42.0°

JUNEAU - United Way of Southeast Alaska will once again offer diversity workshops to Juneau residents on Thursday and Friday, April 8 and 9.

"Racism still exists in Juneau and most people don't even know or think they are prejudiced," said Brenda Hewitt, President of United Way of Southeast Alaska.

Racism was identified as a community issue in the Compass II survey conducted through United Way of Southeast Alaska. To help address the problem, the City and Borough of Juneau has provided grant funds for workshops for the past three years. The workshops are taught by Munirah Mawusi, who has received rave reviews by more than 75 Juneau residents for teaching people to embrace diversity.

The Compass II community assessment listed racism as one of the top five issues facing Juneau. According to the assessment, "Remnants of racism combine with a largely unrealized opportunity to build on the community's rich multi-cultural assets."

Changing demographics indicate an increase in racial and ethnic diversity, aging population, income and education gaps, linguistic challenges, differing values, lifestyles and physical and mental abilities in our daily environments.

"The question becomes, 'How do we embrace these differences to create an even stronger community?'" Hewitt said.

Class size is limited to 35 participants per day. The April 8 class will be at the University of Alaska Southeast and the April 9 course will be taught at the Juneau Yacht Club. The fee for the day-long class is $25, which includes lunch. To sign up for the workshops, contact United Way of Southeast Alaska at 463-5530.