Another Dispatch from Seattle… You Add the Adjective

 

Two very interesting stories today about what goes on in the “Emerald City” by Elliott Bay. It seems that, while a subset of Seattle residents was occupying a portion of the Capitol Hill neighborhood (CHOP, or if you prefer CHAZ), the City of Seattle was running some training for their employees. Specifically, their White employees, on how to move forward, and respond correctly in the “new normal” of the Black Lives Matter (and White lives don’t) City. Chris Rufo, of City Journal, through an Open Records request, reported on some of the handouts at those training sessions. Here are some quotes from the training materials. Emphasis mine.

According to his screenshots, the Office of Civil Rights hosted a two-and-a-half-hour “Training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People.”

In the email invitation to the event, the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

“We’ll examine our complicity in the system of white supremacy – how we internalize and reinforce it – and begin to cultivate practices that enable us to interrupt racism in ways to be accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) folks within our community,” the email invitation said.

Diversity trainers instructed White employees in “practicing self-talk that affirms our complicity in racism.”

“Racism is not our fault but we are responsible,” one bullet point declared.

In order to be considered “accomplices,” White employees must give up “comfort,” “guaranteed physical safety,” “expectations or presumptions of emotional safety,” “control over other people and over the land,” and “relationships with some other white people.”

White employees were also urged to give up “niceties from neighbors and colleagues,” “the certainty of your job,” and “accepting jobs and promotions when we are not qualified, including racial equity jobs.”

Grovel, you will, before your BIPOC Masters.

In other news, the City Council of Seattle has passed a Payroll Tax, that hits large companies who pay their employees’ high salaries. Here are some quotes from a KOMO article about said payroll tax (the State of Washington Constitution does not allow income taxes unless they affect all citizens equally, no graduated taxes allowed):

In a written statement, [Council member Theresa] Mosqueda said the vote was the right approach for the city. “Seattle residents have made it clear – now is not the time for government austerity or divisiveness. Investing in communities of color, small businesses, and community health leads to a more robust and resilient economy. We are in the midst of a health and economic crisis that even a strong economy like Seattle may not be able to recover from quickly,” she said in the statement. “We have over a million people statewide who have filed for unemployment this year; countless businesses shuttered temporarily and some potentially forever; our immigrant and refugee families have been left out of federal aid, and our homeless neighbors continue to suffer in our streets in the midst of a global pandemic,” Mosqueda said. “JumpStart Seattle will do just that – jump start our recovery with a relief plan that centers workers, small businesses and our most vulnerable community members.”

And from the article itself:

The proposal by Mosqueda would apply only to Seattle-based companies that have payrolls of more than $7 million per year while also having employees who earn $150,000 per year or more. That tax rate would be on a sliding scale from 0.7% to 2.4% with the highest rate based on salaries of $500,000 per year or more.

The company would pay the tax, not the employee.

This is the second Tax that the City of Seattle has passed, where the actual Payer of the Tax is described as not the Citizen, but the Company. The first one was the “sweetened beverage tax” that was intended for the Distributors to pay, and not be passed along to the purchasers of the sweetened beverages. Yeah, right. Within a week, there were pictures of the signs going up at all stores selling sweetened beverages, describing the added cost of the tax to the beverage buyer.

Does anyone expect the companies that employ those high earners won’t pass that payroll tax on to the employee as a deduction, or the customer as a higher price for their services? Anyone? Anyone?

There is no limit to the ignorance of Leftists of basic economic principles. Well, none of the council critters will be subject to that payroll tax, as there’s little possibility that any of them would ever consider employment with any private-sector employer when they retire from the City government. Well, maybe Starbucks will increase the prices of their drinks, and Amazon might increase the price of a Prime membership. Or, maybe, both large, local companies will do what Amazon has already started doing. Moving their offices and employees out of Seattle.

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Race?

    I identify as ‘human.’

    Run along.

    • #1
  2. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

    I don’t even know what to say. Yesterday an old high school friend sent me a petition being circulated by current students at our high school, which says in part:

    We are stating that we will not accept the empty words any longer. We demand: 

    The formation and promotion of an Ethnic Studies and Social Justice class. The standard social studies and history courses were not comprehensive enough regarding the history of BIPOC in America. Los Angeles Unified School District requires an ethnic study course to graduate. According to LAUSD’s website, the ethnic studies course’s main purpose is to “operate from the consideration that race and racism have been, and continue to be, profoundly powerful social and cultural forces in American society.” American history was written from the perspective of a White man, but that is not how it has to continue. Not only will an ethnic course allow BIPOC students to learn about their identity, but it will compel White students to reflect on their privilege and understand history from a different lens. And worse.

