Additional Community Feedback
Demographics
“ Although racial problems here are not like other cities , COVID-19 continues to build a cultural problem as it is called ‘ China virus .’”
“ It ’ s a cool place as long as you stay in your place , but once you get out of your place and you offend some people that ’ s when you see all of the micro aggressions as well as physical aggression , when they feel you ’ re out of your place .”
“ Our experience has been people here are open minded , with big heart and welcome hands . They did not see us as foreigners .”
“ I think the key problem that we have been facing related to race and ethnic relations in Arlington is the polarizing national politics . It bleeds into Arlington , causing racial mistrust , which increases the probability of us encountering racial tensions , not because of any realistic issue in our city .”
“ We need a city Hotline with a fluent Vietnamese speaking operator to serve the non-English-speaking people in our community , and a Vietnamese Community Center for all activities , events , social services , education , training , etc .”
“ I would say that my personal experiences here have been terrible . I can ’ t really compare it to anybody else . But that ’ s just me personally growing up in Arlington . I feel like a lot of younger Black people as well can probably relate to a lot of things that we ’ ve seen and gone through growing up .”
“ When it comes to racism , people are always thinking that it ’ s Black and White . Racism is everyone . And when we try to come up with a solution , make sure that the Asians are part of the solution , as well , and do not forget about the other ethnicities . Racism is a shared problem , and we ’ re going to have to work together to resolve it .
“ The Mayor and City Council have been very supportive of our community .”
If you are part of old Arlington , you ’ re respected . But when I ’ m in the same circles with my wife and I ’ m the only Hispanic in the room , I don ’ t feel like I ’ m noticed . There ’ s not that same respect that my wife is privileged to have . There ’ s a lot of things about Arlington that are primarily for White Americans . But I know how to navigate the system . I understand who the key players are in our City , so I ’ ve established relationships with them . But again , I ’ m a person of privilege . I had a position of authority and influence . Most Hispanics don ’ t have that in our community .
– an Arlington resident
Unity Council Report 32