In order to provide some context for the small group discussions by residents, Executive Director Nancy Gagnier spoke about where South Orange and Maplewood fit in terms of national integration trends.  Quoting from three recent studies (click here for full copies), she noted that the country is increasing in diversity, but that in most metropolitan areas across the country, racial groups are increasingly isolated from one another.  She also commented on how the studies distinguish between diversity and integration.  Finally, she identified the set of strategies suggested by one of the studies that allow a community to establish and maintain stable integration.

Program Director Audrey Rowe then spoke about the specifics of what the Coalition does, highlighting where the organization meets many of the suggested pro-integrative strategies.  This set stage for the group exercise attendees participated in: everyone was invited to write down ideas about what the Coalition should continue, start, or change.  Those ideas were then grouped and the broad categories (i.e., more engagement of youth, more social integration opportunities, improved marketing) were read out loud so the groups could discuss them

By many accounts, the table discussions were lively and productive.  At the end, the facilitators read out a synopsis of their respective table’s focus.  Both the synopses and the individual suggestions will be taken up by the Board as part of its Fundamental Issues discussions, time devoted at each meeting to address  integration issues that may connect to existing programs or spur new pro-integrative measures.

Check back for more information as we gather the results of this Conversation on Race.

“The Persistence of Segregation in the Metropolis: New Findings from the 2010 Census” (http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report1.pdf) by John R. Logan (Brown University) and Brian J. Stults (Florida State University) published in 2011,

“Pathways to Integration: Examining Changes in the Prevalence of Racially Integrated Neighborhoods,” May 2012 Ingrid Gould Ellen, Keren Horn and Katherine O’Regan, http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/Pathways_to_Integration_May_2012_1.pdf ]

For specific demographic information on our towns, visit the New York Times interactive map:

http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/map

According to Board of Trustees Chairman Fred Profeta, “This dialogue is vital to the Community Coalition because we want to know what parents, neighbors, businesses and organizations think about our work and programs.  In addition, these important stakeholders will provide feedback and input about what programs and directions they are involved with as well as other initiatives they would like to see as we plan for the next year.”

In addition to opportunities for the community to ask questions and provide input, Executive Director Nancy Gagnier will also provide an update on national trends for integration in the suburbs, “Racially diverse suburban communities are on the rise across the country, but few are integrated.  In fact, without intentional integration efforts, these areas are highly vulnerable to resegregation over time.”

Conversations on Race: How Are We Doing?

Wednesday, May 15th, 7:30 PM

Morrow Memorial Church

600 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood NJ

To sign up in advance, please go to Contact Us and send us an email!

Essentially, cultural competency is developing knowledge, sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic, racial, gender identity, and religious groups.  While training in cultural competency is a regular part of professional development in healthcare and social work fields, there are many benefits to bringing these ideas to parents, teachers, and community members at large.

A main goal of the Schools Committee is that students of all races are expected and encouraged to excel in a community that is proud and supportive of its students.  The more cultural intelligence teachers and parents gain, the more likely they will be to contribute to optimal learning outcomes.  It is important to understand the ways in which cultures differ and how this affects the learning experiences of students and how they behave.

Participants learned, for instance, that cultures learn in different ways, may communicate differently and may deal with conflict differently.  Some cultures view conflict as a positive thing, while others view open conflict as demeaning and embarrassing.  In the US, students, for the most part, work in a collaborative environment.  In some other cultures, the teacher is the authority figure and it is not considered respectful for the student—or parents—t o ask questions because to do so would be perceived as challenging the teacher’s authority.

Cultural competency is a life-long learning process—no matter what one’s training or experience has been.  Just like social workers and medical professionals, who, by virtue of their profession, one might think would have a special sensitivity, we, who live in a diverse community don’t necessarily have a special sensitivity just by virtue of our exposure to people of different races, ethnicities, and lifestyles.  We have to work at it.  That is part of what the Community Coalition on Race is all about.  We help build and strengthen cross-racial and cultural relationships through dialog and interaction.

http://www.workforcediversitynetwork.com/res_articles_culturalcompetency_bcross.aspx

Resources for work in cultural competency

http://www.cehd.umn.edu/PPG/Partnerships/CCAB-resources.html

Reflections from Teachers of Culturally Diverse Children

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Reflections_Teachers/?page=2

How Important are Cultural Competency Standards for Educators?

http://www.claytonearlylearning.org/blog/?p=671

Communicating Cross-Culturally: What Teachers Should Know

http://iteslj.org/Articles/Pratt-Johnson-CrossCultural.html

What Does it Mean to Value Diversity?

http://www.trainingjournal.com//blog/articles-blogs-what-does-it-really-mean-to-value-diversity/

The Cross-Cultural Classroom

http://lessonplans.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/the-cross-cultural-classroom/

University of Minnesota, Educator Development and Research Center

Fostering cultural competence through school-based routines.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Multicultural-Education/153308222.html

DATES: April 11—May 16

TIME:  7:30 PM —9:30 PM

LOCATION:  1978 Art Center, 1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood  NJ

This project is a multidisciplinary, community effort includes poetry or haiku writing, photography and collage to create an artistic book about our community life.  Individuals and families will come together with other residents in workshop sessions led by professionals.  Individuals or households will have an entire page to fill using their choice of  or a combination of a poem or haiku, photographs or a collage to represent their view of life in our integrated community of Maplewood and South Orange. Essex County Artists with expertise in book making, creative writing, photography and collage will each teach a session on their respective disciplines, with the book making artist serving as lead instructor for continuity.

Completed books will be displayed in the Annual Artists Studio Tour in June and at other public venues throughout South Orange and Maplewood. Workshops are free, but registration is required at www.twotowns.org/contact by April 5th.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.