What is Lakewood doing to attact more minorities ?????
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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David Scott
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:06 pm
What would I have the city do ?? I guess I would try to follow the models of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, though this takes years. I would try to sponser diversity events. Sandusky has a festival every few weeks celebrating a different culture. We could do the same at Lakewood Park. I would openly promote diversity and not tolerate any form of discrimination, no matter what the source. I would make an effort to reach out to diverse cultures, even diverse people. With Virginia Marti we could have a thriving style culture. We could turn Lakewood Screw into lofts for artists. We could give Hispanics and Blacks a $10,000 second mortgage to buy into certain neigborhoods and forgive the debt if they stay for 10 years. I am not a development specialist so I don't know all the options but the overall attitude has to change and this is only done through bringing more minorities to town and making them a familar face in the neighborhood. Then, Lakewood might be seen as minority friendly.
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Joan Roberts
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:28 am
For many years there was a diversity event at the Womens' Pavilion in Lakewood Park. Not sure if that's still being done.
You're correct in that it does "take years." And that leads me to the point that the best institutional instrument for tolerance is our schools, and I do think Lakewood schools do a fine job in giving our kids a good footing in that regard (some schools themselves sponsor "culture nights" although they tend to be promoted only to students and families)
But I do have to ask, only for the sake of logic and clarity, what would the reaction of East Clevelanders be if they offered white buyers a "$10,000 second mortgage to buy into certain neigborhoods and forgive the debt if they stay for 10 years."?
Again, the issues of where people live are, as you obviously appreciate, very complex and very resistant to easy answers, particularly governmental ones.
You're correct in that it does "take years." And that leads me to the point that the best institutional instrument for tolerance is our schools, and I do think Lakewood schools do a fine job in giving our kids a good footing in that regard (some schools themselves sponsor "culture nights" although they tend to be promoted only to students and families)
But I do have to ask, only for the sake of logic and clarity, what would the reaction of East Clevelanders be if they offered white buyers a "$10,000 second mortgage to buy into certain neigborhoods and forgive the debt if they stay for 10 years."?
Again, the issues of where people live are, as you obviously appreciate, very complex and very resistant to easy answers, particularly governmental ones.
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Dan Slife
- Posts: 99
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:58 am
- Location: Lakewood, Ohio
I find it fascinating that this blatant attack of a thread has employed the broadest of generalizations in order to facilitate the "spin" of a racist, hillbilly holler Lakewood.
While the languange is not so blatently vulgur, it's very clear that the perception of a white-bred, clan infested Lakewood is being constructed at the expense of the good people populating this city.
In comparing Cleveland Hts. and Lakewood.... please. Spare us. These two cities vary drastically in their historical development. That popular belief has labled them "sister cities" does not substantiate that their historical development should have taken place along similar trajectories.
To imply that Cleveland Hts. and Lakewood "should" share a similar racial composition is to imply such historically congruent situtuations that, quite frankly, did not exist. Further, this impliciation also relies on the presupposition that these cities are not equally mixed due to "the racist, white-bred hollar" where tan white men are called "spic(s)" scaring people away. Common perception or not, there is a historical reason for this development rather than entreched attitudes within the populous.
Step back in time, pre 1970. The largest black communities in Cleveland were located on the East side. When blacks began migrating, they followed the same pattern as the white flighters who proceeded them. They went east! Cleveland Hts., being an inner ring suburb, was directly within the migration path of all Clevelander's moving-up the class ladder as they headed out to "greener pastures" in sub-urbia.
In terms of immigrants, the west side was populated during an industrializing cycle of caplitalism wherein the bodies feeding the factories were of European descent. This is essentially the same gene pool that makes up much of the west side today.
Of course, the industrial workforce also populated the east side. However, co-habitation began much earlier for european descendants and blacks of the east side. So there is a history of familiarity, instituationally too.
If you look at the current economic growth in the medical sector taking place on the east side, the larger populations of recent immigrants of Indian and asian descent are directly related to this phenomenon... which populates the east side through it's world class higher education programs and ....employment sector fed by such. Just take a look at the level of diversity among medical and science programs within the region's elite schools, all located on the east side.
