Film and Discussion Explore Diversity Issues
January 29, 2015
When Oak Creek, Wis., was rocked by a violent attack by a gunman at a Sikh temple on Aug. 5, 2012, a shocked and saddened community drew together to share their support for the small congregation and to rally against the senseless violence that led to the deaths of six people and injured many others.
The reasons for the attack and its aftermath in the small Wisconsin town were the topic of a diversity lecture at Newberry College on Jan. 29. Participants watched the documentary, Waking in Oak Creek, presented by the Colleges Multicultural Committee, which facilitated discussion after the film.
Because members of the Sikh community typically are olive-skinned and wear turbans (for men) or head scarves (for women), the attack at the Oak Creek temple was categorized as a hate crime.
Even if we look different we are still Americans, still citizens, said one temple member.
It would have been easy for the Sikh community to respond to a hate crime with violence. Instead, they turned to their faith to bring about healing both within their temple and the town. Rather than react to violence with hate, they responded in love. The community responded in kind.
The Oak Creek community drew together to show their solidarity and commitment to embracing the diversity within their own community. They held rallies and prayer services with testimonies to support solidarity and unity. High school students planted a peace garden and hosted a race to raise money to repair the temple and install a new security system.
Freshman Trey Goodwin said his own experience since arriving at Newberry College has been an education as he has made the transition from his racially homogenous high school to the greater diversity of the College.
Diversity is a mix of culture coming together for one main cause, Goodwin said. Coming to Newberry taught me how to spread my wings.
Diversity transcends understanding simple difference but encourages acceptance and appreciation of differences.
When I hear diversity, I think of equality, fairness and open-mindedness to accepting people and things that are different, said Dr. Peggy Winder, Director of Diversity Education. Newberry College is a diverse college, she added, so the student body can interact and learn a lot about other cultures right here on campus.
Dr. Christina Wendland, Professor of Religion and Theology, who facilitated the discussion, acknowledged the challenges of living productively in a society with different races, religions and genders.
Even if you take small steps toward appreciation and acceptance of diversity, the key to become an activist, Wendland said. Start at home and then expand outward. Even the simple act of listening to others with an open mind is a step closer to diversity.
Peggy Winders parting words to the group echoed Wendlands comments. She said, Be the solution, not the problem.
