The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Caucus in the Oregon legislature reinforces their minority status every time they allow someone else to speak for them. They have sided with the majority party all session to make sure they are recognized and given status in every measure introduced. But, while they want recognition, they piggyback onto House Majority Leader in accusations against Rep. Mike Nearman.

The BIPOC caucus would seem to have some difficulty in proving their case that Representative Mike Nearman is guilty of endangering them by having exited through a door at the Capitol.

Seemingly having a vendetta against the Republican, the group makes another claim, which has been found to be loaded with inaccuracies in stating the following:

“He is a member of hate groups, including the anti-immigrant group Oregonians for Immigration Reform, where he has served as a board member. This past Saturday, he was scheduled to speak at a rally in Salem attended by white supremacist and nationalist groups, including the Proud Boys and The Three Percenters militia movement. These are white supremacist hate groups and their racist, violent tactics have no place in our Capitol, the underpinning of our vibrant, diverse democracy.”

They seem to be mindlessly echoing the unfounded accusations of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), who has been caught in a number of lies trying to push their narrative that most U.S. citizens are inherently racist. The group has accused countless other groups of being racist, if they aren't aligned with the Democrat party.

Democrat House leaders issued a statement in January in response to the BIPOC caucus on committing to a truly equitable future:

“Members of the BIPOC Caucus and other community leaders have continually pointed out structural problems big and small that conspire to exclude diverse voices in the Legislature. …We are committed to confronting the past while taking steps to build a future that is more truly equitable, one that centers the needs of people who have been oppressed, discriminated against, and kept out of the halls of influence for too long…. we commit to a brighter future for every Oregonian.”

Does the BIPOC caucus think they are the only group that has been trampled on that needs recognition, and they have a privilege to hate and not be hated, to show bias but not be discriminated against? It seems they have become the equivalent to the little boy who cried wolf one too many times.

Their sensationalism continues:

“Nearman is set to appear in Marion County Court on May 11. As Black, Asian, and Latinx legislators, we do not have the luxury of waiting this out. Every day that Nearman continues as a state legislator, a clear message is sent: your lives, your wellbeing, your safety, do not matter. We call on members of all caucuses, especially House Republican leadership, to call on Nearman to resign and denounce white supremacy, xenophobia, and white nationalism. Our right to feel safe depends on it.”

Nearman is well known for his training on the Constitution. Does BIPOC know that their implication against Rep. Nearman’s character is quite unfair, in light of Oregon Constitution Article 1, Section 1? In this first section, the Oregon Constitution states: “Natural rights are inherent in people. We declare that all men, when they form a social compact are equal in right.”

Supposed "diversity measures" are questionable under the Oregon Constitution Article 1, Section 20, which states: “Equality of privileges and immunities of citizens... No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.”

If Nearman’s association with certain groups is wrong, then why doesn't extremist groups such as Antifa rioting in Portland for over a year deserves equal denouncement. The rioting and destruction of inner city businesses has certainly disproportionately affected those groups of people they claim to represent. Those extreme leftist groups certainly instigate more vandalism, pillage, arson, and rioting that makes every citizen feel unsafe.

One would think that The BIPOC caucus would want to work with Representative Mike Nearman (Independence) to find common ground with everyone, regardless of skin color if their real goal truly is a safer Oregon for all.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-05-06 09:42:13

Last Update: 2021-05-06 15:37:55