MULTICULTURALISM SEMINAR THIS MONTH

The more people understand each other's differences, the higher the level of comfort they can have with one another.

That's the philosophy of Dr. Janice Dawson-Threat, a scholar, researcher and educator on diversity and cultural identity who will be the keynote speaker at an "Embracing Multiculturalism" conference in Cape Girardeau June 29.

The purpose of the conference is to help people understand and value the different perspectives people have because of their age, sex, race and the culture they were raised in, said conference organizer Tonya Fambro.

"We want to strive to work toward a better understanding of each other," said Fambro, whose WE TEACH organization is sponsoring the conference along with the Community Caring Council and Caring Communities.

Dawson-Threat, in a phone interview from her home in Columbia, Mo., said fear is the number one roadblock to understanding unfamiliar situations, people and cultures.

"It's the same feeling you get when you are looking up at a super roller coaster your friend talked you into riding," Dawson-Threat said. "You wonder why you are doing it. But once you survive, you think, 'That was so thrilling.' For some people entering situations where there are people with differences is almost as intimidating as that roller coaster. Those who will get on the ride find there was nothing to be afraid of."

Often the cause of the fear is a lack of information, and Dawson-Threat said it helps to have the right tools and know the right way of gathering information.

Some people are afraid that asking questions about another person's background might embarrass that person, Dawson-Threat said. But questions help get a dialogue going, she said.

Opening lines of communication is one of the areas Dawson-Threat will cover in her presentation.

"We look at what kinds of things people can do to overcome walls they may have surrounded themselves with," Dawson-Threat said.

Dawson-Threat said her presentation is very interactive and most participants find it positive and enlightening.

She said she starts by handing out notebooks she uses to help participants define their cultural identity.

"There are always those in the audience who say, I don't have a cultural identity. I'm just a plain white woman,'" Dawson-Threat said. "But there's nothing plain about people's identities. There are always exciting things about who you are. People should be proud of their cultural identity whatever it is."

Then, through various workbook exercises, Dawson-Threat shows participants how to get knowledge about others, ways to understand cultural differences, how communication can help overcome biases and the many common experiences people of all cultures share.

Fambro said the conference is aimed at community and church leaders, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, company managers and human services professionals.

"It could help anyone working with individuals with diverse backgrounds," Fambro said.

EMBRACING MULTICULTURALISM

What: A seminar to help people understand and value the perspective of people different from themselves.

When: 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 29.

Where: Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Registration: Registratin fee is $35 ($15 for students), which includes lunch. Deadline for registering is June 22. For a registration form or more information about the confernce, call 651-2099.