Allendale Community 9 pages.edited

docx

School

The University of Nairobi *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

Subject

Sociology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by reaganmumo

1 How to Make Allendale Community Welcoming for Minority-Owned Businesses and People of Color Student’s Name Institution Course Name and Number Instructor’s Name Date Submitted

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 2 How to Make Allendale Community Welcoming for Minority-Owned Businesses and People of Color Introduction Globalization and natural disasters have resulted in people migrating to various communities around the world. Neighborhoods that were once relatively homogeneous saw significant inflows of immigrants of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, accepting and promoting people of color and minority communities’ enterprises is critical to ensuring they survive difficult times and can invest back into the communities they serve. Furthermore, accepting people from different regions serves as a way of building an inclusive community. Following the United Nation's call on nations to tackle injustices within their people, the Allendale community needs to build an inclusive society by welcoming black-owned and minority communities’ businesses. So, what can the Allendale community do to make a difference? Allendale, MI History Allendale Charter Township is a charter township located in Ottawa County, Michigan. The township had a population of 20,708 residents as of the 2010 census. It is a member of the Grand Rapids civic zone because of its proximity to the city's main commuting routes. Allendale Charter Township is commonly identified as the location of Grand Valley State University's main campus. Allendale is the township's name. When the community was systematized in 1849, state senator Pennoyer renamed it Allendale in honor of Agnes Allen, the area's first taxpayer and widow of Hannibal Allen, the Revolutionary War hero son Ethan Allen ( Romig, 1986). Humans

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 3 have occupied the land within the township's current boundaries from latest ca. 200 BCE to 500 CE; the original sign indicates settlement by the Goodall Focus, a Middle Woodland Hopewellian culture ( Romig, 1986). During the Whites encounter span, the current township was home to Potawatomi and Odawa, who speak the Anishinaabe language. Pierre Constant, a French fur merchant who founded an exchange place in Charleston for John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company in 1810, was the earliest white documented in what is now Allendale ( Romig, 1986). Richard Roberts of Wales built a wheelwright shop, sawmill, a general store, and a blacksmith shop ( Romig, 1986). He was the first permanent European settler, purchasing 160 acres along the Grand River in 1842 and erecting a log cabin known as the Halfway House due to its location approximately halfway between Grand Haven and Grandville. During the winter season between 1848 and 1849, a convention was held at Alexander Milne's home to draft a petition demanding organization as the Township of Isaac ( Kost, 2007). James Scott drafted the township petition, which they all signed. State Senator Henry Pennoyer of Grand Haven submitted the petition to the state elected representatives. He substituted the (misspelled) Allandale for Isaac on his initiative, after Agnes Allen, the first person to pay tax and the wife of Revolutionary War hero son Ethan Allen ( Kost, 2007). Subsequently, the name was altered from Allandale to the present Allendale. Blendon Township was planned in 1854 and separated from Allendale.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 4 An Inclusive Community Relationships are a force to be reckoned with. Relationships with one another are the bedrock of transformation. Moreover, developing relationships with people from diverse cultures, often multiple cultures, is critical to developing diverse societies capable of achieving important goals. An inclusive community values all of its members and assists them in meeting their basic needs to live with dignity, participate positively in their community and contribute to it ( Shaw, 2020). Municipalities can significantly contribute to inclusive societies in three critical areas: social connectedness and belonging, age-friendliness, including seniors and teenagers, and accepting communities ( Pless & Maak, 2004). Therefore, Allendale local government should be the leader in ensuring that the community develops to be inclusive by accepting people of color and other minority communities to start and run successful businesses in the area. There different characteristics that define an inclusive community. First, a diversified society attempt everything possible to respect all of its people, provides them with fair access to opportunities, and encourages equality of opportunity and care. An inclusive community hence works to eliminate all forms of discrimination ( Shaw, 2020). Besides, an inclusive community responds promptly to racial and other forms of discrimination. Secondly, Inclusive neighborhoods are welcoming to various groups of people, including seniors, teenagers, children, Aboriginal Peoples, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, people with mental health problems, and low-income populations ( Pless & Maak, 2004). Social inclusion may positively or negatively affect community members' physical and mental health, including their life expectancy, child mortality rate, and mental health populations ( Pless &

