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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 1990)
COMMUNITY Hate Crime ‘Coalition’ aids in combating acts of hatred By June Russell Emerald Reporter She may not know what to call it. but of one thing she is certain - it hasn’t been easy. “I'm not sure what it is,” Cecelia Jackson, President of the Eugene Commission on the Rights of Minorities said."I don’t know if we've ever put a name on it. It's really just a lot of con cerned people coming together. “I guess you'd have to call it a coalition. A hate crime coalition. It's been a long haul getting it started, but it's really great to see people coming out and opening up." The building of a coalition of organizations and individuals in Eugene and Springfield to combat the rise in hate crimes and acts of hatred in the community involves overcoming the traditional autonomy of the groups participating. As human rights analyst for the city of Eugene Greg Rikhoff said, it is a difficult and on-going process. "There is going to be a real effort in dragging people to the table," he said "One of the impor tant things going into these discussions was the problem of shared values. How can we all com mit ourselves to sharing each others causes? "One of the scariest things of hate crimes is that they tend to separate us. Nothing makes a person feel more alone than being a victim. No one coming to this table does not have an issue. But we have to come to the table willing to work together.” With the passage in 1989 of the State Hate Crime Reporting Act, human rights activists and professionals have a starting place, Jackson said, in June, representatives of the Eugene and Springfield Human Rights Programs began meet ing with community leaders and advocates to build responses to acts of hatred. "The goal is to open doors between organiza tions and provide a unified base for community response.” Rikhoff said."It is an opportunity to create community awareness, that hate crimes are being committed here in Eugene, and hopefully to motivate people to address the problems. "There have been quite a few community or ganizations working individually on hate crimes and acts of hatred, but there have been no coordi nation of efforts," he said. "There is a growing need lo work together and a simple need to share information.” Rikhoff cites a lack of resources and concerns for the confidentiality of the victims as common reasons why agencies and organizations have not shared information in the past. With the Hate Crime Reporting Act obliging agencies to keep statistics, net working and the sharing of collect ed data have become a priority of the coalition. “One of the strengths of the hate crime coali tion is the fact that we're coming together,” lack son said. "We may not have all the same prob lems. but we all get treated with acts of hatred. Right now we’re working on reporting Incidences and collecting data to see where we’re at. We’ve laid the foundation; now we just have to build on it. "Among our short term goals is net-working with each other, and making sure we have a bro chure out so people know what to do. who to go to.” Marshall Sauceda. Acting Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, agrees “When you have something like hate crimes, there can be a lot of rumors and misunderstand ings," he said. There is a real need to document that this is occurring, and to tell the powers that be. l.e. city hall and other agencies. "Another problem is how to deal with crimes when they happen, net working among ourselves and providing assistance and support to the vic tims." Sauceda added. " Another issue is what stand we want to take; not just being sensitized but prosecuting these people accordingly. "We also have to think about outreach educa tion." Sauceda said. "All too often when we get together at these meetings we're preaching to the converted. It's important to bring in students at South Eugene and other neighborhoods, to ex pand awareness that this is an issue affecting the entire community, not just certain neighborhoods of populations. It's important to do that networking: the power of the masses vs. the pow er of the individual, and the impact we can make." Sauceda cites ignorance and an unwillingness to accept change as the chief cause of hate crimes and acts of hatred. Turn to CRIME, Page 10 service specIaTs" ! Lube, Oil & Filter S Includes Tire rotation and Visual Inspection up to 5 qt. Change All prices plus $1 50 shop lee ALIGNMENT SERVICE i || Front Wheel *24” | Thrust *39” 14-Wheel *59" {&u4Mant««r<I toTlWt H A Mmifr um oTfil 000 Mite*1 »n ”3KI1> n#*ity 1 hA»* 0* •** C*f% **tl r«Qimti * 4 *h#ei . 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