This week marks the end of a year long project to understand social justice in Seattle. This project is important because it is one of the first that tells us in real numbers what social justice - or injustice is. It gives us a comprehensive way to measure equity - and inequity, It makes it clear that Seattle may be a happy city for some, but may not be such a great place to live if you are not wealthy or privileged with access to resources.
The goal of the project is greater social justice and well-being for all in our city.
We used the Happiness Initiative assessment to compare the well-being of four immigrant and refugees communities in Seattle to that of the rest of the US. The Happiness Initiative survey holistically measures well-being in 10 domains: Material, Governance, Environment, Psychology, Health, Time-Balance, Community, Culture, Learning and Work-Experience.
We worked with the Oromo, Somali and Filipino community centers as well as the Vietnamese Friendship Association. We analyzed the results in comparison to a random sampling of the entire nation. The community-based organizations conducted small projects to increase the well-being of their community.
Below is the analysis for each community followed by a description of their project. In subsequent posts, we will explore this valuable and groundbreaking work.
You got it! Youth triumph!
The goal of the project is greater social justice and well-being for all in our city.
We used the Happiness Initiative assessment to compare the well-being of four immigrant and refugees communities in Seattle to that of the rest of the US. The Happiness Initiative survey holistically measures well-being in 10 domains: Material, Governance, Environment, Psychology, Health, Time-Balance, Community, Culture, Learning and Work-Experience.
We worked with the Oromo, Somali and Filipino community centers as well as the Vietnamese Friendship Association. We analyzed the results in comparison to a random sampling of the entire nation. The community-based organizations conducted small projects to increase the well-being of their community.
Below is the analysis for each community followed by a description of their project. In subsequent posts, we will explore this valuable and groundbreaking work.
Vietnamese Friendship Association: The Power of Youth
These survey results are the averages for 14 youth from the
Vietnamese Community. They are not
a representative sample; so do not scientifically represent youth in the
community. They may indicate the
true feelings about youth in the community, however. It is up to the community
to determine if a project as per our agreement should be undertaken.
The results are compared to the results for the average
American. These results are taken from a random sample and do represent the
average American. All results are
on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the very best and 1 being the very worst.
The Youth Council analyzed the results on their own after
conducting the survey. They were concerned about their overall low scores, and
particularly the ones for material well-being, as many youth are making
decisions about further education and choice of work. However, they decided that a sense of community and
trust in governance were the key domains for increasing overall well-being for
themselves, other Vietnamese youth, others in the Vietnamese community
(non-youth!) and the neighborhood.
Through discussion, the youth council determined that the optimal way to
leverage the resources they had to address the low scores was to hold a
“Spring-Off.” They invited local
police officers and the community.
Everybody learned how to make spring rolls, sat together to eat them!
Contestants for a spring eating contest were chosen by raffle and three
Vietnamese youth beat out the competition including two police officers. For a
little over an hour, 10-30 youth and a few elders sat at five different tables
to ask officers prepared and spontaneous questions. Approximately 200 people attended the event, with about
10 police officers joined by Seattle City Council member Mike O’Brian.
Below is the announcement, poster and some photos from the event.
VFA'S
Youth Leadership Council is welcoming everyone from
the community to join us for our first annual Spring Off event!
On
April 7, 2012
The Spring Off will be located at
Jefferson Community Center
from
1:00pm - 3:00pm hosted by VFA'S Youth Leadership Council
3801
Beacon Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108
We'll
be spending an afternoon learning how to make traditional Vietnamese Spring rolls,
competing for fabulous prizes, meeting new people, and getting to know our
local police officers and firemen with an open Q&A session! This event
is completely FREE so come and bring your friends!
Vietnames Youth and others learning how to make spring
rolls. “It's not that easy, and many of our youth do not know how to do this!”
said James Hong, Director of Youth and Community Engagement for
the Vietnamese Friendship Association.
Seattle University Students sitting down with
a local police officer.
Spring roll eating contest: Guess who wins?
Guess now!
You got it! Youth triumph!
Youth and officers in discussion to build
trust in government.
Another table.
