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

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daughter was called a nigger by a person who works for the city. She called a city councilor and didn’t get a call back. She emphasized that racial incidents do happen here and there is a problem. People think these issues are made up but they are not. She said there are many cliques of people with money who want to make sure that people of color aren’t successful. She tried renting a property, was told it was not available, then went back later and saw that it was still available. She said the city is trying to get rid of her family’s business downtown. They have been told they don’t fit. She said the City Council needs to know that city employees are doing these things that affect and hurt people. She has been here 28 years and nothing is being done. She hopes this new process helps healing. Another has been a Lane County circuit court judge for 12 years, and was a public defender for 15 years before that. Came to UO in 1970, husband came from Philadelphia and wanted to go to other parts of the world, but Cindy didn’t want to leave Eugene. She said Eugene prides itself on not having problems, and this impedes change, ability, and interest in fixing issues. Says she is aware that community is not the same for everyone. Her husband is African American, and they have two children. They have all had experiences that Cindy doesn’t. Said her son is treated suspiciously by police because of how he looks. She said she hears that this happens to many people. She says she believes it’s her responsibility to make a better reality. She serves on many organizations that address issues of perception, stereotypes, etc. She says she knows there’s much external and internal work that needs to be done to improve the community. The facilitator encouraged group members to ask follow up questions and gather more information from each other. Councilor Papé thanked one of the participants for her comments. He said he didn’t want to be defensive, but he wanted to clarify that the City Council only hires the city manager, the judge, and the police auditor. He said the city has a diversity statement and internal and external policies that govern employees. Another person asked how we deal with people such as city employees and university professors who discriminate against others. How does one file a complaint? People just get slapped on the hand, and we need teeth. The turn over rate for students of color is high and it’s not a welcoming environment. Another person said she went to the BET Awards in L.A. and Eugene’s reputation was known in Hollywood as well – people asked her why she would want to live here. How are we going to change this image when the 2008 Olympics come to town? We could put up a façade, but then it would return to normal. A question was asked of one of the participants if she owed it to herself to turn the people in who did what they did to her daughter. The woman replied that she did turn the person in and the person just got a slap on the hand. Another said that when she moved here she thought Springfield was a racist place. Communities of Color 20 July 12, 2006