The article (“City gathers diverse communities,” Renton Reporter, March 12, 2010) about the diversity meeting at City Hall raised questions for me and others who were not invited. The question was raised as from where and how these 35 people from 11 cultures were “gathered.” The information cited about these selected people was “according to city officials,” probably the same people who “gathered” them. What we found most disturbing was the city’s instructions to the various community groups “. . . to select members or leaders within their communities to take on a leadership role and be the liaison to the city and community.”

As a person of African descent who walks among many cultures, I find that thought pattern offensive. It suggests we live in tribes or colonies and need a spokesperson to communicate with the outside world. We as a people encourage self-empowerment where everyone has a voice, and anyone can approach the “powers that be” on one’s own accord. As President Obama said, “We can all be leaders in our communities.” If the “officials” are truly interested in diversity in Renton, it should first start at home by promoting diversity at City Hall and providing information and training on how to acquire those positions and jobs. There was no mention by the “officials” of economic development.

A stroll through City Hall does not reflect the diversity it states they made a “priority to embrace several years ago.” Likewise the diversity they state is most evident in the Renton School District is only in the schools, but not at the district level. Thirty-five people of 11 cultures do not represent or speak for the masses of people in the community, nor do they represent “80” different languages. If the city wants to meet with the communities, it should hold open town-hall forums. Advertise in all the local ethnic/cultural media-press, radio, TV, churches, synagogues, mosques, etc., so anyone can attend. The “fear of the government” will decrease when the elected officials show transparency and hold open meetings for the public at large to let every voice be heard, rather than a hand-picked control group.

Naomi Donovan

Renton