Panelists Share Stories of Overcoming Adversity

Community discussion on civil rights brings together local residents with personal ties to eastern New Mexico's past

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:00am

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A community panel discussion on civil rights in eastern New Mexico brought together local residents with deep personal ties to the region's history, sharing stories of segregation, discrimination, resilience, and the long, uneven push toward equal opportunity. The event, organized by civil rights advocates Constance Williams and Oscar Robinson, created a space for people to openly discuss civil rights, present and past, through the lens of local experience.

Why it matters

The panel discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges of addressing systemic discrimination and the importance of creating spaces for open dialogue about civil rights issues, both historical and contemporary, within local communities. The personal stories shared by the panelists underscored the lasting impact of segregation and bias, as well as the resilience and determination of those who have fought for greater equality and justice.

The details

The panelists, including David Briseno, Joyce Pollard, and Oscar Robinson, described experiences of discrimination, from restricted access to public facilities to verbal attacks and hostility in the workplace and community. They discussed the importance of approaching change in ways that can be understood by others, rather than driven by rage, and the need to recognize and address 'institutional discrimination' - bias that may not be directly observable but can still shape decisions and outcomes.

  • The panel discussion was held on February 27, 2026 at Clovis Community College.

The players

Constance Williams

A local civil rights advocate who organized the panel discussion with the goal of creating a space for open dialogue about civil rights issues.

Oscar Robinson

A local civil rights advocate who organized the panel discussion with Constance Williams, and shared his personal stories and views on 'institutional discrimination'.

David Briseno

A panelist who described learning about discrimination through family stories and his own experiences growing up, including an attack while walking to a football game as a child.

Joyce Pollard

A panelist who spoke about the challenges of being one of few Black students in school settings with no Black teachers, as well as facing hostility and racial slurs in the workplace and community, but choosing to persist in order to finish her education and build a career.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes we want to make changes, but want to do it in a violent way. I believe if you want to make changes, it's best to do it in a way that everybody can understand what you're saying, not enrage - I was treated a way that no one should be treated, but I had to endure it. I did endure it to make change.”

— Joyce Pollard, Panelist

“I don't understand discrimination. I do understand ignorance - institutional discrimination - you can feel it, but you can't always prove it. If you're going to protest something, learn what you're protesting.”

— Oscar Robinson, Panelist

The takeaway

The panel discussion highlighted the ongoing need for open dialogue and understanding around civil rights issues, both historical and contemporary, within local communities. The personal stories shared by the panelists underscored the lasting impact of segregation and bias, as well as the importance of approaching change in ways that can be understood by others, rather than driven by rage, and the need to recognize and address 'institutional discrimination' that may not be directly observable but can still shape decisions and outcomes.