No Diversity

From: Lorie
Email: lstultz@sbcglobal.net
Date: December 19, 2005

Comments

Hi Marsha - First, I want to tell you that your session with the Next Generation group a month or so ago was fabulous. Shortly after our day with you I had one of our staff members tell me I was not a nice person because I don't say a loud "Good Morning" when I come in. I almost laughed outloud, but she definately would not have understood why I was laughing. Anyway, I simply explained that I did not want to interrupt the classroom activities.

My question is quite the opposite of the ones I've been reading here. The center that I'm working with is mainly African-American. There are 3 adults who are white, and all others, staff and children are black. We all get along very well, but we know each other to the point that color is second to the person, and not a focal point. My question is this - how - other than hanging pictures of people from other cultures, music, etc. - can we help these children (and also some of our staff) to get to know other ethnic groups, cultures, etc., and really understand them?

Additionally, like a previous posting I read, I too, would like to know how to get other "nationalities" involved with our program. Unfortunately, even in Chicago where the population is so diverse, parents don't want their child to be the ONLY ________. Fill in the blank with whatever. Any suggestions? Lorie