the choice is ours - north carolina · focus on racial tension, not on learning • public...

RResponding to the New Diversity

The Choice is Ours

N.C. Human Relations CommissionDr. Jerry Drayton, Chairman - Eddie W. Lawrence, Executive Director

N.C. Department of AdministrationKatie G. Dorsett, Secretary

State of North CarolinaJames B. Hunt, Jr., Governor

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Developed byDr. David Kiel and Dr. Forrest Toms

March 1999

These materials were funded by a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

This information was developed by the North Carolina Human Relations Commission for the purpose of alerting leaders around the state to the impact of the New Diversity in North Carolina.

The preparation of this material was funded by a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Hopefully, our discussions today will start a dialogue that will lead to positive actions to improve relationships between the various racial and ethnic groups that make up our state.

Eddie W. LawrenceExecutive DirectorNC Human Relations Commission

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IIntroduction

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I want to congratulate the North Carolina Human Relations Commission on producing this training manual and helping to bring racial dialogue to the local level. Your efforts will be instrumental in helping us to reach a common goal - fostering better race relations among our people.

I believe that positive relationships between all racial and ethnic groups in North Carolina is critical to our continued social, economic and cultural progress. And I also believe that North Carolinians have the potential - if we work together - to make our state the leader in promoting good race relations.

This is my vision and my commitment as Governor. And my personal hope is that this discussion will lead to further dialogue and steps toward greater harmony among the diverse groups in our communities.

As a leader or participant in this dialogue, all of you are doing the right thing for North Carolina and you have my strongest personal support and best wishes for the success of your efforts.

AA Message from Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.

52.8

11.8

13.1

13.6

9.1

18.9

24.5

2.8

6.7

8.2

0.7

0.8

0.9

60.5

75.6

0 20 40 60 80

American Indian

Percentage of US PopulationSource: U.S. Census Bureau

Asian/Pacific Island

Hispanic

Black

White

American Indian


Hispanic

Black

White

American Indian


Hispanic

Black

White

2050

2030

1990

4

UUS Population Composition 1990 - 2050

93%

72%

18%

12%

11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White

Black

American Indian


Hispanic

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 5

GGrowth Rate by Race in North Carolina1990-1997

Source: News & Observer, Friday, September 4, 1998 (p. 14A)

NNC Counties with Fastest Growing Hispanic Populations 1990-1997

Counties in 1997 with at least 2000 residents of Hispanic origin

125%

124%

115%

110%

107%

134%

117%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 140%

Buncombe

Harnett

Mecklenburg

Orange

New Hanover

Johnston

Wake

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?? What changes in population do you see

in parts of this community?

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DDiscussion

8

3.CommunityPerceptions

1.Social

Changes

2.CommunityInstitutions

5.Leadership

6.CommunityCooperationor Conflict

4.Within Group

Relations

SSix Factors Influencing Human Relationsin North Carolina Today

TThe “Vicious” Cycle of Inter-Group Relations3.

MutualStereotyping

1. Social

Change

2. Community Resistance

5.Negative

Leadership

6.Inter-groupHostility/

CommunityDecline

4.Leaders

Within GroupsSplinter

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• It is at a disadvantage in attracting investment and jobs

• Social resentments may result in an increase in crimes and a decrease in safety

• The quality of education declines because of the focus on racial tension, not on learning

• Public discourse is about conflict not progress

...and so on.

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WWhen a Community Develops Hostile Inter-Group Relations

TThe “Virtuous” Cycle

3.GroupsLearn

AboutEach Other

1. Social

Changes

2. Proactive

Institutions

5.Positive

Leadership

6.Partnerships

Built

4.Leaders

Within GroupsCooperate 11

• It has an advantage in attracting investment

• The schools are free to focus on learning

• There is a greater sense of personal and inter-group safety

• The quality of life for all is enhanced

12

WWhen a Community Develops Positive Inter-Group Relationships

?? Will NC respond positively to diversity and reap the benefits of

that choice?

We will make this choice as a state and within each community by our actions.

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Or will we fail to rise to the occasion and lose what we have gained?

