Diversity is 2008

I attended the Diversity Institute held yesterday at Syracuse University between Nottingham and Fayetteville Manlius High Schools. Asked to attend as a volunteer, observer and witness to the event, I sat with over 100 youth who were brought together to discuss the meaning of diversity in 2008. Such a setting made me feel alive for many reasons.

First, it was inspirational to hear young people discuss racism, classism and sexism as they experience it in today's schools. The most moving part of the day arrived in the afternoon when these teenagers craved more time and a forum for continued conversation. Recognizing that zip codes, addresses and school populations separate the validity of such conversations, the teenagers who were present at the institute made revelations about their place in the modern world. They wanted more time and more dialogue!!!

The day reinforced the magical power of what occurred everyday at the Brown School in Louisville, Kentucky, where diverse populations come together, daily, to make sense of American culture. It reenforced that schools designed for such conversations are not the public school norm.

Second, Dr. Micere Mugo of Kenya addressed why poetry, script and criticism is a necessity for educators and students in the modern world. Her voice professed the importance of artistic expression to promote a global understanding of individuality and voice. Her words were inspirational and I'm a better person for hearing them.

Finally, I met Andrea Barnewell of Interfaith Works who participates with one of the country's oldest, community wide dialogue programs to end racism alive in the nation. She sat at my table and did a marvelous job helping urban and suburban youth navigate the socially constructed spaces of their experience.

I left the day happy. I had a million other things to do with my snowy Friday, but the conversation that occurred at this place in time trumped any academic work I had on my plate. Here was a generation of juniors and senior questioning where they stood on such matters, while making sense of the progress America has made. The event, that I'm sure is one of many across the country, solidified a place for me in Syracuse.