James Hong, Director of Youth and Community
Engagement for the Vietnamese Friendship Association (VFA), said about “The project was wonderful in the context of working with our youth council. It gave them the opportunity to get them involved at every level, which is rare. They were able to conduct the survey, reflect upon the results, decide on a project and then coordinate it all themselves. We want to continue using this model for youth council. There was so much learning and it was all very valuable.”
He said the VFA was very pleased with all aspects of the project as the survey gave youth a strong platform for personal discovery and development and the event provided a way for youth, other community members and police officers to understand each other, and for the Vietnamese community to bond. The Happiness Initiative (HI) is making a you-tube video of the event and has submitted proposals to write articles to magazines and national blogs. A flickr account shows many photos from this event.
He said the VFA was very pleased with all aspects of the project as the survey gave youth a strong platform for personal discovery and development and the event provided a way for youth, other community members and police officers to understand each other, and for the Vietnamese community to bond. The Happiness Initiative (HI) is making a you-tube video of the event and has submitted proposals to write articles to magazines and national blogs. A flickr account shows many photos from this event.
Somali
Community Center: Happiness and culture.
These survey results are the averages for 45 individuals
from the Somali Community. They
are not a representative sample; so do not scientifically represent the
community. They may indicate the
true feelings about Somali people in the community, however. It is up to the
community to determine if a project as per our agreement should be undertaken.
The results are compared to the results for the average
American. These results are taken from a random sample and do represent the
average American.
All results are on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the very
best and 1 being the very worst.
Domain
|
Somali
Average (45)
|
US Raw
Average
|
Satisfaction With Life
|
63
|
77
|
Mental Well-Being
|
60
|
76
|
Your Health
|
54
|
71
|
Time Balance
|
48
|
60
|
Community Vitality
|
56
|
63
|
Social Support
|
62
|
76
|
Access to Education, Arts & Culture
|
59
|
73
|
Your Neighborhood
|
57
|
78
|
Environmental Quality
|
57
|
76
|
Governance
|
53
|
59
|
Material Well-Being
|
64
|
68
|
Work
|
58
|
70
|
sample
|
45
|
This is what the survey results say:
o The Somali
community members who took the survey scored lowest in Governance (trust in government
and other agencies), at 53 out of 100. The average American scored 59 out of
100.
o The Somali
community scored second lowest in
Health at 54 out of 100, with the average American scoring 71 out of 100.
o Somali
community scores were lower in every domain than the Average American
o The
largest difference between Somali community and average American is in the
sense of Neighborhood, with a difference of 21, and Somali community scoring at
57, while the average American scored 78. The second widest difference is
Environmental Quality, with Somali scoring 19 points lower than the average
American: Somali community scored 57, while the average American score is 76.
The Somali community spent a great deal of time taking the
survey. As most people do not have internet access, community leaders and
volunteers sat down individually with people to take the survey. The community
leaders analyzed the results, which are quite low overall. They decided to hold
an event celebrating their culture and sharing the information in a way to
gather strength in the community and increase the bond to each other.
On April 27, 2012 the community gathered for an event called
Family Night at the New Wholly gathering hall. Many community members turned
out and filled the hall with the help of Hope Academy located West Seattle and
Al Noor Mosque on MLK Jr. Way S which has the largest congregations of all
Mosques in South Seattle. Photographs and videos were taken during the event,
and 4 restaurants provided different testes of African and Arabian culture. One
of the Imams of Masjid Al Noor addressed the crowd and explained the report and
how we fared as a community. During his speech, members of the community were
paying so much attention as he touched one by one all measures of the survey.
It was shock to many people to hear that the community fared the lowest on
every area in the survey.
After the reading of the report questions and answers were
opened and small groups were formed so the community can discuss while meals
served during that time. It was in between laugh and sadness or disbelieve of
why the community fare low grade on such matters. They discussed how those
numbers could be increased if such survey ever happen again.
Many have suggested the survey was not relevant to the
Somali or Muslim culture. Others have thought that what is going on back home impacted
their behavior and feelings. Some said the economic downturn and the high
unemployment among the Somalis which is estimated 50% is also a factor for the
low scores.
