It’s really time that we begin to pay attention to whom we elect in office.
Seattle has so much to offer. It’s a growing, beutiful city full of a whole spectrum of experience and culture; However, some individuals are desperately trying to cut us short.

It’s one thing to get angry and vent anonamously about what’s happening in the city, but it’s yet another to take the time and energy needed to be proactive. Initially my main objective was to help rebuild Haiti and that dream still motivates me everyday. But soon enough I realized that many of the same problems that haunt me in my homeland exists here in our own backyard. Seattle needs to be woken up. There is a growing discontent in the Black community in this city. And like any wound unattended it will fester if it’s ignored.

I have asked myself over and over again why is that every single place that’s frequented by black people is literally shut down? What is it about people of color that illicits such disdain? We all agree in word if not deed that diversity is a beautiful thing. We give it lip service and praise it for it’s many gifts. Yet when we’re asked to truly embrace the “other” we quiver with fear. We don’t want it on our block, at our school. We make excuses for our own prejudice and discomfort. Small numbers seem to appease and glorify but when we begin to imagine power behind those numbers and realevant change we sit back and either pretend ignorance or worse yet we grow complacent in our apathy.

There are countless artists in Seattle that need a place to showcase their talents and with Waids, I intend to help them achieve their goal in a peaceful and loving manner. There are people without family that find their family here within the walls of this establishment. This is more than a bar, it always has been. It is a powerhouse for change. An instrument of love. You can make light of it if you will but you need only to stop by to see my point illustrated. I believe it’s because of this fact, the love that exists here in the community of Waids that this feeding frenzy is underway. I believe it’s because of the potential here to make lasting change in the City of Seattle that, the powers that be, feel the need to close our doors and silence our voice.

So people…In short what i’m saying is we need to put a stop to this racist nonsense. I’m challenging you to do more than vent, create change with your discontent. There is power in your voice and to actualize it you must speak out. Here’s the number for the City hotline. Voice your opinion… and maybe they will get the point!!! >>(206) 684-CITY.

Dear friends, I’m not sure if you’ve been to Waids yet. If you have, no doubt you’ve witnessed the constant presence of police officers that join us in spite of the fact that there is absolutely no cause for concern or danger to the public. I don’t know about you but I find it infuriating that their time and energy is wasted during what are the most crucial and demanding hours of the night. As a business owner, it is nerve wracking to say the least. While I should be free to attend to my customers, my friends, I must keep looking at the entrance and watching for police officers..

I’m friends with several of the bar owners in Seattle….I have worked as a bartender in many bars and we all agree that we’ve never seen such a strong presence of police officers at a particular place. Waids is a peaceful and loving place. It is called the house of love because that’s what I believe in. So, ask yourselves why am I being so relentlessly harassed? I’m not playing the “race card” trust me. I’ve been asking myself why for so long and this is the only answer I could come up with.

Please know that I’m open to your suggestions to solve this dilemma.
Blessing to all,
Waid

Dear Friends & Family,

Thank you for the overwhelming response and support that you have shown me. I knew I wasn’t alone from the very beginning. But, I thought that I could remedy the situation without getting anyone else involved. I have carried this heavy load alone for the past seven months since I’ve opened Waids. Needless to say, no word can express my gratitude to those brothers and sisters that are willing to take on this fight. I have attached a copy of the letter that I recently received from the Chief of the Seattle Police Department. After reading it, you will understand the gravity of my situation and the unfairness of it all. In it, they deliberately added comments from three of the five neighbors that have been relentlessly harassing my establishment from day one. (more…)

As many of you know since the onset of my founding this establishment I’ve been consistently under duress.  There has been an ongoing battle to keep Waid’s an open and thriving business. In addition to the expected obstacles of creating a community and clientele that any new business must face we have encountered ceaseless opposition by a small but determined few whose hope is that we will call to a halt this movement of Love. (more…)

Come join us on January 26th for ¡RUMBA FRIDAY! sponsored by KBCS 91.3 FM. 

Cuban dancer/percussionist José Carrión & ¡Todo Folklore! will perform Afro Cuban-Haitian music and dances at 9:30pm.  There will be salsa dancing before and after the performance with DJ Thomas. 

Price: $10 (includes show & salsa dancing).  Entry after the show/10:45pm is $5, and after 12:30am entry is free.

José Carrión will be interviewed on KBCS on Saturday, 1/20 from 6-8pm.  And there will be a ticket giveaway for the show too.

Advance tickets available at John’s Music in Wallingford (at 4501 Interlake Ave N on corner of N 46th St.).  More information at www.CubanFolkloricDance.com

Starting 9.00pm