In the first round of the Seattle City Council candidates’ forum at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, there was only one black male were among eight white males seated at the panel.
Photo by Assunta Ng
The lack of diversity saddened me. I wished there were at least one Asian American running for the two open seats at the Seattle City Council.
Consider the fact that the city has Asian Americans as the largest minority, 14 percent. Yet, we have failed to groom our younger generation to run for office.
The good old days when we had Gov. Gary Locke, David Della at the City Council, and more state representatives including Kip Tokuda, Velma Veloria are over. What was left behind for the Asian community is the ability to organize, developed, and learned after all these political campaigns.
The Asian community organizing machine is ready!
What we need is new blood with matured leadership and strong visions! Do you have anyone in mind, ready for the next open political seat? Let us know.
William Turnbull says
August 10, 2009 at 12:36 pmI always find it interesting that those who oppose discrimination strongly are always those who practice it in reverse. Why is it so important that there be an Asian running? Does this mean that you would vote for a candidate simply based on race? There was not even any mention of the candidates views or positions, just bemoaning the lack of Asians. That is racist and sad.