PORTLAND, ORE. – A dozen volunteers, black and white, took to the streets of Portland on Wednesday to take part in what its creator called the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations.
They asked white passers-by to pay reparations for enslaving black people, and then they gave money to black passers-by.
“Artists take the lead on social issues,” the organizer, a Portland- based performance artist named damali ayo, told reporters.
As volunteer Frances Miller asked passers-by for money, they reacted with confusion, amusement or annoyance. Some, like delivery man Jeremy Butyrin, gave money.
“America’s history hasn’t been so kind to a lot of people,” said Butyrin, who gave $10. Moments later, Porter Miller, 58, walked by. He didn’t understand why a stranger was offering him money. Once Frances Miller explained, he accepted.
“That’s pretty neat,” he said. “It makes me feel better. Makes me feel we’re appreciated here.”
