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For communities to respond to their challenges, they must resolve,
for themselves, that their capacity to solve problems requires revitalization.
Outside consultants can make recommendations, but without local ownership
of a strategy and implementation plan, it is not likely that the community
will take action. The Civic Index, a twelve point community self-evaluation
tool, helps communities develop their problem solving capacity by providing
a method and a process for first identifying and recognizing their strengths
and weaknesses, and then structuring collaborative approaches to solving
shared problems. Today's column discusses the Civic Index Component
of Intergroup Relations.
Intergroup Relations: The string that ties a community
together
All communities are host to organized ethnic, racial or religious "solidarity"
groups (as distinct from professional and business associations, ad
hoc policy-oriented interest groups, or political parties) that may
emerge to express or defend their members' basic social interests. The
degree to which different solidarity groups co-exist in relative harmony
and cooperate in resolving shared problems is an essential measure of
civic health - particularly as local populations become more diverse.
Consequently, as communities diversify ethnically, racially, socio-economically,
and religiously, they need to ensure that programs are in place designed
to increase communication and appreciation among groups and within the
community as a whole.
"All communities are made up of diverse groups. These groups need
to come together for a common cause in order for each population to
have a voice," says Nancy Geha, assistant director of the National
Civic League's Community Services.
For example, the conflict between Korean-Americans and African-Americans
in Los Angeles, California was a focal point of negative publicity before,
during and after the civil unrest in April of 1992. The dynamics of
tension, misunderstanding, hatred and violence between the two groups
centered around the location of Korean-American-owned businesses in
disadvantaged African-American neighborhoods. While Korean-American
shop owners worried about crime, their African-American customers resented
the suspicious treatment they received and the fact that the businesses
were largely liquor stores praying on the misfortunes of depressed communities.
After several violent incidents brought the situation to a head, community
leaders from both groups established a dialogue about restoring relations
and converting businesses in South Central Los Angeles. Rather than
establishing only liquor and grocery stores in African-American neighborhoods,
Korean-American community-based organizations began making an effort,
with the assistance from African-American community-based organizations,
to open stores that supply commodities that are needed by the neighborhood.
Communities must also ensure that all groups have the skills and capacity
for peaceful conflict expression, mediation and resolution. Without
conflict management skills, intergroup tensions rule. With conflict
management skills, group members are able to assertively express conflict,
take responsibility for that conflict, and grow from it.
Ideally, group members can learn these skills within their groups of
specific affiliation and then transfer that learning to arenas of broader
interaction. The value of community groups as a vehicle for peer modeling,
self-esteem enhancement and cultural pride cannot be overstated: Individuals
tend to learn best from those with whom they empathize and identify.
Still, many communities have recognized the need to establish formal
mechanisms where people can learn the skills needed for constructive
intergroup relations.
For example, over a decade ago, leaders and residents of Cleveland
Ohio, formed a Race Relations Forum, with representation from 40 different
community groups, to combat racism and discrimination. The group instituted
race relations training for police, businesses, clergy and civic agencies.
In New Haven, Connecticut the Anti-Defamation League has formed the
"A World of Difference" Program which promotes dialogue and
understanding among hundreds of groups, including City department heads,
the entire public school teaching staff, and students at all levels.
To evaluate the status of their community's intergroup relations, communities
can ask:
- Is the community dealing with ethnic and racial diversity?
- Does the community promote communication among diverse populations?
- Do all group have the skills to become involved in the community?
- Do groups cooperate in resolving broad disputes?
- Do small, specific conflicts escalate into larger issues?
- Is the community dominated by narrow special-interest groups?
Ultimately, and most importantly, healthy intergroup relations are
the result of openness to and respect for diversity. When this is the
case, both the individual groups themselves, and the community as a
whole, reap the benefits.
Next week's column will examine in detail the civic infrastructure
component of Civic Education. For information on how the concepts and
techniques presented in this column can be applied in your community
or for a copy of the 1999 Revised Civic Index, contact the National
Civic League by e-mail at ncl@ncl.org; on the world wide web at www.ncl.org;
or by phone at (303) 571-4343.
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