| Each quarter you'll find resource recommendations on a specific diversity topic. These sources are selected by International Training and Development, LLC president Leslie Aguilar and are some of her favorites. What does it take to be a favorite resource? It must be interesting (no-doze), thought-provoking, well-written, applicable to the real world, and a wealth of information or real-life examples.
Current Resource:
Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a non-profit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation. Its programs include, among others, the Intelligence Project, Teaching Tolerance and Tolerance.org. The Center also sponsors the Civil Rights memorial, which celebrates the memory of those who died during the Civil Rights Movement.
Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Tel: 334.956.8200
www.splcenter.org
www.tolerance.org
You will find excellent resources at the Southern Poverty Law Center websites. You can also subscribe to the SPLC FREE on-line newsletter or print publication. Sample tools available on their website include:
Teaching Tolerance is a national education project dedicated to helping teachers foster equity, respect and understanding in the classroom and beyond.
* Download these and other tools in full from the award-winning Southern Poverty Law Center website - www.splcenter.org or www.tolerance.org. You can also subscribe to the SPLC free on-line newsletter or print publication.
Below is an excerpt from:
Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide.
| SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA™ |
| Every Hour |
| |
someone commits a hate crime. |
| Every Day |
| |
at least eight blacks, three whites, three gays, three Jews and one Latino become hate crime victims. |
| Every Week |
| |
a cross is burned. |
| Hate in America is a dreadful, daily constant .The dragging death of a black man in Jasper, Texas; the crucifixion of a gay man in Laramie, Wyoming; and hate crimes against hundreds of Arab-Americans are not "isolated incidents." They are eruptions of a nation's intolerance. |
| |
| THE GOOD NEWS IS™ |
All over the country people are fighting hate. Standing up to hate mongers. Promoting tolerance and inclusion. More often than not, when hate flares up, good erupts, too.
This guide sets out 10 principles for fighting hate along with a collection of inspiring stories of people who acted, often alone at first, to push hate out of their communities. Their efforts usually made smaller headlines than the acts of the haters, but they made a difference. Even in the wake of some of the most horrific hate crimes of the last century, seeds of promise sprouted. |
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Ten Ways to Fight Hate
|
| Act |
| |
Do something. In the face of hatred, apathy will be interpreted as acceptance - by the haters, the public and, worse, the victim. Decency must be exercised, too. If it isn't, hate invariably persists. |
| Unite |
| |
Call a friend or co-worker. Organize a group of allies from churches, schools, clubs and other civic sources. Create a diverse coalition. Include children, police and the media. Gather ideas from everyone, and get everyone involved. |
| Support the Victims |
| |
Hate-crime victims are especially vulnerable, fearful and alone. Let them know you care. Surround them with people they feel comfortable with. If you're a victim, report every incident and ask for help. |
| Do Your Homework |
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Determine if a hate group is involved, and research its symbols and agenda. Seek advice from anti-hate organizations. Accurate information can then be spread to the community. |
| Create and Alternative |
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Do NOT attend a hate rally. Find another outlet for anger and frustration and people's desire to do something. Hold a unity rally or parade. Find a news hook, like a "hate-free zone." |
| Speak Up |
| |
You, too, have First Amendment rights. Hate must be exposed and denounced. Buy an ad. Help news organizations achieve balance and depth. Do not debate hate mongers in conflict-driven talk shows. |
|
Lobby Leaders
|
| |
Persuade politicians, business and community leaders to take a stand against hate. Early action creates a positive reputation for the community, while unanswered hate will eventually be bad for business. |
| Look Long Range |
| |
Create a "bias response" team. Hold annual events, such as a parade or culture fair, to celebrate your community's diversity and harmony. Build something the community needs. Create a Web site. |
| Teach Tolerance |
| |
Bias is learned early, usually at home. But children from different cultures can be influenced by school programs and curricula. Sponsor an "I have a dream" contest. Target youths who may be tempted by skinheads or other hate groups. |
| Dig Deeper |
| |
Look into issues that divide us: economic inequality, immigration, homosexuality. Work against discrimination in housing, employment, education. Look inside yourself for prejudices and stereotypes. |
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