Foundation Releases Consensus Document on Race Relations and Racism in Fresno, Calif.

2/12/2002

From: Kim Baldwin or Jenny Davis, 202-639-6370, both of the Interfaith Alliance

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Interfaith Alliance Foundation today released Race Relations and Racism in Fresno, a consensus document resulting from a regional Assembly in Fresno, Calif., co-sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance Foundation (TIAF), The Interfaith Alliance of Central California (IACC), and The American Assembly.

"The Assembly in Fresno stimulated vital, informed discussion among community leaders about race relations and racism," said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of TIAF. "It is my hope that this consensus document, its findings and recommendations, will be used as a tool to spur further education and action on race relation issues not only in the Fresno area, but also in communities throughout the nation."

Modeled after The American Assembly format, the Assembly brought together civic, religious and education leaders to discuss the state of race relations in Fresno. As one of the most diverse cities in California, Fresno provided a wealth of racial, ethnic and religious diversity.

During three distinct sessions, participants shared thoughts and experiences concerning race in their community. The discussions focused on the following thematic questions:

a) What healthy race relations in Fresno would look like and what social values exist as barriers to the realization of this vision; b) What institutions in Fresno most impact race relations in the city and its surrounding area; and c) What strategy would most improve race relations in Fresno - a universal strategy such as economic development or an area-specific strategy such as voter education.

The participants' findings and recommendations were compiled into one consensus statement; the final session of the assembly allowed participants to review the content to ensure consensus. Per American Assembly format, no participant was asked to sign the statement, and the document states that it should be understood that not everyone agreed with all of the statement.

While the Assembly was specific to the Fresno community, much of the consensus statement reflects insight and knowledge applicable to improving race relations in communities throughout the nation. One such example is found in the final document's segment on race relations in societal institutions:

Three ideas were turned to again and again as we discussed areas for reform: accountability, accessibility and commitment. Accountability - who is at the table when the institutions that affect our lives decide where to go next, and to whom do they answer when they make a wrong turn. Accessibility - a greater investment must be made in making institutions appropriate for all communities. Commitment - new policies that embrace a multicultural society will only be effective if everyone from the chief executive to the receiver at the front desk buys into these policies and understands them.

The publication has been sent to civic, educational and religious institutions in the Fresno and surrounding areas. To obtain a copy of this document online, please visit www.interfaithalliance.org or write the press department at press@interfaithalliance.org to request copies of the publication.

This event was made possible in part through a grant from The American Assembly. For more information on The American Assembly, please visit http://www.americanassembly.org.

------ The Interfaith Alliance Foundation (TIAF) is a nonpartisan, educational institution dedicated to promoting the positive role of religion as a healing and constructive force in American life. TIAF provides training, education, research and other support to a growing grassroots network of clergy and people of faith who are working to promote social justice in their communities. For more information about TIAF, visit http://www.interfaithalliance.org.

The American Assembly was established by Dwight D. Eisenhower at Columbia University in 1950. It holds nonpartisan meetings and publishes authoritative books to illuminate issues of United States policy. An affiliate of Columbia, The Assembly is a national, educational institution incorporated in the State of New York. The Assembly seeks to provide information, stimulate discussion, and evoke independent conclusions on matter of vital public interest.