Earlier this week, I had the privilege of addressing members of Spokane’s Slavic community (people from a number of Eastern European countries). This group of business, faith and community leaders represent a segment of Spokane County’s population that has lived here for decades.
While many of these hard working folks have made their homes here since the late 20th century, they’ve largely stayed away from active participation in our democratic process. Some told me they just didn’t know enough about it. Others have been burned by federal and state laws that have hurt their businesses. Still more reported feeling like they couldn’t make a difference.
Many of our Slavic friends and neighbors seem to be fed up with the way Democrats have run things in this country and in Washington state, and they’re eager to get involved to help fix it. Nearly all of us were, at one time, immigrants to this country - but we or our ancestors came here largely for the same reason: a chance at the American Dream; a chance to build a better life for ourselves and our families, a chance to worship without oppressive government interference and a chance to thrive in a place where nearly anything is possible.
It was an honor to hear their thoughts and concerns, and I look forward to working with them and all members of our community to help them achieve that dream.
