In the wake of National Fair Housing Month, Clackamas County is celebrating with a dash of creativity—local youngsters have put crayons to paper to envision neighborhoods that open their arms to all, regardless of background or bank account. The initiative commemorates the Fair Housing Act, a piece of legislation from 1968 that arose from the ashes of America's turbulent civil rights movement, spurred on by the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and ensuring that doors to decent housing remain unlocked for everyone.
The young artists, hailing from the elementary schools scattered throughout Clackamas County, shared their drawings as part of an event that not only honors the legacy of the civil rights heroes but also educates the next generation on the importance of inclusivity, and with the vivid imagery they've splashed across the canvas, it's a lesson they're likely to remember. These artworks and festivities underscore an ongoing commitment by the county to uphold the principles of the Fair Housing Act which put the kibosh on housing discrimination, making sure that choice housing is accessible to any who can afford it, according to the Clackamas County official site.
But it's not just about drawings and patting kids on the head; Clackamas County walks the walk with its Housing Rights and Resources Program—offering classes under the RentWell banner—the county is taking tangible steps to be the hand at the small of the back for renters navigating the oftentimes choppy waters of housing, as per the Clackamas County. And while housing discrimination is as outdated as a dial-up modem, ensuring everyone knows their rights and opportunities is key in a society that still has a fair way to go before true equality is the lived experience of every American.
As celebrations continue throughout the month, the raw, unfiltered vision of what an inclusive community looks like through the eyes of a child serves as a poignant reminder of the world we could have—as long as we commit to fairness and equality in every brick we lay down, in every policy we pass, and every life we touch continuing the efforts that were set into motion more than half a century ago by individuals who knew that diversity isn't just nice, it's necessary.
