Whiteaker, Eugene, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Whiteaker is a neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon
, United States. It is located to the Northwest of downtown Eugene, and is home to primarily working class residents. Though it has served as an agricultural and commercial district in the past, it has become a primarily residential area. It is known as a center of Hispanic immigration to the city as well as a center of anarchist and environmental activism.
, who purchased ten blocks there in 1890. The neighborhood, however, was not known as "Whitaker" until 1926 when a new school in the neighborhood was named after the governor. It is located northwest of downtown Eugene along the Willamette River
.
U.S. Route 99
passed through Whiteaker until the 1930s, leading to the creation of a thriving commercial district in the neighborhood. Agriculture was a key part of Whiteaker's economy from the 1930s to the 1950s. Cows and other livestock were raised there by a number of residents. In the 1960s, the area became a popular destination for young counterculture individuals from outside the region. This migration led to the creation of several small businesses in Whiteaker, as well as increased drug use.
The 1970s saw an increase in community activism there. Local activists stopped the a proposed freeway and lobbied for the construction of the Washington Jefferson park beneath the Washington Jefferson bridge. The Whiteaker Community Counsel soon formed as a result of these efforts.
In the early-1980s Whiteaker saw an increase in construction of apartment buildings and the destruction of single-family homes. There was also a swell in the area's homeless population. At the same time, the amount of arrests for drug offenses and violent crimes increased. This caused the neighborhood to be perceived as a high-crime area by other residents of Eugene.
The Washington Jefferson bridge and the Chambers Connector now pass close to the neighborhood, as of 1990 they carried almost 100,000 cars a day.
reported that Whiteaker neighborhood had 5,050 residents. The paper also reported that the neighborhood was 90% white, 7% hispanic, and 3% black. As of 2000, the population of Whiteaker was 6,000. The neighborhood was roughly 80% white.
In the 1990s the neighborhood saw an influx of young people from around the United States, drawn by its political climate. In the early to mid-1990s there was also an influx of Hispanic families to the neighborhood. Whiteaker is part of the Eugene School District
, which reported that 30% of its students spoke Spanish in 1995. Though the demographics have changed, the neighborhood has remained primarily working class.
demonstrations. In 1997, a tree sitting demonstration in Eugene was responded to by local police with what was seen as overwhelming force, an event which further radicalized local activists but also helped shift public opinion in their favor. Local income inequality and lack of affordable housing have also been credited with the radicalization of activists.
In June 2009, a riot broke out in Whiteaker during an anti-globalization
protest during which protesters vandalized and looted a Taco Bell
and a 7 Eleven. After police responded with tear gas and pepper spray
, protesters battled with police for several hours. Later that year, Whiteaker activists also played a key role in organizing black bloc
tactics during the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 1999 protest activity. Eugene police subsequently claimed that local anarchists were responsible for other attacks on local police officers. Local activists in turn argued that police needlessly harassed individuals wearing black clothing in response.
Animal rights groups also have a heavy presence in Whiteaker, and several vegan restaurants are located there. According to David Samuels
, the Animal Liberation Front
and the Earth Liberation Front
have had an underground presence in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is home to a number of communal apartment building, which are often organized by anarchist of environmentalist groups. Local activists have also produced independent films and started art galleries, community gardens, and independent media outlets. Copwatch
, Food Not Bombs
, and Critical Mass
are also active in the neighborhood.
In 2011, the Occupy Eugene
protests relocated to the Washington Jefferson park in Whiteaker after initially forming at the downtown Eugene Park Blocks at 8th and Oak.
writer John Zerzan
and the memoirist Margaret Seltzer
.
Prominent local businesses include Sam Bond's Garage
, a local tavern.
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, United States. It is located to the Northwest of downtown Eugene, and is home to primarily working class residents. Though it has served as an agricultural and commercial district in the past, it has become a primarily residential area. It is known as a center of Hispanic immigration to the city as well as a center of anarchist and environmental activism.
History
Whiteaker is named after Oregon's first governor, John WhiteakerJohn Whiteaker
John Whiteaker was an American politician, soldier, and judge primarily in Oregon. A native of Indiana, he joined the Army during the Mexican-American War and then prospected during the California Gold Rush. After moving to the Oregon Territory he served as a judge and member of the legislature...
, who purchased ten blocks there in 1890. The neighborhood, however, was not known as "Whitaker" until 1926 when a new school in the neighborhood was named after the governor. It is located northwest of downtown Eugene along the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
.
U.S. Route 99
U.S. Route 99
U.S. Route 99 was the main north–south highway on the West Coast of the United States until 1964, running from Calexico, California, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Blaine, Washington, on the U.S.-Canada border. It was a route of the United States Numbered Highways, assigned in 1926 and existing...
passed through Whiteaker until the 1930s, leading to the creation of a thriving commercial district in the neighborhood. Agriculture was a key part of Whiteaker's economy from the 1930s to the 1950s. Cows and other livestock were raised there by a number of residents. In the 1960s, the area became a popular destination for young counterculture individuals from outside the region. This migration led to the creation of several small businesses in Whiteaker, as well as increased drug use.
The 1970s saw an increase in community activism there. Local activists stopped the a proposed freeway and lobbied for the construction of the Washington Jefferson park beneath the Washington Jefferson bridge. The Whiteaker Community Counsel soon formed as a result of these efforts.
In the early-1980s Whiteaker saw an increase in construction of apartment buildings and the destruction of single-family homes. There was also a swell in the area's homeless population. At the same time, the amount of arrests for drug offenses and violent crimes increased. This caused the neighborhood to be perceived as a high-crime area by other residents of Eugene.
