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

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Historical continuity important to me. A lot of diversity events have happened because of flare-ups. When we’re calm - that’s when I want to see things happen. Now, there’s more of us. I look around and see that. Predominant culture starting to change. Asian Council - we’ve invited Jason Mak to join our board - from City. Members of City can come be a part of our group. Encourage city employees to join our groups because they care. That’s the first step. Our steering committee - good way to find out what’s going on. How many councilors know what its been like for our community in past six months? Do you know people are afraid? The little stuff that’s of concern and interest. I know the mayor has a sense - don’t know if councilors do. One person talked about education - that’s the spoken and written word. To have a conversation with you is a big time accomplishment. This is huge having you (councilor). My community doesn’t always want to understand government. Government very different at home. Culture doesn’t change overnight. It takes a lot of talking and doing. I’ve worked on educating police department, Eugene, FBI, Tualatin, and Medford. Cultural things - good for you to learn. It’s a step. Guess who has to do the work? US. I want to accomplish things. Don’t want to spin wheels, Good conversation here. It’s about building a road - not waiting for a crash. Building something permanent for future, so we don’t have to keep recreating this. Example - In military still, have to keep up training. Still had to keep up training, continuity. Diversity knowledge isn’t seen as something we need to keep up with. Need to keep up with it. City employees need to take diversity training every year. What would success look like? What would we like to see? At LCC, this spring had that question in meeting. Times when we wait and see. Progress might be loud vocal communications from City when something happens in a community. Speak out when we don’t agree with what’s going on. We did that with 9/11. Mayor Torrey did this. Sent INS a message. Said we want Eugene to be welcoming community. Immigrant community need to know that rest of community cares, wants them to be safe. Success - City recognizing issues. Glass ceiling in Eugene. Consider themselves hip, liberal - it doesn’t happen here. Needs to be willing to admit. Reputation - important to create road. Communities need to recognize you care. Communities of Color 16 July 12, 2006