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Youth and Diversity |
Education, Links and Other Cool Stuff
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A Thought To Ponder
Time is Ticking By
I think Heather D. Washington, editor, Diversity Digest put it best when she wrote, "So many innovative diversity initiatives have sprung up across campuses that the dilemma today is coordinating them and structuring them in complementary
ways." I could not agree more. Moreover, various groups seem to have their own agenda instead of making diversity all inclusive with regard to people of difference and not just diversity as it pertains to culture, race, religion. Lets face
it, diversity does not stop there. I say, what about diversity communities like disability, GLBT, gifted youth, to name a few. Our youth need to be educated and exposed to all community diversity needs. Our public and private school
systems need to address all groups of diversity as a strength among humanity around the world and present programs which reflect that. As I researched diversity, I found more well rounded and complete programs in other countries ie: Australia,
Canada, and the UK. The USA is falling behind or at best just getting by. Now is the time to strengthen our humanity with diversity understanding and acceptance. The clock is ticking by. More programs like, "Fellowship Farm" is much needed throughout our country. Corporate commandos need to upgrade their initiative programs to accept all diversity communities. Diversity specific information must begin to reflect all
aspects of diversity among human beings.
The place to begin is at home and in our public and private youth educational systems. The aversion toward diversity must stop, come together and coordinate initiatives to address all inclusive diversity programming and education of our youth.
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I think it interesting to look at what various historians have had to say about diversity and so below you will have an opportunity to review their thoughts and then consider
their time of life as to compared to where we are today with diversity.
Was it wisdom or chance to have made such renowned memorable statements and quotes.
To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge. The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but reveal to them their own.
** Benjamin Disraeli (English statesman and novelist,
1804-1881)
Diversity Defined:
Diversity is "dissimilarity," or those human characteristics which differ from that which we personally considered the norm, yet are existent in other people communities and groups.
Principally, we look at diversity with consideration to: age, ethnicity/culture, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, physical abilities disabilities and or qualities, race, and sexual orientation. But I would be remiss not to
mention this list and definitive explanation is discreet at best.
No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. If [people] can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes
more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
**Nelson Mandela
We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."
**Jimmy Carter
So let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make this world
safe for diversity.
**John F. Kennedy, 1963
"Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival."
**Robert F Kennedy
"One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings."
**Franklin Thomas
As long as the differences and diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise, for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences
**Eugene McCarthy:
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Fellowship Farm: Diversity
Training & awareness in Schools
Presented by fellowshipfarm.org
This program is indeed a well round diversity" experience.
"Fellowship Farm is an educational leader in the field of human relations. We are one of the nation's oldest education and retreat centers dedicated to leadership development
and social change"
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National Minority AIDS Council
Committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in communities of color.
Offering resource, treatment, job bank and so much more. This is an impressive informational resource for people
across our nation.
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The Power of Friendship
Presented by Maria Hastings School,
Lexington, Massachusetts
This is a Grade 4 lesson plan to discuss and define friendship between individuals who differ in religion, age, and/or race
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Do You Know?
According to the US Census:
Children 5 - 17 years old are more diverse than
the population as a whole.
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Precious Children. Diversity in the classroom
Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior
U.S. Department of Education.
While the information may be redundant in some aspects,
there are positives to be acknowledged.
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Learning the Value of Diversity
By Leah Davies, M.Ed.
"Children's
identity and self-respect are related to how others treat them, and
ultimately to their future success. Therefore, school personnel need to
promote a safe, humane environment where inclusiveness, justice and an
appreciation of individual differences are evident. When staff are
respectful toward students no matter what their gender, social class,
race, nationality, religion, disability or cultural background, children
will follow their example."
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