The Washington Jefferson bridge and the Chambers Connector now pass close to the neighborhood, as of 1990 they carried almost 100,000 cars a day.
Demographics
In 1990, The Register-GuardThe Register-Guard
The Register-Guard is a daily newspaper published in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It was formed in a 1930 merger of two Eugene papers, the Eugene Daily Guard and the Morning Register. The paper serves the Eugene-Springfield area, as well as the Oregon Coast, Umpqua River Valley, and surrounding...
reported that Whiteaker neighborhood had 5,050 residents. The paper also reported that the neighborhood was 90% white, 7% hispanic, and 3% black. As of 2000, the population of Whiteaker was 6,000. The neighborhood was roughly 80% white.
In the 1990s the neighborhood saw an influx of young people from around the United States, drawn by its political climate. In the early to mid-1990s there was also an influx of Hispanic families to the neighborhood. Whiteaker is part of the Eugene School District
Eugene School District
Eugene School District is a public school district in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is one of two school districts that serve the city of Eugene.-Demographics:...
, which reported that 30% of its students spoke Spanish in 1995. Though the demographics have changed, the neighborhood has remained primarily working class.
Politics
Whiteaker is known for a large concentration of young, politically radical residents. In the late 1990s, local activists gained notoriety after organizing successful tree sittingTree sitting
Tree sitting is a form of environmentalist civil disobedience in which a protester sits in a tree, usually on a small platform built for the purpose, to protect it from being cut down...
demonstrations. In 1997, a tree sitting demonstration in Eugene was responded to by local police with what was seen as overwhelming force, an event which further radicalized local activists but also helped shift public opinion in their favor. Local income inequality and lack of affordable housing have also been credited with the radicalization of activists.
In June 2009, a riot broke out in Whiteaker during an anti-globalization
Anti-globalization
Criticism of globalization is skepticism of the claimed benefits of the globalization of capitalism. Many of these views are held by the anti-globalization movement however other groups also are critical of the policies of globalization....
protest during which protesters vandalized and looted a Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
and a 7 Eleven. After police responded with tear gas and pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
, protesters battled with police for several hours. Later that year, Whiteaker activists also played a key role in organizing black bloc
Black bloc
A black bloc is a tactic for protests and marches, whereby individuals wear black clothing, scarves, ski masks, motorcycle helmets with padding, or other face-concealing items...
tactics during the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 1999 protest activity. Eugene police subsequently claimed that local anarchists were responsible for other attacks on local police officers. Local activists in turn argued that police needlessly harassed individuals wearing black clothing in response.
Animal rights groups also have a heavy presence in Whiteaker, and several vegan restaurants are located there. According to David Samuels
David Samuels (writer)
David Samuels is an American non-fiction writer, best-known for long-form journalism and essays. He is a contributing editor at Harper's Magazine and a frequent contributor to The Atlantic and The New Yorker.-Background and education:...
, the Animal Liberation Front
Animal Liberation Front
The Animal Liberation Front is an international, underground leaderless resistance that engages in illegal direct action in pursuit of animal liberation...
and the Earth Liberation Front
Earth Liberation Front
The Earth Liberation Front , also known as "Elves" or "The Elves", is the collective name for autonomous individuals or covert cells who, according to the ELF Press Office, use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment".The ELF was founded...
have had an underground presence in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is home to a number of communal apartment building, which are often organized by anarchist of environmentalist groups. Local activists have also produced independent films and started art galleries, community gardens, and independent media outlets. Copwatch
Copwatch
Copwatch is a network of activist organizations in the United States and Canada that observe and document police activity while looking for signs of police misconduct and police brutality...
, Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs is a loose-knit group of independent collectives, serving free vegan and vegetarian food to others. Food Not Bombs' ideology is that myriad corporate and government priorities are skewed to allow hunger to persist in the midst of abundance...
, and Critical Mass
Critical Mass
Critical Mass is a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in over 300 cities around the world. The ride was originally founded in 1992 in San Francisco. The purpose of Critical Mass is not usually formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and...
are also active in the neighborhood.
In 2011, the Occupy Eugene
Occupy Eugene
Occupy Eugene is an ongoing peaceful protest and demonstration in Eugene, Oregon based on the Occupy Wall Street movement which began in New York City on September 17. It was reported that protesters are concerned about fairness issues regarding wealth-distribution and corporate greed. A protest...
protests relocated to the Washington Jefferson park in Whiteaker after initially forming at the downtown Eugene Park Blocks at 8th and Oak.
Prominent residents and businesses
Well known residents of Whiteaker include the Green AnarchistGreen Anarchist
The magazine Green Anarchist was for a while the principal voice in the UK advocating green anarchism, an explicit fusion of libertarian socialist and ecological thinking.-Early years:...
writer John Zerzan
John Zerzan
John Zerzan is an American anarchist and primitivist philosopher and author. His works criticize agricultural civilization as inherently oppressive, and advocate drawing upon the ways of life of prehistoric humans as an inspiration for what a free society should look like...
and the memoirist Margaret Seltzer
Margaret Seltzer
Margaret Seltzer is an American writer. Her first book, Love and Consequences: A Memoir of Hope and Survival , about her alleged experiences growing up as a half white, half Native American foster child and Bloods gang member in South Central Los Angeles, was proven to be fictitious...
.
Prominent local businesses include Sam Bond's Garage
Sam Bond's Garage
Sam Bonds Garage is a music venue and pub in the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene, Oregon, United States. It has been voted as one of America's best bars by Esquire....
, a local tavern.