writer Kristian Williams will lead participants in a conversation about the scope and consequences of government surveillance, as well as ethical and legal limits of surveillance practices.
Grant-Funded Event: Connecting Threads
This is the first of several gatherings meant to connect young people with adults, especially those interested in art. One purpose of the program, funded in part by an Oregon Humanities grant, is to begin bringing creative young people into connection with the Southern Oregon Guild of Artists and Artisans and with adults who can support their growth in the arts and in their lives. The other side of that purpose is to encourage young people to share their skills with the adults (e.g. their skill with contemporary technology). The Guild also hopes to have some impact on bridging the age gap in the community and begin developing strong relationships between the Guild and the schools. There will be a lunch and social from noon to 12:30 p.m. followed by an interactive program from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
Conversation Project: Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
On both national and local levels, Oregonians have seen how the news can both represent and misrepresent the facts at hand. From debate over local opinions on the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the discourse around “alternative facts,” it can seem difficult to find current and accurate information to use as we make decisions in our communities. This conversation, led by librarian Kelly McElroy, gives Oregonians a chance to consider their own practices and values around news consumption and find new ways to get the information they need.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Think & Drink with Omar El Akkad
The 2018–19 Think & Drink series on Journalism and Justice continues with a conversation with reporter and novelist Omar El Akkad, author of American War.
Think & Drink with Les Zaitz, Inara Verzemnieks, and Kimberly A.C. Wilson
An onstage conversation on journalism and justice.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Think & Drink with Eli Saslow
Join journalist Eli Saslow, author of Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist for a conversation about how white supremacist movements are born and how they gain power.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Why DIY? Self-sufficiency and American Life
Are we as self-sufficient as we can be? As we should be? What are the pleasures and pitfalls of doing it yourself? This conversation investigates why we strive to be makers and doers in a world that provides more conveniences than ever before.
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: After Obama *POSTPONED*
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: After Obama *POSTPONED*
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: After Obama
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: After Obama
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: After Obama
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
CANCELED: History in the News
Discuss current events in historical context at a monthly roundtable with Mid-Valley historians, political scientists, and other experts. The topic of each discussion will be pulled straight from the headlines ten days in advance.
History in the News: Oregon's Own History of Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault
Discuss current events in historical context at a monthly roundtable with Mid-Valley historians, political scientists, and other experts. The topic of each discussion will be pulled straight from the headlines ten days in advance.
Conversation Project: After Obama *CANCELLED*
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: After Obama
Talking Race in America Today
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
Conversation Project: Beyond Fake News
How We Find Accurate Information about the World
History in the News: Should Historians Be Pundits?
Recent editorials in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post have raised questions about whether and how historians ought to opine on current events and political issues. Are historians supposed to be apolitical? How should historians engage in political debate—if at all? This event is funded in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities.
History in the News: Real Stories of "Fake" News
Accusations and allegations about “fake news" and the manipulations of “mainstream media” aren’t unique to America in the twenty first century. Join Willamette Heritage Center for a conversation about the history of journalism’s role in educating, empowering, and enraging Oregonians. This event is funded in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities.
Stolen Land and Borrowed Dollars
Creative resistance bloomed in the lead up to the Vancouver Olympics. An excerpt from Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics by Jules Boykoff
Trademark Offense
Bandleader Simon Tam explains his fight to trademark his band’s name, “The Slants.” Tam recently argued his case before the US Supreme Court. He won.
A Return Passage
Reporter Putsata Reang and photographer Kim Nguyen share their stories of leaving their home countries as refugees, meeting as students at the University of Oregon, and returning to Southeast Asia as journalists. A film produced by Dawn Jones for Oregon Humanities.
Full Circle
Two journalists return to their native countries to help other journalists express dissent.
Magazine Podcast: Quandary
Talking about Ferguson, feminism, and filling out forms with Oregon Humanities magazine contributors
The Late Show
Journalist Nigel Duara on the media becoming part of the story in the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Missouri.
Feel-Good Feminism
Bitch Media cofounder Andi Zeisler wonders if feminism's pop-culture cachet has doomed the movement.
Who's Minding Your Business?
A conversation with writer William T. Vollmann on privacy, surveillance, and hope
Trapped in the Spotlight
What happens when quitting your job means quitting yourself? An essay by Courtenay Hameister
In Search of the New
Editor Kathleen Holt on desire for the novel, the riveting, and the spectacular
One Giant Step
Coming of age during the hopeful days of American space exploration. An essay by Dmae Roberts
Who Cares About the Future of Music?
Opportunities and ethics in the age of Internet music streaming. An essay by Dave Allen
Burning Bushes
When it comes to attention-getting spectacles, God is no longer the only game in town. An essay by Dan DeWeese
An Anecdotal Glossary of Spectacle
M. Allen Cunningham sorts through our landscape of scandal, show, and distraction
Fearful Beauty
Embracing both the wonder and terror of awe. An essay by Courtney Campbell
Monstrousness of Empathy
When a private tragedy becomes public property. An essay by Nancy Rommelmann
How Courtenay Got Her Funny Back
Sexy has no place in the kill-or-die world of comedy. An essay by Courtenay Hameister