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 5 Maak, 2004). Therefore, for Allendale to be considered an inclusive community, it must conform to the above traits that define an inclusive community. Why Build an Inclusive Community Today, people of color and minority communities endure racial or ethnic discrimination in whites dominated neighborhoods and workplaces. As a result, there arises a need to ensure that inclusivity is embraced in communities. Building an inclusive community assists in eliminating discrimination ( Shaw, 2020). So, why should Allendale build an inclusive community? Well, by building an inclusive community, Allendale's local government will ensure that deeds of segregation and injustice based on stereotypes are eliminated. Again, since diversity benefits community members, it is worthwhile for Allandale to build a diversified community. Eliminating all forms of discrimination has been the motive behind building inclusive communities. In the book “Steps toward an Inclusive Community,” Maggie Potapchuk narrates the story of Clarksburg. In 1995, Clarksburg's city in West Virginia underwent a population shift when the FBI's Fingerprint Identification Services Division relocated, taking over 2,000 African American employees with it (Potapchuk, 2001). A young white man burned down a cross on a Black FBI agent's garden one day. This happening taught the people of Clarksburg that it was critical to creating a culture that valued its fresh assortment to prevent future hate acts. As a result, Clarksburg started the process of establishing an inclusive society (Potapchuk, 2001). Allendale should also learn from Clarksburg’s case and start building an inclusive community. Nevertheless, the Allendale community can build an inclusive community by celebrating the minority holidays, sell minority food and drinks at the stores, and establish minority favorite hanging points.

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 6 How Allendale can build an Inclusive Community Celebrating the Minority Holidays The planet is diverse, as shown by the observances observed by its diverse cultures and populations. Understanding diverse holidays and festivals will strengthen community efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. A more inclusive approach would be to acknowledge that people come from many faiths and customs that celebrate special days many times during the year ( Shaw, 2020). For instance, on December 8, the Buddhists revel "Bodhi Day," which honors the day Siddhartha Guatama, the historical Buddha, attained enlightenment ( Hintz & Quatrini, 2021). Between December 20 th and 23 rd , the Wiccans or pagans celebrate "Yule," which commemorates the winter solstice. On February 5, the Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year's Day. Kwanzaa, a week-long secular holiday commemorating African-American tradition, is recognized from December 26 to January 1 ( Hintz & Quatrini, 2021). Other celebrations include Eid al-Fitri, and Diwali celebrated by Muslims and Hindus, respectively. Allendale community has a majority of its population of the Christianity faith. Allendale will attract people from other religions to start up their businesses in the area by celebrating other religious holidays. Furthermore, effective collective achievement not only benefits society but also make the relationships between the communities stronger. It reaffirms the beneficial experience and result of collaboration. Kwanzaa was created to bring African-Americans together when many felt fearful and out of place in their own country. Kwanzaa does not have a set of rules, but the most popular rituals include African drumming, storytelling, songs, dances, and a feast ( Hintz & Quatrini, 2021). It is worth remembering Kwanzaa because it reflects people of color and their ability to come together after decades of racial injustice. Understanding

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 7 what their culture celebrates will help the human race better understand one another needs and stress the importance of leaving discrimination and racism in the past. Selling Minority Food In Allandale, MI, the population of Whites with no Spanish descent is 82.4%, while people of color only account for 4.2% of the total population. With most of the population comprising of Whites, many restaurants and food stores sell white's dishes. Minority groups such as people of color and Mexicans living in the community rarely have access to restaurants offering cultural foods and drinks. Selling African American, Mexican, Chinese and other dishes associated with minority groups living in the United States will be an effective strategy ( Bates et al., 2018) for Allandale to attract and welcome minority groups and their businesses into the village. Further, people tend to conduct business and live in a friendly environment with welcoming people if they like dishes found in that area. Dining at African-American-owned outlets is one of several ways to celebrate Black History Month. In merriment of Black History Month, when Americans celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans each February, many Americans are patronizing locally owned Black restaurants and other businesses to display their support for the local community ( Bates et al., 2018). Following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery, and Rashard Brooks in a turbulent 2020 that re-energized anti-racist education and advocacy for Black Americans, this month is imbued with an increased emphasis on practical ways to support the Black community, including where to get your dinner ( Dreyer et al., 2020). Similarly, selling dishes to people of color in Allandale is a way of welcoming them to the community. With friendly and welcoming eating points, African Americans, Asian Americans, Mexicans,

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 8 American Chinese, and other minority communities will feel comfortable conducting their businesses around the Allandale community. Establishing Minority Hanging Points Being one's true self, sharing aspects of one's personal life, and establishing social relations are calmer within one's community than through a population divide such as race ( Bates et al., 2018). This is critical to remember as communities strive to become more diverse. Social events are an important venue for building relationships with colleagues of your race or gender ( Katherine et al., 2018). To create an inclusive society, Allandale should consider establishing places for spending time frequently, entertainment, and socializing by minority groups in the area. As a result, minority groups with being comfortable building relationships among themselves, hence courage and motivation to startup businesses to serve the local community and other minority communities living in Allendale, MI. Communities that wish to improve diversity and support the businesses of minority groups can do so by recognizing their struggles with racial discrimination and taking action to make individuals from diverse demographic groups more comfortable interacting with one another. Establishing hanging points for minority groups serves as a way of giving these minority groups enough time to feel comfortable away among themselves populations ( Pless & Maak, 2004). For instance, more than often, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community LGBTQ + individuals face discrimination based on their sexual orientations ( Bates et al. 2018). With dedicated hanging points in Allandale, such communities have opportunities to share their challenges and consult among themselves on surviving in such an environment.

