Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2009-11

e-Newsletter 2009-11

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

November 2009

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance seeks to dismantle racial, socioeconomic, and institutional barriers to ensure that people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.

Two Conferences; Cross-Cultural Simulations & Activities

(Left) Alyssa Sanchez (Center) Students writing on the "Wall of Intolerance" (Right) Darve and Daina Robinson

Calling All Colors Fall Conferences

The fall Calling All Colors conferences - the fourteenth annual for middle school students and the third annual for high school students - were held in successive days on October 19 and 20.

On both days, nearly 150 students from Ottawa and Muskegon county schools gathered at Hope College. The morning featured a keynote address, a cross-cultural simulation titled "BaFa BaFa", and a brainstorming session for the student groups to design action plans that create a greater appreciation for diversity in their schools.

In the afternoon students participated in an activity titled "Breaking the Wall of Intolerance" and learned a cultural activity. Alyssa Sanchez taught the Bachata on October 19. Daina and Darve Robinson, taught about their home country of Jamaica and a few Reggae dance steps on October 20.

[click here] to read the article on Calling All Colors in the Holland Sentinel.

Special Thanks

Host: Hope College
Hope College Staff: Kristi Dunn, Alfredo Gonalzes, Vanessa Greene, Tony Vanhouten

Keynote Speaker: Roberto Jara, Executive Director of Latin Americans United for Progress
Emcee: Sally Woods

Volunteers: Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, Cindy Brown, Jill Caesar, Nancy Collins, Carolina Contrearas, Bruce Cooke, Edwardo Fuentes, Ann McKnight, Alessandra Musiani, Paul Nawrocki, Tedd Parsons, Luis Ruiz, Susan Strobel, Kate VanDerKolk, Dave Zwart
Cultural Activity Facilitators: Daina and Darve Robinson, Alyssa Sanchez
Hope College Interns: Kelly Garcia and Melanie Weimer

Participating Middle Schools and Liaisons:
Black River, Corpus Christi, Creekside, Harbor Lights/Macatawa Bay, Holland Christian, Holland High 8th Graders, Lakeshore, St. Mary's Catholic, White Pines

Participating High Schools and Liaisons:
Grand Haven, Holland Christian, Holland High, Muskegon High, Muskegon Community Education, Spring Lake, Wavecrest, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, Zeeland West

Calling All Colors is a diversity awareness program for middle and high school students in
which students attend conferences, learn tools for increasing appreciation of diversity in their
schools, and creatively collaborate to implement action plans all year.
[learn more]

As Families Depart, Mentors Say Farewell 'Til Next Year

Mentor Kathy Wassink and mentee Jonathon Balleza

Migrant Mentoring Program
Evaluations from migrant families are now complete and evaluations for mentors will be distributed soon.

The program exceeded its goal of matched kids this year, totaling 71 matches.

"Mentoring has been a wonderful, humbling experience for me. I enjoyed viewing my hometown of Holland with a different pair of eyes."
- Mentor Kathy Wassink (pictured above)

The Migrant Mentoring Program provides social supports for children of migrant farm
workers and their families, and creates opportunities for cultural exchange between
volunteers and migrant families.
[learn more]

Off to a Great Start: Project Update

The Great Start program of the Ottawa Area ISD has partnered with the Diversity Alliance to conduct a research project to answer this question: "What are the barriers to success for youth of color and "at-risk" children ages zero to five?"

During October, the Diversity Alliance completed a focus group with the Migrant Community; thank you to everyone that made the event a success.
During November, individual interviews will begin in the City of Holland, Grand Haven School District and Georgetown/Allendale.

Language Academy Fall Courses Update

Students of the level one conversational Spanish course

Community Conversational Spanish
The Level One Conversational Spanish course is nearing half way through the course. Participants have moved into challenging sessions such as "estar and ser". Students continue to practice pronunciation and verb congregation.

Business Conversational Spanish
Four Business Conversational Spanish courses begin this month: three for Ottawa County and one for Grand Haven Area Public Schools. For more information regarding tailored courses for your organization, please contact admin@ethnicdiversity.org

The Language Academy provides courses for adults, youth, and businesses interested in
learning and practicing a new language.
[learn more]

Gail's Reading List

The Secret Life of Bees
by Sue Munk Kidd

Living in South Carolina with her harsh father, Lily Owens has shaped her life around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. Since then, her only real companion has been a black woman, Rosaleen - her "stand-in mother."

When Rosaleen insults three of the town's deepest racists, she is beaten and incarcerated. Lily springs Rosaleen free and they head toward Tiburon, South Carolina - a name printed on a picture left by her mother. They are taken in by a trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August.

Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

The Secret Life of Bees has a rare wisdom about life; about the divine power of women and the power of love. It is the kind of novel women share with each other and mothers will hand down to daughters for years to come.

The Secret Life of Bees
2008 Film

[image]

Starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Paul Bettany, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson.
[view trailer]

Summit on Racism

As of the end of October, eighteen collaborators have confirmed their support and participation in the upcoming Summit on Racism, scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 2010.

- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic
Harmony
- All for One Dance Program
- City of Holland, Human Relations
Commission
- Global Concepts Enterprise, Inc.
- Good Samaritan Ministries
- Faith Christian Reformed Church
- First United Methodist Church of
Holland
- Grand Valley State University,
Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Holland Area Chamber of
Commerce
- Hope Church RCA
- Hope College, Office of
Multicultural Education
- Hope College, Fried International
Center
- Holland Public Schools
- Latin Americans United for
Progress
- Mothers Trust, Mothers Place/
Ramakrishna Sarada Ashram/
Lakeshore Interfaith Community
- Our Lady of the Lake Parish
- West Michigan Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce
- West Michigan Strategic
Alliance

Collaborators are organizations that commit to informing and/or engaging their constituents in the work of the Summit. For more information, please contact admin@ethnicdiversity.org.

