Spokane's segregated past recounted

Spokane's segregated past recounted

Al Stover / Reporting

published in 41.8 of the SFCC Communicator

Students and faculty filled the seats in sn-w'ey'mn Rm.110 as Jim Kershner and Brooks R. Holland discussed Spokane's issues of segregation and human rights that went as far back as the 1930s.
   
Kershner, an author and reporter for The Spokesman-Review, and Holland, a law professor at Gongaza University came to SFCC on Feb. 24.

According to instructor Heather Keast, Kershner had been a guest speaker on campus previously in some English classes and Ryan Simmons contacted him to speak at this event. She added that the school went through the American Civilian Liberties Union's (ACLU) Web site to contact Holland. After exchanging e-mails, both Kershner and Holland agreed to come to campus.

Kershner began his discussion by talking about how there were traces of segregation throughout Spokane.

   

"While there were no Jim Crow laws, Spokane was no different than other northern cities," Kershner said. 

   

According to Kershner, the different racial issues Spokane has faced in the past included segregation in restaurants, incidents where real estate agents would steer black clients to a specific district, to black entertainers being forced out of the Davenport Hotel. There were also no black professionals like teachers, dentists, and attorneys.

   

"Spokane was restrictive for jobs for minorities in the 1940s and 1950s," Kershner said.
   

Kershner is also the author of Carl Maxey: A Fighting Life, a biography about Spokane's first prominent black attorney and civil right leader. As he was interviewing Maxey for a story, Kershner explained to the audience about Maxey's struggles in his early life and how his deeds as an attorney helped contribute to the city being less restrictive to blacks. One example Kershner used was the Eugene Breckenridge case in 1951.   

"Breckenridge applied for a job in Spokane, but no one would hire him," Kershner said. "Maxey went to the superintendent and convinced him to hire Breckenridge." 

   

Holland then talked about the different state law institutions that dealt with human rights issues in Spokane, such as the Spokane Human Rights Commission (SHRC), where citizens can file complaints of discrimination. According to Holland and the City of Spokane website, all nine seats on the SHRC's board are currently vacant. 
   

"There are a lot of things that can be done, but with no one in those seats, it's very problematic," Holland said.
   

Holland spoke of topics such as racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, and how institutions outside the city have been involved with human rights issues. One example is the Otto Zhem cast that took place in 2006 and was revisited in March 2009. The Center for Justice, a non-profit law firm, represented Zhem and his mother Anne in a civil suit against the city of Spokane.
  

"The Center for Justice became involved and a civil suit was brought to the Federal Court," Holland said. "A federal grand jury prosecuted the police officer."

   
First-year student Miranda Oliver said both speakers were informative and she had learned more about the Otto Zhem case.

   

"I had heard about the case, but I didn't know a lot about it," Oliver said. "It was interesting to hear about how it was dealt with."

   

Kershner said while Spokane has improved over the years, he still feels that there are still subtle forms of discrimination.

   

"It will always be that way," Kershner said. "There is still work to be done." 

**This story was published in Issue 41.8 of the SFCC Communicator

CCS basketball takes fifth at NWAACCs

CCS Basketball takes fifth at NWAACCs


Al Stover / Reporting
Rick Harrison / Images

The CCS basketball teams are bringing home two more trophies to the trophy case.
   

Both the men's team and the women's team took fifth place in the NWAACC basketball championships this last weekend.    The men's team headed into the championships with an overall season record of 21 wins 5 losses and a divisional championship, while the women's team came in with a record of 16 wins and 9 losses, according to the CCS athletics Web site.

   

Chris Pynch, who scored 61 points throughout the tournament, said that it felt good to be back to the playoffs.

   

"I'm glad we made it, most teams didn't," Pynch said. "It gave us more time together."

   

In the first round of the playoffs, both CCS teams were defeated by their opponents. The men lost to the Clackamas Cougars, 65-55. The women's team lost to Lane Community College, 57-31.

   

Both CCS teams were victorious in both their first, and second round games of the consolation bracket. The men's team defeated Shoreline with a score of 90-74, then followed it up with a victory over the Big Bend Community College, 82-76. The women's team defeated Highline Community College, 69-55 and then went on to defeat Umpqua Community College, 81-73.

   

In the final round of the consolation brackets, the men's team beat Bellvue College, 74-69 while the women's team defeated Columbia Basin, 65-60.

   

In addition to placing at the top of the consolation brackets, both teams were honored with players being named for the NWAACC All-Star teams.
   

The men's team was honored with two players being named for All-Stars in the Eastern region. Zachary Humphrey was named for the First team while Pynch was named for the Second Team. Sophomore Griffon Jones was named the Most Valuable Player for the Eastern Region.     Pynch said that making it back to the playoffs gave him and his teammates a chance to spend more time together.
   

"We're all good friends outside of the court," Pynch said. "It's going to be really tough, not seeing them, but I'm excited to see what's in the future for us."

   

The women's team was honored with two players being named All-Stars; Megan Eisenmann for the First Team and Brooke Randall for the Second Team. Randall said that playing in the tournament was an experience. 

"It's a fun environment," Randall said. "Of course I will be playing next year and hopefully making back here."

Follow the link below to the Communicator website to read the story in its entirety.


