Suggestions To Ease Ethnic Differences

Friday, March 1, 2002

aes 6 wen “Foon Our Community City Leadership Group Offers Suggestions To Ease Ethnic Differences (NAPSA)—Americansare finding new waysto get along these days, with the help of a unique program anda surprising study. A recent poll says that a number of towns and cities have seen some improvementsin racerelations. The bad newsis that more municipalities reported relations had not changed or had even deteriorated. The good news is that now there’s a strong resource to help guide municipalofficials, and the citizens they serve, toward new growth and community spirit. The National League of Cities (NLC), the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments, has released a handbook titled Ensuring Race Equality: Resources for Local Officials. The publication presents descriptions of race problems and opportunities, guidelines for forming partnerships with youth, catalysts for action, and examples of lessons learned by cities and townsin race relations programs. The handbook defines four routes for elected officials: Face the facts. Undoing racism is about getting past denial. Show whatit takes. Make your community groups part of the solution. * Reach out to others around the community, the region and the nation. “One wayto confrontracism is to keep listening fo other people's stories, keep hearing other people’s pain. That way, we can change our hearts, notjust our minds.” Kyung Jin Park ofAuburn, New York. @ The handbook urges unbiased sifting of facts and frank admission that the problem does exist, and warnsthat ignoring race problems only intensifies them. It also advises city officials that their goal should be action, not reaction. City leaders are encouraged to speak out against racism and to involve the entire community in the process. Some of the more popular programs have been poster contests in schools, training programs and unity rallies. Manycities set aside a day, week or month to intensify their equality efforts. The handbook gives these, along with y other examples of what somecities have done or are currently doing in an effort to inspire municipal leaders to involve their communities in solving this national problem. Communities andcitizens looking for guidance on howto raise awareness of ethnic fairness issues can turn to the NLC Web site at www.nlc.org.