Founders
John Lindsay, School of Social
Work, University of Kentucky
Peter A. Perry, Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky
The DIALOG listserv (Race Relations Electronic Bulletin Board) is based
at the Computing Center in McVey Hall. Some general information on this
LISTSERV follows.
DIALOG participants may also want to visit the
AWARE Web Page,
which includes the mission statement of AWARE, an events calendar, an
inter-active internet database,
and much more useful information.
Statement of Purpose
General Information
Who May Subscribe to DIALOG
How to Subscribe to DIALOG
How to Sign Off of DIALOG
How to Send a Message to DIALOG
For Questions and Comments
Lexington Race Relations Dialogue Groups
The Downtown Christian Unity Task Force and Mayor Pam Miller's
Office are sponsoring Race Relations Dialogue Groups
.
Please see below for further information .
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Race Relations Bulletin Board is to foster
thoughtful discussion about race relations. It is hoped that, through
greater communication and conversation, persons of different races may
come to better understand and appreciate each other and the particular
problems of race relations.
Participation in the race relations bulletin board is
open to everyone concerned about race relations.
Although opinions may vary widely and participants may disagree strongly
on important issues, it is expected that all participants will respect the
opinions of others and maintain a civil and thoughtful level of
discussion.
General Information
DIALOG is an unmoderated listserv whose purpose is to foster
thoughtful discussion about race relations. It is hoped that participants
of differing races and viewpoints will come to better understand each
others' experiences and perspectives through online discussion of their
experiences and opinions. It is further hoped that groups on campus
working to improve race relations will use DIALOG to exchange
information and ideas.
The founders of the DIALOG listserv are John Lindsay, a
student in the School of Social Work, and Peter Perry, a professor in the
Department of Mathematics. They met in a race relations dialogue group
sponsored by the Downtown Christian Unity Task Force, a consortium of
downtown Lexington churches which sponsors race relations dialogue
groups twice each year. These dialogue groups are composed of
community members of different races who meet for five weeks to
discuss race relations and race problems.
Who May Subscribe to DIALOG
The DIALOG Race Relations Bulletin Board is open to all those concerned with
enhancing cultural understanding.
How to Subscribe to DIALOG
The message should contain
the single line
subscribe DIALOG First Last
where First and Last are the subscriber's first and last names.
How to Sign off of DIALOG
How to Send A Message to DIALOG
Subscribers may send mail to the DIALOG listserv by sending an ordinary
e-mail message to the address
Remember that you must first be a subscriber to send a message, and that
your message will then be forwarded to every subscriber to
this listserv!
Questions and Comments
Race Relations Dialog Groups
The Downtown Christian Unity Task Force, a consortium of
downtown Lexington churches, joining with Mayor Pam Miller's office,
will sponsor a series of dialogue groups on race relations. Students,
staff, and faculty of the University of Kentucky as well as Lexington
citizens are cordially invited to participate. Racially balanced
groups of ten to twelve people will meet for five consecutive weeks,
about ninety minutes each time. The dialogue groups use a discussion
guide--"Can't We All Just Get Along"-- prepared by the Study Circles
Resource Center of Pomfret, Connecticut. The guidebook suggests questions
for conversations about:
- Race Relations and Racism: Our Experiences, Perceptions, and Beliefs
- The Prevalence and Power of Racism in America: Many Viewpoints
- Changing Racist Attitudes: How Can it be Done?
- Public Policies for Ending Race-Based Inequality and Injustice
- Moving from Words to Action: What Can We Do in Our Community
Each group is led by an inter-racial team of two facilitators. These are
volunteers from the Lexington community who have participated in at least
one race relations dialogue group and have been recommended by the
facilitators of that group.
All facilitators receive training in leading dialogue groups. They know
how to encourage honest discussion of ideas and perspectives, help the
group talk about differences of opinion without hurting feelings, and make
sure everyone gets a chance to share in the conversation.
As of May 1996, over 250 Lexingtonians have participated in dialogue
groups. They have formed new, meaningful friendships, developed greater
understanding of the challenges faced by other races, or come to better
understand their own attitudes and beliefs.
Some participants have continued to meet informally in each other's homes.
Many dialogue group "graduates" have become active in other commuity
organizations working to make Lexington a community of full opportunity
for all its citizens.
For further information on the dialogue groups, please contact:
Barbara Sutherland Ray Ranta
Mayor's Office, 200 E. Main Street 2923 Edinburgh Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40507 Lexington, Kentucky 40517
(606) 258-3100 (606) 272-3753
Return To:
AWARE Main Page.
