Item 6: Interim Appointment to Human Rights Commission

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Application for Human Right:> Cornmissinnel Palnrna Alida ReziJ Wh.at do you see as the role of a Human Rights Commissioner? I perceive my role as a Human Right<; Commissioner to be a listener and a voice of my community regarding hum.an rights. I see my role as being a representative of my community and the city of Eugeneo I see myself as part of a collaborative group of other commissioners, conununity groups, agencies that are working to organize around ending discrimination and promoting equal opportunity and civil and human rights in our conmlUl1ily. I believe that a commissioner works to respond to human rights issues that are brought forth by the community. As a commissioner, I will take the resources of my personal experience and community connections and. with others, help to develop articulate and responsible approaches to the issues and push for authentic, feasible and progressive resolutions. I see myself as a vision.ary and active member working for a safer and progressive community. r see myself as an important voice, creative spirit and dedicated energy. What three major issues do you identify as facing the community of Eugene over the :next 20 years? I recognize" both from personal experiences and in the work that I do" there are many specific issues that the community faces. Regardless of the specific issues, it is imperative that the foundational i~sues from which they stem, are recognized. Most of these issues stem from the competition for resources and ideologk'S about power. Because dL.:;crimination and humanf civil rights violation..., are founded in pattems of power and control, r believe it is imperative to respond to these by addressing pm-vel' imbalances. Noted are some imbalances 1 see facing our community. The community of Eugene is facing a major housing crisis, The issues around housing are many including availabilily, affordability, accessibility and safety to name a few. The right to fair, safe and affordable housing is a human rights issue. Ulere lies the major task.; b:anslating tile idea of housing into a human rights issue rather than an icon of privilege. It. is imperative that the community work to defin.e broader housing initiatives, promote programs that focus on accessible and affordable housing and mvest in transitional housing prog-rarns. Housing is the foundation for people being able to contribute to a community. Another is~;ue facing the community is education. We need to continue to address issues of diversity and l.:tiscrimination in our education system. Primary, secondary and higher education is fumbling in programs that promote diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Education L.:; the foundation to s()Lial change. If we do not have a community that has accessible, fair" equal education and education that is not limited to skewed, linear and preju..tice information, we carmot prevent in...,tatwes of hate and violence. It is imperative that education is grounded in ('ritical and broad analysis and experiences of different lifeways and perspectives. Human and civil rights issues result from actions based in feat., preJudice, misinformation and homogenized information. &1.ucation should challenge our place and perspective in the world. 'fhe community has a huge task in demandin.g higher standards and broader methods of education. Education is a human and civil right Well balanced atld fair education promotes better, safer atld more efficient communities. The city has a l'najor task in not only responding to human and civil rights issues but also working to promote community health a.nd safety. The community needs to develop ways to be proactive rather than reactive.