Series On Race Relations Begins Friday Programs Will Feature Ballet, Music, Film, Drama, Discussions
If all goes as planned, an arts and entertainment series could make a difference in the way people in Spokane think and talk about race.
It’s kind of an experiment.
“We’ve really tried to think outside the box on these race programs,” said Vince Lemus, the city of Spokane’s human rights specialist who headed the organizing committee. “So often these kinds of programs are touchy-feely, where people sit in a circle and sing `Kumbaya,’ but this is actually dealing with contemporary issues,” Lemus said.
For five weeks, free public events will feature ballet dancers, drummers, a movie and a play to attract audiences. Topics such as prejudice and breaking the cycle of hate will be discussed.
Everyone is welcome. Lemus says he hopes to see new faces, people who never have attended open programs on race before. He also is advertising the events in a new way by using the Garland Theater screen between movies to reach a crowd who usually doesn’t hear about these kinds of events.
The first program will be Friday evening at Avista Corp.’s main office on East Mission. Seattle-based author Carl Mack will speak about eliminating denial when talking about race. The Spokane Task Force on Race Relations will hold a panel discussion afterward.
The series is being funded with a $10,000 grant from Foundation Northwest. The Washington Commission for the Humanities submitted the grant proposal after contacting Spokane leaders and getting quick support.
“East of the mountains is a trouble area in terms of race relations,” said Lyall Bush, program director for the Seattle-based humanities commission.
Bush said the commission targets three areas most important to Washingtonians as determined by a survey: race, land use and education reform.
Stacy Hersrud, executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, is excited about the series.
“It’s a real different approach from what’s been used in the past,” Hersrud said.
“Changing Spokane’s image on race and ethnicity will not happen on a mental level. It’s a change that will take place in our hearts. Arts, drama, music, dance speak to people on a heart level.”
This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO FEATURED EVENTS Here is a list of upcoming events: Eliminating denial. Author Carl Mack, 7 p.m. Friday, Avista Corp., 1411 E. Mission. Prejudice reduction. Northwest African American Ballet, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Spokane Falls Community College, Music Building No. 15, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Effective reconciliation. Various drum groups representing different cultures, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 15, Spokane Transit Authority Plaza, 701 W. Riverside. Film, “American History X,” the story of a reformed skinhead, followed by a discussion on breaking the cycle of hate. 9:30 a.m. Oct. 23-24, Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland. Gonzaga University’s vice president for diversity, Raymond Reyes, will be moderator. Moving toward the future. John Gray and Associates presentation of “A Human Psychodrama,” 3 p.m., Nov. 6, Spokane Convention Center’s conference theater, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.