The Planning Committee has been meeting bi-weekly to identify the theme, keynote speakers, and breakouts sessions.

More information to come soon.

Diversity Award

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance and Gail Harrison were recognized as a Diversity Champion by Corp! Magazine's 2008 Salute to Diversity.

Stand Up. Sign Up.

Local Voices are individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to promoting, supporting, and affirming the value of diversity and inclusion.
Let your local voice be heard.
[learn more]

Highlights: News & Resources

Below are highlights of this month's News & Resources.
[click here] to view more.

Teaching Diverse Students Initiative

The most significant educational challenge facing the United States is the tragically low academic achievement of many students of color. The Teaching Diverse Students Initiative helps educators meet this challenge by providing research based resources for improving the teaching of diverse students.
[visit website]

Holland Relations Commission Accepting Nominations for Annual Social Justice Awards

To nominate a person, program, or organization, submit a letter addressing the following: 1) Describe services provided to a diverse population. 2) Describe how diversity is valued and demonstrated. 3) Describe programs that promote equal opportunity/social justice.
Nominations must be received by December 04, 2009.
Human Relations Commission, City Hall, 270 S. River Ave, Holland, MI 49423 or e.nyholt@cityofholland.com
[download brochure]
[visit website]

2009-10-05 The Huffington Post "Young, Green, and Out of Work"
The Labor Department reported youth unemployment at 18.2%, nearly twice the national average. The percentage of young people without a job is a staggering 53.4%. Looking deeper, statistics for youth of color are terrible and telling.

[read more]

2009-10-06 National Public Radio "A Black Author's Journey into American 'Whitopia'"
For his book, Searching For Whitopia, Rich Benjamin lists every city and county in the U.S. that is "whiter than the nation, its respective region, and its state." He calls these enclaves "Whitopias." Once identified, he immersed himself. He wanted to find out why more and more whites are moving to small towns areas that are mostly white. Benjamin explains why "Whitopias" are growing, and what it means for the U.S.
[listen to broadcast]

2009-10-15 Associated Press "Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana"
A Louisiana justice of the peace refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple.

[read more]

2009-10-21 Grand Rapids Press '"Illegal alien' costume controversy between immigrant rights, free speech"
Many national retailers pulled an "illegal alien" costume from store racks this Halloween.
[read more]

Highlights: Events

Below are highlights of next month's diversity-related events and programming throughout our community.
[click here] to view more.

National American Indian Heritage Month: November
World Freedom Day: November 09
International Day for Tolerance: November 16

Tai Chi Classes
Wednesdays, November 04-11, 5:30-6:15pm
Holland Area Arts Council
[visit website]

Race to Unity Conference (Grand Rapids)
November 05 & 06
Kentwood Community Church
[visit website]

Professionals of Color Lecture Series "Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy"
November 05, 6:00-730pm
Grand Valley State University, Loosemore Auditorium

Cajun Rock and Blues Guitarist Tab Benoit
November 07, 8:00pm
Saugatuck Center for the Arts
[visit website]

Speaker Prince Cedza Dlamini presents "Global Forgiveness and Connectedness"
November 11, 7:00-9:00pm
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids
[download flier]

Election Law Expert to Speak about Equal Justice
November 13, 7:00pm
Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland

Jocelyn Benson formerly worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center as an investigative journalist researching white supremacist and neo-Nazi organizations.

Grand Valley State University's 34th Annual Great Lakes History Conference: "Indigenous Peoples of the Globe: Colonization and Adaptation"

"We Shall Remain" Viewing & Discussion
November 10, 6:00-8:00pm
Loosemore Auditorium

"The Business of Fancydancing" Viewing
November 12, 7:00-9:00pm
Auditorium, L.V. Eberhard Center

Traditional Native American Ceremony; "Journey to Forgiveness: Implications for Social Change"; Keynote Sherman Alexie: "Without Reservations: An Urban Indian's Comic, Poetic & Highly Irreverent Look at the World"
November 13, 5:15pm-9:00pm
L.V. Eberhard Center, 2nd Floor

Great Lakes History Conference; Keynote Dr. Ned Blackhawk: "Surviving the American Conquest: Themes in Contemporary American History"
November 14, 8:30am-5:45pm
L.V. Eberhard Center

[download flier]
[visit website]

"The Cool Train: A One-Man Performance"
November 18, 7:00pm
Hope College, DeWitt Theatre
Written and performed by Hope Alumnus Lunga Sinuka: a memoir of South Africa under Apartheid. Following, Earl James, Coordinator of Multiracial Initiatives for the Reformed Church in America, will lead a discussion.
[view flier]

Lakeshore Interfaith Institute November Programs
6676 122nd Avenue, Ganges/Fennville
"The Ancient Coptic Linage"; Gita Chanting; "Four Yogas of Swami Vivekananda" Class and Discussion; "Zoroaster, First Monotheist"; "Smoke Signals, the Story of Indians"; "St. John of the Cross, Raja Yoga"; "Dance of Universal Peace"; The Jain Religion of India; and Islam as a Progressive Force.
[visit website]