Keep Portland Weird

Last updated
"Keep Portland Weird" on a building in Old Town Keep Portland Weird (17658598119).jpg
"Keep Portland Weird" on a building in Old Town

"Keep Portland Weird" is a popular slogan that appears on bumper stickers, signs, and public buildings throughout Portland, Oregon and its surrounding metro area. It originated from the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan and was originally intended to promote local businesses, though it has since evolved into an all-encompassing slogan that secondarily promotes individuality, expressionism, local art, as well as atypical lifestyle choices and leisure activities. [1] The slogan frequently inspires articles and debate that attempt to quantify the exact level to which Portland is considered weird, unusual or eccentric.

Contents

The slogan has been called the unofficial motto of Portland, [2] [3] [4] as well as the informal mantra of the city's residents. [5]

In Europe, a spin-off of the slogan was adopted by Brno, Czech Republic: "Udržujte Brno divné" ("Keep Brno weird" in English).[ citation needed ] The slogan has also been used for a number of years in the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. [6] Here a landscape heavily changed through extensive quarrying combined with the social and architectural legacy of a long military presence has created a unique environment which has led to the adoption of the "Weird" tag and "Keep Portland Weird" bumper stickers are frequently seen on local vehicles.

History

The slogan was created with the intention of supporting local businesses and small business owners. [1] It was based on the Keep Austin Weird organization and slogan in Austin, Texas, and was brought to Portland in 2003 [7] by Music Millennium owner Terry Currier after he learned of the movement in Austin. [8] Currier, whom The Oregonian called "the father of Portland's weird movement", [8] trademarked the phrase "Keep Portland Weird" in 2007 and printed the first bumper stickers, selling more than 10,000 by the end of the year. [8] As of 2011, more than 18,000 bumper stickers with the slogan were said to exist, according to accounts from local media, as well as a painting on the side of a building across from Voodoo Doughnut in a high foot-traffic area of Old Town. [9] [10]

Weirdness

Contestants in the Portland Urban Iditarod Portland Urban Iditarod 2008 - cavemen.png
Contestants in the Portland Urban Iditarod

In 2014 an Austin blog put together an infographic that compared Austin and Portland in a series of categories to try to decide which city was "weirder". [11] Twelve different categories were used, including "Most Tattooed US Cities" and "America's Craziest Cities". From this comparison, Portland was the clear winner taking first in nine of the twelve categories.

The Oregonian newspaper developed a weirdness scale in response to the slogan and Portland ranked 11th, with high rates of hiking, hunting, and hybrid car ownership. The most "normal" cities in the U.S. were in the Midwest, and Salt Lake City and San Francisco were among the weirdest. [12] In comparing Portland to New York City and San Francisco, Lonely Planet writer Becky Ohlsen said "Something about how cheap and isolated Portland is, allows oddballs to explore odd behavior without being squished by economics or the harsh judgment of fashion people." [10]

Items mentioned as illustrating the residents' eccentricities include the Voodoo Doughnut shop, the World Naked Bike Ride, the Zoobomb cycling events, artist Adam Kuby’s (now removed) Portland Acupuncture Project, the popularity of yarn bombing, the Portland Urban Iditarod, and the now-defunct Velveteria Museum of Velvet Paintings and 24 Hour Church of Elvis. [13] [14] [15] [16] Another is the "Horse Project". [8] The first "Keep Portland Weird festival" was held in October 2007 at the Central Library, and among the participants were the Portland Ukulele Association, Free Geek, and the Portland Area Robotics Society. [8] Another took place in November 2009. [17]

Portland's city commission government—a type of municipal governance now rare in the U.S.—has been described as another aspect of its weirdness, compounded by the various peculiarities of its implementation. [18]

Portland is the largest city in the U.S. which does not fluoridate its water. Residents have declined attempts to institute municipal fluoridation four times: First in 1956, then in 1962, 1980, and 2013. [19] At the September 2012 Portland City Council meeting after a year of pro-fluoridation lobbying efforts, the council unanimously approved implementation despite strong opposition by attendees. [20] The matter was quickly deferred to the next election where fluoridation lost by 40% supporting to 60% opposing largely on concerns of adding fluoridation chemicals to one of the nation's purest water supplies. [19] [21]

