Three inclusive events in Seattle give me hope

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first event was the 55th anniversary of the March on Washington sponsored by Mt Zion Baptist Church, the oldest African American church in Seattle and a pioneer of Civil Rights Leadership under the Reverend Samuel B McKinney.

Here you see our new police chief Carmen Best marching with us. Low key, not putting herself forward.

 

We marched down 19th street from Union St. to Mt Zion led by the “filthyfem corps,” a trans group of fantastic musicians.

then a series of speeches outside and inside the church.

Inside we had staggering music and poetry and presentations from a wide range of different people

 

It was a moving and memorable event.

 

The march launched the campaign to repeal I 200 and the encouragement to sign the petition for  I 1000 that will negate I 200. I 200 eliminated Affirmative Action ( we are one of only 8 states that have repealed it). It was an early example of Tim Eyman and allies such as Wade Connerly from California,  pushing through a right wing petition. It said “The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.” I 1000 would repeal that. It is hoped to put it before the State Legislature in January.

 

 

In the video taken by Christina Lopez two youth  (seen here) recite the vast impacts of the tossing out of Affirmative Action for workers, students, and many other groups. A bell tolls after each statement. 

Inside we had speakers that included a rabbi, Daniel Weiner, a leader of the American Muslim Empowerment Network, Aneelah Afzali (a fabulous speaker), Native American spoken word, by Quinault Indian Nation member, Heather Upham,  Legislators, community activists, ( such as Jorge Baron, head of NWIRP) Reverend McKinney’s daughter, Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney, who honored over eighty people who “fought for freedom, justice and the dignity of all people”. Here she is with a photo of the famous Jacob Lawrence.

 

and much more. It was wonderful to have everyone coming together. The singing of”Lift Up Your Voice and Sing”  by Josephine Howell,  brought tears to our eyes, the music captured by Christina Lopez. 

 

Likewise the Mayor’s Arts Awards two days later reached out to many communities with awards to individuals:

Fulgencio Lazo, my good friend and outstanding artist,  who connects us to Oaxaca Mexico.  Studio Lazo, an organization of artists and community members especially showcases the creativity of Latino artists, writers and musicians.

 

 

Tarik Abdullah a local chef artist, innovator, and community activist. His culinary creations honor traditions from North Africa and the Mediterranean;  his artistry comes through not only in his food, He cooks with the younger generation by teaching week long summer camps called “In the Kitchen with Chef T”

 

Karen P. Thomas a musican who is encouraging non binary identity for singers traditionally divided into Men’s choruses and Women’s choruses. She has been artistic director and conductor of Seattle Pro Musica since 1987.

 

Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Pacheco,  a Cuban poet and film maker. He is Founder and Chief Programmer of the Seattle Latino Film Festival (SLFF),

Paula Boggs, musician, public speaker, fundraiser and philanthropist. She is also a Board Member of numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations. Boggs and the 6-piece Paula Boggs Band traverse jazz, world, rock and Americana.

 

For the first time, cultural categories were broadened beyond traditional definitions of art and culture. I think it was a great idea. I was also happy to see the move to individuals who build community, instead of mainly established cultural organizations (although they are all exceptional also).

 

 

The third event was “Decolonizing Immigration” at the Seattle Public Library on the same night as the Mayor’s Arts Awards.

Organized by Davida Ingram, it also made a point of being inclusive.

We began with wonderful music by D’Vonne Lewis and Pathways.Passageways—Drummer D’Vonne Lewis’ new group celebrates the Black Diaspora from Seattle’s rich African-American jazz heritage to rhythms from South Africa, Central America, and Senegal. Passageways is: D’Vonne Lewis, Ari Joshua, Alex Dugdale, and Thione Diop.

We had the history of immigration law by Enoka Herat of the ACLU who also defined what “decolonizing immigration” means. Notice “Turn and Talk” : we were asked to speak to our neighbor about our own story.

 

“To decolonize immigration, we must decriminalize and demilitarize enforcement against Indigenous, Black and Brown people. We must build a system that centers the power and humanity of immigrants, recognizing that migration- for love, opportunity, health, refuge is a fundamental aspect of being human.” Enoka Herat

We also had an interactive dance led by the incredibly charismatic David Rue that we all took part in. We were divided as an audience into three rhythms. Rue also spoke as an immigrant from Liberia ( indigenous Liberian, in contrast to the Americans who were encouraged to migrate there in the “back to Africa” era).

 

Ken Workman Duwamish Tribe fourth generation great grandson of Chief Seattle opened the event.

We heard from three poets learning English as a second language in a special program at the library. Their poetry that is published in a small book Learning to Love America

here is a short excerpt from Roberta Mocanu , born in Romania

My Roots

“I am an immigrant

Of the world

Why don’t you listen?

When I tell you my roots are bleeding”

….

Tom Ikeda spoke of Japanese detention camps and later oppressions, The Japanese are acutely aware of the illegality of detention and its arbitrariness.

I left as David Rue was speaking about his journey from Liberia.

Other participants who spoke were
Ellany Kayce Native activist
Graciela Nuñez Pargas Journalist,
Hodan Hassan social activist, feminist, climate justice organizer

Tuesday Velasquez

There will be a podcast which I will link when it is online.

 

It was not simply a sit and watch evening:  the message was you are part of the community, you are part of the issue, you are part of the story. You are part of the solution.

Hats off to everyone. All in one week. Hurray for Seattle.