TThe Choice Is Ours

3.Community Perceptions

1.Social

Changes

2.Community Institutions

5.Leadership

6.CommunityCooperationor Conflict

4.Within Group

Relations


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$$ The buying power of NC minorities in 1996was over $20 billion.

Needed Labor

Technical Expertise

Cultural Richness

More people to buy goods and services

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BBenefits Attributed to the New Diversity

HousingWealthier immigrants from other states bidding up housing prices in rural poor communities

SchoolsCost of ESL programs competing with other pressing school needs

GovernmentNew groups may not feel involvement in decision-processes or in understanding how local government works

EmploymentCompetition for low wage jobs among less educated Whites, Blacks, and Latinos

PolicingCriminals may prey on the new populations

Human ServicesLanguage, cultural barriers to being served

Inter-group TensionsAnxiety about “the new pecking order” of races and ethnic groups

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PProblems Attributed to the New DiversityImpact on Community Institutions

?? What are the positive and negative impacts

you are currently seeing in this community from

the new diversity?

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DDiscussion


18


1.Social

Changes


5.Leadership

6.Community Cooperationor Conflict

4.Within Group

Relations

“Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.”

---George Santayana

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CCommunity Perceptions: History Matters

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SSelected Historical Events Reflecting Race Relations in the U.S.

1619 First Slave Ship comes to Virginia1836 Trail of Tears1846 U.S.-Mexican War1865-70 13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments to the Constitution1882 Chinese Exclusion Act 1890 Massacre at Wounded Knee1896 Plessy Vs. Fergusson: Jim Crow Laws1924 End of Unrestricted Immigration from Europe1924 Native Americans gain right to vote1942-45 Internment of the ethnic Japanese by U.S. Government1954 Brown Vs. Board of Education: School Desegregation1964-65 Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act1968 Death of Martin Luther King, Jr.1970-90 Era of Affirmative Action

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?? What are the dates and events in the distant and

recent past that have shaped group perceptions

in this community?

DDiscussion

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Do not print for slide presentation.

Whites say“Yes”

Blacks say“No”

In getting a job for which they are qualified

By law enforcement officers

By the courts

68%

65%

60%

40%

70%

64%

65%

74%For scholarships, jobs, and promotions for which they are

qualified

say Blacksfavored

say Whitesfavored

Source: 1993 ZSR Poll

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AAre Blacks and Whites Treated Equally?

Source: 1995 Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation Survey

0 10 0 20 0 30 0

Overestimation ofAfrican Americans

Overestimation ofHispanics

Overestimation ofAsians

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PPopulation “Guestimates” Way Off 1995

?? What are the perception gaps and distortions of

reality that might be currently emerging

between the races in this community?

25

DDiscussion

Good Jobs

Effective Education

Accessible Healthcare

Adequate Housing

Things that make a good life for families and individuals possible

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DDespite These Perceptions, Our Basic Needs Are Not Different

• subscribed to the belief that there should be equal opportunity regardless of race

• disagreed that any race had an inherent superiority

The 1993 Z. Smith Reynolds Study reported that a vast majority of Blacks and Whites surveyed

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RRacial Attitudes Have Improved Overall



1.Social

Changes


5.Leadership


4.Within Group

Relations

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We hold many different views and opinions which vary with age, education, economic status, and other factors. We follow a variety of leaders. When it comes to racial dialogue, we have some who want to placate and not ‘rock the boat’, some who want to negotiate, some who want to separate, and some who want to cooperate and develop partnerships.”

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CComments from African AmericansWithin group differences explored at the

1997 NC Human Relations Regional & State Wide Meetings.

Native American leaders said,“Don’t assume that all Indians are alike. There are over 400 different tribes and as many languages.”

Latino leaders said,“Understand that Latinos have different views about racial dialogue; some want to assimilate, some want to remain separate, and many are just concerned about survival. Don’t assume that we are all Mexicans. We are from about 30 different countries and many different cultures within those countries, some of which are rural and others which are urban.

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CComments from Native Americans & LatinosWithin group differences explored at the

1997 NC Human Relations Regional & State Wide Meetings.

CComments from Whites

Appreciate that Whites differ in their attitudes toward racial dialogue; some are still separatists --- even hostile, some favor positive inter-group relations, but do not feel the need to get involved or change things, and some see the need for closer cooperation and interactions between groups.

