Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Editorials / Opinion


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Monday, February 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Editorial

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.

Information

African American Legislative Day: www.caa.wa.gov/index.shtml

Asian Pacific American legislative events: www.capaa.wa.gov/

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.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law

Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

Advertising

Video

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
A little friendly competition between professional pie-baker Kate McDermott and The Seatttle Times' Kathleen Triesch Saul is handled with great taste.

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising