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Multiculturalize learning materials.
Curriculum review is
a big issue for schools and school districts. Learning materials should
include the culture and history of all racial groups. A curriculum
screening committee can be trained detect bias and to help individual teachers
as well as students to detect the bias themselves. Poster, A-V materials
and libraries (school and congregation) provide wonderful opportunities to
celebrate a multicultural world.
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Evaluate hiring practices. A
multicultural staff makes a strong statement to members of a congregation or to
students and their parents. In the broadest sense, this includes full and
part-time employees, volunteers and outside speakers. National
congregation offices for racial and cultural affairs, minority business
councils, African American and Hispanic newspapers, and African American college
placement offices are often aids in this kind of recruitment.
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Offer educational events that deal with racial justice.
Schools and congregations need
to have school assemblies, adult and children’s educational events, film
festivals, etc.. that focus on racism, prejudice, and the effects of racism and
economic injustice. In-service staff development sessions for faculties
are crucial for ongoing education.
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Look at business practices. Suppliers of products
and services can be evaluated in terms of their concern for racial and economic
justice. Doing business with firms owned and operated by people of color
or firms that have a good track record in affirmative action makes a statement
to the entire congregation or school community.
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Multiculturalize worship. The music, prayers,
children’s devotions, visuals, content of services of reconciliation, etc. that
are part of the worship life of the congregation can reflect the heritage of a
variety of races and cultures.
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