Dialogue on Race and Action
10/17/2008
Old and Young Collaborate to Improve Race Relations in Southeastern Wisconsin
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, more than 100 people from southeastern Wisconsin, ages 14 to 98, came together for a summit on race and race relations in our area, in hopes of generating solutions to some of our most vexing challenges involving race.
Organized by Denise Wooten of the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, the event was designed to explore the causes and effects of racism, and generate possible ways to decrease the conditions that promote it.
"The event was especially unique in that ideas and solutions were solicited from five living generations in our society, with members of the African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Native-American communities represented in each age-group," CAC Associate Director Tom Fritsch said. "Through intergenerational cross-talk, a unique forum was created, where people could hear and build on ideas from the different age cohorts. The contributions from seniors - especially the very old - was captivating!"
Racial differences and ethnic diversity are a part of the fabric of American life. These differences enhance our greater culture, adding richness to life through the unique social, political, artistic, philosophical, and historical perspectives that different ethnic groups bring. The dialogue tried to identify reasons for why many minority groups don't have equal access to some of our most fundamental resources.
Results from the dialogue will be presented in a summary statement, and an action plan will emerge from the dialogue. It is hoped that all of the dialogue participants will continue their work to see that recommendations generated through the dialogue process will be implemented.
Organizations collaborating on the initiative included: Agape Community Center, Council for the Spanish Speaking, Indian Council of the Elderly, Milwaukee Intergenerational Intercultural Community Connection, Milwaukee Public Theatre, Shee Yee Community of Milwaukee, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee. The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee was the coordinating agency. The Center on Age & Community was also a proud co-sponsor.
http://www.nonprofitcentermilwaukee.org/index.php
