Oregon Humanities

Oregon Humanities Oregon Humanities connects people and communities through conversation, storytelling, and programs. This behavior will result in removal from the page.

Oregon Humanities is committed to bringing people together across differences of background, experience, and belief. Each year, we offer hundreds of public conversations and programs across the state, train and support dozens of discussion facilitators, and award grants and fellowships that help people connect, reflect, and cultivate a stronger sense of agency in their communities. In our magazine

and on our website, we publish stories that explore the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of Oregonians, especially those who have been ignored, generalized, or oppressed. Our long-term hope is that the work of Oregon Humanities will make broad and significant contributions to a more cohesive, inclusive, and imaginative democratic culture. Community Guidelines:

This is a page for anyone interested in the programs, publications, or mission of Oregon Humanities. Our vision of Oregon is one that invites diverse perspectives, explores challenging questions, and strives for just communities. We encourage open discussion and invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions related to our work. By participating on this page, you are agreeing to our commenting policy, outlined below. We do not tolerate harassment or insults directed toward our staff, facilitators, program participants, authors, artists, or page supporters. We reserve the right to delete all posts on our page that contain the following:
- hateful or threatening comments, including derogatory statements targeting individuals or specific groups based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation or expression, age, and mental or physical ability
- profanity
- misinformation
- spam, including any marketing or promotion of products, services, candidates, or causes
- personal attacks
- promotion of violence
- promotion of illegal or questionable activities

If you repeatedly violate this policy, you will be removed from our page. We appreciate your cooperation and support. Thank you for being part of our community.

Are humans called to acknowledge new moral and legal responsibilities toward the Earth? Kathleen Dean Moore explores the...
08/31/2026

Are humans called to acknowledge new moral and legal responsibilities toward the Earth?

Kathleen Dean Moore explores the global rights-of-nature movement and a recent ballot initiative in Lane County that would have granted rights to local watersheds.

Kathleen Dean Moore on a Lane County initiative that fundamentally reimagines humanity’s relationship with nature.

"I try to love the future: actively, rigorously, with all the breadth I can muster.” In our Revolution issue, Christina ...
08/30/2026

"I try to love the future: actively, rigorously, with all the breadth I can muster.”

In our Revolution issue, Christina DeVillier writes about possible futures and striving to choose the best ones for our children.

An essay by Christina deVillier

“Anti-sweatshop activists swarmed into Niketown so often that the store would sometimes preemptively close when a demons...
08/29/2026

“Anti-sweatshop activists swarmed into Niketown so often that the store would sometimes preemptively close when a demonstration just happened to occur nearby."

In an excerpt from his book "Policing the Progressive City," Kristian Williams shares stories of Portland protests in the 1980s and 90s.

"Is it time for a new Declaration of Interdependence, holding these truths to be self-evident: that all beings are creat...
08/28/2026

"Is it time for a new Declaration of Interdependence, holding these truths to be self-evident: that all beings are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the rights to exist, to flourish, to regenerate, and to naturally evolve for their own sake?

Some citizens in Oregon think it is long past time for such a declaration."

For the Revolution issue, Kathleen Dean Moore explores the global rights-of-nature movement, including a recent ballot initiative in Lane County that fundamentally reimagines humanity's relationship with nature.

Kathleen Dean Moore on a Lane County initiative that fundamentally reimagines humanity’s relationship with nature.

"Elections favor those candidates with charisma, money, and connections—regardless of their governing ability.” Jake Tho...
08/27/2026

"Elections favor those candidates with charisma, money, and connections—regardless of their governing ability.”

Jake Thomas explores several ways groups in Oregon and beyond are working to involve more people in democratic decision-making.

Jake Thomas writes about efforts to expand democratic decision-making in Oregon beyond elected representatives.

In her acclaimed memoirs, "Maid" and "Class," Stephanie Land writes about her experiences living in poverty—cleaning hou...
08/27/2026

In her acclaimed memoirs, "Maid" and "Class," Stephanie Land writes about her experiences living in poverty—cleaning houses, attending college, and struggling to get by as a single mom in the Northwest. Her book "Maid" highlights a striking paradox: while her private clients entrusted her with the intimate details of their lives, public agencies constantly required her to prove her worthiness for basic assistance.

Join us as we kick off our new Consider This season with Stephanie, in conversation with Adam Davis. This conversation will explore how trust intersects with work, poverty, parenthood, and the American social safety net.

📆 September 22 at 7 p.m.
🗺 Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland
💻 Online via livestream

Learn more and get tickets at the link in our bio.

"...for a while now, Oregonians have been issuing quiet manifestos—hushed statements about who we are and who we aren’t....
08/25/2026

"...for a while now, Oregonians have been issuing quiet manifestos—hushed statements about who we are and who we aren’t.”

For our Revolution issue, Leah Sottile looks at the meaning of manifestos—and asks what a manifesto for Oregon would include.

Read it in our summer issue, now in print and online.

A manifesto for Oregon by Leah Sottile

08/05/2026

“These totemic moments of comfort are often what we have to offer one another.

And I think of poems as these totemic objects of comfort.”

Listen to our episode of The Detour with Naomi Shihab Nye,

Looking for past issues of Oregon Humanities magazine? Not a subscriber but curious about what's inside?We'll be slingin...
06/22/2026

Looking for past issues of Oregon Humanities magazine? Not a subscriber but curious about what's inside?

We'll be slinging magazines this Saturday at the Portland Indie Book and Art Fair! From 11 am to 6 pm, you can browse publications from 40+ local publishers, authors, and artists, including Buckman Journal, Fonograf Editions, and Microcosm.

Come say hello and find something new for your shelves:

https://www.portlandindie.com/

Do you know about Civic Season? It’s an annual youth-led tradition that runs from Juneteenth to July 4th, connecting our...
06/18/2026

Do you know about Civic Season?

It’s an annual youth-led tradition that runs from Juneteenth to July 4th, connecting our country’s oldest federal holiday with our newest. Oregon Humanities is excited to have several of our own events featured in this year’s lineup—along with 1,600+ others across Oregon and the country!

From walking tours and podcasts to karaoke events, readings, and community discussions, there are so many ways to participate. You can find the full list of what’s happening locally, including several of our virtual events, at the link below.

The folks at Made By Us also cretaed a handy "Build My List" tool for mapping out your own itinerary, which you can check out here:

https://thecivicseason.com/

Juneteenth to July 4th is Civic Season, for America's 250th and beyond. Explore what you stand for, connect with others and shape the future of our country.

Address

610 SW Alder Street , Suite 1111
Portland, OR
97205

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