Racial tensions and violence have made headlines around the nation, in the process creating stress for some communities.
Several Columbus organizations are taking a proactive approach to this by teaming together to maintain unity in the city. The African-American Ministerial Alliance, Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. are among those involved in presenting a three-part program this weekend at Columbus North High School and a local church.
The first session, Friday, focuses on how a person’s reality with race relations may not reflect another person’s experience. Saturday’s gathering is a workshop to facilitate discussions and provide tools to increase awareness and foster new behaviors about race. Sunday’s event is a worship service at Calvary Community Church in Columbus.
A community race relations series is a great idea. Columbus is not immune from racial problems, so initiating worthwhile dialogue to discuss racial and related issues can help provide solutions that could prevent bad situations that have occurred in other communities around the country.
This series is worth supporting and attending. Community organizations would be well served by having at least one representative participate, so they can share with others what they learned.
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7 p.m. Friday: Facilitator and conference speaker Kendall Wright of Ohio will speak about “Alternative Realities” of race relations. At Columbus North High School auditorium, 1400 25th St.
8 a.m. to noon Saturday: Wright will facilitate group discussions to increase awareness, expand comfort zones and encourage new behaviors on the topic of race. At Columbus North High School cafeteria, 1400 25th St.
4 p.m. Sunday: Fellowship service at Columbus’ Calvary Community Church, 1031 Chestnut St. Wright will speak.
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