CCS basketball takes fifth at NWAACCs

Main Market opens in downtown area

Main Market opens in downtown area


Al Stover / Reporting
Nicole Denman / Images

The Main Market celebrated its grand-opening last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Located at 44 W. Main Ave., Main Market is a food-cooperative grocery store that is owned by the members who are also customers of the store.

According to Jennifer Hall, Main Market's General manager, Main Market first opened its doors to the public Jan. 21. Hall said the reasons for opening the market the motivation of the cooperative's members, and the lack of a grocery store in the downtown area.

"A grocery store was a missing element for Downtown and a complaint from many people," Hall said. "Main Market brings a diverse group of people who care about their food."

Although, Main Market is owned by its members, anyone can apply for membership by filling out a form online or going to the store, according to Hall.

"Members contribute and they can participate in board of directors elections," Hall said. " They also have discounts and benefits such as attending members only events. If there is a fee, they get a discount."

According to Hall, the cost of a general membership is a one-time payment of $180. The price of a membership for low income families, and producers is reduced to $75. Members can spread their payment in a three-year plan with an additional $15 administrative fee. There is also a student membership, for an annual fee of $30 that includes many of the normal member benefits.

Although members do get different benefits, Hall said that customers do not have to be members to shop at Main Market.
"We're doing our best to reach the full community," Hall said.

According to Hall, many of the products on Main Market's shelves come from hundreds of producers and growers from different parts of the U.S. She said Main Market plans to increase their commitment to local producers.

Hall said that Main Market has 20 to 25 part-time and full-time employees on their staff. Brett Schmahl, one of Main Market's employees, said he enjoys the store’s commitment to the community.

"Everyone knows they are a part of something bigger," Schmahl said.

Main Street also hosts several events and programs to help educate customers about their food, and how the market works.

"We have authors coming to teach about education and food, and moves brought to the Magic Lantern," Hall said. "Some months we will have heightened activity."

In addition to the retail they sell, Hall said Main Market gives customers a chance to help some of the producers and growers.

She adds that customers can also volunteer at the store any day of the week, where training is provided.

"The training gives them more confidence, but it's not required," Hall said. "Some people sign up for a two-hour slot every week."

Spokane mayor Mary Verner, who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony said she was excited for the fresh food and alternatives Main Market will provide to the community.

"It will also be a gathering place," Verner said.

Olivia Haberkorn, a shopper said she likes the store's variety of huckleberries.

"It's also closer for me," Haberkorn said. "I'm not a member yet, but I am considering it."






To read the story in its entirely, follow the link to the Communicator website.


Don't forget to check out the rest of our content.

Indoor market connects community

Indoor market connects community


Al Stover / Reporting
Britney Locati / Images

Inside of the lobby of the Browne’s Addition Community Building, local vendors display their home-grown breads and meats while felt hats hang from wire racks and a musician sings her rendition of Jazon Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”

Every Thursday, the Community Building, located at 35 W. Main ave, hosts an indoor farmers market every starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.

According to Tom Tuffin of Arabesque Farms and Bakery, the community building began hosting the indoor farmers market four years ago. 

His wife, Louise, adds that the main reason for starting the farmers market was for selling their bread directly to their customers. 

“It has turned out better than we ever thought,” Louise said. 

“So” Angell, one of the owners the Rocky Ridge Ranch that is based out of Rearden, was one of the first vendors to partner with the Tuffins. Angell said the market has helped her with selling her free ranged meats and organically grown vegetables.

“It helps pay for the land and the tractors,” Angell said. 

Stacy Blowers, another vendor, sells hand-made chocolates and preservatives that are made with 10 percent sugar. Blowers said the farmers market gives her a hands on approach with her customers. 

“I get good feedback and requests,” Blowers said. “People tell me what they want and I make it for them.”

Brian Estes, a representative for Vinager Flats Community Garden, a program of the St. Margaret’s Shelter, has been a vendor in the market since the beginning of winter. Estes said partnering with the market has helped with their winter potato crop.

“It’s a good outlet to sell what we’ve got left,” Estes said. 

Customers can also buy hand made crafts at the farmers market. Joyce Thomas, who has been a part of the farmers market for two years, uses the wool from the Shetland sheep she raises to create her felted hats and scarves.

“It’s probably eight hours of steady work,” Tom said. 

The farmers market also features entertainment in the form of local musician Suhanna Hamilton, who has been playing the farmers market for two seasons. 

“The people here are wonderful,“ Hamilton said. “It’s one of my favorite gigs.”

Tom said there are 10 vendors every week, on average. He also explained that the structure is less formal.

“There are not a lot of operating rules, people are policing themselves,” Tom said. “There’s a lot more cooperation that way.” 

Kim Harrison owner of Kizuri, a clothing and gifts shop that operates in the same building as the farmers market. She said she loves working alongside the market every week.

“It brings more people into the building,” Harrison said.

Some of the customers who stop in also work in the Community Building. Shannon Blewitt, who works in the Blueprints for Learning organization, bought some bread from the Tuffins and browsed Angell’s meat selection. 

“I am a big advocate for local growers,“ Blewitt said. “I also like the community feeling of the market.”

To read the rest of the story, follow the link

Indoor market connects community