Residents and professionals press Yamhill County commissioners to address racism in schools and county government

Multiple residents and several online commenters urged the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on June 25 to acknowledge and address racial discrimination in county schools and government, describing both documented cases and personal experiences they said show a pattern of harm.

Speakers called on commissioners to listen and act rather than deny or minimize community reports. John, an in-person commenter who identified only by his first name, recounted repeated threats and racially hostile incidents while living in Yamhill County and said it took two years for what he described as a fair outcome to be reached in his case. “As upsetting as this is, it’s a matter of seeing it and addressing it,” he said, adding, “All I’m asking for is change.”

Why it matters: Commenters argued that denial from elected officials harms victims by discouraging reporting and that public institutions — including schools and county government — need concrete policies to track and respond to bias complaints.

Alicia Adams told the board her oldest son was steered away from returning to the county because she feared for his safety as a young Black man. “At his middle school, the n word is used frequently and casually,” Adams said, describing frequent racial insensitivity and social-media posts that she said portray the county’s values in a negative light.

Tracy Moon, who said she has watched federal lawsuits, Bureau of Labor and Industries findings, and jury verdicts, urged the board to provide “transparent space to listen to targeted residents, validate their experiences and track bias incidents with absolute seriousness.” “When discrimination is allowed to fester,” she said, “the effects on a community are devastating.”

Online commenters pressed the point. Dr. Gabriel Kleinman, who identified himself as an OHSU anesthesiologist, appealed directly for accountability from an elected official, asking, “Do you still believe, commissioner, that honoring the work of Dr. King is a con job?” He said past public remarks by an official delegitimized civil-rights leaders and used identity as a weapon. Jesse Ferris Cunningham, another online commenter, urged commissioners to listen before defending officials: “Please listen before defending,” he said.

Board reaction: Commissioners responded during the meeting. Commissioner Sarah reminded the chamber that a prior board had recognized Juneteenth as an official paid holiday and highlighted recent, public acts of apology and reconciliation involving local residents. Commissioner King said he had met with constituents and heard accounts of racism across the county — in faith communities, at schools and in businesses — and said he was willing to continue conversations.

No formal policy action was taken at the June 25 session. The board accepted public comment and offered to continue engagement; commissioners encouraged residents to submit written testimony and to meet with them outside the dais.

What’s next: Several speakers asked for measurable accountability, tracking of incidents and follow-up from county staff; the board did not announce a specific plan of action during the meeting.