What industry on the west side is attracting the best and brightest of foreign students? What elite schools on the west side offer what these students are seeking?
Rather than blaming Lakewood people for being who they are. It would be wise to understand, existentially, the historical developments that make Lakewood a pleasent community in it's own right. It is what it is. It lacks only that which each individual subjectively perceives may better it.
For me, Lakewood is good enough as it is. As Vince asked, what data do you have to support that you know exactly what Lakewood needs?
Show us the data. Make it relavent.
Unfortunately, your words are not novel. They are the words of New Deal gov. change ops, and the culture war between the new left and conservative gaurd. Both have failed us in the past.
Get beyond skin color and bring the substance. We need to get beyond whinning about diversity..... to shinning in diversity.
While the languange is not so blatently vulgur, it's very clear that the perception of a white-bred, clan infested Lakewood is being constructed at the expense of the good people populating this city.
In comparing Cleveland Hts. and Lakewood.... please. Spare us. These two cities vary drastically in their historical development. That popular belief has labled them "sister cities" does not substantiate that their historical development should have taken place along similar trajectories.
To imply that Cleveland Hts. and Lakewood "should" share a similar racial composition is to imply such historically congruent situtuations that, quite frankly, did not exist. Further, this impliciation also relies on the presupposition that these cities are not equally mixed due to "the racist, white-bred hollar" where tan white men are called "spic(s)" scaring people away. Common perception or not, there is a historical reason for this development rather than entreched attitudes within the populous.
Step back in time, pre 1970. The largest black communities in Cleveland were located on the East side. When blacks began migrating, they followed the same pattern as the white flighters who proceeded them. They went east! Cleveland Hts., being an inner ring suburb, was directly within the migration path of all Clevelander's moving-up the class ladder as they headed out to "greener pastures" in sub-urbia.
In terms of immigrants, the west side was populated during an industrializing cycle of caplitalism wherein the bodies feeding the factories were of European descent. This is essentially the same gene pool that makes up much of the west side today.
Of course, the industrial workforce also populated the east side. However, co-habitation began much earlier for european descendants and blacks of the east side. So there is a history of familiarity, instituationally too.
If you look at the current economic growth in the medical sector taking place on the east side, the larger populations of recent immigrants of Indian and asian descent are directly related to this phenomenon... which populates the east side through it's world class higher education programs and ....employment sector fed by such. Just take a look at the level of diversity among medical and science programs within the region's elite schools, all located on the east side.
What industry on the west side is attracting the best and brightest of foreign students? What elite schools on the west side offer what these students are seeking?
Rather than blaming Lakewood people for being who they are. It would be wise to understand, existentially, the historical developments that make Lakewood a pleasent community in it's own right. It is what it is. It lacks only that which each individual subjectively perceives may better it.
For me, Lakewood is good enough as it is. As Vince asked, what data do you have to support that you know exactly what Lakewood needs?
Show us the data. Make it relavent.
Unfortunately, your words are not novel. They are the words of New Deal gov. change ops, and the culture war between the new left and conservative gaurd. Both have failed us in the past.
Get beyond skin color and bring the substance. We need to get beyond whinning about diversity..... to shinning in diversity.
Dan Slife
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Teresa Andreani
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Lakewood, Ohio
- Contact:
Joan, et al..
The cultural diversity potluck, held annually at Lakewood Park for a number of years, was spearheaded by the League of Women Voters and co-sponsored by the city and schools. In connection with the potluck, the League also hosted a new citizen ceremony a couple of years ago at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. It was incredibly moving to witness dozens of people take the oath of citizenship. The League is trying to repeat this event for the Light Up Lakewood this fall.
Another thought to add...
First, this is a difficult topic to post on without sounding absurdly politically correct or offending someone. I shall do my best to get my point across...
