PHOTOS BY DANIEL LI PPIIT
tion on the high school. He quickly learned he could
be more effective if he began working with students
at an earlier stage. "Then, by the time they are in
high school, the foundations for understanding and
acceptance will be in place," Mr. Haddad said.
He often goes into a classroom to talk to students
about the need for diversity. He shares his own ex-
periences as an immigrant and stresses to the
younger children especially that it's OK to have lunch
with someone who doesn't look like them.
The older students tell Mr. Haddad their preju-
diced views were formed when they were children.
Mr. Haddad and educators who stress teaching di-
versity maintain education, especially early ed-
The question and its affirmative response
ucation, is the most effective way to break down
brought universal laughter.
stereotypes.
Another group talked about their religious cus-
At the high-school level, Mr.
toms and traditions. Some of the
Haddad explains that with dif-
questions included whether Jews
ferences, there may be conflicts.
have open-casket funerals and what
But he stresses violence should
Above:
types of foods are indigenous to Jew-
never be used to resolve friction.
ish and Chaldean cultures.
Derek Bodendorfer, 15, and
"These kids cannot afford to
"Unfortunately, we don't do this
Nicole Gordon, 17, take a
say, 'I'm going to mind my own
(programming) enough," said Ms.
minority-groups
class
at
business,' " he said. 'They must
Gales. "Maybe it's business as usu-
Southfield-Lathrup.
take a leadership role in reach-
al for these students after they leave
ing out and promoting under-
here, or maybe they carry a feeling
standing."
with them. Perhaps they will now
Left:
Fostering such understanding
say 'Hi' to a kid in the hall whom
was one of the goals of last
they normally wouldn't talk to."
Lathrup students Grailyn
month's program with Arabic
The Berkley High School stu-
Avant, 18, and Todd
and Jewish students, according
dents, Scott, Bashar and Elana, said
Howie, 15, learn about
to Shelly Korner Jackier, a chair
Berkley students tend to be friend-
women as a minority
of the American Arabic and Jew-
ly toward others, regardless of their
group.
ish Friends youth programs.
ethnicity or race. Elana said some
In addition to teens from Berkley,
of the biggest prejudices at school
students from Southfield-Lathrup,
are slurs made against homosexu-
Birmingham Groves, North Farmington, Ferndale
als. She also said some students make fun of
and Bloomfield Hills Andover also participated in
groups like the Campus Life Christians and the
the program. One of the day's exercises allowed small
Israel Culture Club. "They make fun of them be-
groups to discuss, with the help of a facilitator, their
cause these groups are uncool," she said, "not be-
respective religions and customs.
cause they are religious."
"Is it rude for you guys not to eat at someone else's
The Berkley students also said, for the most
house?" one of the Chaldean girls asked the Jewish
part, they have not been discriminated against.
students. "I know I cannot go to a (Chaldean) friend's
Bashar has been called a "stupid Arab," but he
house without that person's parents trying to feed
said he laughs it off.
me."
The Berkley students have slightly different