Youth Program Focuses on Racial Justice

Wednesday January 19, 2011

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Students discover new insight from a ‘Museum of Tolerance’ visit

Racial Justice is a Hallmark Program and a mission-driven pursuit of the YWCA. Efforts flow from this foundation through each program location and age group. The YWCA Youth Program consistently focuses on activities pursuing Racial Justice. Toward the end of 2010, eighteen youth participants visited the Museum of Tolerance (MOT) in Los Angeles.

“We really wanted the youth to experience two poignant exhibits at the Museum of Tolerance,” explained Maria Elena Chavez, YW Program Specialist. “This experience is certainly aligned with the YW mission to eliminate racism.”

Focusing on the struggles against segregation in public schools, the MOT exhibit COURAGE: the Vision to End Segregation, the Guts to Fight For It followed the South Carolina case that led to the Supreme Court landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Through Para Todo Los Niños - Fighting Segregation in California the dramatic story of Mendez v. Westminster and the broad multi-racial grassroots efforts to end school segregation in California was retold. The participants explored ways in which individuals can change social norms.

“I thought the trip to the Museum was spectacular because I was able to learn more about how people had to fight for their right to go to school and their right to get a good education,” shared Esther Flores, 7th grade YW Girls Club member. “It was important for us to learn so we know not to give up, not to lose hope.”

The trip launched a curriculum at the YW Youth Program focused on ‘Anti-Bullying’. Through the Southern Poverty Law Center, the youth explored a program called “Teaching Tolerance”.

“We emphasize that learning to not be racist is simply not enough - we must be tolerant and accepting of all other people,” continued Chavez. “The overall goal of Racial Justice is to provide youth with a solid foundation. Racism is ignorance - we combat racism through education and exposure by teaching youth to embrace other cultures, to be leaders in their communities and to live peaceably and intentionally tolerant of other philosophies and ideas.”

Visit the YWCA blog to learn more about additional activities in which the youth participated.

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