When Michell Marshall was six years old, her father took a job with Boeing as their first black engineer. He settled his wife, and two daughters in Burien because of its excellent school district. They were the only black family in a white community. They were welcomed with a gun shot into their car. Fortunately, the gas tank wasn't hit. When two white boys passed their home and called the daughters "NIGGER", their mother ran after them, shoes flying off, and brought them back to apologize. They did. She let them go. Michelle's first experience of racism. A loss of innocence at age 6.
Her father was very concerned about the numerous car accidents at the intersection of 8th and 136th in Burien. He asked his neighbor to sign a petition to ask the city for a 4-way stop, to find out they had started a petition to remove them from the neighborhood! That incident didn't deter Fred Woods, knowing that a stop sign would make a safer neighborhood for all. Six months later, a 4-way stop sign was installed. The accidents stopped. The stop sign was later known as the Fred Woods light.
One Christmas, the face of Santa Claus hung on the family's front door. Michell decided to paint Santa as she saw him. Black. Obviously, it was noticed by the neighborhood because a discussion followed at her school. Her artist endeavor was not appreciated. Fast forward: Hanging in Michell's home today is a painting by a Haitian artist of a black Santa Claus.
In first grade, Michelle's dad said. "Shorty, you have to be better than anyone else because they expect you to be mediocre." He was right then, and he is right now. Shorty might have been her nickname but her backbone never stopped growing! One 'appointed' friend in high school yet she excelled academically and band competitions (clarinet) and won a scholarship to Seattle U.
Hired at Microsoft in 1996, there were less than 1% of black employees. When she left 11 years later, one out of six directors were black, out of 60,000 employees.
In 2007, Michell and her husband moved to Orcas Island and opened a retail store, The Office Cupboard and became involved in the community (Pres of Chamber of Commerce, help create Shakespeare Festival, And Bird Fest). There was one other black women on the island, often confused with Michell. A local woman referred to Michell on an Instagram post as "gutter Nigger". Enough! Michell literally took a 'walk in the woods'... the vision of Women in the Woods Productions crystalized, to promote racial and cultural diversity through various forms of artist expression. Five years later...A pin prick in the "Bubble".
I refer you to their outstanding website for a glimpse of past performances from first-rate performers who convey through their art how they have experienced racial and cultural differences. Taught in ways to break down barriers and build understanding. Address discomfort. Sheltering our minds is not the answer. Changes in the past 50 years? Some. Bullying and racial overtones are still prevalent.
Rotary deeply appreciates Michell's time and energy to recall her childhood story and pursuit of building a better dialogue about race.
Cornel West - guest speaker, 9/24