Grant Application
The community I am proud to be a member is called Rainier Beach. It is nestled in Seattle’s south-end area, Rainier Valley, aptly named for its triumphant view of Mount Rainier seen by commuters on any clear day. Rainier Beach is beautiful and full of life, resiliency and neighbors who represent every corner of the world’s cultures. While Rainier Beach is within the zip code that is most ethnically diverse in the country, it also is the most impoverished area in all of Seattle. Rainier Beach is often looked at with a “hood” mentality and has a perception of violence and fear by many Seattle residents. Seattle’s own police force has been called to be held accountable because of police brutality targeted towards black and brown youth. This project is a community-based and owned initiative to dismantle negative perceptions as well as negative self worth in these youth and even disturb the historical and cultural trauma of racism by installing visual images and texts that positively display black and brown youth from Rainier Beach who have worked or are currently working for the greater of good of their community.
http://www.choicehomes4sale.com/south-seattle-homes-for-sale/rainier-beach-neighborhood/
Rainier Beach is in the 98118, affectionately called “the 118” by residents, zip code which according to the 2010 census the most ethnically diverse zip code in the nation, let alone Seattle. It is a great juxtaposition to the Seattle metro area as whole, which was recently ranked the top ten “most white cities in America” report. Rainier Beach is home to 16,000 residents. Like the rest of Rainier Valley, it boasts ethnic diversity. The ethnic population is as follows :
Education levels are lower in Rainier Beach than anywhere else in Seattle. Only 53% of people 16 and over are in the labor force. Poverty rates within families are at 21.8% higher than the rest of Seattle.Poverty rates within non-families are 31.5% higher than Seattle as a whole. The following list is the educational demographics of Rainier Beach:
It is clear that the assets are abundant in this community. The strong family units and ethnic-family dynamics are a big asset to this neighborhood. Along with that, the youth population is an incredible benefit as well as the general ethnic backgrounds represented. The greatest problem in this community is the perception of young people by Seattle residents and our society at large. It is an understatement to say that young people from this community are undervalued by Seattle residents. There is a large east African immigrant and refugee community in Rainier Beach and its surrounding areas. Many of those families and individuals practice the Muslim faith. After community listening project held it is evident that young people often feel that if they are not already discounted for their skin color, they are are seen as a threat because of their religion through the way they dress. I work at Rainier Beach High School where pretty much every child is considered an “other” whether that means you’re Samoan, Vietnamese , Somali or of mixed-ethnic heritage. Students often voice to me and other supportive adults that they want to be seen as someone who matters and not as someone who could potentially be a criminal. These youth want basic human values; a good life, strong and united family and a safe and flourishing neighborhood. Black and brown boys in this community are tired of being seen as frightening based on their physical appearance alone and wonder why everyone in the world, including themselves, have low expectations for their future.
Negative interpretations of self worth and stereotyping are the primary causes for the low expectations a lot of youth exhibit from a young age. The causes for this perception of the youth in Rainier Beach can be linked to our society at a large due to the history of systemic racism in this country. The wounds of systemic racism run deep in Rainier Beach and communities like it. Many black and mixed race families have misplaced identities due to historical and cultural trauma of slavery and/or racism as well as current social and racial injustices. Rainier Beach has statistically had the lowest performing high school in the Seattle Public School district. Rainier Beach High School(RBHS) is often looked as that”hood school” by Seattlelites where your only chance for success is through the rim of a basketball hoop. Many people think Rainier Beach and Rainier Valley have more crime than other areas of Seattle but recent studies have shown that is not the case. Additionally, in the 2014-2015 school year, RBHS had the most graduating seniors in the entire school district. This perception will not stand, it must be changed!
Rainier Beach would greatly benefit from having visual displays of freedom fighters, who are youth from the community, in public places where many people go and especially where young people hang out. Initially the goal would be to create 2-3 images or murals, created by a youth artists and a youth and family organizing panel from Rainier Beach. These art pieces could be showcased in spaces like the Rainier Beach Community Center, Safeway and New Holly Family Center. These displays would be a celebration and reminder of positive change makers in the community as well as be a part of ongoing place-making project that would use images and text in family homes, schools, churches and government buildings to serve as positive identity builders that would radically combat the historical and cultural trauma of racism.
