Spokane Racism, a Feedback Loop

In this episode we reach in deep to uncover racist language right here in Spokane’s CCR documents, we take on the heavy topic of white privilege in housing, “well that was in the past…why can’t people just pull themselves up by their bootstraps like I did?”, “I didn’t get any handouts, why should they?” these are just a couple of common thoughts. When you grow up in a white world you just don’t understand some of these conversations, open your mind to a new perspective. The main ways discrimination manifests in housing; steering, blockbusting, redlining and guess what, it’s still happening. The system has created the problem and we are stuck in a feedback loop. The actions of our grandparents are jacking everybody up to this day. Let’s get to the heart of fair housing, it’s more than avoiding a fine or slap on the wrist. Are you overwhelmed? It’s ok to let it set in, to let it sit. I will learn to do better. “Racist or antiracist is not who you are, it is what you do.” Take action! Learn, teach, engage, volunteer, donate and vote for policy changes. Resources: https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist-1 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/apr/12/sandra-williams-it-may-be-subtle-but-spokane-hides/ https://www.facebook.com/blacklensnews/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5FBJyqfoLM&t=187s https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/homeownership-still-financially-better-renting https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/04/whites-only-covenants-still-exist-in-many-mid-cent/ https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=12/47.668/-117.478&city=spokanewa& area=C19 https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/