Whites seldom get together and talk about our differences toward racial dialogue. Appreciate that Whites are a very diverse group politically, religiously, and ethnically.

While some Whites feel a sense of guilt and privilege, and are sympathetic to minority concerns. Many others believe they “did it on their own” and, therefore, resent minorities “who they think want things given to them”.

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Within group differences explored at the 1997 NC Human Relations Regional & State Wide Meetings.

DDiscussion

What are the different group views that are present in this community?

Among Whites/European Americans?

Among African Americans?

Among Native Americans?

Among Asian Americans?

Among Hispanic Americans?

??

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1.Social

Changes


5.Leadership


4.Within Group

Relations

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Sponsoring LeaderA sponsoring leader has the formal power to legitimize and support the dialogue; to get people to “come to the table”.

Facilitative LeaderA facilitative leader has the skill, willingness, and connections to broker and facilitate actual dialogue.

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KKinds of Leadership Required for Effective Inter-Group Relationships in a Community

Belief

Responsibility

Did the homework

Appreciates the bridge builders

Willing to confer

Willing to commit time

Has leverage

Leads by example

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QQualities of an Effective Sponsoring Leader for Human Relations

Understands the need

Understands their role

Has good rapport with the community

Is persuasive & confident

Has training and experience

Is trusted by leaders

Has time and energy

Operates with integrity

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QQualities of a Good Facilitating Leader

• Over-reliance on one or two people• Tension of being between conflicting groups

• Going out on a limb• Excessive time demands• Lack of training• Lack of recognition and support• Supporters wanting quick fixes

• Sub-group tensions

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FFacilitating and Sponsoring Leaders Can Suffer From Burnout

Who are the sponsoring and facilitating leaders in this community?

??

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DDiscussion



1.Social

Changes


5.Leadership


4.Within Group

Relations

39

AABBCCDD

Inter-Group Awareness & Contact

Leadership & Media

Partnership Building

Community-wide Action40

FFour Major Activity Areas for Improving Community Relations

11 Citizen Awareness of Changes

22Monitor Attitudes

33Opportunities for Dialogue

44Opportunities for Interaction & Sharing

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A. A. Inter-Group Awareness & Contact

11 Positive Media Involvement

22Grass Roots Leadership Training

33Community Leader Forums

44 Institutional Leadership Development

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B. B. Leadership & Media

11 Inter-Group Dialogue

22 Inter-Group Partnership

33Political Participation

44Culturally Competent Institutions

43

C. C. Inter-Group Partnership Building

11 Inter-Group Forum

22 Financial Support

33 Bridge Builder Development

44 Best Practices

55 Vigorous Prosecution of Hate Crimes

66Healing and Reconciliation Efforts

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D. D. Community Action & Support


4.Within Group

Relations

5.Leadership


1.Social

Changes

2.CommunityInstitutions

WWhat Can We Do to Improve Inter-Group Relationships?

1. Document andreport changes

2. Assess perceptionsand attitudes

3. Education anddata about changes

4. Communityforums

5. People toPeople Programs

6. Citizen/MediaPressure on leaders totake constructive approach

7. Leadershipdialogue programs

8. Inter-groupdialogue

9. Partnerships foreconomic and community development

10. Within groupdialogue

11. LeadershipDevelopment

12. StaffDevelopment

13. BestPractices

14. Pilotprojects

15. Financialsupport

16. Positiveleadership

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3.Stereotyping

2.Community Resistance

1.Social

Changes

5.Negative

Leadership

6.Inter-group

Hostility

4.Leaders

within groups splinter

3.Groups Learn About Each

Other

2.Proactive

Institutions

1.Social

Changes

5.Positive

Leadership

6.Conflict

Contained/ Partnerships

Built

4.Leaders

Within Groups Cooperate

46

TThe “Vicious” Cycle TThe “Virtuous” Cycle

The Choice IS Ours.

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TThe Impact of Diversity

the choice is ours - north carolina · focus on racial tension, not on learning • public...

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