In a recently published article from the South Seattle Emerald, Professor LaShawnDa Pittman shared insights about the current mayoral election. "I believe in policymaking informed by lived experience," she said, "and we don't get nearly enough of that among our politicians regardless of race." "The social problems plaguing our deeply unequal city shape identity," which is why she wants candidates to show "how their identity is borne out of the struggle and/or their demonstrated committment to fighting for those most impacted by it."
The gentrification of the Central District, she notes, "hurts us all regardless of class." Here, linked fate — the idea that my life chances are bound up with yours — must expand to meet our actual demography: African immigrants, Black women, Black queer and trans people, formerly incarcerated folks, caregivers doing invisible labor. The "Black vote," if it's to mean anything, has to hold all that.
Read the full article by Marcus Harrison Green here: What This Mayoral Election Owes 'Black Seattle'