After all the evaluations the community talked about how to
increase the community well-being. Some suggested if we should act more like
Americans to beat them in the next survey. Some others said no, and argued it
does not matter since the test is different and acting will never make things
better, but it is better to protect your own ways and culture. It was an eye opening for all. The
community is now talking about how to educate the members for a better life,
greater well-being and happiness.
Oromo
Community Center: Small steps for a large difference.
These survey results are the averages for 44 individuals
from the Oromo Community. They are
not a representative sample; so do not scientifically represent the
community. They may indicate the
true feelings about Oromo people in the community, however. It is up to the
community to determine if a project as per our agreement should be undertaken.
The results are compared to the results for the average
American. These results are taken from a random sample and do represent the
average American. All results are on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the very
best and 1 being the very worst.
Domain
|
Oromo Raw
Average
|
US Raw
Average
|
Satisfaction With Life
|
54
|
77
|
Mental Well-Being
|
57
|
76
|
Your Health
|
54
|
71
|
Time Balance
|
48
|
60
|
Community Vitality
|
47
|
63
|
Social Support
|
59
|
76
|
Access to Education, Arts & Culture
|
52
|
73
|
Your Neighborhood
|
51
|
78
|
Environmental Quality
|
52
|
76
|
Governance
|
52
|
59
|
Material Well-Being
|
57
|
68
|
Work Experience
|
53
|
70
|
44
|
||
All ages
|
This is what the survey results say:
o The Oromo
community who took the survey scored lowest in Community Vitality at 47 out of
100. The average American scored 63 out of 100.
o The Oromo
community scored second lowest in Time Balance at 48 out of 100, with the
average American scoring 60 out of 100.
o The Oromo
community scored third lowest in Neighborhood at 51 out of 100, with the
average American scoring 78 out of 100.
o The Oromo
community scored fourth lowest in Access to Education,
Arts & Culture, Environmental Quality, Governance each at 52 out of 100,
where the average American scored 73 in Access to Education, Arts &
Culture, 76 in Environmental Quality, and 59 in Governance.
o Oromo
community scores were lower in every domain than the average American.
o The
largest difference between Oromo community and average American is in the sense
of Neighborhood, with a difference of 27. The second widest difference is
Environmental Quality, with Oromo scoring 24 points lower than the average
American: Oromo community scored 52, while the average American score is 76. The third largest difference is in
Satisfaction with Life, at 23 points lower than the average American, with the Oromo community scoring 54 and the
average American scoring 77.
The Oromo Community Center held a town meeting for their
neighbors. The people who attended the community meeting
were the adults and teenagers of the community. The board of directors was also
there. People who participated in
the survey were very surprised at the scores. Not only did they score extremely
low on every part of the test, but they got the lowest of all the communities
in many of the categories. When the project started, they were sure that the
would of have had a higher score, but to their surprise and dismay, the results
proved us wrong.
Some quotes from community members:
·
“We really need to change”-Khalid Mohamed
·
“Are you serious?”-Fuad Mohamed
·
“You have got to be kidding me” – Sumaya Mohamed
·
When asked what they should do increase well-being, the
replied with the following:
·
“ We need the youth to participate more, we can do
this by having video games and maybe a hoop at the center”- Kimo Sani
·
“We need the community to form a greater bond, we can
accomplish this by having more community events like have lunches and dinners
and sleepovers. It shouldn’t be too hard to put these events together.”
·
“The children do not participate in community events
as much as olds, because the events are considered ‘boring’ by kids, so we
should have some events that the kids would enjoy”
There were many other suggestions such as video game tournaments,
picking up garbage around the neighborhood and having classes at the center.
The community members had a very long discussion on what they
should do. They took into consideration what everyone had to say, and decided
to do something that would benefit the environment, the youth, and the
community. There were many suggestions that fit these categories such as having
a recycling drive, a food drive, and a gaming tournament.
They also decided to conduct monthly activities that would
increase the well-being of their community and their own personal sense of
happiness. They decided to meet once a month in order to plan the activities
that would take place during the month.
Some pictures from the first activity:
Cleaning up garbage in the rain.
Here come some helpers!
Time for snacks.
Everybody is having fun.
It was a good day.
Filipino
Community of Seattle: The well-being of elders
These survey results are the averages for 45 elders from the
Filipino Community.
