Program Types & Tips Community Forums & Discussions Conversations on Pluralism Organizing a conversation is simple and there is a plethora of topics to choose from that relate to the Law Day theme of Celebrate Your Freedom; consider the example used here on pluralism! Conversations on Pluralism Can't we all just get along? This plea, which grew out of the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles, expresses the simple goal of this program. Its aim is to bring together Americans of all backgrounds to talk in small groups about race, ethnicity and culture, as well as our shared values. A conversation can be held almost anywhere that people can find a place to talk. The basic idea is to connect people who would not ordinarily cross paths. Then, using supplementary materials, they can proceed to examine the importance of tolerance and diversity and the role of law in holding our society together. Participants will have different reasons for coming together. An effective resource person will ensure that the materials reflect their special interests related to the role of law. For example, some participants may want to address hiring discrimination, while others may want to discuss racial tensions. Still others will want to focus on issues of equality in their justice system. Well-chosen materials will help make all their issues surface. Consider focusing on bestsellers and movies as well as other conversation starters, such as recent news items related to diversity. Since the goal is to stimulate both talk and listening, the resource provider may want to stimulate discussion with key questions such as: What is affirmative action? Should juries mirror the diversity of their community? To what length should we go to ensure that schools are diverse? Do the ideals of freedom and equality serve to unify the diversity in American society? Should English be the official language of the United States? Should hate speech be prohibited? Stress that the discussion should seek to define the role of law as a dynamic, changing and inclusive one in which no voices are silenced or marginalized. Contacts & Resources The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has prepared a kit, The National Conversation on American Pluralism and Identity, to help you plan and conduct your conversations. The kit contains a how-to manual, a list of key questions and a variety of other materials that can help you conduct conversations about our differences as well as the values we share as Americans. The kit also includes suggestions on how you can bring a diverse group together. Feel free to modify the materials to fit the particular interests of your group. For further information, contact: The National Endowment for the Humanities 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 426 Washington, DC 20506 1-800-NEH-1121, or 202-606-8282 for hearing impaired >>Community Forums & Discussions Main Page >>Traditional Forums >>Virtual Forums >>Forum Formats >>Contacts & Resources >>Comparative Law Forums >>Community Conversations on Pluralism >>Democracy As a Discussion >>Humanities: Setting Up a Reading Program Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home