BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- Local religious, cultural and educational groups are organizing projects to improve race relations as Kentucky's second statewide dialogue on the topic, set for Aug. 18, nears.
"More people are talking about (last year's) conversation everywhere I go," said Sheldon Rox, the Northern Kentucky field office supervisor for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. "It brought awareness that the issue of race relations is on the front burner."
In Northern Kentucky, Church Women United is working with Covington Superintendent James Kemp to improve cultural awareness and diversity in the school district, Mr. Rox said.
Also, Church Women United, Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission, Kentucky Council of Churches, Northern Kentucky African-American Heritage Task Force, National Association of Multi-cultural Education, the local human rights commission, Peace & Justice Commission of the Covington Diocese and Northern Kentucky Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance are planning a program called "Building Hospitable Communities."
Among the goals of the all-day event are providing a network for people working to improve race issues, recruiting new people and ideas and starting church and community dialogue groups called "Study Circles" around issues of race.
Several Northern Kentuckians, including Mr. Rox, plan to attend the state's "Conversation on Race" in Lexington.
Some of the audience members, expected to number about 100, will be asked to discuss their experiences in the continued conversation on race over the past year and to develop questions for discussion.
Trying for true dialogue
"We hope there will be quite a bit of interaction between the audience and the hosts," said Tom Lewis, Frankfort field supervisor for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.
Anyone not able to attend can watch the 9 p.m. program on Kentucky Educational Television. Viewers can also call in comments to a KET recording at (800) 926-7765 or (800) 766-3221.
Mr. Lewis said he knows of about a dozen new groups that have formed since last year's program. But he cautioned that the groups, which are working with schools, employers and city officials, should not be expected to bring about immediate progress.
"I think it's too early to say that there's been any real solutions to problems. It's too soon to say that something has or hasn't happened because of it," Mr. Lewis said. "It takes time to get things done in a community. It's just a matter of time."
To participate
Anyone interested in reserving a seat for the "Conversation on Race" should call (800) 292-5566. People not able to attend can watch the 9 p.m. program on Kentucky Educational Television. Viewers can also call in comments to a KET recording at (800) 926-7765 or (800) 766-3221.
