Denver City Council member Michael B. Hancock is interested in a lot of issues facing Colorado – economic development, immigration and proposals to ban smoking, to name a few.
But as one of two African-Americans on the City Council, he says he sometimes gets boxed into what others think are black issues.
“I’ve thought, ‘Why don’t YOU introduce the Martin Luther King Jr. resolution this year?”‘
The best way to avoid getting trapped into ethnic stereotypes is to be vested in broad and diverse issues – advice Hancock gave Saturday to about 200 people gathered at the first-ever Color Colorado Conference, sponsored by Progressive Majority Colorado at the Denver Merchandise Mart.
The purpose of the conference was to discuss ways to make Colorado’s political process more inclusive for communities of color, said Joe Miklosi, the Progressive Majority Colorado state director.
“Too often Coloradans from communities of color do not feel welcome in politics or feel that the political process personally impacts them,” Miklosi said. “The purpose of this conference is to show that our diversity is a cornerstone of our community and political strength.”
The conference featured a number of panels showcasing some of Colorado’s top minority politicians, community and business leaders, and academics.
Panelists advised conference attendees how to navigate the political landscape in hopes of turning community action into political power.
One way to do that, panelists agreed, is for communities of color to reach out beyond their own neighborhoods.
“Sometimes you have to literally learn to speak the language, be it Korean, be it Spanish,” said Rico Munn, the only African- American on the state Board of Education. “Or you have to find someone who can help you break down those barriers.”
Stan Matsunaka, former president of the state Senate, said he frequently advised constituents to form coalitions.
“I would say, ‘If you take a step back, you’ll realize that this is an issue in 25 other communities, too,”‘ Matsunaka said. “You need to form a broad coalition.”
Conference attendees also discussed how certain hot-button social issues – such as abortion and gay rights – can divide communities of color even when they agree on everything else.
Still, those divisions shouldn’t be permanent obstacles that prevent minorities from running for office, they agreed.
Polly Baca, a former state legislator who was one of the conference hosts, said she hoped the conference would become an annual event and have a lasting impression on those who attend.
“My ultimate hope is that we’ve got some future elected officials sitting in the audience today,” Baca said. “I’m pretty sure we do.”
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
