{"id":2129,"date":"2022-09-23T08:46:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T15:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2129"},"modified":"2024-08-05T20:17:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T03:17:31","slug":"intersectional-education-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/intersectional-education-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Intersectional education at work"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A

Vanport flood 1948, photograph courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society archives.<\/p><\/div>\n

CEOAS co-director looks at the Vanport disaster through a new lens<\/h2>\n
Editor’s note: This is an abridged version of an article originally published by Oregon State’s College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences<\/a>.<\/div>\n
\n

Research on systemic racism, a flood in 1948 and online education. What do the three of these have in common? The work of\u00a0CEOAS Water Conflict Management and Transformation program co-director, Lynette de Silva<\/a>, of course.<\/p>\n

De Silva is one of many expert Oregon State University instructors who are taking a look at history through a new lens, asking important questions about things like how race played a part in historic disasters. As climate change continues to disproportionately harm historically marginalized communities, de Silva’s examination of past mistakes in urban watershed management can help planners, analysts and scientists create a more equitable and climate-resilient future.<\/p>\n

Those familiar with Oregon history are likely to cringe when they hear the word \u201cVanport.\u201d The story of this expansive Multnomah County housing development and the epic flood that washed it away in 1948 is central to understanding the Black experience in Oregon.<\/p>\n

De Silva\u00a0is taking a new look at this historic event through the lens of transformative conflict analysis<\/a>. This approach emphasizes addressing the underlying conditions giving rise to a conflict, and it offers tools to change those conditions through stakeholder engagement. De Silva is specifically interested in using this approach to address water-related conflicts, which can be especially challenging.<\/p>\n

The Vanport story<\/h3>\n

A perfect storm of racism, poor urban planning and flood management, bad weather and community history converged in the Vanport disaster.<\/p>\n

As World War II ramped up, Portland shipyards began pumping out ships as fast as they could. Laborers flocked to Portland for the abundant shipyard jobs. Workforce housing was desperately needed, especially for Black workers, who were excluded from living in most Portland neighborhoods by racist policies and laws. Vanport was built to fill that need. It was a massive development of nearly 10,000 inexpensive units constructed very quickly in a diked floodplain of the Columbia River. Vanport grew to be the largest Black community in the state, home to institutions like the Vanport Extension Center, which later became Portland State University.<\/p>\n

After the war, some residents started to move out of Vanport, but other housing options were still limited for Black people and other people of color (such as Japanese Americans who had been released from internment camps), so many stayed. By 1948, the Vanport population included 18,500 residents.<\/p>\n

Then came the flood. In late May of 1948, snowmelt and heavy rainfall caused the Columbia to rise and overflow its banks. Despite being in a floodplain, Vanport was not evacuated, and residents were specifically told they were safe. When Vanport did<\/i> flood, the tragic result was the loss of 15 lives and the total destruction of the development. The flood not only destroyed physical homes and everything in them, but also scattered a vibrant community.<\/p>\n

\"Lynette

Lynette de Silva’s main research focus includes water conflict management, integrated watershed management, and the study of transboundary waters.<\/p><\/div>\n

A new way of seeing Vanport<\/h3>\n

To de Silva, Vanport was a water-related story but it was really much more than that. \u201cI was really using Vanport, a story that I knew, to challenge the transformative water conflict analysis framework. I wanted to ask, \u2018What does this framework have to offer? Does it work?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She applied two techniques to examine the Vanport story: construction of a situation map and placement of the story into one of the four stages of water conflict transformation.<\/p>\n

A situation map is a tool for visualizing the interconnected nodes and systems that relate to a given topic. These maps resemble flow charts \u2013 boxes containing entities or concepts are connected by lines that describe the relationship between the boxes. Check out an example of one of these maps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSituation maps can characterize the complexity of a system, recognizing that their components are interconnected in lots of ways,\u201d de Silva explains. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure I was going to learn anything new using this tool, but it did crystallize a few things for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of those things was the importance of agency on the part of Vanport residents. Community members were far from passive about the racial bias they faced; in fact, the Black Vanport community founded the Vanport Interracial Council to advocate for themselves and address broad community concerns. The situation map revealed just how active and important the Vanport Interracial Council was.<\/p>\n

De Silva next tried to determine where the Vanport story fit within the four stages of the water conflict transformation framework. Each stage — adversarial, reflective, integrative and action — calls on different collaborative skills to help mitigate conflict. Vanport fell squarely in the adversarial stage, de Silva decided.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the realm of laws and policies, tactical control of information, and a \u2018defend and debate\u2019 communication style,\u201d de Silva explains.<\/p>\n

