05/28/99

Names Can Really Hurt Us

"It's possible to help create a world
That makes room for all of us.
A world that welcomes.
A place where everyone can flourish."

-- Vision of "A World of Difference" Institute

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My friend, Grace, received training from the Anti-Defamation League's A World of Difference Institute to lead groups of teachers, administrators and students into discussions about bias, bigotry, prejudice and racism in their schools. In the following vignettes, Grace describes some of the "miracles" that have resulted from these discussions.

"It was an amazing and emotional experience to observe the shift that occurred in the culture of a high school, as students lined up to share their innermost thoughts and feelings about name-calling, prejudice and discrimination in their school and community. In the span of a few hours, students who had been victims had a voice; students who had been victimizers expressed remorse and became strong voices for change."

Here are a few examples from that morning:

Grace told me that a young man stepped up to the microphone, wearing a letter jacket. At first he was boisterous, saying that the morning had been great and he had learned a lot. Then his voice dropped and he got very quiet. He spoke with tears in his eyes of the pain of having a reading disability and of the embarrassment of reading in front of his peers. The empathy in the auditorium was palpable.

One girl confessed to frequent thoughts of suicide. She said that she was harassed every day because of how she dressed, who her friends were and how she talked. She asked her tormentors to stop, to give her space and respect, so that she could finish high school and go on to college, where perhaps she would fit in better. A new student, who had come in mid-year, got up tp speak. She shared that she had moved three times during high school, and that it was very difficult to make new friends all the time. Fortunately, she had made some friends, but along the way a rumor started that she was gay. She stated that although some of her friends were gay, she was not. She asked her fellow students to stop labeling her and taunting her for no reason.

"Student after student shared," Grace said. "And as they shared, a common sense of urgency and outrage developed. What occurred next felt like a miracle. One student got up and asked everyone to commit to creating a respectful, supportive school. Then another rose to declare that no student should be picked on, no matter what the reason. From there it went to action plans, with ideas popping up in every corner and students volunteering to help. It was truly an inspiring day."

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is an established, more than 85-year-old agency that fights bigotry worldwide through regional and satellite offices. Readers can access information about the national ADL at: http://www.adl.org. The regional ADL Connecticut website address is: http://www.adl.org/regional/connecticut.

The World of Difference Institute was started in Boston in 1985 when the ADL and WCVB-TV joined together to fight prejudice. Their programs -- A Classroom of Difference, A Campus of Difference, A Community of Difference, and A Workplace of Difference -- have proven to be remarkably effective ways to promote and embrace diversity, by changing hearts and minds across the nation - and beyond.

"Names Can Really Hurt Us" is an extraordinary new ADL initiative, which trains student leaders, so that they can work with their peers on how to understand and engage the often complex issues that religious, racial and ethnic diversity introduces in their schools and communities. The program culminates in a daylong program led by students, and the effect has been electric. According to one participant, "It really brings home, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

You can become part of the solution, too, by applying for the training necessary to lead "A World of Difference" or "Names Can Really Hurt Us" programs, like my friend Grace does.

Trainer qualifications are listed below:

Background:

• Bachelor's degree or combination of education and experience that provides a foundation for serving as a facilitator
• Professional training, teaching or other group leadership experience
• Knowledge and interest in diversity and intergroup issues and anti-bias education
• Familiarity with K-12 education
• Experience in platform presentation/facilitation
• Commitment to addressing all issues of diversity (including race, socio-economic class, ability, religion, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, profession and more)
• Bilingual/bicultural skills desired, but not required

Skills:

• Willingness to embark on or continue personal journey to explore issues of prejudice and bias
• Ability to communicate goals, objectives and philosophical approach of A World of Difference Institute programs
• Expertise in leading discussions and understanding of group process/dynamics, including ability to listen attentively, encourage participants to express diverse viewpoints and resolve conflict
• Ability to present material in a motivating and energetic manner
• Ability to take direction and feedback

Other:

• Applicants must be available to serve as a trainer for a minimum of 5 programs per academic year. Most programs take place between 8 AM and 6 PM
• Applicants must be willing to travel within Connecticut and provide own transportation
• Applicants must be available to attend quarterly evening trainer meetings.

To inquire about becoming a trainer, contact: Marji Lipshez-Shapiro, Director of CT World of Difference Institute
Email: malshapiro@aol.com
Telephone: 203-772-1300
FAX: 203-787-1524

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.