Nikkita Oliver reflects on time in Seattle ahead of next step

Nikkita Oliver joined host Deaunte Damper on We Live In Color for a special episode which in which Oliver and Damper talked about a variety of issues before Oliver moves to the Midwest.

“I love Deaunte, and consider us to be good friends,” Oliver said. “I'm really excited to support anything that he is doing. I also love that there's a space to uplift, black and brown, queer folks in the city that are doing good work.”

The interview was insightful and full of enlightening moments. During the course of the conversation, Oliver revealed that upon arriving in Seattle in 2004, they voted for George W. Bush.

“There is this assumption that conservative folks can’t arrive at being abolitionist or anti-capitalist,” Oliver said. “Arriving at Seattle Pacific University, I was one of the few Black students, and I was radicalized very quickly.”

Oliver’s journey into the political realm began at the University, where they realized the power they could hold to make change. That realization was bolstered over the years as Oliver continued to see the power that is held in community.

“It showed me how powerful we can be when we come together with a shared vision,” Oliver said. “It’s not always about a party, it’s about a shared vision of what our community should and can be.”

Oliver also shed light on their decision to leave Seattle.

“I just wanted to have a change of pace,” Oliver said. “Seattle's really unaffordable. And despite what people think, like most folks, I was working five, six jobs, including my full time gig.”

They hope to find that change of pace working for a justice organization in the Midwest. In Seattle, Oliver still believes there are plenty of things for people to pay attention to, including the I-135 social housing initiative.

“I think the way that it's come about is really community based,” Oliver said. “Folks who are currently living outside have helped develop legislation, folks who have been homeless helped development it, and I think that's really important. Because it's being done with multiple communities, it also is like thinking about anti-displacement strategies and anti-gentrification.”

They also mentioned the solidarity budget, which is entering it’s third year, as well as the overall work of young people.

“It's been young folks from like 16-25 who have really been holding it down and creating mutual aid networks and showing up at protests and organizing climate justice rallies,” Oliver said. “I mean, the young people are doing a lot and the more we can uplift their voices and make sure they have the resources that they need, hopefully the better things will get.”

For more information about We Live In Color, click here