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

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Why would long hair and beard bother someone? That is discrimination. Why would a store employee treat people differently? That’s not right. People are treated differently because of perceptions and stereotypes. Racism exists because it empowers people. We can fix it by recognizing it. Other countries teach their native language and English but here in the US we pride ourselves on only speaking English. Stereotypes are about privilege, power, and security. It is hard to reflect on yourself differently when you’ve been taught a certain way to look at yourself. It is hard to ponder someone sees you differently than what you know to be true. There is immediately a notion about what being black means. I grew up knowing being a black female was going to be hard; white people don’t have to have that conversation with their children. Even in 2006 when I walk into a store I become invisible. Just three days ago a white woman in front of me got served and the clerk walked away when it was my turn. I stood there for at least five minutes when the clerk returned and started to help a white man. I am so tired of this. The other customer pointed out that I was first and that I should be helped first. That man co-signed on my humanity and he didn’t have to. It’s our issue. When I raise my hand people groan and assume it’s going to be a minority issue. We need to brainstorm ideas to take to the next forum. Are we ready? We’ve talked about perceptions and issues so can we talk ideas now? (Addressing the other participants at the table.) What keeps you from saying something when you see someone treated unfairly? In your situation, for example, I would demand the person be assisted but I wouldn’t want to create a ruckus. I just wouldn’t frequent the store again. People in this room would obviously step up. Why are you making that presumption? I know I shouldn’t presume that; I learned that during the MLK, Jr. Blvd. discussions. Carla is correct, I made an assumption. I am surprised this community is not accepting. I learned that during the MLK, Jr. Blvd. discussions. I came in here having spent lots of time on issues and I am eager to focus on “what can we do”. I am embarrassed to keep having dialogue. I want everyone to understand there is a problem. What can we as a City do? Do we need to hire more minority officers, for example. I went to a hate crime conference in Portland and it was very eye opening. There were women talking about the language their children learn at school and the parents don’t know what to do. Parents need to organize. Later in the conference a speaker talked about a program he started where they go into schools and talk to the children about their words. We need to do that here. He had some of the words on cards and the people at the conference didn’t want to repeat the words because they were so terrible. We need to reach out and bring more people into our community. We need to stop the dialogue and do things. We’ve been talking about it for 20 years and we’re tired of talking. Communities of Color 4 July 12, 2006