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 9 Besides, they will be more comfortable running businesses as long as they know there exist other people in the community with whom they share cultural and social beliefs. Challenges of building an Inclusive Community The task of establishing inclusive communities is not straightforward, and results can take time. This work requires time, persistence, perseverance, and bravery, as it involves changing perceptions, habits, and policies. It necessitates multi-level strategies, including those at the individual, community, and institutional levels. Besides, globalization debates have highlighted the movement of people worldwide as both desirable and undesirable migration. There is a greater degree of interconnectivity between people than ever before, with finance, concepts, technology, and media moving at breakneck speed across the globe populations ( Pless & Maak, 2004). The current world order is constantly dwindling in terms of both geographical and cultural diversity. The task of integrating all people into society has been complicated in recent years by a variety of factors, including increasing inequality, widening income disparities, and jobless growth, all of which have increased unemployment and underemployment, especially among youth. Many people find it easier to connect with the community they live, work, and communicate than with the national state in a diverse local setting. Citizenship is often invoked in policy discussions on social inclusion. Nonetheless, as a legal status entailing a slew of legal rights and obligations, citizenship ultimately establishes a distinction between members and non- members based on their varying relationships to particular states. Citizenship is defined as membership in a social group that includes the right to participate in society. This term excludes certain city dwellers' citizenship in many countries, including asylum seekers, refugees, migrant

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 10 workers, and temporary residents. Thus, it is necessary to find a way to ensure all residents' representation in a given area to avoid any of them being excluded or oppressed. In Allendale's case, it will be difficult for natives to accept minority communities living and conducting business in the area to be citizens of the Allandale community. Conclusion From the above discussion on building an inclusive community, it is valid to conclude that establishing inclusive communities is not straightforward, and results can take time. This work requires time, persistence, perseverance, and bravery, as it involves changing perceptions, habits, and policies. It necessitates multi-level strategies, including those at the individual, community, and institutional levels. Challenges include community participation and citizenship, including increasing inequality, widening income disparities, and jobless growth. Despite the challenges associated with building an inclusive society, there are also positive viewpoints of creating an inclusive society. For instance, building an inclusive community assists in eliminating discrimination. Besides, individuals can build an inclusive community by celebrating the minority holidays, sell minority food and drinks at the stores, and establish minority favorite hanging points. An effective collective accomplishment not only benefits the society but also makes the relationships between the communities stronger. For this reason, celebrating other religious holidays, Allendale will attract people from other religions to start up their businesses in the area. As a result of establishing minority communities hangout points, minority groups with be comfortable to build relationships among themselves, hence courage and motivation to startup businesses in the area to serve the local community and other minority communities living in

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 11 Allendale, MI. . Similarly, selling dishes to the people of color in Allandale is also a way of welcoming them to the community. With friendly and welcoming eating points, African Americans, Asian Americans, Mexicans, American Chinese, and other minority communities will feel comfortable conducting their businesses around the Allandale community. References

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 12 Bates, T., Bradford, W. D., & Seamans, R. (2018). Minority entrepreneurship in twenty-first- century America. Small Business Economics , 50 (3), 415-427. Dreyer, B. P., Trent, M., Anderson, A. T., Askew, G. L., Boyd, R., Coker, T. R., ... & Stein, F. (2020). The death of George Floyd: bending the arc of history toward justice for generations of children. Pediatrics , 146 (3). Hintz, L., & Quatrini, A. L. (2021). Subversive Celebrations: Holidays as Sites of Minority Identity Contestation in Repressive Regimes. Nationalities Papers , 49 (2), 289-307. Katherine, K. W., Tracy, T. L., & Nancy, N. P. (2018, March 1). Why Black employees hesitate to open up about themselves . Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2018/03/diversity- and-authenticity Kost, M. A., Albert, D. A., Cohen, J. G., Slaughter, B. S., Schillo, R. K., Weber, C. R., & Chapman, K. A. (2007). Natural communities of Michigan: classification and description. Michigan Natural Features Inventory , 21 (1). Pless, N., & Maak, T. (2004). Building an inclusive diversity culture: Principles, processes, and practice. Journal of business ethics , 54 (2), 129-147. Potapchuk, M. (2001). Steps toward an inclusive community. Washington, DC: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies . Romig, W. (1986). Michigan place names: the history of the founding and the naming of more than five thousand past and present Michigan communities . Wayne State University Press.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY 13 Shaw, J., Howard, J., & Franco, E. L. (2020). Building inclusive community activism and accountable relations through an intersecting inequalities approach. Community Development Journal , 55 (1), 7-25.

Allendale Community 9 pages.edited

Related Documents