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L.I.Immigrant Alliance: How Educators Can Defend Against Hate Crimes

Posted January 27, 2010 by Patrick Young, Esq.

This is the fourth, and final, installment of the recommendations of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance to the Suffolk Hate Crimes Task Force. This set of recommendations addresses the need for educators to work to increase understanding and reduce hate-fueled violence.
Section III: Educators
The teaching of acceptance is a year-round endeavor. In addition to Recommendations 20 and 21 above, we recommend the following:
-Recommendation #25: Create a County-Wide Social Justice Curriculum
We call upon the County to work with teachers, BOCES Superintendents, and area universities to create a social justice curriculum for our schools. The curriculum can provide opportunities for youth to engage in honest and candid dialogue about their cultural and socio-economic differences, to identify sources of inter-group conflict, and to develop skills for nonviolently resolving these conflicts.
-Recommendation #26: Sponsor Community Events that Serve as Rituals of Inclusion
Rituals of inclusion are events that celebrate diversity as a defining value and asset of the community. We recommend that the County as well as towns sponsor events such as Fourth of July Parties that celebrate a multicultural, inclusive vision of the United States as a nation of immigrants. Plays and literature can highlight the historic contributions of immigrants.
-Recommendation #27: Sponsor “Crossing Great Divides” Events
We further recommend that the County assist LIIA in holding events that encourage those from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to forge long-term relationships with one another. These events may be held in a variety of locations including nursing homes, public libraries, schools and universities, houses of worship, and union hiring halls. The message will be that getting to know those who are different from us enriches our lives and strengthens our communities.
In addition, event organizers will develop ongoing activities that provide regular opportunities for sustained interaction. Possible events include monthly cookouts, bowling league, parent get-togethers, bike trips, walks, tending to a shared plot at a community garden, and doing volunteer work at a local co-op.

Section IV: Accountability Mechanisms
-Recommendation #28: Goals, Timelines, and Ongoing Evaluation
To ensure that recommendations made by the Task Force translate into effective action, we recommend the creation of goals and timelines. We also recommend that an independent, external evaluative researcher be hired to assess the County’s progress in meeting its obligations as well as the effects, if any, of the County’s interventions upon reducing hate crimes.
Conclusion
Making and implementing our recommendations will send a strong message that Suffolk County stands for inclusion, equality, and acceptance, not exclusion, discrimination, and hatred. The Long Island Immigrant Alliance is ready and eager to assist the County in implementing these recommendations through the provision of expert advice, research, trainings, and outreach. We look forward to the Task Force’s decision.

The Long Island Immigrant Alliances Preliminary Recommendations To The Suffolk Hate Crimes Task Force:
Introduction
The Role Of Elected Officials In Fostering And Fighting Hate Crimes
Hate Crimes And The Suffolk Police