I was chatting today with a friend from Lakewood who happened to attend LHS around the same time I did (late 70s-early 80s). She and I talked about how positive the changing face of the high school's population is for our children. However, we shared concern that we can name the handful of district teachers and administrators of color who were in the district when we were students. And that number hasn't changed significantly in 30 years. Would it make a difference for our students if the teaching and administrative staff were more diverse? Food for thought.
The cultural diversity potluck, held annually at Lakewood Park for a number of years, was spearheaded by the League of Women Voters and co-sponsored by the city and schools. In connection with the potluck, the League also hosted a new citizen ceremony a couple of years ago at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. It was incredibly moving to witness dozens of people take the oath of citizenship. The League is trying to repeat this event for the Light Up Lakewood this fall.
Another thought to add...
First, this is a difficult topic to post on without sounding absurdly politically correct or offending someone. I shall do my best to get my point across...
I was chatting today with a friend from Lakewood who happened to attend LHS around the same time I did (late 70s-early 80s). She and I talked about how positive the changing face of the high school's population is for our children. However, we shared concern that we can name the handful of district teachers and administrators of color who were in the district when we were students. And that number hasn't changed significantly in 30 years. Would it make a difference for our students if the teaching and administrative staff were more diverse? Food for thought.
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Jeff Endress
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:13 am
- Location: Lakewood
And that leads me to the point that the best institutional instrument for tolerance is our schools, and I do think Lakewood schools do a fine job in giving our kids a good footing in that regard
Interesting point Joan. My daughter, while college shopping, visited a small southern Ohio liberal arts college. She was appalled that there idea of bringing diversity into the El Ed program was a senior year field trip to North Carolina.....
As she put it, "I had more diversity in my classes and among my friends at LHS"...
So, I'll say it again, the idea of comparing racial ratios is a red herring, the political race card.....
Which is more diverse...a community made up of Clarence Thomases and Pat Roberts, or one made up of Rush Limbaughs and Edward Kennedys?
Why, in David's analysis is race the only thing that matters when there exists minorities in so many other areas? Why not housing grants for single parents, or transgender couples? And why just blacks and Hispanics....what about the wave of Lebanese refugees due any minute now. They, like the Armenians, Albanians, Palestinians, and myriad other immigrant groups before them will find their way to Lakewood. And it wouldn't be so if we the holler that some like to portray.
Jeff
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Kenneth Warren
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 7:17 pm
It's on the street, walking and talking to each person that will yield ever so slowly the increase in emotional intelligence (the inside shot that loves thy neighbor) and social intelligence (the outside shot at the norm that make life together bearable) so often presumed through the diversity bromide.
What exactly is the lens to ascertain a minority? Again, it's the class challenge, when the knapsack of privilege is filled with the residue of dysfunction, poverty and trauma, that Lakewood needs to face with all the good will and determination for social order the homies can muster.
What about the anti-social class street culture? Inclusion? Sensitivity training? Acceptance?
I don't think so.
As a city we need to figure out how to engage and norm the chaotic effects of anti-social behavior that causes alarm, distress, harassment on blocks, on streets, in public spaces, and we need to do it now.
I don't think Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights have quite figured this out yet either, though I do believe the integration programs are both institutionalized and socialized to a far greater degree there than in Lakewood.
Here's the challenge, as I see it, the underclass street with an anti-social thrust shaking up the wood. This challenge is rippling here and now beyond middle class presumptions about planning and professional management fixes.
Tonight, for example, we met a representative of perhaps the smallest minority in Lakewood, a homeless man moon-dancing in the bus stop outside the Westerly for hours, spending time in a safe city, awaiting Recovery Resources to deliver some support next week.
It's not about about race or ethnicity per se; it's about the face of a human being in the wood, destitute and without a home.
A potluck and diversity festival might may some feel better. However, the mending wall of neighborhood is built day and night with each encounter on the street with the interface of neighbor and newcomer.
Kenneth Warren
What exactly is the lens to ascertain a minority? Again, it's the class challenge, when the knapsack of privilege is filled with the residue of dysfunction, poverty and trauma, that Lakewood needs to face with all the good will and determination for social order the homies can muster.
