COVID-19 has revealed the huge economic and health disparities perpetuated by racism and inequitable systems. At Neighborhood House, we see these disparities firsthand. Critical information and access provided only in English and maybe Spanish, access available only online, and major donors of health care systems “cutting the line” to get the vaccine before their phase …
“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin At Neighborhood House one of our most important core values is: Equity: We believe equity is determined by the community and those who live in it. We share power, work to repair past inequity, and …
This month, Governor Jay Inslee announced his equity policy package that would include $365 million for equity related initiatives. The package proposes a wide variety of investments like capital investments for Africatown Land Trust and Rainier Valley Food Bank, outdoor recreation equity, and equity for foster and homeless students. Some policy proposals that you may …
Last month’s Equity IRL talked about white supremacy culture and if you read further, the accompanying article also offered some antidotes. Several years ago, Neighborhood House adopted Gracious Space, which is based on Gracious Space: A Practical Guide for Working Better Together written by Pat Hughes and published by the Center for Ethical Leadership. Gracious Space, when done …
When you think of white supremacy, many people think of people wearing white hoods, burning crosses, and terrorizing Black people, Jews, LGBTQ people and other people of color. But, white supremacy is also white supremacy culture – an invisible force that keeps people of color and those without power silent and powerless. Living and working …
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in expanded unemployment benefits, which has made many more community members eligible for unemployment than were before. This benefit has been a much needed lifeline as people were laid off and/or lost hours of work. As Washington State’s Employment Security Department’s (ESD is the department that administers Unemployment benefits) …
The following is an entry from the blog Nonprofit AF, published August 24, 2020 and written by Vu Le. After the kids went to sleep one day, my partner and I put up “Ugly Delicious,” a show where celebrity chef David Chang explores different types of food and talks to various chefs and restaurant owners. In one …
10.1% That’s how much you are paying when you purchase most basic necessities, except unprepared food. Diapers, household goods, and prepared food are all subject to sales tax. Sales taxes are regressive taxes where everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of their income. Because everyone pays the same, higher-income taxpayers pay a smaller percentage of …
A significant portion of this article is an excerpt from a letter signed by over 275 Asian Pacific Islander American community organizations, businesses, and leaders to the Mayor of Seattle and Seattle City Council dated June 22, 2020. Main authors are: Chrissy Shimizu, SuYoung Yun, and Gabrielle Nomura Gainor. When advocates call to defund the …
In English, we often use pronouns to refer to someone in the third person. These pronouns have an implied gender – such as “he” to refer to a man or “she” to refer to a woman – and these associations aren’t always accurate or helpful. We often make assumptions about the gender of person based …
COVID-19 has had an impact on almost all of us. We’ve had to change how we work, socialize, practice our faith, and recreate. But for communities of color, these impacts can be devastating. According to data released last week by Johns Hopkins University, African Americans are much more likely to get sick and die of COVID-19. In …
“Chinese virus” or “kung flu” are racist terms that put Asian and Asian Americans at risk of hate crimes. After the international news broke about the coronavirus and Washington’s first case confirmed on January 21, immigrant and refugee community leaders and organizations noticed an alarming increase in bias and harassment against Asian American communities. The …
The following is an excerpt from 2020 Fakequity Pledge, published January 2, 2020, on Fakequity, a blog written by Erin Okuno. To see the full list and subscribe to the blog, go to fakequity.com. 2020 is here, the start of a new decade. In the 2020 Fakequity pledge list, I’ve organized the list by how we live …
Black History Month (BHM) started as “Negro History Week” in 1926 under the leadership of Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The second week of February focused on coordinated efforts to teach Black history in our nation’s public schools. Then in 1970, black students and educators at …
I support Beyonce Black St. James, the performer that was invited by All Home to speak and perform at the recent All Home Homelessness System Conference. Several Neighborhood House staff attended this conference and found the information at the conference extremely valuable, and her performance empowering. LGBTQ People of Color are underrepresented in the research, service …
When I set out to write this article, I began by looking at data. I looked up the homeless rate of POC (People of Color), specifically the impact on the Black community compared to the White community. I read about the infant mortality rates of Black mothers here in Washington state compared to White mothers. …
Indigenous People’s Day is a day to honor and celebrate the original people and cultures of our land. Indigenous history and culture have often been excluded or misrepresented, which contributes to ongoing oppression. Indigenous People’s Day ensures that important and challenging histories are not erased. My family’s story helps me remember why this is important. …
Neighborhood House is a multicultural agency working to disrupt the forces of poverty, inequality,and injustice. This monthly column is intended to promote awareness of equity issues in our regionand in our work. This month, we’re providing an overview of a measure that Washington voters will decide on inthe upcoming 2019 elections. What is Referendum 88? …
Neighborhood House
1225 South Weller Street, Suite 510
Seattle, WA 98144
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