Growing up with “learning disabilities” in the South at a time when public schools did not teach students like me was extremely painful. I often found myself left in the hall with other students who faced similar exclusion, often due to their race or ethnicity. Because public schools were not able to educate me, I was sent to a private institution for children with physical and mental disabilities because there was no specialized teaching available for any of us. The “normal” kids mistreated us, bullying us because of our differences. However, amidst this adversity, I found friendship and solidarity with children facing far more challenging circumstances than my own — often students of color.
Fortunately, I had an incredible mom who ignored the negative opinions of teachers and clinicians common at the time. She said I could be anything I wanted to be and ignore anyone who said otherwise.
Later in life, I witnessed discrimination against my mother, a divorced woman raising two children. She faced exclusion because of her gender and marital status. My father never provided any support. We slept on floors and lived out of boxes for several years. My mom worked two jobs, and I started working after school when I was young.
While my childhood was tough, others — historically marginalized members of our community —endured even greater hardships. Their stories of overcoming challenges inspired me to persist, build spaces that value all people and to stand up against intolerance and injustice. What I witnessed as a young person shaped me into someone who strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion. I am committed to ensuring that everyone can thrive in a welcoming environment regardless of their background or circumstances.
In January 2017, the city of Wilsonville issued a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation which sparked a movement among concerned citizens who felt the city needed to do more. In March of that year, a group of community members requested that the city issue a resolution declaring Wilsonville a welcoming and inclusive city. I was one of the proponents who spoke on this critical issue.
After much discussion and community input, on May 1, 2017, the City Council unanimously adopted City Resolution 2626, declaring Wilsonville a Welcoming and Inclusive City. While there had been groundwork laid by many in our community over the years, the events of 2017 were, from my perspective, the critical starting point for Wilsonville moving forward as an inclusive community.
There were challenges to progress along the way, especially after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery in the spring of 2020. A few members of our community made incendiary racist remarks and expressed extremist political views from both sides of the political spectrum. Marginalized members of our community felt scared. In response, our community came together and held public dialogues about racism, injustice, and collective action. Our community moved forward.
In 2021, following community listening sessions and three public work sessions, the City Council created the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee by approving Resolution 2893. The Committee is expected to think broadly to represent the community and ensure that marginalized groups have a voice. The committee has made progress in raising awareness and providing educational opportunities to learn and understand historically marginalized communities. I strongly supported these steps forward.
However, another diversion to progress occurred this past June when some community members on a community social media page attacked the city for celebrating Pride Month and a young woman’s inspiring mural. Voices of inclusion were louder. Our community moved forward.
At its most recent meeting, the City Council took public testimony on Ordinance 893, which aims to continue the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as a standing committee to advise the City Council on diversity, equitable outcomes and inclusion policies. Community members from different sides of the political spectrum stood up in support of this measure. While there was some opposition, similar to what I heard in 2017, the City Council voted unanimously on the measure. This stand sent a strong positive message of our community’s values - its North Star. It was a welcome message for my family and our community.
The City Council campaign this November is about much more than debates on traffic and infrastructure. It is about choosing leaders who defend our North Star, genuinely valuing all community members, including our seniors, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and historically marginalized individuals, and will publicly advocate for them. You know where I stand.
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