What about the anti-social class street culture? Inclusion? Sensitivity training? Acceptance?
I don't think so.
As a city we need to figure out how to engage and norm the chaotic effects of anti-social behavior that causes alarm, distress, harassment on blocks, on streets, in public spaces, and we need to do it now.
I don't think Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights have quite figured this out yet either, though I do believe the integration programs are both institutionalized and socialized to a far greater degree there than in Lakewood.
Here's the challenge, as I see it, the underclass street with an anti-social thrust shaking up the wood. This challenge is rippling here and now beyond middle class presumptions about planning and professional management fixes.
Tonight, for example, we met a representative of perhaps the smallest minority in Lakewood, a homeless man moon-dancing in the bus stop outside the Westerly for hours, spending time in a safe city, awaiting Recovery Resources to deliver some support next week.
It's not about about race or ethnicity per se; it's about the face of a human being in the wood, destitute and without a home.
A potluck and diversity festival might may some feel better. However, the mending wall of neighborhood is built day and night with each encounter on the street with the interface of neighbor and newcomer.
Kenneth Warren
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David Anderson
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:41 pm
The numbers I provided yesterday were from the U.S. Census (it only took me three minutes to find and post). This was not my analysis. I've lived in Lakewood for 10-years but never really knew its basic profile. Comparisons provide a baseline. Again, anyone can compare Lakewood's profile to any other Ohio city over 25,000 in population.
I agree with others who have opined that it is unfortunate that the numbers I provided via the Census doesn't dig deeper. However, maybe it's our responsibility to take the numbers and delve into them adding local profile components and coming to our own local community conclusions.
The fact of the matter is that don't seem to be drawn to Lakewood as they are to other communities. A previous writer brings to light the question as to whether Lakewood makes all folks feel comfortable. Good question but hard to answer. For every non white who has had trouble finding their place in our community there is another who loves Lakewood because of its community.
I just got off the phone with an African-American professional woman who works for me. I asked her to respond to some of the comments in this tread. Her reaction is that her family who lives in Cleveland Hts./Shaker Hts. would never consider moving to Lakewood because of their perceptions of our community. However, she has many friends who have settled in Lakewood who are not from Cuyahoga County and they enjoy Lakewood because of the community.
I agree with others who have opined that it is unfortunate that the numbers I provided via the Census doesn't dig deeper. However, maybe it's our responsibility to take the numbers and delve into them adding local profile components and coming to our own local community conclusions.
The fact of the matter is that don't seem to be drawn to Lakewood as they are to other communities. A previous writer brings to light the question as to whether Lakewood makes all folks feel comfortable. Good question but hard to answer. For every non white who has had trouble finding their place in our community there is another who loves Lakewood because of its community.
I just got off the phone with an African-American professional woman who works for me. I asked her to respond to some of the comments in this tread. Her reaction is that her family who lives in Cleveland Hts./Shaker Hts. would never consider moving to Lakewood because of their perceptions of our community. However, she has many friends who have settled in Lakewood who are not from Cuyahoga County and they enjoy Lakewood because of the community.
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Joan Roberts
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:28 am
David Anderson wrote: Her reaction is that her family who lives in Cleveland Hts./Shaker Hts. would never consider moving to Lakewood because of their perceptions of our community. However, she has many friends who have settled in Lakewood who are not from Cuyahoga County and they enjoy Lakewood because of the community.
Exactly. Just as I wouldn't want to live in Shaker because of my perceptions of THAT community.
So does Shaker need a government program to attract white-collar middle-aged white women with bratty daughters? Does my demographic intrinsically improve Shaker, or would I add something to that communtiy as an individual?
To Ms. Andreani.
I agree with much of what you said. You are closer to the school district than I am, so I don't know if Lakewood has had a history of rejecting applicants of color.
However, as a purely practical matter, I would encourage Lakewood to recuit teachers and administrators of Arabic/Middle Eastern backgrounds. As anyone will tell you, this is the most fragile relationship in our schools right now, and one signifciantly larger than the Black or Hspanic populations (not sure if you would include Middle Eastern as being "of color").
