GOSHEN, Ind — Diversity Day is evolving. The now 14-year-old event will start out the new decade in a new location with a new list of requirements for vendors, entertainers and exhibitors.
One of the main reasons for the move was the small controversy surrounding the event’s inter-faith booth, showcasing information about a variety of religions. According to event organizer and Community Relations Commission member Sreekala Rajagopalan, several pastors from different churches came forward last year, worrying that the booth defiled Maple City Chapel, the church in which it was held.
In order to prevent future conflicts of interest between location and event content, the 2010 Diversity Day will be held at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.
“Maple City Chapel has been very good to us and very accommodating, Rajagopalan said. “We thank them for their openness. But it is time to move on to have such a celebration in a place with no denomination, which makes it easier on all of us, the organizers.”
She said the inter-faith booth will be included at this year’s event.
The inclusion of religion, however passively, is a slight change from what two members of the Community Relations Commission reported to the City Council during one of its meetings in June of 2009. There, organizers made the first announcement that Diversity Day would no longer be held at Maple City Chapel, as well as noting their intention to limit the event’s focus to ethnic/cultural areas, children’s activities, entertainment and food.
However, a new list of selection criteria for exhibitors and participants will limit religious content to what falls within the bounds of cultural and ethnic diversity. CRC member Joe Liechty said it would include only information about different groups and religions rather than proselytizing.
“For example, an African-American choir, they’re going to sing gospel songs,” he said. “A Mexican display would include Mexican religious holidays.”
According to the selection criteria, vendors, entertainers and exhibitors are only eligible for selection if the exhibit focuses on a Goshen-area based ethnic group or cultural group and the vendor, entertainer or exhibitor commits to using Diversity Day as a venue for building positive community relations.
“A ‘sample’ may be offered through (but is not limited to) education, experience, entertainment and conversation,” the criteria form reads. “In 2010 we are interested in Goshen-based ethnicities and/or cultural groups whether the ethnic/cultural background is one that comes from a local, regional, national (e.g., Russian, Venezuelan, U.S., etc.) or indigenous group.”
Further explanation of the final requirement states that the Diversity Day planning committee has the sole discretion to determine whether a participant meets the requirements.
Liechty was a central member of the committee to come up with the criteria. He said the concept of focusing on ethnic and cultural diversity wasn’t discussed, but accepted by the CRC. At that point, he said, the focus was obvious and they spent much of their time working on narrowing their definitions.
“Darin Short (of Intersights, who does other work with the CRC,) did the main work there for us,” Liechty said. “He went online and looked up other cities that had diversity days in one way or another. He found out that some of them are incredibly complex in how they describe who they are and what they’re about.”
The criteria, which Rajagopalan said didn’t affect any of their participants this year, will be used rather informally this year before more formal implementation for Diversity Day in 2011.
Liechty said the move to create the requirements was simple.
“It seemed like one of those natural evolutionary steps in an organization,” he said, “when what starts out quite informally you need to eventually become more formal without going too far with it.”
Local News
Diversity Day venue will change due to religion concern
- Local News
-
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
-
Rinker Foundation donates $5,000 for new ‘learning’ toys
SYRACUSE — The kids are happy. The teachers are excited. The director is pleased. Best of all, at Lakeland Learning Center is using new educational toys to prepare preschoolers to hit the ground running in kindergarten.
-
Syracuse town manager says changes can be difficult
SYRACUSE — Local residents want to know when the piers will be put in for those who swim near the Oakwood Inn. Other concerns revolve around trees on the property, the new waste management and water bills being sent since the town annexed the area several months ago.
-
DeFries Gardens to host annual art show
The third annual DeFries Gardens, “In the Garden,” Juried Art Show, will take place June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DeFries Garden, 17477 CR 46, New Paris.
-
Residents want to see Oakwood revitalized, but how?
SYRACUSE — The receivership status of the Oakwood Inn property in Syracuse expired in April. On Friday, the Kosciuscko County Superior Court I granted that Ian Rolland will continue as the receiver.
-
Goshen grad takes jazz overseas with BSU ensemble
GOSHEN — A Goshen High School graduate feels his recent jazz music tour to China helped him grow as a musician and as a person.
-
City planning to reroof Rogers pavilion
GOSHEN — The historic Rogers Park pavilion that was damaged in an arson fire March 21 will be repaired if zoning and state permits are obtained.
-
Man pleads guilty to robbery
GOSHEN — A Nappanee man pleaded guilty in Elkhart County Circuit Court to his involvement in a March robbery in Nappanee.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
