Agenda Packet 9-12-18 Work Session

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36 Latinx Families Focus Group Themes Characteristics of Racism • Feel more safe here than in California. • Have experienced racism in schools, businesses, at work. • Racism happens more like jokes and playing around, mostly from younger people. • Calmer here, no rush hour. Intersectionality Institutional Expressions of Racism • The fact that undocumented people cannot get licenses is discrimination. City of Eugene • Should report discrimination (e.g., at stores) to the City. We need to know our rights. • City needs to get information about people’s rights and what is going on, what the City offers. City website is not very accessible—it’s in English. Churches can be used to provide information. • There are 10-14 year old kids smoking in parks. When I ask them to move away from where my children are playing, they don’t. What can be done? Police don’t come to check their ages. They are supposed to be smoke-free, but is it being enforced equitably? • Make the smoking kids do volunteer work. • At parks, we need more basketball hoops and lower levels of hoops for smaller children. • Skate park in Barger area is good. Institutional Expressions of Racism Police • I have been stopped and followed by police, once by four officers. Once stopped, police were cordial. • Police would not help with vandalism. • They would not come out for two stolen cars. • If a Latino is the victim, they don’t help. If a Latino may be the perpetrator, they come. • Once the police were called on me because a neighbor had reported that I was stealing a car; I was getting into my own car. It feels like they come when they’re called ON us, but not when they’re called BY us. This happened in South Eugene. • When I’ve called and needed help, the police came right away. • Police did not respond to the report of a stolen truck. Went to EPD and they would not allow me to report it. Businesses • Royal Avenue store will not sell me lottery tickets without ID, and will not accept my passport; said it was not legal. This happens to other Latinos. Also happens at Springfield Mall. • Happens to Latinos in stores if they do not speak English. ID’s are not accepted, even if they are totally legal, such as the Oregon ID Card. • You are followed in the store. They don’t trust you. • If you don’t speak English, more problems at stores and in restaurants. I find myself helping in those situations and defending people. Housing Jobs • People experience discrimination at work. • I see discrimination in how people are served or treated at my job. I was asked to leave and, while I was walking out, I was watched carefully the entire way to the car to make sure I didn’t take anything. Felt I was let go because of discrimination. • People at work question if I’m documented. When my papers weren’t in order, I was very concerned about this. September 12, 2018, Work Session - Item 1