September 29, 2007
Saturday AM

Mr. Jethani to suggest that being for the initiative is racist because the majority of jewelry stores are owned by persons of east Indian descent is absurd and irresponsible. Ketchikan is not your average town, and Alaska is not your average state, Ketchikan has a very diverse community, we have a large Filipino population as well as a very large Alaskan Indian population, not only that but we get even more diverse in the summer when just about every nationality on earth walks off the cruise ships or comes to work in the canneries.

In the last 5-6 years I have been here I have never once heard of a racially motivated assault or murder, not only that but racial slander is rarely spoken and jobs appear to be given to the most qualified applicant regardless of race. Mr. Jethani this town is not racist.

This initiative is out to diversify Ketchikan's business in the downtown area for the enjoyment of visitors and to ensure a long and prosperous tourist industry, if the tourist are unhappy with the lack of diversity downtown (which, if you ask 10 I'm sure 7 will say they are) it is our duty as responsible citizens who want to see this town continue to succeed for years to come to do something about it. If it's not this initiative that will do it I hope it will be by some other means because if we don't start planning and developing according to what the tourists want they WILL take their money elsewhere. That is ALL this initiative is about Mr. Jethani and I realize you have had to deal with racist people in communities in this country but I hope you one day realize WE are not THEM.

Matthew Woolsey
Ketchikan, AK

About: "Came to ketchikan 5 years ago, married a local , became a local."

Received September 28, 2007 - Published September 29, 2007

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Jewelry & Racism By Ravi Jethani - Ketchikan, AK

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