Diversity is here, and growing in Auburn | Klaas

Published 2:05 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Auburn is changing in many ways.

Ethnically, culturally, socially, economically.

As the community continues to grow and take shape, its neighborhoods, schools and businesses reflect a widening melting pot of diversity.

Where it was once predominantly white Caucasian with a large influence of Native American and Japanese American communities, Auburn now reflects a greater mix of races – a growing, global influx of Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Polynesian, Middle Eastern, Russian, Ukraine and Eastern European people.

The Auburn Reporter examines the growing, changing and diverse population with a three-part series that begins today. The series explains the migration, what drew people here and how they are adjusting to their new home. The series also takes a look at how the business climate has changed with the migration and what challenges face the new generation of the ethnic-mixed Auburnites.

King County is growing and has a diverse multitude of residents, based on the 2010 Census. The data also confirms the growing diversity of the county’s population: persons of color now make up more than one-third of the population.

Seeking more affordable living, moderate income and a better quality of life, the wave of people of color have left the bigger city to settle into South King County during the past decade. The latest Census shows that even as the percentage of minorities in Seattle remained essentially unchanged, it erupted in the county’s southern suburbs.

The white population overall declined by more than 14 percent in South King County, while the number of people – those who identified themselves as Asian, Hispanic, African American, Native American or belonging to two or more races, increased 66 percent.

The Latino population doubled, even tripled, in some cities. Auburn is part of that suburbanization of the minority population.

They have arrived to adopt Auburn as their home to build a family and make a living. They have joined a congregation and become actively involved in the community. Some have established a business.

“I like it here,” said Ivy Chen, who recently opened a Chinese bistro on Auburn’s West Main Street. Chen and her family left China for a new start in the United States several years ago. “We decided to do this … to work for ourselves and to provide a better life for my children.”

Elizabeth Foday-Dodge left civil war-torn Liberia 10 years ago for the U.S. She eventually landed in Auburn where she owns and operates a downtown hair braiding salon. “What I have learned is that in America you can achieve, but you’ve got to work hard for it. You’ve got to do things right,” she said.

For many like Foday-Dodge, Auburn represents the doorway to pursue dreams left unfulfilled elsewhere.

“Our diverse population is growing, particularly a large increase in our Hispanic population, as well as other populations … from African nations and our Russian, Ukrainian populations,” said Duanna Richards, neighborhood programs manager for the City of Auburn. “There have been changes. The (2010) Census bore out what we are seeing. … We have definitely become more diverse in the past 10-year period.”

The new wave of immigrants has brought change and challenge. They have diversified a once white, working-class community, forcing city, church and community leaders, as well as longtime residents, to welcome and grasp change.

In the Auburn public classroom, more than 50 foreign languages are spoken.

Auburn leaders and ethnic groups face the challenge of overcoming cultural and language barriers to build lasting, trusting relationships.

No easy task.

Many cultures distrust government. And many other ethnic groups don’t know where to begin to establish themselves in a new place. City officials are working to bridge those gaps, providing the tools to get started.

“I honestly believe our diverse population is a real plus,” said Doug Lein, economic development manager for the City of Auburn. “It’s a melting pot. It brings in a new, diverse attitude, new ideas, and also a work ethic. … It makes for a strong, working community.”

Auburn has much to attract diversity. Change is here. A global Auburn is here. It can be found in the neighborhoods, in schools and business. It is here to stay, to grow and ultimately, change again. An Auburn willing to accept, live and thrive with diversity is a matter of a community finding a common ground of people with so many characters, colors and influences.

“The future holds our ability to connect with one another for a number of different purposes,” said Ralph Ibarra, diversity consultant and City of Auburn diversity liaison. “It’s an opportunity to learn from one another and support one another … and that’s all we can hope for.”