Not Hiding

To everyone (especially my fellow white people),

The comorbidity of issues surrounding this weekend's events are difficult for anyone to synthesize in a way that seems to add up. When attempting to simultaneously contemplate the global pandemic, the murder of George Flyod, Black Live Matters protests, alongside the destruction of Bellevue Square mall, with the now daily questions of ‘will there be school in the fall or another sports season for our RA students?’, I attempted to come up with an analogy that might piece some of these issues together. What surfaced for me was the strikingly eerie comparison between how we as a society have managed the COVID-19 crisis and institutionalized racism. 

Think about it like this. Any living human can easily contract the deadly coronavirus, never be physically or even noticeably impacted, and then go about their day spreading this virus to a loved one who ultimately becomes the one devastated by it. We then become sad, and even angry, by the pain experienced by our loved one without taking the time to realize that we were the ones who perpetuated their pain in the first place. Some claim that the virus isn’t real, while others work tirelessly on the frontlines saving the lives of those infected. Some look deep into the data and invest in a solution, whereas others have been able to adopt an out of sight out of mind mentality. Our society responds to systemic racism in similar manners. 

Institutionalized, otherwise known as covert racism, has found a way of laying dormant within each of us, yes everyone. We robotically and unapologetically build it into the fabric of our society. Eventually it spreads untamed and increasingly lethal, adversely impacting our most vulnerable neighbors. Like the coronavirus, our society has adopted differing and sometimes conflicting ways of approaching the subject of systemic racism. The data obviously points to its existence. There is no known cure. And it’s killing our neighbors; especially our black neighbors.

So take or leave my analogy. Point is, we as a society need to work together. We need to listen to one another, truly listen. Because no matter who you are, this is about you.  Your race, income, your ability or inability to adjust the noise level do not excuse you from this conversation.

As a white male, I continue to recognize countless arenas that society has granted me unearned power. I am still learning how to most effectively dampen my own presence in order to center voices of color. And after nearly 8 years engaging in this work, hours of racial equity training, and many hard and humbling conversations with my mentors who are far more advanced in this work than me, I am just beginning this journey. Everyday I learn that there is more that I still need to learn, and unlearn. 

After seeing Nike’s new ad, For Once, Don’t Do It, I was encouraged to come up with my own public charge; Don’t Hide. Not hiding can be scary and confusing, especially if you are new to not hiding.  Don’t Hide. This doesn’t require a reactionary reposting nor does it mean chanting affirmatively into your echo chamber. Not hiding can look different for you than for me. It means inviting a perspective other than your echo. It means hushing your own voice to make room for someone else's. If this voice represents a person of color, it means protecting that voice by lifting it up in the spaces you have been given power. Don’t hide the willpower needed to step out from under the spotlight.  Don’t hide the unequivocal reality that all lives matter only once we do the work to ensure that Black Lives Matter.

I hope to continue this conversation with each of you. Call, email or text- whatever works to get in touch with me. No matter where you are on your journey, we should talk. This being said, be forewarned that together we will not find an answer to all of our questions, nor will we find a magical cure for the pain being felt across the country. The conversation in itself serves as momentum for the movement even though we as individuals may remain in the same place or perhaps even further behind from where we started. I invite you to join me as we walk, hand in hand, down our own paths of self-discovery. I see you. Talk soon. 

In partnership,

Jesse

Email: Jesse@rainierathletes.org

RA Turkey Cup 2019

We couldn't have thought of a better way to celebrate a day of gratitude than by competing in a community wide soccer match on Thanksgiving morning! The first annual Turkey Cup earned it's place as an on-going Rainier Athletes tradition. The RA community showed up in numbers on this frosty morning to cheer on students and their siblings, parents, mentors, and community partners as they all competed in this soccer friendly! This was the purest example of a community that subscribes to the mantra that "Together we are stronger!" The game ended in a 7-7 tie so we will just need to wait until next year to crown the first RA Turkey Cup Champions.