Controversies

The slogan "Keep Portland Weird" has created controversy and been imitated with slogans such as "Keep Portland Beered" and others. [12] Also suggested is that Portland might not have been originally weird, but the campaign leads to a new weirdness among some Portlanders. Not all citizens view the campaign in a positive light. Some have advanced the idea that Portland's weirdness is an excuse for the younger generation to be underachievers. Also some citizens claim that the intended effect of the campaign—economic stimulation for local businesses—has not achieved the desired results. [10] [12] [22]

In early 2011, the "Keep Portland Weird" slogan was used in a debate about Portland's refusal to join the federal government's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Portland originally opted out of the task force in 2005 over concerns for civil liberties. Recent potential threats have prompted local officials to reconsider joining the task force. Those opposed to joining the task force adopted the "Keep Portland Weird" slogan to point out that Portland was different from other cities and should continue to opt out of the task force and not join with other government forces. Opposing citizens felt joining the task force could have potentially affected Portland's traditionally progressive stance on civil liberties. [23] [24] [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland, Oregon</span> Largest city in Oregon, United States

Portland is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated in the northwestern area of the state at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous county in Oregon. As of 2020, Portland had a population of 652,503, making it the 26th-most populated city in the United States, the sixth-most populous on the West Coast, and the second-most populous in the Pacific Northwest, after Seattle. Approximately 2.5 million people live in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WA metropolitan statistical area, making it the 25th most populous in the United States. About half of Oregon's population resides within the Portland metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Goldschmidt</span> American lawyer, politician (born 1940)

Neil Edward Goldschmidt is an American businessman and Democratic politician from the state of Oregon who held local, state and federal offices over three decades. After serving as the United States Secretary of Transportation under President Jimmy Carter and governor of Oregon, Goldschmidt was at one time considered the most powerful and influential figure in Oregon's politics. His career and legacy were severely damaged by revelations he raped a young teenage girl in 1973, during his first term as mayor of Portland.

Keep Austin Weird is the slogan adopted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance to promote small businesses in Austin, Texas. It is intended to promote local businesses and is inspired by comments made by Red Wassenich in 2000 while giving a pledge to an Austin radio station. He later began printing bumper stickers and operated the website keepaustinweird.com until his death in 2020 and published Keep Austin Weird: A Guide to the Odd Side of Town.

Patrice Lumumba Ford has been accused of membership in a terrorist group dubbed the Portland Seven, members of which attempted to travel to Afghanistan shortly after 9/11 in order to aid the Taliban. He refused to cooperate with the government and was sentenced to eighteen years in prison after pleading guilty to seditious conspiracy and levying war against American and allied forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Stag sign</span> Sign in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The White Stag sign, also known as the "Portland Oregon" sign, is a lighted neon-and-incandescent-bulb sign located atop the White Stag Building, at 70 NW Couch Street in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States, facing the Burnside Bridge. The sign faces westbound traffic as it enters downtown Portland coming across the Willamette River. The sign was acquired by the City of Portland in September 2010, and the lettering was changed to read "Portland Oregon" in November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Faust (attorney)</span> American lawyer

John R. "Jack" Faust is a retired Portland, Oregon, attorney, television personality and political activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Portland, Oregon</span>

Bicycle use in Portland, Oregon has been growing rapidly, having nearly tripled since 2001; for example, bicycle traffic on four of the Willamette River bridges has increased from 2,855 before 1992 to over 16,000 in 2008, partly due to improved facilities. The Portland Bureau of Transportation says 6% of commuters bike to work in Portland, the highest proportion of any major U.S. city and about 10 times the national average.

