by Sariga Santhosh, Development Assistant
February was Black
History Month. On February 26, in addition
the conversations happening all over the country to celebrate African American
contributions throughout history, I had the opportunity to attend
Conversations on African American Culture in
King County at the Northwest African American Museum. Co-hosted by
the Seattle
Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Public Health, this cultural
awareness event sought to build community relationships by informing emergency
service providers and educators better ways to serve vulnerable populations in
the event of a disaster.
The
afternoon’s agenda featured lively discussions with panelists from communities
in Seattle, who brought different perspectives to the issue of African American
race relations. Panel members included a recent high school graduate from
Auburn, award-winning poets and authors, and business owners, including the
owner of Seattle’s only African American bookstore in Columbia City. The
audience shared experiences about growing up in Seattle, culture shock when
dealing with the city’s homogeneous white population, prevalence of racism
despite the city’s liberal image, and exclusion from important conversations, to
name a few stories.
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During the complimentary working lunch, event attendees got the
chance to reflect more by answering interesting questions like:
“Why do black
teens seem angry?” “
“What are
some best practices to teach volunteers cultural competency when dealing with
African American clients?”
“Are churches
still the best way for emergency service providers to engage with African
American communities?”
I learned a
few things that day. Despite Seattle’s reputation as a progressive and
forward-thinking place, the city’s history with race relations closely mirrors
that of the rest of the country. Districts used to be very racially polarized. Communities
were built on race and so segregated that the CD (known today as the ‘Central
District’) used to stand for the ‘Colored District’ not too long ago. In the
1960s, 90% of Seattle’s population shared European ancestry. Today, that number
is down to 80%, indicating some progress in diversity. However, both panelists
and audience members still feel that “black is leaving Seattle.”
These days,
it’s not institutional racism keeping Seattle’s African American population
from better integrating into mainstream society. Gentrification, the rising
costs of living, limited awareness of resources, and lack of a community have forced
several vulnerable ethnic populations to relocate to areas like Renton and
Tacoma. Places for communal gatherings and other safe havens are quickly
disappearing. For several ethnic minorities, Seattle remains a “small town in a
big city.”
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My biggest lesson
learned was that community building requires community buy-in. The historical
pattern of excluding the African American voice from the important
conversations that affect them has resulted in the distrust and fear of using the
community resources mobilized to help them. Many African American clients
believe their race is a barrier when it comes to navigating the emergency
services system. Instead, they turn to community for resources and support. As
one panelist noted, “I’ve created my own black world.”
Candid
conversations, like ones at this event, are important in repairing broken
relationships within communities and building bridges between minority
populations and emergency service providers. Before having the conversation
about how to deal with clients in an emergency, service providers need to
venture out into the community and meet the people they serve. Clients want the
same chance as anyone else to go through life without the stigma associated
with their social group or culture. It is by making a place at the table for
those who were once excluded from it that trust is won back.
Our last
day at the conference was dedicated to visits on Capitol Hill starting with a
breakfast in the Dirksen Senate Building hearing from elected officials on
national hunger issues. This was followed by visits to Senator Patty Murray and
Senator Maria Cantwell’s offices with Northwest Harvest staff, Claire Lane and
Jenn Tennent along; with Linda Stone with the Children’s Alliance. We also had the pleasure to meet in person
with Congressmen Denny Heck, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene and Derek Kilmer and
had visits with staff members from Herrera-Buetler, McDermott and Reichart
offices. 
