Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 March 2004 — Page 16

Page 16 • The Muncie Times • March 18, 2004

IN COLORED CIRCLES MULTI-FACETED ATTACKS ON RACISM

INFORM YOURSELF ABOUT RACISM Two classics about institutional racism are Institutional Racism in America by Louis L. Knowles and Kenneth Prewitt (Prentice Hall, 1969) Blaming the Victim by William Ryan (Vintage Books, 1976). For more regular updating, subscribe to the Bulletin of the Council on Interracial Books for Children, 1841 Broadway, New York, NY 10023 and the iCivil Rights Journal, i a new service of the United Church Of Christ Commission on Racial Justice, 105 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Subscribe to Black, Hispanic, Asian, or other ethnic newspapers in your community. TALK ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS Talk within your family specifically about events that have racial implications. Encourage children to ask questions and draw conclusions.

CELEBRATE RACIAL

JUSTICE HEROES Lift up for yourself and your children the lives of people of color, past and present, who have fought and continue to fight for racial justice. Enjoy the learning by surrounding it with a party or other enjoyable event (for example a birthday party for Martin Luther King). Suggested heroes: Rosa Parks, Chief Joseph, Cesar Chavez, and Harriet Tubman. UTILIZE HOLIDAYS AND CULTURAL EVENTS Many communities have cultural events (dance, theater, art) that provide information as well as real insights into culture, history, and life of different racial groups. Holidays can also be times for us to learn more about the values of other people. NEVER USE OR ALLOW RACIALLY DEROGATORY TERMS Children need to know that comments and/or jokes that belittle or insult the racial

ancestry of any person or group are absolutely unacceptable in our homes. It is also important for them to see us confront other adults about their language. DISCUSS TV PROGRAMMING Children can be brought into our discussions about TV shows. We can look at the simple questions of numbers: how many TV Series have Blacks? Hispanicsi Asians? Native Americans? We can also discuss the kinds of roles: are people of color shown in positive or in stereotypic ways? (For example, are Blacks shown in warm, loving family situations or as perpetrators of crimes?) (LOOK AT YOUR VOTING PATTERNS Political candidates at all levels need to be evaluated in terms of their stance and activity against racism in all forms. Children can be part of discussions about these candidates, about our voting decisions and the reasons for those decisions. In some communities, working on voter registration drives is a concrete way of putting into

Compiled By Hurley C. Goodall

practice concern about the ability of all people to participate in the political system. WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In every community there are racial incidents that occur as well as ever present economic and political realities that reflect the institutional dimensions of racism (for example, high unemployment, infant mortality', difficulties in voter registration). Families can let their opinion be known in the community through letters that could be signed by the whole family. INVOLVE YOURSELF IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS

It is important for both adults and children to be involved in project in which the leaders are people of color. STAND WITH THE VICTIMS Even though the circumstances vary from one community to another, there are always opportunities to add our vices to those fighting against the impact of racism, whether at school board meetings, a city council hearings, court procedures, or vigils. At times these situations may be appropriate for the participation of children.

Opportunities solve to improve diversity communication skills

“Diversity Action Steps” * Expect multi-cultural misunderstanding to occur sometimes * Recognize that even best intentions may be undermined by old assumptions. * Catch ourselves in some of these assumptions in order to communicate more clearly and fairly. * Ask, “What’s going on

here?” when a communication problem arises. Be willing to change gears or communication styles if necessary. * Learn about the cultural styles and values of different groups; understand and appreciate individual and group differences. * Don’t generalize about individuals because of their particular culture; individual

differences exist within any group. * Test for understanding if unsure about being understood. * Invite others to be included in discussion and decision making. * Adapt communication styles appropriate for the situation, though perhaps “uncustomary” for us. * Take responsibility for

some of the successes and difficulties in interpersonal interactions; don’t blame the “other party” for all the problems. * Avoid hot buttons or blunders such as ethnic jokes, sexualized expressions, racially based assumptions, inappropriate touching, stereotyped job assignments, and causing public loss of face.

* Use “we’re all in this together” language to express trust and foster a spirit of good will and partnership. * Investigate whether communication style or process, rather than content, is the cause of a conflict. * Respond to the context and content of a person’s words and deeds, rather than continue on page 17.