Eugenics Articles
In December, 2002, Oregon apologized for its past practice of forcibly sterilizing more than 2,600 people in its care including the developmentally disabled. It was the second state to do so: Virginia apologized in May, 2002. Soon after Oregon's apology, North and South Carolina also offered apologies. It is expected more states will follow suit.
The following articles cover Oregon's apology. Some articles from other states follow the Oregon articles. For an excellent overview of the eugenics movement including its history visit the Image Archive of the American Eugenics Movement.
Oregon
Full Text of State's Apology Regarding Eugenics (December 3, 2002)
Governor apologizes for eugenics (Salem Statesman Journal: December 3, 2003)
Denied A Choice: When Ruth Morris Wanted To Leave Fairview, The State's Ransom Was Her Fertility (Eugene Register Guard: December 1, 2002
Eugenics yields dark past (Salem Statesman Journal: December 1, 2002)
A welcome apology: Governor to acknowledge state sterilizations (Eugene Register Guard: November 18, 2003)
Oregon declares human rights day (Salem Statesman Journal: November (November 16, 2003)
State will admit sterilization past (Portland Oregonian: November 15, 2003)
Misjudged and sterilized, Velma Hayes remains haunted by all she lost (Portland Oregonian: August 11, 2002)
Eugenics Records Shredded (Portland Oregonian: July 30, 2002)
Facing The Shame (Portland Oregonian: June 30, 2003)
Couple Wants Apology For Abuse and Forced Sterilizations (August 7, 2000)
Virginia
- Virginia Governor Apologizes for Eugenics (May 2, 2002)
Gov. Mark R. Warner's formal apology for Virginia's decision to forcibly sterilize over 7450 people from 1924 to 1979.North Carolina
- Against Their Will: North Carolina's Sterilization Program (December, 2002)
A special five part series by the Winston-Salem Journal and JournalNow.com which prompted an apology by Gov. Mike Easley for the state's role in sterilizing more than 7,600 people through a eugenics program that lasted from 1929 to 1974.South Carolina
Governor Hodges apologizes for South Carolina Sterilizations (The State.com: January 9, 2003)
Gov. Jim Hodges apology for decades of forced sterilization that robbed more than 250 people of their ability to have children.