As an organization that cares about discrimination in our community, Lane Gender Task Force is very concerned about what is happening at the College of Education at the University. We are further concerned that very few people are aware of what has occurred.
For the last 20 years there has been large-scale discrimination at the COE. In the last two years alone there have been over 40 documented incidents of discrimination. Many more cases go unreported because of fear of retaliation. This includes discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality and ability.
The COE fails to provide a safe learning environment. There is retaliation against students who bring up diversity issues as well as students being shouted down in class and followed to the bathroom. In addition, this is a problem that affects our communities as a large number of COE students become educators in our schools and communities. Not only are students leaving the COE incompetent to deal with the diverse populations that they will be serving, but they are being taught in a discriminatory environment that makes the silencing of diverse voices normal and acceptable.
This is a community issue.
A large coalition of student and community organizations working on this issue have put forth an eight-step plan of specific changes to address these problems. Join us, and many other community groups in working to end discrimination at the COE.
Alethia Hostetter
Lane Gender Task Force, Eugene