As the outreach component of the state's land-grant institutions, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System has a tremendous role to play in helping individuals, families, and communities understand, adjust, and respond to cultural differences. Extension, by its very definition, is an organization operating under the commitment to provide educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, culture, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. This commitment directly addresses the responsibilities of Extension to provide outreach services to diverse audiences. It also indirectly addresses the organization's obligation to design programs around the expressed needs of all citizens, including diverse audiences.
The population in the state of Alabama is becoming increasingly diverse relative to race, color, culture, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, or disability. As the state's population changes, so must its response to diversity. The nature of this response is crucial to the well being of individuals, families and communities. The truth is, differences alone do not cause racial problems, but how people respond to differences can. The history of the nation unfortunately reflects a race consciousness that Southern states have struggled to overcome for many years. Therefore, it's fair to say there is a growing need for Alabama citizens to make conscious efforts to enhance their appreciation for differences and to move forward to eradicate prejudice or intolerance through education. The value lies in understanding that America was built on the unified contributions of its diverse constituents. Each race, culture, sex, and age group has positive contributions to make toward the betterment of human society. The diversity of the nation as a whole and within the state of Alabama "is a source of strength that should be appreciated and cultivated." (Beyond Rhetoric, 1991)
The goal of Extension Team Project 31A is to create a greater appreciation for the value of diversity and culture of people in different countries. The objective is to educate communities on diversity issues relative to race, national origin, color, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical and mental ability, spiritual practice, disability, veteran status, and multicultural activities to promote better understanding, appreciation and respect for the different aspects of human differences. It is also the intent of this project to collaborate with law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to establish programs to expand and enhance understanding of diversity and multiculturalism in the law enforcement arena.
Such activities that communities could do is sponsor cultural and artistic fairs, parades, seminars, "tastes of cultures," diversity councils, or finding ways to help new immigrants adjust to American culture. The possibilities just as the cultures are unlimited.
For more information, please contact Dr. Dony Gapasin at (256) 372-4965.