They are not a representative sample; so do not
scientifically represent the community.
They may indicate the true feelings about the elders in the community,
however. It is up to the community to determine if a project as per our
agreement should be undertaken.
The results are compared to the results for the average
American. These results are taken from a random sample and do represent the
average American.
All results are on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the very
best and 1 being the very worst.
Domain
|
Filipino
Elders
Average
for 45
|
US Raw
Average – representative survey
|
Satisfaction With Life
|
57
|
77
|
Mental Well-Being
|
51
|
76
|
Your Health
|
51
|
71
|
Time Balance
|
52
|
60
|
Community Vitality
|
50
|
63
|
Social Support
|
56
|
76
|
Access to Education, Arts & Culture
|
51
|
73
|
Your Neighborhood
|
66
|
78
|
Environmental Quality
|
54
|
76
|
Governance
|
57
|
59
|
Material Well-Being
|
61
|
68
|
Work
|
54
|
70
|
This is what the
survey results say:
o In every
domain, or aspect of wellbeing, the elderly Filipino community is worse off
then the average American.
o The
Filipino elders surveyed scored lowest in Community Vitality at 50 out of 100.
This is 13 points less than the average American.
o The
Filipino elders also scored low in Mental Wellbeing, Health, and Access to
Education, Arts & Culture, at 51 out of 100. This is 20-25 points lower
than the average American
o The
biggest difference between the Filipino elders and average American is Mental
wellbeing, with a difference of 25 points. The second biggest differences are Access to Education, Arts
& Culture and Environmental Quality,
with Filipino elders scoring 22 points lower than the average American
Scientific findings indicate people’s happiness is lowest in
the middle-ages (45-50) then rises as one gets older. World Happiness Report, Layard and Helliwell, Cambridge. Yet
the elders in the Filipino community scored lower than the average
American. The Filipino community
center held a town meeting. Fifteen elders and other community leaders
attended. They discussed why
Filipinos scored lower than the average of the American. It was not much of a
surprise to anyone and some had mixed feeling about it. Some been living here
for a long time and others are newly immigrants. The meeting and discussion was conducted in Tagalog to
ensure that everyone could participate and understand the reason and the
importance of the outcome of the project. The community meeting was held on
March 31, 2012.
The town meeting
The community members examined the results, followed by a very
good discussion about each domain of happiness and focused on psychological
well-being (satisfaction with life and mental well-being) physical health, time balance, community
vitality, social support, access
to education, arts & culture.
One comment from the meeting was “Life back home are
different, we don’t have a lot of stress, because everybody know everyone
including your neighbors and have trust them even when you leave your house you
feel safe and they will watch your kids and house until you came back. Here in
the United States are different, most of the time we don’t know who our
neighbors are, and the fear of knowing them because of the attitude they have
towards immigrants(which some of us had a bad experienced, because of our
accents, how we talk)”
The community talked about what they personally could do in
their own lives to be happier. Some of their answers were:
·
Not to worry too much about the problems, there’s
always a solution
·
Save money for the future.
·
Serve others, such as by volunteering
·
Utilize
your life to the fullest ( enjoy every minute of it)
·
Read the newspaper.
·
Go to the Filipino Community Center.
·
read Pinoy jokes.
·
Love God and be loving people.
They talked about what they want to do:
·
Serve other people.
·
Serve community by volunteering
·
Visit sick people
·
Talk to people for the betterment of our community
·
join civic organizations.
When asked “what do you want to see done? (this is for policy
makers), they said:
·
Create more jobs
·
Create a peaceful environment
·
Put more lights on dark street and put cameras in.
·
Put more police on the streets and ensure they are more visible.
They discuss and decide on a
project to enhance community wellbeing. They decided to focus on public safety.
They decided to have a community forum to create and understand how to start
Neighborhood Watch that would include education on how to get involve and bring
other people to the forum. The group decided that they would have a community
forum on public safety and will invite the law enforcement, crime prevention council
and others to present to the community information about public safety such as
burglary, robbery, safety, ID theft and hate crimes.
Pictures fromm the public safety meeting
Elders bring the community together discuss public safety.
The community discusses tough issues.
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