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Editor’s Note:

If we look forward with the same dedication to destiny as did our pioneer predecessors ten decades ago near this spot, those who look back from the year 2059 will be proud of their heritage.

Mark Hatfield gave Oregonians a high bar to hit in his inaugural address in 1959. We've got 38 years to realize his hope—that the Oregonians of 2059 are proud of their heritage.

What will make those Oregonians proud? I think that this effort to revive our civic culture and promote local journalism will contribute to that pride.

At a time when our social fabric is being torn apart like a teenager trying to wear their childhood sweater, this community dedicated itself to finding the strands that still bind us together.

At a time when our politics seem as chaotic as our climate, this community identified solutions that can allow the state to navigate even the most unexpected crises.

And, at a time when local journalism was sinking, this community built on new mediums and applied new business models to amplify voices traditionally left on the sidelines.

For The Oregon Way and its sister efforts—The Bridge podcast and The Liftoff newsletter (collectively, Oregon 360 Media)—to continue to strive towards Hatfield's aspirations, we've done our best to listen to his guidance.

Hatfield urged us to "economize," to avoid "frills," and to ask what is truly "essential" as opposed to "merely desirable."

Updated to the 21st Century, economizing means resisting the urge to just produce content for the sake of getting "views," avoiding "frills" means resisting the temptation to be excessively partisan, and asking what is essential requires inquiring into what voices and solutions must be prioritized given these trying times.

Oregon 360 is not a traditional news outlet. It's an effort to make sure that every Oregonian has the information and perspectives required to be vibrant democratic participants. And, it's an umbrella organization, which means that what’s under it today—a newsletter (The Liftoff), a platform for perspectives (The Way), and a podcast (The Bridge)—may change tomorrow. How this organization changes and grows, though, will always be guided by two questions: first, how can we revive Oregon’s civic culture? And, second, how can we disburse meaningful, valuable information to as many Oregonians as possible so that they can be powerful democratic stakeholders.

As Oregon 360 finalizes its structure, you can expect a few changes. The Liftoff newsletter will eventually require a subscription (however, if you're in a spot where that's not financially possible, just let us know). A percentage of the funds raised by subscriptions to The Liftoff will support programs that elevate rural voices and voices from communities of color in addition to programs that build community and forge new relationships across the state (more soon!).

Our focus is on generating meaningful deliberation and exchanges of information, stories, and perspectives from around the state. With those goals in mind, Oregon 360 will do more than create a one-way street of communication. Instead, we’ll provide means for Oregonians to actually discuss issues, engage with the news as well as new perspectives, and, ultimately, forge a stronger statewide community.

"Let us," Hatfield urged, "be willing enough, keen enough, frank enough to project our imagination ahead toward future needs."

Oregon 360 imagines a future in which every Oregonian can readily access the most important news in every corner of the state and where Oregonians know they have a place to share their solutions and connect with fellow problem solvers.

We could not be more excited for 2022, 2059, and every year in between. This community is capable of ensuring that future Oregonians look back and think, "I am proud of my state."

Here’s to a better Oregon,

Kevin

To look forward to:

Rep. Wilde on the pros and cons of gambling in Oregon
Kristina Edmunson on a different approach to covering wildfires
Rich Wandschneider analyzes the merits (spoiler — there aren’t many) of messing with state borders

To read:

Jim Moore recalls an era when Oregon’s leaders championed the state around the globe. It’s time again to have state officials spreading the good word of Oregon to distant corners.

read the full piece here.

Jessica Gomez, as a Hispanic woman, a parent, and someone who worked hard to catch up with her peers in high school, questions the decision to suspend several requirements to graduate from high school—justified, in part, as a response to the barriers facing students of color.

read the full piece here.

Elden Rosenthal thinks climate change can unite Oregonians. In this counter intuitive piece, Elden shows that every Oregonian benefits from a more stable and life-sustaining climate.

read the full piece here.

Luhui Whitebear summarizes the lessons she has learned from 17+ months of COVID. These lessons will help parents, educators, and students alike get ready for another unprecedented school year.

read the full piece here.

Rich Vial points out that a two-party system helps force us into binary relationships — us or them. He calls on us all to learn from Jeff Gudman’s embrace of being a man of multitudes.

read the full piece here.

Peter Sage interviewed his county clerk and came away with an important finding: the checks on fraud in Oregon elections are robust.

read the full piece here.

Kevin Frazier urges Oregonians to thank the school board members, educators, and administrators that have tirelessly advanced “the Oregon Way” by listening to the public and pursuing common sense solutions through tough times.

read the full piece here.

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Photo credit:
"Paulina Lake at Sunset, Oregon" by Bonnie Moreland (free images) is marked with CC PDM 1.0

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