Member Spotlight

Christian Milaster

Prejudice Reduction Workshop Facilitator

“Eye-opening.” 

“Transformational.” 

These are just a couple of the words Christian Milaster, a new Diversity Council facilitator, used to describe his facilitator training, which wrapped up in September. 

He was particularly struck by the discussion on sizism, which raised his awareness about the topic and “started a great thought process.” 

“I learned about the diversity of diversity,” Christian says, “that it is not just about race and religion.” 

During Christian’s youth in Germany, he saw little diversity aside from variations in social class.  Race, sexual orientation, even religion, seemed fairly homogenous.  After living 30 years in Germany, “having been born, raised, and educated within a 30 mile radius,” Christian laughs, he moved to Columbus, Ohio.  It was a new experience, with whites and blacks living together. 

He realized he did not have many stereotypes about people of color due to his lack of exposure; however, he recognized his own difference from Caucasian Americans despite a life-long exposure to Western culture, music, news, etc.  It was actually not until he moved to Minnesota that he realized the value diversity brings to a community. 

Upon coming to Rochester, Christian was excited to become part of a community that seemed “very international and diverse.”  At first look, it seemed people embraced the diversity all around them in Rochester.  However, upon closer examination, this harmony seemed more of an illusion.  “There are very few places to see real integration [in Rochester],” Christian explains. 

Around the time of this observation, Christian was invited to join a community group in Spring Valley seeking to bring more diversity to the community.  “That’s when I really learned the concept of diversity, and [why it’s important] to bring more diversity to a community.”

Christian took this insight to another level after hearing a presentation by Diversity Council executive director Kay Hocker at a Rotary meeting last spring.  He had been looking for opportunities to get involved in the community, and the chance to interact with children as a facilitator was exciting. 

“I read a statistic that [in the USA] 50% of all kids under the age of 5 have minority or immigrant status,” states Christian. “Fast forward 20 years, when today’s children are our workers, leaders, etc.  How will whites react as underrepresented populations grow?” 

Christian cites one white leader whose reaction to the human difference in his country must be avoided at all costs: Hitler.  Christian feels a “strong responsibility to not let [the events of the Holocaust] happen again.”  He thinks it is critical to educate about respect as the face and definition of “an American” changes. 

“There was a sense of [the majority population] not feeling connected [to underrepresented populations] during the Holocaust,” Christian explains, “and people didn’t ask enough questions.”  As a diversity facilitator, he is taking an active role in providing students the tools to ask the tough questions and respond to incidents of prejudice and discrimination. 

In addition to his work in the classroom, Christian will also be facilitating adult education around the topic of white privilege.  He sees Prejudice Reduction Workshops as the first step in eliminating discrimination, but acknowledges that there is an enormous opportunity to educate parents as well.  “PRW inform children in the classroom, but parents teach them, too.  Planting these seeds of thought in the child is not enough,” he says. 

Christian’s passion for his role as a diversity facilitator is evident, and he has a number of other interests to which he is equally committed.  He is dedicated to environmental causes, in particular, to energy conservation and switching to sustainable energy sources. 

In 2005/6, he designed and managed the construction of a modern and comfortable, yet energy-efficient, off-the-grid house in Lanesboro.  “I wanted people to see it could be done—comfortably,” Christian says. “Energy prices in Germany are four to five times higher than [in the U.S.]; it’s difficult to see the waste of energy and water here.”  He also sits on the board of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center and is lending his expertise as the ELC switches to renewable energy sources. 

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  Christian Milaster’s actions demonstrate his commitment to facilitating change in a variety of ways.  This is an example for everyone to follow: how will you affect your world in a positive way today?  What actions will you take to create a more inclusive, welcoming community?  Do something today to be that change.   

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.