Released: May 14, 2008
Washington, DC
Are we losing the soul of our communities?
Attacks on those who are new or different are getting uglier, says award-winning author Eileen Gale Kugler, with stereotypes flaring simply because some people feel uncomfortable.
"The sad fact that an entire group, Hispanic immigrants, is being painted with the broad strokes of the undesirable behavior of a few,” states Kugler in her op-ed piece in the Washington Post, "Why Are We Destroying our Diversity" www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902196.html
“That's called stereotyping, and when it is combined with scapegoating -- placing problems from noise to overcrowding to gangs at the feet of Hispanic immigrants -- it is truly frightening."
Kugler, a speaker and author on the benefits of diversity, debunks the attacks in her op-ed:
“Noise -- My husband, a middle-aged white guy, cranks up the oldies station pretty loud outside when he's gardening. A teenage band practices in a garage nearby, quiet loud, quite often. But all that seems to be acceptable. Is it the loud music or the type of loud music that is unacceptable?
"Too many cars -- Have you ever been in a middle-class neighborhood when all the kids are home from college with their cars, parked next to the cars that every high-schooler seems to require, parked next to the individual car of every adult driver? No one seems to complain about the number of cars in front of these houses...
"Hanging around outside -- There is a garden apartment complex a few miles from my home that is largely Latino. The balconies, which face the road, are often full of adults and children loudly enjoying the outdoors (even when most of us deem it too hot). Is that a lifestyle we should condemn -- or one we should envy nostalgically, thinking back to the days when neighbors knew each other and enjoyed each other's company on a regular basis?"
Immigrants are far from a drain on our neighborhoods, Kugler asserts, “In my work with immigrant parents of high schoolers, I am overwhelmed by their commitment to their families. We American-born parents could learn much from the immigrant parents who insist that families spend weekends together and who still get hugs from their teenage sons."
Kugler’s book, "Debunking the Middle-class Myth: Why diverse schools are good for all kids," earned two national awards for documenting the unique benefits of diverse schools. The American Association of Univeristy Women named Kugler 2004 Virginia Education Advocate of the Year.
"I worry that the steps advocated by those who wish to return to a neighborhood, a community, that resides in their memories are actually destroying the richly dynamic neighborhoods of today. It's time for all of us who recognize that diversity is not just to be celebrated but to be championed to speak up loudly to drown out the ugliness. Let's get back to viewing our neighbors as individuals and our communities as opportunities to grow beyond our own experiences,” Kugler's commentary concludes.
Media note:
Eileen Kugler is available for media interviews. An experienced expert source, she has been a guest on local and national broadcast and interviewed for wide-ranging print. Her book, Debunking the Middle-class Myth: Why diverse schools are good for all kids, was deemed “essential” reading for "all audiences" by the American Library Association.
(Ekugler@EmbraceDiverseSchools.com)
Embrace Diverse Schools
Phone : 703-644-3039
Why Are We Destroying Our Diversity? Washington Post, May 11, 2008
Book Title : Debunking the Middle-Class Myth: Why diverse schools are good for all kids
Courtesy FeaturesUSA.com