    • #2
  3. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

    I don’t even know what to say. Yesterday an old high school friend sent me a petition being circulated by current students at our high school, which says in part:

    We are stating that we will not accept the empty words any longer. We demand:

    The formation and promotion of an Ethnic Studies and Social Justice class. The standard social studies and history courses were not comprehensive enough regarding the history of BIPOC in America. Los Angeles Unified School District requires an ethnic study course to graduate. According to LAUSD’s website, the ethnic studies course’s main purpose is to “operate from the consideration that race and racism have been, and continue to be, profoundly powerful social and cultural forces in American society.” American history was written from the perspective of a White man, but that is not how it has to continue. Not only will an ethnic course allow BIPOC students to learn about their identity, but it will compel White students to reflect on their privilege and understand history from a different lens. And worse.

    And by the way, it’s a white suburb. I’m not sure where all these “BIPOC” students are coming from.

    • #3
  4. Maguffin Inactive
    Maguffin
    @Maguffin

    I think I found the loophole – just pull a Rachel Dolezal and identify as something other than white.  Then when they ‘invite’ those who do identify as white, whelp, that ain’t you.

    Problem solved!  You can go back to your comfort and guaranteed physical safety!

    Whew!  I thought my pasty skin was going to be the end of me, but having a very confusing ideology saved me!  Thank you progressives!

     

    • #4
  5. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    “According to his screenshots, the Office of Civil Rights hosted a two-and-a-half-hour “Training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People.”

    In the email invitation to the event, the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.” (emphasis added)

    Merriam-Webster’s Definition of accomplice: one associated with another, especially in wrongdoing.

    Those folks at the Office of Civil Rights sure chose their words well.

    • #5
  6. ShaunaHunt Inactive
    ShaunaHunt
    @ShaunaHunt

    Sick. 😨

    • #6
  7. Blondie Thatcher
    Blondie
    @Blondie

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    “According to his screenshots, the Office of Civil Rights hosted a two-and-a-half-hour “Training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People.”

    In the email invitation to the event, the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.” (emphasis added)

    Merriam-Webster’s Definition of accomplice: one associated with another, especially in wrongdoing.

    Those folks at the Office of Civil Rights sure chose their words well.

    I found the decision to use that word interesting, myself. Faux pas, ignorance,   or something else?

    • #7
  8. Blondie Thatcher
    Blondie
    @Blondie

    I have to plead ignorant on the BIPOC. I didn’t know that was a thing. I need a spread sheet to keep all of these things straight. 

    • #8
  9. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin? 

    • #9
  10. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    They won’t stop until we are slaves. Pretty sure that’s the end game.

    • #10
  11. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Stina (View Comment):

    They won’t stop until we are slaves. Pretty sure that’s the end game.

    Irony. 

    And probably what they mean by reparations. 

    • #11
  12. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    They won’t stop until we are slaves. Pretty sure that’s the end game.

    Irony.

    And probably what they mean by reparations.

    They just can’t outright say it.

    But that list of things we must accept in order to be “accomplices” primes us to, at the very least, not fight against it when they attempt to enslave the ones that fight back and are therefore “racist.”

    When I say fight back, I mean protect our homes, demand the courts recognize our rights as equal citizens, and demand fair treatment from employers.

    • #12
  13. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    RushBabe49: the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.

    We’re they really asked, or were they “volunteered”?

    RushBabe49: The company would pay the tax, not the employee.

    No, the customer will pay the tax, as they do for all busniess expenses.  I wonder how many firms will do a study and realize the added tax will price them out of the market.  Onward to Texas!

    • #13
  14. Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) Member
    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing)
    @Sisyphus

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    “According to his screenshots, the Office of Civil Rights hosted a two-and-a-half-hour “Training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People.”

    In the email invitation to the event, the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.” (emphasis added)

    Merriam-Webster’s Definition of accomplice: one associated with another, especially in wrongdoing.

    Those folks at the Office of Civil Rights sure chose their words well.

    Dictionaries are a slave master’s tool.

    • #14
  15. Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) Member
    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing)
    @Sisyphus

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin?

    Probably not safely. 

