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Straight talk on discrimination

Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

KINDERHOOK — Sixty students and staff members from three area schools spent Thursday at the McNary Center of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kinderhook discovering their differences as well as their commonalties in a workshop aimed at ending racism and other kinds of discrimination.

Ichabod Crane, Hudson and New Lebanon high schools participated in the event, which was sponsored by the National Coalition Building Institute.

The NCBI is a nonprofit leadership training organization based in Washington, D.C. that works to eliminate prejudice and intergroup conflict through sharing personal stories of discrimination and mistreatment, among other techniques.

“Our aim is to change hearts, not minds,” said Nadine Baumgarten, who is a NCBI facilitator from Averill Park.

The students spent time exploring stereotypes and sharing stories of personal experiences.

The program was facilitated by staff as well as students, including Ahmad Garland, from Hudson High School, Kateri Donahoe, of Ichabod Crane High School and Meaghan Elmquist, of New Lebanon High School.

“I’m loving it,” said Tom Winn, 17, an Ichabod Crane student.

He said that talking openly about stereotypes had been a good experience. “It would have been uncomfortable in another situation,” he said.

Another participant, Abdul Karim, 17, from Hudson High School, said he had learned a lot Thursday.

“I learned the way I’ve been treating people isn’t right,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t be making fun of others based on race, religion or other factors anymore.

Easha Khanam, 16, also from Hudson High School, said she learned about other cultures — “different types of people.”

The students agreed that although racism was prevalent in the world, they could help to change attitudes.

“Lead by example,” said Jabin Ahmed, 14, a Hudson High School student.

Ira Baumgarten, who coordinated the day’s activities, said that the NCBI trains students to reach out to others, which can make schools not just better, but safer.

An FBI study shows that three elements are found in youths involved in school shootings such as 1999’s Columbine High School massacre in Colorado where 15 people died — access to weapons, being isolated and being bullied.

“If pain is not transformed, it is transferred,” Baumgarten said.

To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.

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