Last Thursday, six local professors presented a report on the “crisis in Greater Black Seattle” to Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and other political and community leaders.
The 37-page report — written by Dr. Thad Spratlen (UW), Dr. Valerie Hunt (SCCC, SU), Prof. Carl Livingston (SCCC), Dr. Bill Dickens (FAM adjunct, CAO Tacoma Public Utilities), Prof. Esther “Little Dove” John (former SCCC adjunct), Prof. Charles Jeffreys (SCCC) and Dean Barnes (former SU adjunct, SHA Human Resources Executive) – highlights the economic and social disparities that exist in Seattle, and was issued as a call to action for community leaders and individual members of the African American community.
“We urge area policymakers—public, private and non-profit—to address this crisis in the areas of business development, college and vocational preparation, as well as housing provision,” read the report. “We also urgently call on African American leaders to convene to increase the level of their service to their own community, and to especially do so economically, educationally and in housing.”
Given the continuous unemployment disparities that plague the Black community, the professors called for an immediate increase in economic opportunities through the issuance of contracts and employment to help stabilize the African American community.
According to the report, Seattle Blacks have the lowest level of median household income of all racial/ethnic groups in the city—lagging Hispanics by $21,293 or 41% and Asians by $19,389 or 39%, and the median household income for Blacks was only 45% of the median for Whites —$30,116 versus $66,380.
Speaking specifically about “The Black Side of Seattle’s Economic Inequality,” Dr. Spratlen shed light on the economic disparities that have existed in Seattle for years. According to Dr. Spratlen, the Black community has been in a constant state of surviving somewhere between recession and depression level unemployment rates for over five decades.
Spratlen challenged everyone to become part of the solution to the problems and made of point of emphasis to note that those who do nothing become a part of the problem.
“In calling attention to Seattle’s racial economic inequality, my hope is that support can be obtained for corporate as well as public policies and programs that will address the causes and, over time, solve at least the most detrimental problems of economic inequality,” said Dr. Spratlen.
Prof. Livingston reminded the audience that recognizing and taking action in response to the crisis was long overdue. As the prime mover in organizing this effort, Livingston was passionate about speaking up for those who have suffered and are continuing to suffer in our community.
“It’s bad out there for African Americans,” said Livingston. “It’s bad out for everyone, but it’s terrible for African Americans.”
“I know people with Doctorates and Masters Degrees that are not getting work, and if you’re coming out of prison you can just about forget it,” he added.
In addition to the economic issues that exist, the group also addressed the disparities in education including the lack of representation by African Americans on public school faculties, and the educational deficiencies to which Seattle’s African American youth are subjected and the psychological impact of racism.
In addition to Mayor Murray, the report was also distributed to the Urban League and members of Seattle’s African American clergy.
According to the group of professors the message is clear. The African American community is in a crisis, and immediate action must be taken in order to stop the bleeding.
“The extent of racial economic inequality in Seattle is severe, pervasive and persistent,” said Dr. Spratlen in the report. “It must be addressed or the gaps are sure to continue to widen.”