Clearly, our schools are run exclusively by White people, and clearly that's not entirely appropriate, as hard as they work to be sensitive to diversity (and I know they do). But if we're going to aggressively foster diversity in our school administration, we should attempt to make it reflective of who our students and parents really are.
And to Mr. Warren:
Yes, it will be a long process of a million personal encounters. And some of those encounters will not be positive or pleasant. We will continue to hear anecdotes (as evidenced by Mr. Scott's jogging experience) and some will take those anedcotes to heart more than others.
We humans just don't fall into line like schools of fish. I don't expect the problem to be resolved in my lifetime, in Lakewood or anywhere else,
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David Scott
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:06 pm
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ryan costa
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:31 pm
minority fever
What are some of your favorite minorities?
I like Sikhs, Turkish people, and Ukrainians. And girls from the Czech republic.
I like Sikhs, Turkish people, and Ukrainians. And girls from the Czech republic.
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ryan costa
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:31 pm
more minorities
We could definitely use more Tamils.
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Mark Crnolatas
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:32 pm
- Location: Lakewood, Ohio
...
Pardon me for saying this, but WHY do we have to make any particular effort to "bring in" more minorities? If we are to do that, then I would demand more polish people, and my next door neighbor would demand more Ukranians, the guy 2 doors down would demand more Serbs etc.
See where this all goes? At least in my eyes, Lakewood is already diverse. The fact that a certain ethnic group is NOT here, doesn't make Lakewood or it's citizens bad.
The whole concept of doing something special to attract anyone other than good people who want to live in a good city seems to border on something bizarre.
Maybe it's the decongestants I'm taking.
I said it earlier, and I'll say it again, as long as we do not STOP anyone from living in the Wood BECAUSE of their ethnic backround, then we have done our duty as Americans, as good Lakewoodites, and as people of good moral standards.
For what it's worth.
Mark (Stosh, to my family and various friends)
See where this all goes? At least in my eyes, Lakewood is already diverse. The fact that a certain ethnic group is NOT here, doesn't make Lakewood or it's citizens bad.
The whole concept of doing something special to attract anyone other than good people who want to live in a good city seems to border on something bizarre.
Maybe it's the decongestants I'm taking.
I said it earlier, and I'll say it again, as long as we do not STOP anyone from living in the Wood BECAUSE of their ethnic backround, then we have done our duty as Americans, as good Lakewoodites, and as people of good moral standards.
For what it's worth.
Mark (Stosh, to my family and various friends)
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Joan Roberts
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:28 am
I hesitate to resurrect this rather distasteful topic, but I did find something interesting today.
The annual school report cards are out, as the PD reported Monday.
Interesting to note that Lakewood's non-white student poulation has grown from 9.3% four years ago to 16.6% today.
So whatever the city is doing or not doing to attract more minorities, Lakewood is clearly becoming more racially diverse.
Ironically, the percentage of ESL kids seems to have peaked and is now trending down.
The annual school report cards are out, as the PD reported Monday.
Interesting to note that Lakewood's non-white student poulation has grown from 9.3% four years ago to 16.6% today.
So whatever the city is doing or not doing to attract more minorities, Lakewood is clearly becoming more racially diverse.
Ironically, the percentage of ESL kids seems to have peaked and is now trending down.
Joan Roberts
"Whose needs are being met?"
"Whose needs are being met?"
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Rick Uldricks
Are the majorities hiding somewhere?
I see plenty of diversity in Lakewood. I also see too much neglect and blight.
Why do we need to attract specific groups of people? Perhaps we should concentrate on keeping the good citizens we currently have and encouraging the bad citizens to leave.
Has anyone counted the number of homes that are for sale in Lakewood right now?
I see plenty of diversity in Lakewood. I also see too much neglect and blight.
Why do we need to attract specific groups of people? Perhaps we should concentrate on keeping the good citizens we currently have and encouraging the bad citizens to leave.
Has anyone counted the number of homes that are for sale in Lakewood right now?
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Suzanne Metelko
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:55 pm