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Georgia McDade

Juneteenth Celebration Bittersweet for African-American Academy

June 23, 2009

in Arts/Living,Politics,South-End Scenes

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Photos/Story by Georgia McDade

June 19, 2009, a day set aside to celebrate June 19, 1865, was a bittersweet day at the African-American Academy in South Seattle. Instead of reflecting on slaves getting the news—two years after the fact—of Abraham Lincoln’s signing the Emancipation Proclamation, staff and students were marking the demise of the AAA.

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The program celebrated 18 years of accomplishments at AAA. This Seattle Public School did not come easily into being. Its purpose was “to eliminate disproportionality and increase academic achievement.”  The Academy always had its ardent supporters and equally ardent detractors. That the school lasted as long as it did, is for many a triumph.

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Though Van Asselt will move into this building come September, there are those at AAA who are convinced that AAA will rise like a phoenix. The lobby bustled with activity. Tables were laden with unpurchased student pictures from trimesters ago  in frames which read, “If you think I’m cute, you should see me in ten years!” A “free” sign attracted guests who were invited to take remaining AAA uniforms. Pleated-green skirts and sweaters bearing “African-American Academy” seemed to be exactly what some persons wanted. But the AAA logo was the point of attraction on fast-selling red T-shirts.  Many buyers walked away from the table wearing their souvenirs.

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A variety of entertainment in several venues kept the audience entertained, including Friends of Clarence Robinson; 85-member drill team – The Dolls and Baby Dolls – under the direction of Makessa Jackson and Jameelah Cage; Youth Praise Dancers of Mount Zion Baptist Church, directed by Eunice Hobbs; Adefua African Music & Dance Company and All-City Youth Ensemble and the gospel singing of Rev. Pat Wright’s Total Experience Choir.

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Former staff and alumni greeted each other and the last staff of AAA. Eyes brimmed with tears; tears fell. Retired counselor Linda Koerber said she had to come to the closing. Though away for the past three years, it was clear that the lives of  “her scholars” continue to be important to her.

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Sixteen-year AAA veteran Beverly Ferguson had much to say about the students—the improvements they have made in so many areas, for instance, and how statistics don’t tell the full, more important part of the story of AAA and its students. Fortunate not to be in the group of faculty uncertain about a job the coming year, Ferguson relished telling about her science classes and the feats of the students. It’s good to know her days of changing lives for the better did not end on this last day of school. And from the looks and actions of some students and staff, Juneteenth now has an additional meaning.

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More Than 250 Attend NewHolly Workshop to Learn About Somali Culture

June 14, 2009

in Arts/Living,People In Your Neighborhood

cultural_competency_event1By Georgia McDade

More than 250 people attended last week’s “Somali Culture 101:  Truth and Fiction – Demystifying Stereotypes and Media Images” at New Holly Gathering Hall.

There are currently more than 30,000 Somalis are in the Seattle area.  The population has doubled in last two years, and may double again within the next five years.

Familiarity of another’s culture can often solve or prevent misunderstandings.  This gathering presented an opportunity for the community to learn a bit about Somalis and their homeland.

The title is a mouthful, and not surprisingly the information given covered a lot of space. First was a DVD called Diversity 101. Somalia is an East African country of  almost 10,000, 000. The language spoken is Somali and Arabic though many speak Italian and English because of the occupation by the Italian and British. Religion and poetry are significant parts of the culture.

A panel discussion with contributions of some of the sponsoring groups followed the movie. Speaker Mohamed Roble discussed cultural differences between the U. S. and Somalia. One obvious difference is the practice of shaking hands. The religion of some Somalis forbids females and males to shake hands.

Prof. Frederick Lorenz devoted his segment to current events in Somalia.  Sadly, the country has endured eighteen governments within the past eighteen years as well as the colonial and dictatorial control of the Brits and Italians. Though these pastoral people are clan and tribe conscious, they have a sophisticated system of law under which they have long operated.

Abdirizak Jama of East African Community Services covered Contextualizing Piracy and Current Events.  Piracy is complex. The eighteen years of civil war, illegal dumping, health issues following the tsunami, illegal fishing by Europeans and Asians have severely damaged Somalia.

Panelists Shukri Olow and Sahra Farah talked about how Somali and American culture sometimes clash and are often misunderstood. Both young and old, females and males suffer. The wants and demands of parents and children often conflict. What to do seldom satisfies everyone.

The program ended with a question-and-answer period.

On the walls were signs with English translation for several Somali words and phrases:  hello – iska warran (actually closer to “What’s up?”);  good-bye – nabadgelyo; thank you – mahadsanid; you’re welcome – soo dhawow. Packets containing a trove of information and/or where to find more information were given to all attendees. Refreshments were Somali sweets – halwa.

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