Heart in Oregon is an emblem that symbolizes Oregonians’ love for their home state. It consists of a green heart, surrounded by a black border shaped as the state of Oregon. The Oregonian wrote, "Chris Bucci has launched a one-man enterprise out of his love of Oregon — stickers with green hearts".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Hales</span> American politician

Charles Andrew Hales is a former American politician who served as the 52nd mayor of Portland, Oregon, from 2013 to 2017. He previously served on the Portland City Council from 1993 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse rings in Portland, Oregon</span> History of horse rings in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Horse rings, remnants of a time when horses and horse-drawn vehicles provided the primary mode of transportation, can be found throughout Portland, Oregon. They were removed from curbs and sidewalks for safety purposes until the late 1970s, when one Portland resident complained about the rings disappearing. Today, the city of Portland helps to preserve the rings by requiring them to be replaced following sidewalk construction or repair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rimsky-Korsakoffee House</span> Coffeehouse in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, located in the Buckman neighborhood of southeast Portland, Oregon, in the United States, is one of the city's oldest coffeehouses. Named after Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, the classical music-themed coffeehouse serves coffee and desserts, operating from the former living room of a reportedly haunted 1902 Craftsman-style house. Goody Cable started the business in 1980, having hosted classical music events in her home for years prior.

<i>Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain</i> 1975 stainless steel fountain and sculpture in Portland, Oregon

The Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain, officially titled Water Sculpture, is an abstract 1975 stainless steel fountain and sculpture by artist Lee Kelly and architect James Howell, installed in Washington Park's International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. The memorial commemorates Frank E. Beach, who christened Portland the "City of Roses" and proposed the Rose Festival. It was commissioned by the Beach family and cost approximately $15,000. Previously administered by the Metropolitan Arts Commission, the work is now part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Louisville Weird</span>

"Keep Louisville Weird" is a popular slogan adopted by the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) that appears on bumper stickers as well as numerous signs and public buildings throughout Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding metro area, especially in The Highlands district. A variation of the slogan, "Keep Highland Weird", is also used in the Highlands district. It originated from the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan and is intended to promote local businesses, though it has evolved into an all-encompassing slogan that secondarily promotes individuality, expressionism, local art, as well as atypical lifestyle choices and leisure activities. The slogan frequently inspires articles and debate that attempt to quantify the exact level to which Louisville is considered weird, unusual or eccentric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Eye Shoppe</span> Defunct head shop in Portland, Oregon

Third Eye Shoppe, commonly known as The Third Eye, was a head shop in Portland, Oregon's Hawthorne district and Richmond neighborhood, in the United States. The shop was founded in 1987 and owned by cannabis and counterculture activist Jack Herer. His son, Mark Herer, took over as the shop's owner in 2001. The Third Eye closed on March 31, 2017, as a result of declining sales, development of the surrounding neighborhood, increasing health care costs, and increased competition. The shop was associated with Portland's cannabis culture and recreational drug tourism, and was included in Willamette Week's annual "Best of Portland" reader's poll several times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother's Bistro</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Mother's Bistro and Bar is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrey McCall Beach</span> Urban beach in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Audrey McCall Beach is an urban beach along the east bank of the Willamette River, near the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, Oregon, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">End Domestic Terrorism rally</span> 2019 Proud Boys rally in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The End Domestic Terrorism rally, sometimes subtitled "Better Dead Than Red", was a far-right demonstration organized by the Proud Boys and held in Portland, Oregon on August 17, 2019. The event, the purpose of which was to promote the idea that the "antifa" anti-fascist movement should be classified as "domestic terrorism", received national attention. The rally drew more counter-demonstrators than participants—with at least one group urging its members in advance not to attend—and ended with the Proud Boys requesting a police escort to leave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bipartisan Cafe</span> Coffee shop in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Bipartisan Cafe is a coffee shop and bakery in Portland, Oregon's Montavilla neighborhood. Since Hobie Bender and Peter Emerson started the business in 2005, the Bipartisan has hosted various events, including meetings for civic groups and politicians, as well as viewing parties for political events. It has garnered a positive reception, mostly as one of Portland's best coffee and pie eateries. The marionberry pie was included in the American Automobile Association's 2022 list of the ten best regional Western dishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Room Lounge and Genie's Too</span> Bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Space Room Lounge & Genie's Too is a bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Hawthorne district, in the United States. The Space Room Lounge was established in 1959 and "fused" with the restaurant Genie's Cafe in 2014. The Space Room has an outer space theme and a large patio. Elliott Smith frequented the bar. Willamette Week readers voted Space Room the city's best dive bar in a 2017 readers' poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Korean Church</span> Historic church building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Portland Korean Church was a historic Gothic-style church building in Portland, Oregon. The structure was built in 1905 and originally known as the First German Evangelical Church.