Unity of Community 2019

The past few months have caused many to question the essence of their core community. A shining young person in our community took their own life, immigration raids left families broken, and a murder took the life of a teenager. How do you respond when the most divisive forces of the system are pulling us apart? The Rainier Athletes community chooses to unite.

Unity of Community also known as Comunidad Unida, invites all members from the Rainier Athletes core pillars - students, families, educators, mentors, coaches and community partners- to celebrate the power of community.

The second annual UoC, on April 5th 2019, was remarkable. We saw record attendance from every core pillar, over 300 attendees in total. Support from community partners was at an all time high as Latino Heat volunteered as food runners, YMCA staff registered families for services, and KidsQuest Children Museum brought their show on the road to entertain the youngest members of the community. Bellevue’s Fire Department brought their truck, assistant Chief of Bellevue’s Police Department brought his dance moves, and Bellevue School District Superintendent, Dr. Ivan Duran, delivered a moving keynote address highlighting the importance of forming authentic relationships in order to build a strong community.

Below is an excerpt from the event’s opening speech delivered by Rainier Athletes Executive Director:

The past couple months have shaken our community. And there is no denying the shock and sadness and hurt that ensues whenever a loved one is suddenly taken from us. It disrupts the entire family system and ultimately disrupts the entire community.

The system, whether we ask it to or not, has a way of constantly testing our core beliefs. So, when the forces of the system are pulling us apart how will we respond? Do we turn our backs and ignore it? Do we let go of control and let it take us for ride into the depths of the unknown. Or do we bond together, united, as family?

Simply by being here this evening, you have chosen unity. You have chosen to CELEBRATE the power of togetherness. And this is what Comunidad Unida is all about. Our call to action is community. Tonight we choose love. Tonight we choose to strengthen the bridges that connect us.

Every single member of the Rainier Athletes community here this evening wrote their names on the bridge as a symbol of unity. This bridge represents our collective connectedness. It represents the entire Rainier Athletes community.

I have met most in this room but for those I have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Jesse Franklin and I was Rainier Athletes first mentor 6 years ago. Back then this bridge would have had about 10 names on it.  Tonight, hundreds of students, families, educators, coaches mentors and community partners play a vital role in sustaining this bridge. When all of us come on together to ensure that this bridge can hold whatever the system throws our way, we will move forward with strength. It takes the entire community.

Together we are stronger. Together we are ONEteam.

2019 ONETeam Award Winners:

Coach- Currin

Teacher- Freedom

Mentor- Nick & Megan

Students- Jordan, Bhavjot, and Carla

Community Partner- Latino Heat

Rainier Athletes Partners With Learning Professionals!

As many of you know, Rainier Athlete students are first selected in grades 4 and 5 and are fully supported, for the entirety of their secondary education (6th-12th grades) and beyond, by the Rainier Athletes community. Our first class of 5th graders (selected in 2013) are now 11th graders! Needless to say, we have learned a ton in our first few years navigating the mysterious world of the 21st century high school environment. One of those big takeaways, is that Pre-Calculus is tough! And so is Geometry! And Chemistry!

So, in order to ensure that every Rainier Athlete will have a wide range of next step opportunities available to them by the time they graduate high school, we are building onto our “Next Step Readiness” curriculum. To do this most effectively, RA has partnered with Arthur Emery, Founder and Co-Owner of Learning Professionals, the Eastside’s premiere, in-home tutoring company!

As a result, Rainier Athletes students are offered pro-bono support of professionally trained tutors in both one-on-one and in group settings. In addition, our juniors and seniors will be enrolled in LP’s proven SAT/ACT prep courses and be guided by Arthur Emery himself in navigating the college search and application process.

To contribute directly to the RA X LP partnership, you can ear mark your donations to the Leslie Deming and Blake King Fund, named in honor of Arthur’s mother and dear friend, both champions of education and lifelong supporters of historically underrepresented students.

Arthur, CEO of Learning Professionals, loves the Rainier Athletes partnership so much that he brought us to the the Super Bowl! Well, kind of... Check out those fresh RA socks!