Seattle's Diverse 98118

This last April, the United States Census Bureau declared Seattle's Columbia City district, 98118, to be the most diverse zip code in the nation. Within the 6 square miles this zip code holds approximately 60 different languages spoken from all around the world. Ahmed Scego, from the U.S. Census Bureau recalls hearing 15 different languages in a cafe' in this diverse neighborhood. 10 years ago the Census Bureau counted 40,000 residents in the given area. Today, that number has tripled to 60,000 residents, taking the prestigious throne to being the fastest growing neighborhood in the city of Seattle. Along with this rich diversity of culture comes a mouth watering delicious diversity of foods. From the Mawadda Cafe', an Iraqi run restaurant who caters to the "vegetarian, yoga, green living crowd", to the carnivorous feasts found at Roy's BBQ, the hungry eater is destined to find a delicious, nutritious, and eclectic meal in this varied collection of citizens. Such a variety of citizens holds a variety in religious beliefs, but this doesn't create a hostile environment between locals. If anything, the religious differences compliment each other, not complicate. The idea of togetherness and community truly resides with the people of 98118.

“The Rainier Valley area has the best selection of foods, music, and culture I think you can find in any neighborhood. It’s got a level of tolerance for difference that I’ve not seen anywhere else in the city or anywhere else I’ve lived,” said Jeffrey Taylor of State Farm Insurance in Columbia City

If you are not in the mood to eat out in restaurants serving an intense mix of worldly foods, maybe local markets that help with couch potato syndrome is your cup of tea. The Rainier Valley area is home to dozens of small "Ma n' Pa", shops from all corners of the globe including the Viet Wah market, the Abbul Gafoor Halal market, and the infamous Columbia City farmer's market home to 40 different local vendors with food, clothing, goods and services.

The Rainier Valley region of the United States has attracted thousands of people from all over the world. Each individual brings his or her own touch and perspective from their given culture bringing food, music and tradition to Seattle. 98118 can be an example for so many different troublesome social scenarios we face today. Issues like the "monoculture" of different peoples from a wide mix of people in the United States, also known as the "melting pot". So often we see Chinese, Mexicans and Italians who have never eaten authentic food from their own heritage. This area of south Seattle has proven that citizens from across our globe can move to the states for a better life without the pressures of "Americanization".

I encourage people from afar and in our own neighborhood to go back to your given heritage and cook a traditional meal, or perform a traditional ritual. Anything that incorporates the idea of togetherness with yourself and your people. By doing so, you can appreciate where and what you come from. A little history lessen you could call it, if its been a while. And if this isn't a possibility, maybe you can go out to eat in south Seattle's Columbia City and find your heritage and traditions on the corner of a busy intersection, or maybe in a local market. Wherever your history comes from, you can almost guarantee to find it in 98118.