Mountlake Terrace council member says bicultural upbringing shaped perspective

A Mountlake Terrace council member told the council that they "grew up bicultural," describing how not knowing the English versions of words and being embarrassed by language barriers shaped their childhood. The speaker said classmates sometimes rejected food brought from home, leaving them without lunch, and said those experiences influenced how they relate to residents from different cultures.

"When you once you grow up and you start learning, you you're more empathetic toward other people from other countries with their cultures, and I think you become a better person because you're more well rounded with the people who are insulated," the council member said. The speaker added that those life experiences show up in the choices they make on the council. The comment was recorded during the council meeting; the speaker did not give a clearly spelled name on the record and identified themselves only by their role with the city. No formal motion or vote followed this comment.