DETROIT 750 THE JEWISH NEWS 7 CHESHVAN 5 7 54/OCTOBER 22, 1993 Group Shifts From Words Into Action Concerned Southfield, Lathrup citizens decide on plans of attack. RUTH LITTMAN STAFF WRITER outhfield resident Tobi Fox is taking a message back to Congregation Beth Achim, which is con- sidering plans to re- locate. "I think we should try very hard to stay in Southfield be- cause it's a viable community and many of our mem- bers live here," she said. Ms. Fox was among more than 200 citizens who gathered last Thursday at Southfield-Lathrup High School to say: Southfield has been given a bad rap. Let's do something about it. The forum was sponsored by the Southfield-Lathrup Multicultural Coalition, a group of citizens concerned about their cities. Established in 1991 by the Jewish Community Council and the Neighborhood Project, the coali- tion includes members of more than 20 area secular and religious organi- zations. Its mission is to "create a common sense of community among the diverse elements that make up the cities of Southfield and Lathrup Village." Members have grappled with such is- sues as racial tensions at the schools, crime and bad press, which many say is either totally unmerited or exag- gerated. At last week's forum, the Rev. James Lyons of the Ecumenical Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies said coalition members already have defined the problems facing them. Now they must look on the bright side and take action, he said. "Let's deal with some of the posi- tives while we're dealing with the prob- lems," he said. "I hope that when we're Inside An exclusive interview with Louis Farrakhan. Story on page 46 Sharkey Haddad and the Rev. James Lyons of the S-L Multicultural Coalition. done with this, people will go out with a commitment to do one thing: visit a local school, go to a synagogue, or a church. Get acquainted with 'the oth- er.' The fact of the matter is, you've got to understand why people are the way they are." After the Rev. Lyons' keynote ad- dress, participants in the forum formed small groups to create plans of attack — actions they can take to help solve some of the cities' problems. In one room, an ethnically diverse group gathered to discuss solutions to problems facing Southfield and Lathrup's public school system. Participants were nearly unanimous in agreeing that the problem is more about perception than reality. "I don't even understand why the schools have the bad rap," said Susan Hollenberg, the mother of an S-L freshman and recent grad. "I could pick up and leave but I haven't. The school has met all my kids' needs." Group members decided they would strive to talk highly of Southfield schools, thus improving an image they consider unjustly tarnished. ACTION page 10 BUSINESS SPECIAL SECTION Soul To Sole Coupons Galore! Mark Thatcher takes footwear to the limit. Spectacular savings on your next purchase. Page 38 Center Section