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Published
by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Sunday, September 23, 2001
Forum will tackle issues of diversity in race, religion
Event, planned before terror attacks, includes discussion of hate crimes and race portrayal
By Neal Falgoust
Caller-Times
A forum on racial and religious diversity, scheduled before anyone was thinking much about terrorism, will take on a new meaning in light of the Sept. 11 attacks.
David Ramos, the city's interim director of human relations, said the forum, scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, will address the attacks and the effect they've had on the relationship between ethnic and religious groups.
'Understanding diversity'
"The whole overall theme is understanding diversity," Ramos said. "This would provide a vehicle for people to come together and really see individuals face to face."
The forum will bring together law enforcement, news media and educators. Panelists will talk about the difference between hate crimes and criminal mischief, how race is portrayed in the news and how the city is addressing issues related to federal disabilities legislation.
Not to retaliate
More than 6,000 people were believed to have been killed after armed hijackers captured three airliners and crashed them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside.
Investigators believe Muslim extremist Osama bin Laden and his international network of terrorists are responsible for the attack. Since then, Attorney General John Ashcroft has called on Americans not to retaliate against Muslims living in this country.
'Anti-bias education'
"That's why my emphasis is going to be on anti-bias education," said Susan Shaw, associate director of the Houston Anti-Defamation League. Shaw will attend the October forum.
The attacks have brought a heightened sense of awareness to Corpus Christi, Ramos said, but there have not been any reports of hate, except for a single threat against an Indian family.
'Zero tolerance'
"I wouldn't want to create a situation by saying it's happening here, because it's not," Ramos said.
Shaw, who directs school programs for the Anti-Defamation League said educators must participate in the effort to keep the Muslim community safe from vigilante justice.
"There still should be zero-tolerance" for religious attacks, Shaw said.
Contact Neal Falgoust at 886-4334 or falgoustn@caller.com
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a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.
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