Pittsburgh was once voted one of the 10 most livable cities in America. Minorities living in Pittsburgh wondered, “Most livable for whom?” Certainly Pittsburgh had not earned this designation because of its inclusion of sexual and racial minorities. Visit any major airport across the nation and you will find employees of every ethnic background working in various capacities. At the Pittsburgh International Airport, though, you will find a glaring lack of diversity that is apparent before you even get off the plane.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and, like many native Pittsbughers, had no intention of leaving. A recent visit to California has led me to reconsider my loyalty. While there, I was greeted by whites, Hispanics, Native Americans, Middle Easterners, Asians and people of unknown ancestry who smiled at me, looked me in the eye and exhibited no hostility towards me.
I now realize that living in Pittsburgh has warped my perceptions. I’ve become accustomed to living in a racist city where people stereotype minorities and live in fear of African Americans. Newly relocated immigrants here are immersed in a culture of limited opportunity, oppression and intolerance.
How to change all that?
Lending Institutions: Create lending programs that make it easier for upwardly mobile African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and the working poor to purchase homes. Homeownership is an investment that leads to personal empowerment, fosters community pride and establishes neighborhood stability.
Neighborhood Development Corporations: When redeveloping communities, every now and then, go with the investor who will bring diversity to the community over the highest bidder. Many community-development corporations focus on the bottom line and lose sight of maintaining diversity.
Business Owners: Hire people of color, and not just as janitors. Placing a minority in a maintenance position perpetuates the myth that they are only qualified to clean the offices of white folks. One person of color in the accounting department is not creating a diverse workplace; it’s called tokenism. Recruit and hire people of color in every department.
Eliminate Gender Wage Disparity: According to a 2004 University of Pittsburgh study, there are more college-educated women in Pittsburgh than in comparable cities. Yet, men with high school diplomas here earn more than women with college degrees. Employers who pay women less money for the same job deserve to be sued.
Vote for a Minority: If you really support change, vote for someone whose very presence in the political arena is a change from the status quo. Vote for qualified women and people of color.
Never Use the N-Word: While the N-word should be offensive to everyone, it continues to be heard in hip-hop communities, Ku Klux Klan rallies and the homes of ignorant people. No matter what the situation, avoid using it, teach children not to use it and maybe one day it will be eradicated.
How People of Color, Gays and Women Can Help Increase Diversity in Pittsburgh
Pursue Entrepreneurial Endeavors: If you wish there were employment opportunities for people of color in Pittsburgh, how about starting a minority-owned business? If you do not possess the entrepreneurial spirit, support diversity by spending money at minority-owned businesses.
Be Prepared: Prepare for opportunities by acquiring the education and skills to compete in the job market. If your credit history is sketchy, clean it up so you can get that loan to open your own business. Remember that criminal-background checks and drug tests are ways employers eliminate applicants.
Become Politically Active: There is power in numbers, and the presence of minorities at peace and justice events and political forums send a strong message to the powers that be. If you do not have a desire to serve, donate to organizations whose causes you support.
Vote Wisely: If the candidate selected by your political party takes your vote for granted, take your vote elsewhere. Research candidates from parties like the Progressive or Green Party. They actually need your vote and are not as likely to take it for granted.
Move to the City: Urban flight creates a lower tax base, which results in less funding for schools and city services and hurts neighborhood businesses. Neighborhoods benefit when nurses, teachers, lawyers, activists and journalists live nearby. Professionals and blue-collar workers provide role models for youth and improve quality of life.
Learn Spanish: The number of Hispanics in the United States is growing and expected to surpass the population of other minority groups. Insist on foreign-language programs so all American students are bilingual.
