BY ANNISTON WEBER
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The BIPOC Community of Ellis County had their first official meeting on Monday. The event, titled \u201cCan we just talk? Safe Space and Community Support\u201d was hosted at Breathe Coffee House and live streamed on Facebook.
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Nuchelle and Demetrius Chance created the event as a way to \u201cbuild a place of social and emotional support for all oppressed and marginalized peoples regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, mental illness, social class, education level, or age.\u201d
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Those who participated in the meeting discussed a wide range of topics such as the COVID-19 vaccine, mental health, code switching, and the use of African American Vernacular English.
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\u201cI hope that this event creates a visualization of a new era and social climate in our community,\u201d Demetruis Chance said. \u201cIntimidation, retaliation and victimization has haunted and controlled the lives of so many POCs in Hays, especially college students.\u201d
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Chance said the organization and meetings are personal to him because of his experiences living in Hays and his exposure to racial injustices.
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\u201cI know how it feels to be judged and racially attacked by people who don\u2019t even know anything about me,\u201d he said. \u201cSo to create a space for POCs to be able to talk about their struggles, let down their hair, and openly be themselves even if it\u2019s just for a moment is amazing.\u201d
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Makaylan Katzer, an attendee of Monday\u2019s meeting, said she hopes these meetings will impact the community by raising awareness.
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\u201cAwareness is the key to most of these issues,\u201d Katzer said. \u201cIt\u2019s the first step, and afterwards we can tackle the harder problems.\u201d
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Lack of judgement and a friendly atmosphere are a few of the aspects of the group that Katzer says draws her to attend the meetings.
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\u201cThere are some things that are hard to talk about when others don\u2019t understand you, and this is the best atmosphere for making me feel free to do so,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not even about politics or such sometimes. It\u2019s also about fellowship and making connections. I look forward to these meetings every month because it\u2019s a great way for me to become closer with my culture and myself.\u201d
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According to the event page, \u201callies and accomplices are more than welcome,\u201d to attend the meetings as well.
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Demetrius Chance said he encourages all POCs to get involved, come to the meetings, and let them know if there is anything they can assist them with.
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\u201cWith these meetings we hope to gain the attention and relay the importance to others that this is how we start to make change,\u201d Chance said. \u201cIf we have any desire to help make change in our community, we must first unite together, and truly become our brother\u2019s and sister\u2019s keeper. We want all POCs to know that we are here for you and we won\u2019t stop fighting to help make this place a little bit easier to live in.\u201d
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