Yes, the headline is correct.
The Oregon League of Minority Voters plans to set up a new college scholarship program solely for white students, The Oregonian reports. Those who are black, Hispanic, Asian American, or Native American need not apply.
Some minority leaders in the state are uncomfortable with the plan. But, as explained by the group’s executive director, Promise King, the idea arguably makes some sense. The new awards, he says, will go solely to white students who pledge to study race relations in college.
“I want to reach white students.” he told the newspaper, “because I believe the more the majority is involved in our conversations and in our work, the more we are able to get to solutions.”
Racial and ethnic minority populations account for about one in five Oregon residents. “The ones in position to effect change,” Mr. King says, “are white.” —Peter Schmidt
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4 Responses to Oregon Minority Group Plans Whites-Only Scholarships
roro1618 - February 9, 2010 at 7:22 am
The second to the last line of this article reads “Racial and ethnic populations account for about one in five Oregon residents.” I presume that Peter means the non-white populations? If so, he should state this clearly because, news flash: white is race and members of that race also have various ethnic identities.
dtroop - February 9, 2010 at 7:40 am
roro1618: The word “minority” was inadvertently removed during a late edit of this item. Sorry to have confused you.
chuckkle - February 9, 2010 at 8:14 am
Mr. King’s stats seem to be incorrect. Oregon’s population is about 3,747,455. Census data: American Indian, 1.4%; Asian 3.7%; Black 2.0%, Pacific Islanders 0.3%, more than one race: 2.4%, and white 90.3%. Self identified Hispanics: 10.6%.Chuck Kleinhans
lontraman - February 9, 2010 at 4:29 pm
And if my math is correct, that totals up to 20.4% non-white. Unless you count those that are white hispanics as part of the total, you can’t have 90.3% be white as well. One in five residents would be classified as “minorities”.