In the News

Race discussion continues with weekend event

From staff reports

October 31, 2005

Ongoing discussion about race and racism in Olmsted County will continue Saturday during an event in Rochester.

"Time to Talk: A Dialogue on Race" will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Mayo High School cafeteria.

The Diversity Council, in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College and Community Education, will lead the interactive dialogue.

When the Diversity Council was founded in 1989 as Building Equality Together, a nonprofit group focused on eliminating racism and discrimination, it began a discussion within the schools about race. It continues through the Prejudice Reduction Workshops given to thousands of students each school year.

Last year, the Diversity Council began offering "Race: The Power of an Illusion" to school staff as part of the Rochester school district's continuing education program. The workshop about the history and current role of face in America will soon be available to more schools as part of their continuing education efforts, as well as to businesses and faith organizations as part of their membership benefits.

The Diversity Council has also developed a workshop in conjunction with Rochester Community and Technical College entitled "White Privilege: Awareness to Action." The workshop encourages participants to understand how race affects people who are white as well as people of color, and the important roles and responsibilities that white people have in anti-racism activities.

As a follow-up to the "White Privilege: Awareness to Action" workshop, the Diversity Council is holding dialogues to discuss different understandings and experiences of race in Olmsted County.

© 2005 Post Bulletin. Used by permission.

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