This day in history: Appreciating diversity in Bremerton

Published 2:15 pm Thursday, July 28, 2016

On July 17, 1991, the Bremerton Progress reported that Olympic College had recently organized a day camp for preschool-aged (3-5 years) children called “Getting to Know You.” The camp was focused on teaching children racial tolerance, starting at an early age.

The camp’s premise was highlighted by OC instructor Mary Garguile.

She said to the Progress, “We don’t live in a Euro-centric world anymore. We need to be reflecting the diversity of the world in our schools.”

The following week’s edition, July 24, 1991, featured a story titled “Black merchants blend in.”

Local business owner Wanda Moore had recently formed the Networking Association of African American Businesses and Organizations, which held monthly meetings to discuss common problems faced by people of color in the community.

The group expressed split opinions on the importance of foregrounding identity: some felt that race was irrelevant, while others felt that race constituted a significant aspect of one’s identity.

One business owner, Thelma Davis of Consignment Station, said she felt a “special sense of belonging in the black community,” but appreciated the large ethnic diversity frequenting her Bremerton store.

Another business owner, John Gray, said he didn’t think of himself as an African American, but that his opinion had changed over time. When he finished college in 1962, he said, racial stereotypes were more deeply entrenched and “people would listen to me just because they were surprised I was educated and articulate.”

This exact debate — of how race impacts identity and how we should approach the often-divisive subject — has remained prominent in today’s racial discourse.

Here are two examples of open, progressive discussion from recent weeks in Kitsap County.

First: The Kitsap County Council for Human Rights hosted a forum on July 15. The topic was “Solidarity through Pride — Exploring Intersectionality and Implicit Bias in Our Community.” (Kitsap Pride concluded on July 16.)

The last topic discussed by panelists and the audience had to do with what constitutes race. Is there one race, or are there as many races as there are individuals on this planet, or somewhere in between? Are we a homogenous people divided or defined by our socialization?

There were advocates on both sides, but what made the debate worthwhile — a conversation, not a shouting match — was a pervading respect among all participants.

A general consensus came when an audience member raised her hand and said, “One race, or many — we all come from different cultures. We are all a part of the human race, but we are not one culture.” What’s important is listening to each other and appreciating diverse cultures — and above all else, not dismissing another person’s lived experience.

That can mean anything from attending forums like this one to using someone’s chosen pronouns.

Second: OC Bremerton hosted its third annual regional Diversity Conference on June 23-24, echoing the earlier camp’s goal of educating through early exposure.

The conference’s theme this year was “Inspire Instill Ignite,” and it was billed as an “opportunity to enhance [participants’] understanding and skills in the areas of diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism and social justice.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Rose Clemente, a leading scholar on issues of Afro-Latino identity and social justice; she was also the 2008 Green Party vice presidential candidate. Her speech to the conference, “If I was president: Addressing the intersections of power, oppression, identity and politics in the Black Lives Matter age,” addressed poignant contemporary themes, especially in light of recent weeks’ shootings.

Amanda Gebhardt-Fuentes, co-chair of the Conference Planning Committee, said 2016’s conference went exceptionally well and that the event grows each year. Around 200 people attended in 2015, and this year saw more than 240.

In fact, the conference may have outgrown its space. “It’s kind of a Catch-22,” Gebhardt-Fuentes said; the committee wants to promote attendance while maintaining the low cost of admittance. Moving to a larger venue or adding a live-stream component would mean higher fees for attendees.

Costs are kept low largely because of local sponsorship: Olympic College President Dr. David Mitchell is a major sponsor, along with the Olympic College Foundation and, this year, the Suquamish Tribe.

Next year’s diversity conference is already scheduled, thanks to past years’ successes. It will take place June 22-23, 2017, with the theme to be decided this fall. Learn more by contacting DiversityConference@olympic.edu.

At the very least, it is every American’s responsibility to approach discussions of identity — racial, sexual, gender- or class-based or otherwise — with open mindedness and respect.

— Allison Trunkey is an intern for Sound Publishing in Kitsap County. You can contact her at atrunkey@soundpublishing.com.