- Black/African-Americans: 30.8%
- Asian 30.7%
- Hispanic 13.2%
- Mixed Race 13.8%
Education levels are lower in Rainier Beach than anywhere else in Seattle. Only 53% of people 16 and over are in the labor force. Poverty rates within families are at 21.8% higher than the rest of Seattle.Poverty rates within non-families are 31.5% higher than Seattle as a whole. The following list is the educational demographics of Rainier Beach:
- 77.7% completed 8th grade
- 74.8% completed high school
- 25.1% possess a bachelor’s degree
It is clear that the assets are abundant in this community. The strong family units and ethnic-family dynamics are a big asset to this neighborhood. Along with that, the youth population is an incredible benefit as well as the general ethnic backgrounds represented. The greatest problem in this community is the perception of young people by Seattle residents and our society at large. It is an understatement to say that young people from this community are undervalued by Seattle residents. There is a large east African immigrant and refugee community in Rainier Beach and its surrounding areas. Many of those families and individuals practice the Muslim faith. After community listening project held it is evident that young people often feel that if they are not already discounted for their skin color, they are are seen as a threat because of their religion through the way they dress. I work at Rainier Beach High School where pretty much every child is considered an “other” whether that means you’re Samoan, Vietnamese , Somali or of mixed-ethnic heritage. Students often voice to me and other supportive adults that they want to be seen as someone who matters and not as someone who could potentially be a criminal. These youth want basic human values; a good life, strong and united family and a safe and flourishing neighborhood. Black and brown boys in this community are tired of being seen as frightening based on their physical appearance alone and wonder why everyone in the world, including themselves, have low expectations for their future.
Negative interpretations of self worth and stereotyping are the primary causes for the low expectations a lot of youth exhibit from a young age. The causes for this perception of the youth in Rainier Beach can be linked to our society at a large due to the history of systemic racism in this country. The wounds of systemic racism run deep in Rainier Beach and communities like it. Many black and mixed race families have misplaced identities due to historical and cultural trauma of slavery and/or racism as well as current social and racial injustices. Rainier Beach has statistically had the lowest performing high school in the Seattle Public School district. Rainier Beach High School(RBHS) is often looked as that”hood school” by Seattlelites where your only chance for success is through the rim of a basketball hoop. Many people think Rainier Beach and Rainier Valley have more crime than other areas of Seattle but recent studies have shown that is not the case. Additionally, in the 2014-2015 school year, RBHS had the most graduating seniors in the entire school district. This perception will not stand, it must be changed!
Rainier Beach would greatly benefit from having visual displays of freedom fighters, who are youth from the community, in public places where many people go and especially where young people hang out. Initially the goal would be to create 2-3 images or murals, created by a youth artists and a youth and family organizing panel from Rainier Beach. These art pieces could be showcased in spaces like the Rainier Beach Community Center, Safeway and New Holly Family Center. These displays would be a celebration and reminder of positive change makers in the community as well as be a part of ongoing place-making project that would use images and text in family homes, schools, churches and government buildings to serve as positive identity builders that would radically combat the historical and cultural trauma of racism.
Works Cited
"Demographics." RBAC Rainier Beach Action Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Beach Homes For Sale & Rainier Beach Real Estate." ChoiceHomes4Sale.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA Employment." Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Valley: One Of America's Most Diverse Neighborhoods." Curbed Seattle. N.p., 10 June 2013. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Stunning Surge in Graduation Rate as Rainier Beach Gamble Pays off." The Seattle Times. N.p., 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 May 2016.
"Demographics." RBAC Rainier Beach Action Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Beach Homes For Sale & Rainier Beach Real Estate." ChoiceHomes4Sale.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA Employment." Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Rainier Valley: One Of America's Most Diverse Neighborhoods." Curbed Seattle. N.p., 10 June 2013. Web. 28 May 2016.
"Stunning Surge in Graduation Rate as Rainier Beach Gamble Pays off." The Seattle Times. N.p., 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 May 2016.