References

  1. 1 2 "Keep Portland Weird". Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ Morrison, Lisa M. (2011). Craft Beers of the Pacific Northwest: A Beer Lover's Guide to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. ISBN   978-1-60469-089-7.
  3. ↑ Bao, Sandra; Sainsbury, Brendan; Ohlsen, Becky; Lee, John (2008). Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. p.  158. ISBN   978-1-74059-534-6.
  4. ↑ "Where We Live: Portland slogan's 'weird' roots". koin.com. Nexstar Media Inc: KOIN Channel 6 News. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  5. ↑ Samson, Karl (2011). Frommer's Oregon. Frommer's. p.  98. ISBN   978-0-470-53771-8.
  6. ↑ "Bumper cars and zebras: How islanders have embraced 'Keep Portland Weird'". Dorset Echo. 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  7. ↑ Smith, Marty (December 1, 2010). "Dr. Know: Whence the Weird?". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Griffin, Anna (October 14, 2007). "'Keep Portland Weird'? That's the slogan — don't wear it out". The Sunday Oregonian . p. A1.
  9. ↑ Jeffries, Adrianne (August 9, 2011). "The Portlandification of Brooklyn". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Korn, Peter (June 11, 2009). "Keep Portland…quaint?". Portland Tribune . Archived from the original on February 26, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Portland vs. Austin - Which is the Weirdest?". SpareFoot. March 14, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 Cortright, Joe (February 13, 2010). "'Keep Portland Weird' makes sense as a jobs strategy". The Oregonian . Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ Frazier, Joseph B. (May 12, 2008). "Portland, Ore., celebrates its quirky side". USA Today. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Portland Artist Adam Kuby Installs Giant Acupuncture Needles to Help Kick Off Phase II of the Portland Plan". City of Portland. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  15. ↑ "Oregon "yarn bombers" knit graffiti for lamp posts, trees". Reuters UK. February 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  16. ↑ "'Urban Iditarod' keeps Portland weird". KATU. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  17. ↑ McMullen, Peggy (November 13, 2009). "Knitting events coming up in the next few days". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  18. ↑ Svara, James H. (December 15, 2010). More Than Mayor or Manager: Campaigns to Change Form of Government in America's Large Cities. Georgetown University Press. p. 279. ISBN   978-1-58901-709-2.
  19. 1 2 Ryan Kost (January 10, 2019) [First published May 22, 2013]. "Portland fluoride: For the fourth time since 1956, Portland voters reject fluoridation". Oregonian.
  20. ↑ "Portland approves fluoride: 'Science is on the side of fluoridation'". KATU. September 12, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2020. In a meeting where police had to remove unruly protesters for yelling, swearing, hissing and disrupting the vote, the Portland City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved adding fluoride to the city's drinking water.
  21. ↑ Peter Weber (May 22, 2013). "Why Portland refuses to fluoridate its drinking water". Willamette Week. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  22. ↑ Keep Portland Weird Archived 2011-10-25 at the Wayback Machine , by Nancy Levenson, About.com Guide, October 4, 2006.
  23. ↑ Public Voices Concerns About Joining Terrorism Task Force, April Baer, January 14, 2011, Portland, Oregon
  24. ↑ Joint Terrorism Task Force debate captures Portland's idiosyncratic attitude, March 11, 2011, Brad Schmidt, The Oregonian.
  25. ↑ "Joint Terrorism Task Force Review". portlandonline.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2021-11-09.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.