Diversity Essential

Diversity essential
By Jeffrey R. Stone
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Boston Herald

It’s not surprising that many people feel uncomfortable and associate less with new neighbors and co-workers from unfamiliar backgrounds, whether the differences are around ethnicity, race, income, age, etc. But it need not take a generation or two for newer groups to become woven into the social fabric as Guy Darst suggests (“Diversity and its disconnects,” July 15).

By intention and commitment, residents can build bridges and create inclusive communities. Boston’s City-Wide Dialogues, Neighbors for Neighbors in Jamaica Plain, LeadBoston, Social Capital Inc. in Woburn, Dorchester and Lynn and the Civic Engagement in Our Changing Milton project all bring diverse residents together to build understanding and friendships and make their communities stronger.

For social, economic and ethical reasons, metropolitan Boston can’t tolerate diverse groups hunkering down in withdrawal from each other. The innovative local efforts mentioned above demonstrate that we can indeed create community connections that will benefit us all.

Jeffrey R. Stone, Director
City-Wide Dialogues on Boston’s Ethnic and Racial Diversity