by Melissa Aguilar |
What would have been an ordinary trip to 7-Eleven with her mother, became one of freshman Carolina Sanchez-Martinez’s lasting memories of interactions with police and race.
When she was still a child growing up in Florida, Sanchez-Martinez and her mother, both Cuban immigrants, stopped by the convenience store.
In her mother’s haste, she left Sanchez-Martinez at the store. When her mom realized her mistake and tried to retrieve her daughter from police officers, they did not believe the two were related because of their differing skin tones.
To discuss personal experiences with police and learn about public policy, UP’s branch of Black Lives Matter hosted the panel “Getting Started: A Conversation on Race and Community” on Tuesday.
Senior civil engineering major Khalid Osman moderated questions to the panel, which consisted of Sanchez-Martinez, sociology professor Bryan Rookey and Deanna Wesson-Mitchell, police policy director for Portland Mayor Charlie Hales’ office.
Rookey noted that the level of public attention police involvement is receiving is at an all-time high, but it is not a new issue.
“Racial hatred is now becoming more socially acceptable,” Rookey said. “It may be bringing us together, but it’s not bringing all of us together.”
Rookey also gave a presentation explaining the disparities in the incarceration of people of color and whites.
Over the course of the presentation and audience question and answer portion, panelists expressed anger at how communities of color have been systematically treated unfairly, while also looking toward the future.
Wesson-Mitchell offered insight into the bureaucracy of police reporting and disciplinary action. She recommended that everyone file a report with the Independent Police Review so officers can get feedback — good or bad — and improve their work.
She also encouraged the University to hire more staff of color and recruit at more diverse local high schools.
Sanchez-Martinez shared the difficulties she has faced coming from Roosevelt High School, one of the more diverse high schools in Portland, to a predominantly white university.
“Coming to UP is a culture shock,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “You don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
She is also a commuter student and has worked several jobs, leading to her often considering dropping out.
Smiling, Wesson-Mitchell touched her hand and offered words of encouragement, telling her to continue speaking the truth of her experiences.
“Don’t be quiet. Be loud,” Wesson-Mitchell said.
Melissa Aguilar is copy editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at aguilarm16@up.edu.
