‘Race Congress’ Friday Third Annual Event Keeps City Focus On Diversity

The race relations conference at Gonzaga University on Friday is for anyone who has ever wondered why diversity is important.

One way or another, diversity - or the lack of it - impacts everyone in Spokane, said Vince Lemus, vice chairman of the conference.

Lemus is also the city human rights specialist, and he speaks to many area groups about diversity.

“What continually comes up is the image of Spokane because of our proximity to the hate groups,” Lemus said. More people are starting to care about race issues.

Backed by Mayor John Talbott and Gonzaga University President Robert Spitzer, the Spokane Task Force on Race Relations is presenting, “Dreams Into Reality: Why Should I Care?”

Organizers said the event is meant to offer a place for people to talk and learn about race relations.

“We’re trying to get the message out that we as a society cannot change until we as individuals change,” Lemus said.

Spokane’s third “race congress” was designed by more than 50 community leaders who planned a one-day event that will explain why race relations touch everyone.

High-profile leaders will speak at the conference, including Terrence Roberts, one of the nine black students tormented in 1957 when they tried to attend a white high school in Little Rock, Ark.

Roberts is now a desegregation consultant helping that very same Little Rock school district. He speaks at noon at the John F. Kennedy Library Auditorium at Eastern Washington University and again at 7:30 p.m. at GU.

Also included in the daylong event will be public discussions among diversity experts.

The task force sponsoring this event was formed in response to hate mail that was sent to African American students enrolled at Gonzaga’s law school five years ago.

A CEO breakfast featuring Sylvia Palms, vice president of supplier diversity for US West, begins at 7:30 a.m. at Gonzaga. About 10 seats remain. Cost is $30. Call 459-4103 for reservations.

The opening ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Martin Centre at GU.

At 9 a.m., a panel of diversity experts will talk about its efforts in a session called “Reality Check.” It will be aired on City Cable Channel 5. Former TV news anchor Marianne Mishima will moderate.

At 10:15 a.m., John Gray, of John Gray and Associates from Ohio, will present “A Human Psycho-drama.”

Gray came to Spokane last fall. Lemus and a human rights commissioner said the session challenged people with unforeseen tactics to address difficult race issues. Gray’s session is four hours and includes discussions on racial barriers.

Following Gray is an afternoon of workshops and panel discussions from 2:30 to 5:15 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., Roberts will present a speech titled, “Lessons from Little Rock: An Educational Agenda for the 21st Century.”

Roberts has made several appearances in the state, but never in Spokane.

“I think there is a denial in Little Rock, a denial that there is an issue (regarding segregation),” Roberts said in a phone interview. When he challenges the Little Rock system, he encounters a tremendous amount of fear, he said. School employees fear that change will lead to disruption, even chaos.

“I tell them that chaos is preferable to what we have right now,” Roberts said. “But I think out of chaos comes some true resolution. If we don’t invite the chaos, we simply put Band-Aids on what we have. The foundation is shaky, but no one wants to tear it down and start over.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: CONFERENCE If you go

The third annual race relations conference begins at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Martin Centre at Gonzaga University. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome.