Diversity? Plenty To Learn
On Dec. 2, Spokane had its first-ever gang summit at First Presbyterian Church downtown. I came to participate for several reasons. I am originally from Spokane, but I am spending a year in Washington, D.C., as a news assistant at Sojourners magazine. Jim Wallis, the keynote speaker of the summit, is the editor and founder of the magazine.
As I sat down to watch the news that night, the camera zeroed in on the panel of gang members and ex-gang members in front of the room. Then the camera zeroed in on my friend, Carlos Jones, a Whitworth college alumnus and community volunteer. Carlos is of Latino descent, like several of the kids on the panel, but Carlos is not and never has been a gang member. The camera paused on him as the reporter discussed gangs. Had I not known Carlos, and not known that he was sitting with the audience, his dark hair and dark skin would have easily backed up those preconceived notions that many have about gang members and ethnicity.
I recently wrote an article grappling with issues of economics, race and inner city violence. In three months in D.C., I have been punched in the face (for being white), mugged at gunpoint and harassed on a regular basis. I have stayed because I’m trying to learn how the rest of Washington, D.C., lives beyond the white upper class of Capitol Hill.
Like most of Spokane, I am shocked to find that we actually have gangs. I was also surprised to find that the gang members at the summit were not the stereotypical Bloods and Crips, but came from a variety of racial and economic backgrounds. Several were white. This summit made me realize how many young people of all races lack stability, acceptance and love.
It is unfortunate that my few months in the inner city have jaded my once colorblind faith in strangers. I struggle daily with the fine line of being cautious but not racist. As Spokane takes on a more metropolitan feel, we will learn about diversity. The gang summit proves to us that big city violence is close to home. I hope that Spokane is prepared to deal with these issues.
Let us not handle it with blatant racial stereotypes. I am ashamed that professional journalists portray Spokane in this way. We have enough racial reconciliation to do in this country, and we can start with honest media portrayals.
MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.