To proceed and work through the adversarial stage, trust-building and listening are the main skills needed, according to the framework.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>But trust-building and listening sounded kind of trivial to me,”<\/span> de Silva says. “<\/span>What I learned as I dug deeper is that in order to build trust one has to demonstrate trustworthiness, and there has be fairness and non-discrimination,”<\/span> certainly missing in the Vanport story.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Could it have been avoided?<\/h3>\n

One of the hardest questions to answer is whether the Vanport tragedy could have been avoided. De Silva herself isn\u2019t quite sure. \u201cThis analysis made me think that perhaps the [African American] Vanport community did everything they could at that time \u2013 they had agency, as revealed in the situation map, but mutual trust and listening within the broader community was lacking,\u201d de Silva says. \u201cSo the question then was, for that time frame and in that dynamic, what else could have been done?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have all answers but I do know that in conflicts such as these, often the science ends up being the easy part,\u201d de Silva continues. \u201cThe social and economic factors are far more complex.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more \u2026<\/h3>\n

To learn more about Vanport, check out resources provided by the\u00a0Oregon Historical Society<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Vanport Mosaic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in taking a water conflict management course or pursuing a graduate certificate online, get more information about your options<\/a> today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 4<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>Lynette de Silva is co-director of Oregon State’s water conflict management and transformation program. She is one of many expert OSU faculty members looking at history through a new lens, asking important questions about things like how race played a part in disasters. Read about de Silva’s research into the 1948 Vanport flood. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":2130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,6,9,678],"tags":[638,636],"class_list":["post-2129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-ecampus","category-faculty","category-faculty-and-programs","tag-conservation-and-natural-sciences","tag-water-management"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/vanport-flood-e1663370470797.jpg?fit=801%2C451&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-yl","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":305,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/pathway-to-mnr\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":0},"title":"Pathway to MNR | Oregon State Ecampus","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"April 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Justin Zweifel was looking for a competitive edge in the fisheries and wildlife job market, so he turned to Oregon State University to broaden his knowledge and skill set. After earning a Graduate Certificate in Water Conflict Management online with Oregon State Ecampus, Justin realized the certificate was a great\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Justin Zweifel speaks to two faculty in the Master's of Natural Resources program.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2051,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/osu-everywhere-matt-bowling\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":1},"title":"Oregon State Everywhere: ‘Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it’","author":"Matt Bowling","date":"July 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Here's my advice to anyone who is considering going back to school: Go for it! There is no better time than now. ... Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it. OSU Ecampus was user-friendly, with great support.\" \u2014 Matt Bowling, Oregon State Ecampus graduate","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1210,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/zoology-online-bachelors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State brings its zoology expertise online with first-of-its-kind bachelor\u2019s degree","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"June 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University has launched the nation\u2019s first\u00a0online bachelor\u2019s degree program in zoology, combining OSU's expertise in the life sciences with its industry-leading work in online education to provide students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences at all levels.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Beaver swimming","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1292,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/fisheries-and-wildlife-program-earns-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":3},"title":"Oregon State\u2019s fisheries and wildlife online program earns prestigious national award","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"November 20, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A track record of student success and faculty satisfaction have helped an Oregon State University online bachelor\u2019s degree program be honored as one of the nation\u2019s best. OSU\u2019s fisheries and wildlife sciences bachelor\u2019s program on Tuesday won the Online Learning Consortium\u2019s John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award at a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A graphic with a trophy icon above the words fisheries and wildlife sciences, John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award, set above the Online Learning Consortium's logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":785,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/online-education-committee\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":4},"title":"Investing in the future of online education","author":"Julie Cooper","date":"February 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Who better to help make recommendations about online education than students actually enrolled in the programs? Oregon State\u2019s resounding answer: no one. With their eyes on the emergent future of online learning, Ecampus faculty and students are leaving their mark as members of the Oregon State University Online Education Committee.","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Person at computer while on a teleconference","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oec-web.jpg?fit=638%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oec-web.jpg?fit=638%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oec-web.jpg?fit=638%2C410&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":738,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/us-news-top-10-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":2129,"position":5},"title":"Oregon State’s online bachelor’s programs earn 4th straight top 10 ranking from U.S. News","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"January 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Driven by the expertise of its faculty and an award-winning faculty development program, Oregon State University has been named one of the nation\u2019s 10 best providers of online education for the fourth straight year by U.S. News & World Report. In a report released today, Oregon State Ecampus is ranked\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Valley Library quad at Oregon State University is photographed from a high vantage point. There are clouds in the sky and the sun is shining brightly through trees at the edge of the quad.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/valley-library-quad-web.jpg?fit=638%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/valley-library-quad-web.jpg?fit=638%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/valley-library-quad-web.jpg?fit=638%2C425&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2129"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}