Busting Stereotypes, Forging Alliances

by Cathy Holt

Have you ever heard that white people’s hair smells like a dog when wet? That black people have weak handshakes? Or that Latino women are docile?

These were some of the interesting stereotypes which emerged from a discussion led by Lewis Isaac and Althea Gonzalez at the second annual African American-Latino Conference.

Calvary Baptist Church again graciously hosted the conference, organized by the Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council, Afrotina Coalition, A-B Tech, Christians for a United Community, the Asheville NAACP, Pisgah Legal Services, UNC-Asheville, and Warren Wilson College. Such a congenial atmosphere prevailed at this gathering that “busting racial stereotypes” almost seemed unnecessary. Participants discovered that many of the negative stereotypes held are the same for all three ethnic groups: each saw the others as untrustworthy, violent, and alcoholic. And when they characterized themselves, most groups were aware of what others thought about them (although Caucasians were the least aware).

Dennis Hill, and Rodney Lytle

Gustavo Silva and Tyrone Grennlee facilitate a lively group exchange from participants at the Afrotina Conference.

Vice
Mayor Holly Jones, County Commissioner David Gantt, Representative
Susan Fisher, and Democratic Congressional candidate Heath Shuler put
in appearances. Community leaders attending included Democratic
activists Willie Mae Brown and Isaac Coleman; Community Relations
Council Executive Director Bob Smith; Ada Volkner and Gustavo Silva of
COLA; ALAS founder Edna Campos; CUC director Tyrone Greenlee; Yolanda
Bopp of Pisgah Legal Services; Geri Solomon of International Link, and
others.


Participants
enjoyed a Mexican lunch from Los Volcanes and a soul food dinner from
The Joy of Catering, and childcare and translation services were
provided. The conference ended with after-dinner dancing with NAACP
president John Hayes acting as DJ.


Round-table
discussions of problems and solutions in education, employment, and
housing involved a mix of ethnic groups at each table. The problems
were clear: half of African American males at Asheville High dropping
out before graduation; low pay and scarce jobs; soaring taxes, and
unaffordable housing. Among the solutions suggested were:


Education:

•    More African American and Latino or bilingual teachers, to be positive role models with cultural sensitivity

•    Training teachers in diversity awareness, to respect all students and not tolerate racial slurs

•    After-school tutoring and mentoring by adult volunteers

•    Support for parents’ involvement

•    Student representation on the Board of Education

•    Testing that is culturally congruent


Employment:

•    Living wage

•    Fair treatment of undocumented workers

•    End outsourcing of jobs

•    More job training

•    New business creation

•    Internships and apprenticeships for youth

•    Commitment to diversity in the workforce


Housing:

•    Tax relief for seniors

•    Progressive housing tax rates

•    Renters’ coalitions

•    Expansion of Habitat for Humanity (sweat equity)

•    Consensus definition of “affordable housing”

•    Incentives for affordable, energy efficient housing

•    Improved channels for input from residents


The volunteers
who created the event included Althea Gonzalez, Bob Smith, Isaac
Coleman, Yolanda Bopp, Tyrone Greenlee, Shiner Antiorio, Sophie Dixon,
Barbara Brownsmith, Andrea Arias, Carolyn Stanberry, Joe Howard, Rodney
Lytle, and Cathy Holt.