A study by the Harvard Civil Rights project and those recently reported in the popular press, suggest that there has been a substantial resegregation of schools since the early 80s. Some have indicated that this resegregation is caused primarily by the Supreme Court 1974 desegregation case, which denied desegregation across districts. Yet, as many are aware, the demographics in this country continue to change. We are becoming a very diverse country -- it is something to celebrate. Diversity in America helps to maintain the strength of our nation and our ability to compete in the global economy. But sadly, social policies in this country continue to reinforce stereotypical and over generalizations about people of color -- especially those who are poor. Stereotypes are born from lack of exposure and isolated experiences, which can create hate for some because of misguided perceptions. If we do not facilitate opportunities for people to learn together, if we deny economic opportunities because of limited interests, we allow racism, sexism and classism to survive throughout the fabric of our American culture.

The NUA's mission is derived from work which focuses on improving educational opportunities for all children and youth. Our organization celebrates the research which suggest that students who learn in diverse schools outperform those who do not. Because of Bok's recent study, we recognize that students
in higher education also perform better when they are exposed to cultural, racial and ethnic differences which form the rich tapestry of our country. And we recognize the research which suggests that businesses which are diverse also outperform those businesses which are not.

This introduction to the NUA's "diversity and tolerance link" is meant to illustrate that great achievements are not born from a single vision, but from the combination of many distinctive viewpoints. Diversity challenges assumptions, opens minds and unlocks our potential to solve any problem we may face. With the rise of racist websites (see an article in this week's "USA Today") it is our hope that, in some small way, we are able to steer visitors to alternative sites (e.g., facinghistory.org) which celebrate the beauty among all people. Yet, with that said, we recall the words of Reinhold Niebuhr, who wrote, "Nothing that is worth doing, can be achieved in our lifetime, therefore we must be saved by hope, and nothing which is true
or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. [And] nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love (Cahill, 1998)."

Stand firm in support of all people, even those who would foster hate because of misguided experiences and limited stereotypical thinking.

Eric J. Cooper
Executive Director
August 1, 2001

Simon Wiesenthal Center http://www.wiesenthal.com
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust by fostering tolerance and understanding through community involvement, educational outreach and social action.

ADL http://www.adl.org
The mission of ADL today is, as it has been in the past, to expose and combat the purveyors of hatred in our midst, responding to whatever new challenges may arise.

Facing History http://www.facinghistory.org
Facing History and Ourselves is based on the belief that education in a democracy must be what Alexis de Tocqueville called "an apprenticeship in liberty." Facing History helps students find meaning in the past and recognize the need for participation and responsible decision making.

Southern Poverty Law Center http://www.teachingtolerance.org
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation.

The Civil Rights Project - Harvard University http://www.law.harvard.edu/groups/civilrights
The Civil Rights Project at Harvard will be a very complex undertaking involving both cooperation across institutional and disciplinary lines within Harvard, and joint ventures with institutions and thinkers around the country by building strong collaborations between researchers and forging relationships between scholars, community organizations, and policy makers.

Applied Research Center http://www.arc.org
Launched in 1981, ARC was born out of the community organizing experience. Both activists and academics recognized a need for rigorous study of the practice of organizing and the need for solid research into the issues around which organizers were mounting campaigns.