Agenda Packet 7-8-19 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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I care about human rights, and I think that's important first and foremost. From Burrito Brigade, to the church I chose to attend (First Christian Church), to being a staff member of the UO LGBTQA, to the campaigns I chose to volunteer for (Bernie Sanders, Marty Wilde, Kate Brown, no on 105/106, among others), human rights have been front and center. I learned a lot during my time as a Burrito Brigade organizer, including the ways people become homeless and what their needs are. I talked to unhoused people on a weekly basis. In the LGBTQA, I helped with the fight to get gender neutral bathrooms in every building. 1 How has your employment and/or volunteer experience prepared you to do the work of a Human Rights Commissioner? Please be specific. I have been frustrated with racism in this city for some time, as well as how the homeless population is treated, and my feeling is that people who are unaffected by these problems (white people, who make up over 80% of Oregon, who have secure housing) tend to downplay the fear these folks have and the barriers they face. I have struggled with mental illness and ADHD, and my autistic sister and I have both faced our own set of problems when navigating our system. I also became familiar with the Oregon jails and prison secondhand when a family member of mine went to prison, which revealed not only the lack of human rights in prison, but the strain to families of prisoners. I have experienced poverty myself recently and that has given me perspective on how difficult it can be to navigate the system, even if you're educated. All of this has influenced my view on human rights. 2 How has your personal experience prepared you to do the work of a Human Rights Commissioner? Please be specific. 1. Homelessness. Housing should be a right, and I believe it is. We need to come up with real solutions, not bandaids, and that means housing. I'm very angry with how the Eugene police has handled this matter, and I'm grateful for groups like CAHOOTS and Community Supported Shelters, but we need so much more 2. Disability rights. A friend of mine was unable to get to her classes at UO because of the lack of ramps. I've seen another person be questioned about their service animal, as if to deny their disability. Many students with undiagnosed learning disabilities fail in school and feel forced to drop out. That's unacceptable. Access to all areas of life is what makes it possible to live life to the fullest like able bodied neurotypical people do (that also means more public transportation options to people with physical disabilities and chronic pain). 3. Racism. If you are white or white passing, this may not seem like something we have here, but I have recently come across signs put up by white supremacist groups. In addition, my friends of color tell me that they are harassed by white people often... one who came down to visit said someone in a truck with confederate flags yelled at him for no reason. This, in addition to racial bias of officers and lack of diversity is extremely troubling. 3 What do you see as the three most pressing human rights issues in Eugene? Select the most important and explain why. I have been able to solve rifts between friends of mine. I have a fairly diverse group of acquaintances and friends because am able to discuss issues civilly without simply agreeing. I have been known as a mediator and a thoughtful and passionate person by people I know. A few of my weaknesses include being afraid to offend and speaking in front of groups. These are issues of confidence, and I'm pushing myself to do things that make me nervous. 4 Describe your specific strengths and weaknesses that would allow you to negotiate group situations in which members hold strong, differing opinions. Give a specific example if possible. Lily Frey HRC - Round 1 Applications July 8, 2019, Meeting – Item 4