The Olympia City Council proclaimed Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, the National Day of Racial Healing, marking the second consecutive year the council has taken this action.
The proclamation emphasized Olympia's affirmation that "all people, regardless of their racial, ethnic and religious identification, their skin color or their physical traits, deserve an equal opportunity to experience well-being in a just society and to be full participants in our democracy."
Kyeshia Likely, the Executive Director of Community Engagement at the South Sound YMCA, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.
In her remarks, Likely quoted local civil rights leader Dr. Thelma Jackson, who often says that "equity is not something you talk about in isolation, it's something you live, reflect and commit to every single day."
Likely stressed that healing and equity are not abstract ideals, but a call to action that requires each community member to examine how they show up and contribute to creating more inclusive environments.
"Healing is a shared journey," Likely said. "It requires each of us to meet one another at the table, to listen with humility, and to commit to lifting equity at every door and every indoor facility or operation."
On Jan. 20, Olympia joined the nation in observing Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
Mayor Dontae Payne noted the timing of the racial healing proclamation was appropriate, stating, "It reminds us that this work is not just about recognizing it on a single day. But also, it is a reminder that we continue that all year long."
Likely also mentioned an upcoming event, "The Art of Connection," which will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23, at South Puget Sound Community College in collaboration with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center.
The event will focus on building inclusive futures through creative outlets and expressions.
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Claire
The Shitty of Olympia Council are the only liberal left-wing virtue signallers who continue to inject race into the issue-du-jour. In a.sense, they're codifying racism.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
BobB
Calm down Claire. You can still be your racist self no matter what the Olympia city council does.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
HappyOlympian
Certainly regretting voting for the mayor. Thought I was electing a person who would work on helping run the city of Olympia effectively. Looking forward to the next world-changing pronouncement that has little to do with what is already the most liberal city in the USA; and soon to be an economic wreck if his mission to raise the minimum wage continues. Unless everyone in Washington adopts a higher wage, which is probably not a good idea, Olympia will see businesses fail of move to nearby areas smart enough to not force this issue. Please, please city officials, quit trying to lead the world. Mayor, hoping you move on to something else before you do significant damage here.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
Snevets
Thank you BobB. Absolutely amazing to me how many people come on here, sitting on the sidelines have reassured me of the ignorance, apathy and stupidity in our community.
Be kind, get involved, be inclusive, have empathy.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
RedskinPatriot
Claire you have a very well executed point - thank you.
Bobb - Why do you think you attacked her? I'm curious... You couldn't just make a point and leave her alone?
Amazes me how the left is always talking about inclusivity, unless you are a conservative.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
Southsoundguy
Everyone is racist.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
In the beginning we had indentured servants: primarily black for Africa and white for the Barbary Coast. Upon serving out their time, most indentured servants would be given a plot of land and then they were on their own. This went on until an indentured servant, Anthony Johnson, a black man, finished his servitude. He then had his own indentured servants, one of which tried to leave and Johnson took him to court in the south. The judge ruled that the black man, Anthony Johnson, actually "owned" the other black man; hence, slavery was born in the south in this country.
Mr. Johnson began buying and selling slaves to his friends and family - then whites, natives and others.
Remember Democrats were pretty much from the south at the time and Republicans from the north. It took the north about 10 years to get rid of slavery. Then about 300,000 whites and 20,000 blacks from the north lost their lives to end slavery in this country.
When a white Republican freed the slaves, THOUSANDS of black families owned slaves, the native Americans owned TENS OF THOUSANDS of slaves. As did others.
Why don't we teach this in school?
Now, I have volunteered for 3 organizations that help fight human trafficking (another form of modern day slavery). Why don't the Democrats try to help these people. So sad. However, so happy to have been able to help a few.
There have been serious people who helped our country in the past. My mother (after we legally immigrated) gave up on the Democrat party. She was offended by the orgies thrown my JFK, MLK and Wilt. Great flawed people. Maybe history will get it right.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
wolfmanner
Blacks and American Indians also owned slaves. FACT.
Thursday, January 23 Report this
wolfmanner
Right on Clair.
Thursday, January 23 Report this