    • #15
  16. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    I have some news for the Seattle City Council, businesses don’t pay taxes. Businesses factor in their taxes in the price of goods or services. The consumer pays those taxes. If the burden of those taxes become too heavy they move to another location, or cut wages and layoff employees. If they move a number of employees will become unemployed.

    • #16
  17. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) (View Comment):

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin?

    Probably not safely.

    Identifying as brussel sprouts might be a safer option.

    • #17
  18. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    RushBabe49: city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

    I just will refuse to identify as white.

     

    • #18
  19. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Stina (View Comment):
    city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

    300 million firearms says thats not a viable option.

    • #19
  20. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Kozak (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):
    [Wrong quote]

    300 million firearms says thats not a viable option.

    It’s a matter of preserving the will to use them.

    If this is another step in a long game that takes another generation to play out, it will be a war for the will of the next generation and we can not be lackadaisical about it.

    • #20
  21. Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) Member
    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing)
    @Sisyphus

    Kozak (View Comment):

    RushBabe49: city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.”

    I just will refuse to identify as white.

     

    Never met a white. Even albinos don’t really get there. And my Irish ancestors would find it hilarious to be saddled with the oppressor label with their brutal English oppressors. It’s time to reeducate the reeducators, good and hard.

    • #21
  22. Washington Square Member
    Washington Square
    @WashingtonSquare

    What is to be done?

    • #22
  23. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    It is fascinating how the arrogance of these people has evolved and expanded. When I left teaching 8 years ago the worst thing that they called us out on was being part of the “White Collective.” It was, at times, implied that maybe we should resign and let a person of color take our position, but, actually, it was pretty hard to find people of color who wanted to teach in schools like the ones I taught in over the years. As far as inhibiting the ability of minorities to attain higher positions goes, that was already dealt with beginning in the 1970s with Affirmative Action. As a white male, I had absolutely no hope of ever attaining any position higher than classroom teacher. The entire superstructure of Seattle Public Schools housed in the old Post Office building is dominated by women and minorities. Now the rest of the city gets to live through what we teachers experienced. Pardon me if I find the schadenfreude a bit too amusing.

    • #23
  24. Al French of Damascus Moderator
    Al French of Damascus
    @AlFrench

    Blondie (View Comment):

    I have to plead ignorant on the BIPOC. I didn’t know that was a thing. I need a spread sheet to keep all of these things straight.

    BIPOC reflects the identity politics hierarchy: Black, Indigenous (Native American), then other People of Color.

    • #24
  25. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Stina (View Comment):

    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) (View Comment):

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin?

    Probably not safely.

    Identifying as brussel sprouts might be a safer option.

    Brussel sprouts are not safe in my refrigerator.

    • #25
  26. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    I live on a sailboat, so I’m afraid I must identify as Tan. 

    • #26
  27. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) (View Comment):

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin?

    Probably not safely.

    Identifying as brussel sprouts might be a safer option.

    Brussel sprouts are not safe in my refrigerator.

    Yeah… I’m eating some smothered in lemon garlic butter…

    And key lime chicken tenders. Yum.

    • #27
  28. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Stina (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) (View Comment):

    Jules PA (View Comment):

    May I identify as a chocolate muffin?

    Probably not safely.

    Identifying as brussel sprouts might be a safer option.

    Brussel sprouts are not safe in my refrigerator.

    Yeah… I’m eating some smothered in lemon garlic butter…

    And key lime chicken tenders. Yum.

    Key lime, eh?  Sounds delicious.  And here I’m stuck with this stupid quiche.

    • #28
  29. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) (View Comment):

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    “According to his screenshots, the Office of Civil Rights hosted a two-and-a-half-hour “Training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People.”

    In the email invitation to the event, the office asked “city employees who identify as white to join this training to learn, reflect, challenge ourselves, and build skills and relationships that help us show up more fully as allies and accomplices for racial justice.” (emphasis added)

    Merriam-Webster’s Definition of accomplice: one associated with another, especially in wrongdoing.

    Those folks at the Office of Civil Rights sure chose their words well.

    Dictionaries are a slave master’s tool.

    Liberals love to change the meaning of a word to accimplish their mgoals.  They start with a noun marriage, which used to be defined as a union between a man and a woman.  Then they add the desired adjective, like gay marriage.  Eventually, they change the meaning to the root noun to include same-ex unions, and voila!  A magic trick Harry Potter would be proud of . . .

    • #29
  30. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Stad (View Comment):

    Onward to Texas!

    No!

    Those idiots voted for this. For the love of God don’t let them vote for it here!

    • #30
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