Community days in Olympia

By almost any social or economic measure, African Americans lag behind other racial and ethnic groups.

Each year, 7 percent of black high-school students drop out. Over time, more than one-third leave high school before getting a diploma, making for a dropout rate more than twice that of Asian/Pacific Islander students and nearly double the rate of white students.As a group, African Americans are more likely than whites to contract certain illnesses, receive less-effective medical treatment and die prematurely.

The facts are depressing — even more so if you're black — but the challenges should be viewed as opportunities to act. A key opportunity appears today in Olympia when thousands convene at the state Capitol for a full-day discussion with lawmakers about racial and ethnic disparities.

African Americans make up just 3.6 percent of Washington state's 6.3 million residents, but differences in educational and economic opportunities ought not be given short shrift. Targeted conversations and interventions shine a spotlight on issues that might otherwise remain hidden because they affect a small segment of our population.

That is the thinking propelling similar efforts by Asian Pacific American groups. Despite a diverse mix of cultures and languages hailing from East or South Asia to the Pacific islands, common interests — including elder care and immigration reform — make targeted pleas in Olympia necessary.

African American Legislative Day today, Asian Pacific American Legislative Day later this month: two opportunities for Gov. Christine Gregoire and lawmakers to ensure every citizen is heard.