How to Build Respect
for Differences
 Recognize
that many of our ideas and beliefs about race and culture were learned
as children. Ask yourself, "As a child, what spoken or unspoken
message did I receive about people of different races and cultures?"
Prepare
in advance how you will respond to discriminatory remarks, jokes,
and behavior.
Support
institutional efforts to embrace diversity. Ask institutional leaders
about their plans for diversity.
Read about
another racial or cultural group or attend a local cultural celebration.
Do smile
-- don't stare at those different from yourself.
Understand
the changing demographics of Minnesota and how they will contribute
to economic prosperity. For example, according to the Minnesota
Planning Department, "nonwhite workers will account for almost half
of the gain in the state's labor force from 1990 to 2020."
In the
2005-06 school year, non-white students made up 25% of the student
population in Rochester public schools. Consider volunteering
with these students or volunteer with refugee and immigrant families
through the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association.
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Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others
guides our manners.
-Laurence Sterne
We must build a new world, a far better world - one in which the
eternal dignity of man is respected.
-Harry S Truman
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