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Communities of Color Meeting – Table #1 <br /> <br />Note taker: Jamie Iboa <br />Facilitator: Angelo Gomez <br />Participants: Bonny Bettman <br /> Carla Gary <br /> Dean Middleton <br /> Spring Atman <br /> Linda Liu <br /> Francis Kucera <br /> <br />I would like to know what people think of this type of gathering. <br /> <br />There should be more gatherings like this and more social functions, too, i.e. with kids <br />and families participating. It is hard being new and coming into a community. We all <br />want the same things; family and togetherness. It is a friendly town but it is still hard to <br />be an outsider. For functions such as the Olympic trials we need to welcome the athletes <br />and families; we need to leave a good impression. <br /> <br />There are challenges at the U of O with diversity issues. The students of color are <br />leaving due to hate crimes. I am not sure that this is a community I want to raise my <br />child in. I really question whether I want to raise my child here or return to Portland. <br /> <br />I see the above as well. We should all work together. We need to find a method where <br />we can all live together peacefully. <br /> <br />I hear you say you wonder whether you should move. Help me understand the difference <br />between Eugene and a community such as Portland. What are other communities doing <br />that Eugene isn’t? <br /> <br />The earlier example of African American people not being able to find hair care products <br />or the lack of markets for Asian products. <br /> <br />Portland has common spaces where people go to meet each other. I have lived in the <br />same neighborhood for 19 years and there isn’t a need to go out and meet people; there is <br />no incentive. <br /> <br />My neighborhood has a potluck once yearly to get together. There should be more of <br />that. <br /> <br />They are creating barriers and spaces with street designs and I believe the City sponsors <br />those. <br /> <br />It is hard to see if you haven’t been there. It is about the quality of life, ability to feel <br />welcome. Part has to do with the number of people who look like me. I want people to <br />presume I am worth inviting. Eugene works in very close circles; only invite people who <br />are like yourself. People of color have to navigate multiple circles. Off the I-5 corridor <br />Oregon is very rural. The burden belongs to the community, not the individual. Students <br />Communities of Color 2 July 12, 2006 <br />