Ok so i wrote my thesis The History of South/West Seattle and Whiter Center. The focal point was the problems That area has in relations to violence, gang activity and drugs. White center has always had a rugged rural,blue collar ethic. White Center and Riverside(now Tukwila/Duwamish area historically has always been an immigrant town although caucasion).
Because of the severe poverty and blue collar mentality there was severe depression, and opression. MANY and i do mean MANY taverns were the main past time here. (A good reference is to read the poetry books of famed Poet Richard Hugo from White Center).
Compounding these issues and no cultural base identity the residents of WC attempted to join in the Seattle expansion of West Seattle only to be turned back time and time again. Essentially being told they were not good enough. By the 1940's a huge land section was put aside for the military. This was known as the Rapid Army Training. (Hence the name Rat city).
So now you have these barracks with military types living in WC and High Point. After the war these military barracks were to be razed and a large green belt was to be created. However this was not the case and they became government subsidized housing. IE Parklake Homes IE the projects. While not a true ghetto in the logical sense of it, in the minds of long time WC residents it further pushed the already oppresed community over the edge.
By the 60's and 70's drugs became more prolific. More low income housing and government subsidizing was created. In fact it was then the Park Lake Homes nearest to Evergreen high school was created. Immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were moved in. Because these people were unaccostmed to American cultural values and language barriers, the iold generations with their massive chip on their shoulders turned to this new community and threw their anger upon them.
This was not withought complete fault. these immigrants withdrew did not try to blend in (indeed the governemt was wrong throwing whole groups en masse together).Thepresent day gang problems amassed as a result. What was now facing WC was a old white generation with little known cultural identity (even though it was there) and a group who did not try to assimilate. This problem still exists today and in fact there is a seething volatile nature that could potentially erupt. there is STILL a racial disparity, burdened by the fact much of WC is now becoming vastly asian american and latino and the white coommunity who has always been shunned by richer neighbors losing out.
Compounding this in or governments infinite wisdom they decided to change WC, several tings need to happen. WC needed to be annexed or become its own city, the low income housing must be razed and mixed duplex housing put in. Any who has been through WC can see the ugly architecture. Pastel painting is not very attractive. This new housing was compressed into many units per one local former yard of the Park Lake homes. Trying to fit a higher density of people for a higher tax base (in itself a form of prejudice). The asian american community now lsoing their rather large area of community have disperessed almost en masse. Buying further more cheap real estate creating more of a issue between asian americans, latino and white people.
