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

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Another person responded that she has done it – asked why? People need to assimilate into the culture in order to survive. She has seen resumes. They couldn’t get the job. Why? We need to increase awareness of diversity in schools, education, and community college. These need to be mandatory courses. At LCC students take one course on diversity. Employers need to say what information they value (diversity); this is what we expect from employees. Elizabeth doesn’t like the “cultural competency” language. She wants to be a good human being. She needs to be understood, respected, for people to learn where she’s coming from. It’s a way of living – a philosophy. Another person said the X-files was counterproductive and mean-spirited. Another said that jobs and environmental problems get a lot of talk here, but not social equity. Having jobs for young people hasn’t been a priority. Another said we need living wage jobs. Hyundai brought jobs with benefits. In Eugene, there are lots of jobs with no benefits. Access to healthcare is a huge issue. How can we create resources in the community that people can tap into? Communities of color can access resources for small businesses at UO. There are lots of resources, but people don’t get hooked up with them. We need to invite young people to think about their future. Another said in government, many people come in as interns or through school or community opportunities like Boys State. Do we do enough to connect with people, to give experiences to young people that will lead to good jobs? Some become associated with a profession at a young age; some don’t start thinking young enough to prepare early. One example is firefighters. Many are 23-25 years old, white, ex-military who have prior certification as paramedics. Another said that sometimes it’s quality of life. There are summer camps, scholarships. The facilitator asked the group to focus on suggestions for another session. - Conversations at tables within community of color in addition to multi-racial tables. We need to get comfortable outside of social situation. People aren’t comfortable talking about race; we’re not good at listening to each other. - Opportunities for newcomers to talk with people who have been here longer. Do different generations have different experiences? For example, as an Air Force kid, he would learn how to assimilate into new communities. Are we as inclusive as we could be? People who have been here a long time know the system and can get jobs. Newcomers don’t know the system and don’t get jobs. - If you come from another area for a job, it’s different. Getting newcomers, long time residents together would help. White Eugene could use help understanding each other. - Invite experts, including HR Analysts who do recruitment, to help with the conversation and to share their experiences. Communities of Color 48 July 12, 2006