Community Culture & Diversity

Community Culture (47 Responses)

Elitism (15)

• Attitude of entitlement, superiority, elitism, privilege
• Too much affluence, class distinction, desire to be the best
• Events based on status

Denial (15)

• Problems are whitewashed
• Needs of elderly, persons with low income or disabilities go unnoticed
• Closed-mindedness avoids new cultures
• West Des Moines not good neighbor to Des Moines
• Concerned about attitude behind objection to Alzheimer and Drug centers

Morale (11)

Concerns:
• Personal agendas
• Morale over school issues
• Excessive fear of terrorism
• Loss of hometown feel
• How diverse opinions are expressed

“Best” Attitude (5)

• Concern that high achievers get all the attention
• Success and material trappings are over-emphasized
• Successful get heard

Vision (1)

• What would happen if we had the vision to be one of the most caring communities and school systems in the nation?
• Need to listen to all as we set goals – not just “trendy” or politically correct

Diversity (34 Responses)

Connections (15)

• Develop understanding and acceptance
• Educate suburbs about immigrants and celebrate them
• Hold ethnic festivals
• Educate about different cultures
• Increase Americans with Disabilities Act sensitivity
• Increase English as Second Language training
• Host welcoming activities for people from other nations

Lack of Diversity (11)

• Need more diversity – racial, cultural and socio-economic
• We are still 99 percent Caucasian
• Lack of diversity due to expense of living in West Des Moines

Growing Diversity – Challenges (8)

• Need to meet needs as we become multi-racial community
• Hard to handle language differences in school
• Not understanding languages can cause problems

Building Relationships (27 Responses)

Connections (17)

• Bring diverse people together through festivals, picnics, food fairs and block parties
• Host cultural celebrations to unite suburbs
• Neighbors need to take responsibility for meeting neighbors
• Need place to create “sense of community”
• Build trust through engagement
• Take time to care
• Schools and children connect us – what about childless households?

Threats to Connections (10)

• Rapid expansion
• Mobility
• Isolation from larger community
• Loss of tradition and relationships
• No “eye contact”
• Divisions over high school size
• Loss of neighborhood activity

Stereotypes and Reputation (23 Responses)

Perceptions (21)

• Deal with issues and perceptions: West Des Moines is “better than everyone” and elite in metro
• West Des Moines and Clive are upper income only and exclusive
• West Des Moines didn’t contribute to Zoo, Botanical Center but had money for other things
• Stigma of West Des Moines being West Des Moines

Need for Information (2)

• Aggregated data skews information about West Des Moines diversity
• Broader community lacks understanding of wide economic range in suburbs

Divisions (22 Responses)

• Have and have nots
• Valley Junction vs. newer areas
• One high school vs. two high schools
• Upper class vs. lower class
• Valley High School students who are “different”
• Drug rehabilitation center near Rex Mathes showed discrimination
• People with low income aren’t heard
• West Des Moines is exclusive – hard to make friends
• People are unwilling to reach and help people with low income

Values (13 Responses)

• Always do the right thing
• Maintain Midwestern ethics and values
• Emphasize character development
• Acknowledge our weaknesses
• Respect everyone
• Develop moral accountability
• Support positive role of churches
• There is a concern that Christians are losing rights
• Be open hearted
• If we had core values, would we live by them?

Responsibility and Involvement (12 Responses)

• Capitalize on community assets
• Embrace citizens as resources in meeting community needs
• Increase involvement of all segments of community in all levels of city functions
• Create volunteer network
• Create Westside Cooperation Council to address regional needs
• Communicate ways to help families make a difference

Work and Life Balance (8 Responses)

• We are too busy, have less time for what’s important
• We are too intense, shallow and overextended
• We put too much emphasis on “efficiency”
• Need community spirit