Category Archives: True Diversity Dinner

The True Diversity Dinner originated with several Anchorage progressive bloggers — including me — who had been writing about the fight for the Anchorage equal rights ordinance 2009-64 during the summer of 2009. The ordinance, which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the municipal human rights code, passed the Anchorage Assembly by a vote of 7 to 4 but was vetoed by Mayor Dan Sullivan. The following month, for Mayor’s Diversity Month (an event originally created during the administration of Mayor, now Senator, Mark Begich) was renamed the Mayor’s Unity Dinner by Mayor Sullivan. The True Diversity Dinner was our alternative, with the motto, “Because we all deserve a seat at the table.”

My story of 2009

Not quite ALL about my 2009, because that would take a year to write. This only took several hours. Continue reading

Posted in About writing, Alaska justice system, Alaska politics, Cold, depression, Journal, Long Dark, NaNoWriMo, Ordinance, True Diversity Dinner | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

True Diversity Dinner video, part 5: Diane Benson

Janson Jones’ fifth video of the September 25 True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage features Diane Benson speaking about healing racism in Anchorage — & some of my additional commentary on Alaska’s high rate of sexual violence that especially victimizes Alaska Native women.

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True Diversity Dinner video, part 4: Masingka Singers & Dancers

Janson Jones’ video, & my photos, of the Yup’ik troupe Masingka Singers & Dancers performing at the True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage on September 25, 2009.

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True Diversity Dinner video, part 3: Hotel workers, & Elvi's speech

Part 3 of Janson Jones’ video of the September 25 True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage includes Hilton hotel workers protesting outside the Mayor’s Unity Dinner, and the speech of Assembly Member Elvi Gray-Jackson.

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The Daily Tweets, 2009-09-29: True Diversity Dinner videos by Janson Jones

Today’s Daily Tweets include links to Janson Jones’ videos of the True Diversity Dinner held in Anchorage on September 25, 2009.

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True Diversity Dinner 1 & 2: Video by Janson Jones

Parts 1 & 2 of video coverage of the September 25, 2009 True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage by Janson Jones of Floridana Alaskiana v2.5. Part 1 includes background on the summer 2009 fight for the Anchorage equal rights ordinance AO 2009-64; part 2 is a montage of Janson’s photos of the dinner.

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True Diversity Dinner: Slideshow

Here’s a selection of photos I took at last night’s True Diversity Dinner.

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Unity & union-busting

Workers fight for a fair contract with a union-busting employer — the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, where today two events featuring keynote speaker Lynn Swann are being held: an Alaska Republican Party fundraiser, and the Mayor’s Unity Dinner. Unity? — or union-busting?

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True Diversity v. fake unity

Another aspect of the Mayor’s “Unity” Dinner: it’s being held at the only hotel in town, the Hilton, that is in the midst of an employee-encouraged boycott because of the employer’s refusal to bargain in good faith. Also, we could use a little assistance with costs of our dinner!

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Diversity, unity, family

Mayor Dan Sullivan claims, with his Mayor’s Unity Dinner, to be honoring values we all share, including the importance of family. But his veto last month of the Anchorage equal rights ordinance makes it clear that he only deems some families important — and mine’s not one of them.

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