News and Views

August 15, 2005
City Schools Bridge Gap in Racial Diversity

A two-day marathon centered on racial and cultural diversity, or the lack thereof, in Clinton City Schools and in the community was held last week. Participants were split up into their racial background groups and a moderator asked questions like "what would you like for people to know about being African-American/Black, White or non-White/non-Black?" This cultural diversity awareness seminar aims to bring out how everyone needs to be more sensitive about issues in relation to race and culture. While the effects of this approach is still in progress, allowing people from different racial backgrounds to raise their concerns about issues from bullying to cultural difference helps all people understand others better as well. Furthermore, it gives everyone the chance to celebrate their cultures, differences, and pride, while voicing their dissatisfaction with discrimination, harassment, and disrespect. This would be an excellent exercise for young kids to do as well in terms of what they love about themselves and their friends as a way to celebrate diversity and respect differences. In the process, maybe hurtful stereotypes may have the possibility of being eliminated too!

Read more at: Sampson Independent