Tuesday, February 19, 2002

David Coates / The Detroit News David Velar spoke for the youth discussion group at Monday's meeting.

Children
Youths play pivotal role in reversing trend
Panel says young people have large part in overcoming Metro Detroit's racial divide

By Joel Kurth / The Detroit News

Clarence Tabb Jr. / The Detroit News Jessica McCall of Farmington Hills was among the segregation forum attendees, who concluded that Metro Detroit youth don't receive enough chances to interact and dispel racial stereotypes. Youth excerpts    Oluwakemi Talabi discussed the importance of diversity in enhancing society. Oluwakemi Talabi, student and African-American Awareness Club leader, West Bloomfield High    * "Imagine a little girl heading towards the kitchen. She craves something sweet so her hand leads her to a wooden jar of animal crackers. The dry, shaped-to-perfection snack represents multiculturalism. We are the animal crackers of the world: bitter and sweet, like the past history of our ancestors, structured to represent our various cultures. Mixed with flour, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, just as our beliefs and lifestyles enrich us. All the key ingredients went together and yet the uniqueness of each piece is still defined."    * "Living in a diverse community and knowing nothing about the people surrounding me on the bus, at the lunch table and in the classroom led me to where I am today. My life was incomplete, like a puzzle without that last piece, because I lacked understanding of other races, cultures and religions."    * "There is no definite solution to this ongoing dilemma. All we can do is help each other to look past color, religion, culture and sexual orientation."    * "Segregation ruins a special connection that is often shared ... The children of our future should not have to live the cruel past, but should be given a chance at diversity and equal opportunities." Can the youth make gains? Do young people have a better chance than their elders to reverse Metro Detroit's status as the most racially split metropolis in the United States? Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

   Less tarnished by decades of division, youths can have a larger role in reversing Metro Detroit's status as the most racially split metropolis in the United States.
   That's the conclusion of a panel convened Monday to discuss the role that young people can play in breaking down barriers to integration.
   The racially and geographically diverse group of about 30 participants called for more meeting opportunities for suburban and Detroit youngsters; increased representation of children and teens in groups that fight segregation; better diversity training for teachers; and more grass-roots organizations that could encourage youths to share experiences and solutions.
   "Segregation ruins a special connection that is often shared," said Oluwakemi Talabi, 18, a senior and co-president of the African-American Awareness Club at West Bloomfield High School.
   "But our history of racism and discrimination should not be repeated. The children of our future should not have to live the cruel past, but should be given a chance at diversity and equal opportunity."
   Participants noted that youngsters often have healthier attitudes about race than their elders. And that's more than just youthful optimism: Experts such as William Frey, a University of Michigan expert on the demographics of race issues, have said the more open attitudes of young people offer greater hope for increased integration.
   Aaron Scott, 18, of Detroit, said many teens think nothing of interracial dating, yet their parents disapprove.
   Deanna Tocco, 32, of Royal Oak, who coordinates youth programs for the American Red Cross, said teens are quicker to ignore race and forge tight bonds.
   "The youths don't have a problem with segregation," said Stephen Gray, 45, of Oak Park. "If you take a bunch of young people in a room -- and they haven't been tainted -- they're just going to play."
   But others feared that openness, while positive, can cause youth to put on blinders and ignore the real impact of segregation.
   "Some of the young people don't believe there's a problem," said Charles E. Giles, 38, of Detroit. "It could be that they're naive or weren't taught about the problem, but mostly it's because they believe history begins with them."
   The group concluded that suburban and Detroit youth don't have enough opportunities to interact and dispel racial stereotypes.
   The panel suggested more forums such as those sponsored by the Black Caucus Foundation, which organizes diversity conferences that bring suburbanites into the city and vice-versa.
   "Our students need greater exposure and appreciation of differences," said Alma Stallworth of Detroit, a former state lawmaker and administrator of the foundation's prevention programs. "We need more efforts to explore and appreciate others."
   The group also suggested the Internet could be better used to foster dialogue between Detroit and suburban youth.
   Talabi, of West Bloomfield, said even young people recognize the difficulty of promoting integration.
   "There is no definite solution to this ongoing dilemma," she said.
   "All we can do is help each other to look past color, religion, culture and sexual orientation."

Key points
   * There should be more forums among teen-agers from Detroit and the suburbs.
   * There should be more integration of teaching staffs at suburban high schools.
   * Newspapers and TV stations should allow guest editorials for teens.
   * The Internet should be better utilized to foster understanding among teens.
   * Reserve places on policy-making foundations and governments for youngsters.
   * Lower the voting age to 16.
   

You can reach Joel Kurth at (313) 561-8623 or jkurth@ detnews.com.