RACE & CULTURE DIALOGUE SERIES
Full Article on Vibrant Art Magazine
Working to Repair the Damage
Earlier this year, before the people took to the streets in a show of unity, before the protests, before the pressure cooker blew and forced our city leaders to take an honest look at race relations; the Unified Outreach charitable program was already at work building bridges and pro- moting conversations aimed at healing our city.
They asked the question, is it possible for people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and economic status to live in real community? They answered, YES!
Beginning in January 2019 and running right up until the start of the Covid quarantine in March, Unified Outreach partnered with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to host six community workshops titled "the Race & Cultural Dialogue Series".
"I thought for sure you would be the one on the panel with good credit! I guess I'm guilty of stereotyping too!"
"HE WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO SAVE MY LIFE, AND HE WAS THE ONLY ONE TO ACT.
The goal of the workshops, was to present an opportunity for people with different backgrounds and life-experiences to come together in a safe space to share different perspectives, gain a common understanding, and work towards building a stronger, more unified, more livable Seattle.
According to the hosts, it was important that the workshops focus on the positives. "Too many workshops on race feel the need to call out one race for its indiscretions, causing defensive reactions and a hesitancy to truly commit to honest dialogue." They explained.
The workshops also dug deep, bringing together a panel who had personally experienced the things that we are talking about as a society. Both positive and negative, and asking what happens when some of the ideas that are being talking about are put into action?
The workshop series welcomed a rotating group of panelists prepresenting the diversity of Seattle itself. Community leaders such as Bishop Ray Rogers, radio & podcast host RC Croone, fashion designer Carlisia MAC Minnis, and others representing nearly all areas of Seattle. Black, White, Native American, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and more where represented on stage. Talking about anything and everything as they worked towards developing a better understanding of each other.