Boston Metro
June 24, 2003

Column
  Darnell L. Williams
  --------------------------------------------
  President and CEO,
                      Urban League
                      of Eastern Massachusetts  

2004 is Boston’s chance to shine

he spotlight will be on Boston one year from now when more than 35,000 conventioneers and media from around the world come to town for the 2004 Democratic National Convention. They will see the “new Boston,” composed of a tapestry of skin colors and ethnicities. Boston has a chance - with our rich heritage, resources and talented people - to make a favorable impression that will benefit the city and its residents for years to come.

To take maximum advantage of this special opportunity of hosting a national political convention, it will take the joint efforts and good will of all those who live and work here. Mayor Tom Menino, the Host Committee and the business community must engage and include all sectors of the new Boston. Otherwise, we risk allowing an unwanted reputation for racial divisiveness and favoritism to persist.

ecognizing that Boston’s strong spirit, productivity and success depend on positive human relationships, the Urban League of Eastern Mass. is collaborating with other groups on an ambitious initiative called “City-Wide Dialogues on Boston's Ethnic & Racial Diversity.” The Dialogues have been created to engage every neighborhood across the city on a topic that affects the quality of life for all. We will recognize and discuss the issues raised by our human diversity and build on the strengths it offers. The Dialogues will also facilitate relationships that enable neighbors to work together on beneficial community projects.

In addition to the Urban League, other planning participants include the Irish Immigration Center, Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, National Conference for Community & Justice, North American Indian Center, Project R.I.G.H.T., United Way of Mass. Bay and the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service.

Better racial and ethnic relations begin with engaging each other on a personal level to increase understanding and lessen stereotyping. The City-Wide Dialogues call for diverse groups of about 20 local residents to meet four times in their neighborhood with trained facilitators. Larger employers might also participate by allowing employees to engage in the dialogues on-site during work hours. For some participants, it may be the first chance to understand the experiences of another racial or ethnic group.

he “Boston Indicators Report,” released in February 2003 by The Boston Foundation, says the following: ”Challenging times like these can splinter Boston along the old fault lines: race, class and geography. They can lead to bitter competition for a shrinking pie, to turf wars and even to civil strife. Alternatively, difficult times can call forth something deeper - a sense that we are in this together, that we can create the future we want if we build on Boston's tremendous strengths, talents and diversity."

We believe that the divisions of Boston’s past need to be honestly acknowledged. But it’s equally important, as Mayor Menino is working hard to do, that we focus on the possibilities of where we can go together from here. As Boston prepares for 2004 and beyond, we are collaborating with those who wish to drive the road to the future by looking forward to the potential that an inclusive new Boston holds for us all.