Item C: City Council Priority Issue - Communities of Color Meeting Debrief

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Another person said there is a higher standard for people of color. Communication problems are theirs and not the white people’s. Another said we must distinguish between what individuals do and what groups do. All people are not racist, but that’s the perception, as in EPD. Another said he senses smugness in Eugene, as well as cynicism. If Councilor Ortiz were not on the City Council, he doubts that fighting racism would be a City Council goal. He said there’s a level of racism in all white Eugeneans. Another said that racism becomes a part of the culture, the norm, but people don’t see it. She said when she shops, clerks sometimes ask “Where are you from?” She doesn’t think they’re discriminating on purpose, but it makes her feel like she doesn’t belong, or shouldn’t be here. The group discussed the fact that the City goes to the same people of color for feedback and it needs to move to another level. Some people of color who have very strong voices don’t get invited to speak. They also discussed the fact that qualified people of color are leaving jobs in Eugene. Another person said she doesn’t depend on Eugene for protection and safety. She trusts herself only and knows she has to be responsible for keeping herself safe. Another said we need to redefine racism. White people need to define racism individually, own their racism and understand that begin a racist doesn’t mean you’re a member of the KKK. Next Steps 1.Regularize these conversations. Hold them more than once a year. It should be a different group of people each time, and shouldn’t be just when something happens to warrant a meeting. We need to be proactive, not reactive. 2.White people need to listen to passion/anger without getting defensive. 3.Address everyday racism. We’ve got to get people to know it, own it, and acknowledge it. The burden is on a small group of backs. We must share the burden. 4.Remember that social change happens slowly. 5.Get EPD employees more training on how to read people better. They need to change their language and approach so that when they stop a minority, there isn’t so much tension between the two. 6.Educate the community through commercials, radio, newspapers, etc., on racism- free language. Often people say the wrong thing out of ignorance. Communities of Color 8 July 12, 2006