Community Words of Wisdom: Latoya Jenkins.

Latoya Jenkins moved to Norwich in 2003 and graduated from Norwich High School in 2005. She is a mother and is 33-years-old.

Latoya enlisted in the service in 2004 while still a student and left in 2005 for bootcamp after graduation. She spent four years in the service, completing a infantry tour in Iraq between December 2007 and May 2008. She was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

She has moved in and out of the area a few times but has lived within the Southern Tier all her life, much of it in Broome and Chenango County. She has been a Registered Nurse for the last six years, partly as a needs specialist, helping residents and patients qualify for aid. Jenkins works at Vestal Park Rehab. She has lived in Chenango County for the last seven years.

These are her words on being a person of color in the local community:

HOW WE SEE LOCAL COLOR AND WHY WE NEED CHANGE

By Latoya Jenkins

Sun Columnist

Being a person of color makes it hard to live in this community.

Imagine going to the store to buy food for your baby. Next to you is an employee pretending to stock shelves as you shop.

She disregards the irritation you have as she blatantly watches your every move. You remain tactful as you go to check-out and grasp your receipt tightly, just in case you are questioned about your purchases as you head for the door.

Imagine pulling out of the gas station and seeing a cop sitting across the street. You have no reason to think you will be followed because you are obeying the traffic laws, but when you look in your rearview mirror you see the red and blue lights.

You pull over, unsure of what you could be getting pulled over for.

You start to reach for your license but stop and throw your hands in the air. You are staring at a 9-millimeter being drawn, and pointed at you. Your first thought is: “My 2-year-old nephew is in the back seat but if I reach to soothe him, I will get shot.” You try to soothe him with your voice.

Your next thought is: “I am 38 weeks pregnant on my way to the doctor what could I have done to justify having this gun in my face.”

Last you pray that you are going to leave this alive. The cop offers no reason of pulling you over asks to search the vehicle. You feel contractions and try to breathe, but it's hard, you are afraid and just pray that this baby in the backseat will not witness anything traumatic.

After finding nothing you are given a congratulations on the baby and a have a nice day. No apology.

Imagine working at a job where you take care of the loved ones of people who see you as less. In an environment where you walk in the room and they look at you and ask “are you a real nurse.” Where you are bullied and targeted by management.

Imagine having to teach your children the unspoken rules in case you get pulled over.

Hard to imagine I bet for the majority reading this.

It is hard for me to believe it is not because of the color of my skin that I must endure these things.

I have been back home for about seven years. This is my home, but this home is hard to live in. Still I stay. I stay for the good things. There are great things here in this community. There are events to bring the community together.

Some of the schools are dedicated to making sure our children are successful. There are sports opportunities for our youth. So, I stay for them. However, there is a need for change in this community. It is not hard to see that, especially through the eyes of a person of color. After the murder of Mr. Floyd something woke in me. It was something about him crying out for his mama that compelled me to act. I needed to act. I needed to do something to bring about change.

I am a black woman and have been subject to police brutality, racism, and prejudices. Living in this county has been an up and down journey. The protest in Norwich was met with backlash and anger. I try to understand the anger but, it is difficult. Change is difficult for people and those who were angry about a protest all I can offer is please educate yourselves.

People of color exist in this community and want to live side by side as a united community. We want to be treated as equal. If you do not address there is a problem here how can we ever make it better. I have chosen to speak up and speak out because it must start somewhere.

I was nervous to attend the protest, at first mostly because of the police presence, but if I did not show up how could I expect to see change? After the protest I could see that there are more people who care in this community than I thought. I met the passionate Amanda Mills who wanted to keep going and do more. Together we contacted like-minded individuals that make up a great team. With this team we have built Unite Chenango.

I have been a registered nurse for over six years and a veteran. I do not want to be judged by my last name. I do not want to be judged by my skin tone. I want you to know me. I ask my community to change.

Start with simple changes. Churches please make our invitations more inclusive. We should not have to ask the question whether people of color are welcome at church. We are all God’s people and should love thy neighbor.

To the stores, when you see a person of color do not assume they are thieves. Do not follow us around the store.

Police officers, all people of color are not a threat. If we are pulled over we should not have to fear for our lives. Neighbors get to know each other. You do not have to cross the street to avoid talking to us. A wave or a smile goes a long way.

People of Chenango I challenge you to talk to your neighbors. Have a conversation with someone who you perceive to be different. Speak about those things that make you uncomfortable. You might find you have similar beliefs, dreams, and hopes. We all deserve the same opportunities. We matter too.