Read MoreHistorians have found that most sundown towns deliberately hid the means by which they became and remained all-white. Apart from oral histories, there are often few archival records that describe precisely how sundown towns excluded Blacks. Laws and policies that enforced racial exclusion have largely disappeared, but de facto sundown towns existed into the 1980s, and some may still be in evidence today.
Read MoreHistorians have found that most sundown towns deliberately hid the means by which they became and remained all-white. Apart from oral histories, there are often few archival records that describe precisely how sundown towns excluded Blacks. Laws and policies that enforced racial exclusion have largely disappeared, but de facto sundown towns existed into the 1980s, and some may still be in evidence today.
José Castro is a native Puerto Rican teacher and librarian with a Master of Information and Library Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Secondary Education. José is also a human rights activist. He is passionate about serving underserved communities, and has worked with local Kitsap communities, including Latinx, as well as educational and library institutions in Puerto Rico. José is also an avid outdoors enthusiast who loves backpacking, camping, and hiking. He came to Washington in 2017 after a natural disaster in Puerto Rico, where he lived for 34 years. The Kitsap community has adopted him since his arrival.
Read MoreJosé Castro is a native Puerto Rican teacher and librarian with a Master of Information and Library Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Secondary Education. José is also a human rights activist. He is passionate about serving underserved communities, and has worked with local Kitsap communities, including Latinx, as well as educational and library institutions in Puerto Rico. José is also an avid outdoors enthusiast who loves backpacking, camping, and hiking. He came to Washington in 2017 after a natural disaster in Puerto Rico, where he lived for 34 years. The Kitsap community has adopted him since his arrival.
Read MoreRead MoreMy journey began as a clinical psychologist in Mexico, and over 25 years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of fostering mental well-being and inclusivity. This journey has led me to become a Cornell-certified DEI professional, and I am deeply committed about participating in creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
Read MoreGeneralmente al escuchar estas palabras pensamos en personas rapadas, con barbas largas y suásticas tatuadas, empuñando la bandera confederada de los Estado Unidos, gritando a todo pulmón que odian a las personas de color.
Enviaré mi nariz de regreso a Polonia.
Mis manos de regreso a Inglaterra.
Enviaré parte de mi piel a Alemania y parte de mi cabello a Escocia.
Pero mi corazón... lo guardaré en Nəxʷq̓iyt.
Read MoreMy hands back to England.
I’ll send some of my skin back to Germany and some of my hair back to Scotland.
Por más que lo intento el espejo no logra reflejar lo que percibo en mi interior,
Labios demasiado regordetes.
Caderas demasiado anchas.
But is surviving worth losing my identity?
Who I fought to be?
Read MoreAs hate crimes go up
Suicide rates rise
I want to hide who I am just to continue to survive.
But is surviving worth losing my identity?
Who I fought to be?
Read MoreHace poco le había dicho a mi papá que estaba embarazada; Esta fue mi cuarta vez. El tercer embarazo terminó en el primer trimestre y él estaba nervioso de que yo volviera a quedar embarazada. Para él, mi aborto espontáneo anterior significaba que el embarazo es peligroso y podría morir.
Read MoreI had recently told my dad I was pregnant; this was my fourth time. The third pregnancy ended in the first trimester, and he was nervous for me to be pregnant again. To him, my prior miscarriage meant pregnancy is dangerous and I could die. I was irritated at his remarks, unable to see it was his immense love for me coming through as worry. I was his baby, and he didn’t want to ever lose me.
Read MoreThe truth is that in American society’s democratic ideal, public schools are for everyone. Even though the reality is that public schools were designed with a narrower focus on serving the white and wealthy, it is very clear now that this is not the goal. Public schools are one of the few spaces, along with public libraries, where American society at all socioeconomic levels, racial/ethnic identities, and abilities are welcome to learn without an expectation of spending money.
Read MoreThe truth is that in American society’s democratic ideal, public schools are for everyone. Even though the reality is that public schools were designed with a narrower focus on serving the white and wealthy, it is very clear now that this is not the goal. Public schools are one of the few spaces, along with public libraries, where American society at all socioeconomic levels, racial/ethnic identities, and abilities are welcome to learn without an expectation of spending money.
Read MoreRead MoreMientras escribo esto, estoy sentado aquí pensando ¿cuándo terminará el racismo? ¿Qué va a hacer falta? Desde mi primer día en el jardín de infantes, me sentí diferente. No sabía inglés, siempre era el último en aprenderlo todo. Mis padres no tenían el típico trabajo estadounidense. Mis padres no eran abogados, médicos ni maestros, mi papá es paisajista y mi mamá limpiaba casas.
As Im typing this Im sitting here thinking when will racism end?
What is it going to take?
Since my first day of kindergarten, I felt different. I didn’t know English I was always the last to learn everything.
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