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Tolerance message finds an audience

By Meghanne Bearden

Although the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks served to solidify racial stereotyping, students and faculty at Corona del Sol High School managed to set aside some of their preconceived impressions as the result of an appearance by one of the Valley’s noted authorities on diversity.

Calvin Terrell, who develops leadership teams and programs for preschoolers and adults, spoke to students in the school’s crowded gymnasium. His four-year-old consulting company, Social Centric Training, develops leadership teams and programs for preschooler to adults.

“I see this more as a passion than a job,” Terrell said.

Terrell is a leader who walks his talk. With youthful charisma and passion, he quickly got the students of Corona to embrace his message of respect and acceptance.

Terrell not only opened the hearts of many students but made them stop to realize the impact of what they carelessly say to their peers on a day-to-day basis.

He asked the students to shout out any racial slurs they could think of for Middle Easterners, African-Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians and other groups of people. When the audience finished, he gave the history how each name originated.

Redneck was a name used for Irish-Scottish slaves who later immigrated to the Appalachian Mountains. After long days working as slaves in the fields, it was a name that easily identified these fair-skinned people because the backs of their necks and legs would be burned bright red.

After slavery was abolished, many intermarried because they feared they would be put back into slavery. This term has evolved into a racial slur, not only for Irish-Scots but for others as well.

Terrell went on to give other examples, and then came to a group of people that has been besieged after the attacks on Sept. 11.

Not only have Middle Easterners been targeted, but Sikh men are being persecuted because their outward appearance resembles Osama bin Laden, Terrell said.

As the students sat in the bleachers, they hurled numerous names to identify these people. For each name given, Terrell offered an historical example about how these people were tormented for their religious beliefs.

While some examples were graphic and difficult to comprehend, Terrell opened their eyes to what is really going on in our world today.

Terrell concluded his presentation with a visualization that brought many to tears.

“I’ve never been in gym where you could hear a pin drop,” said Jan O’Malley, faculty sponsor of the campus Unity Club, which brought Terrell to campus.

“Every ear was on what he was saying,” said O’Malley.

Many CdS students were familiar with Terrell because he led Aztectown 2001, a four-day retreat for 90 students in Prescott last spring.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., the Valley resident and father of four won Phoenix’s 2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award.

His work with groups and communities includes NCCJ’s Anytown, National Charity League, Arizona National Guard, Arizona State University’s Upward Bound and others.

Though Terrell said he wanted students to feel the tragic impact of a horrific situation, he left them with another story filled with a message of hope and love.

Long after the dismissal bell had rung, students remained, giving Terrell a standing ovation.

In all, students agreed the program was an eye-opening experience. Not only was Terrell’s speech at a teenage level, he acted as though he was a trusted friend instead of a preaching adult.

“I was really impressed,” Corona junior Marcie DeBois said. “When we have a speaker come to school, they seem to look down on us. Calvin never talked down to us.”

Many now have a new concept of respect and acceptance.”

Freshman Logan Shidawara added:

“When he was talking about racism and giving examples of slurs that we use, it really made me think about what I say. It changed my whole view on the subject.”

Students were left with optimism and a new challenge to take on at Corona.

“Those who participated in his discussion left with a new sense of reality and hope,” Unity Club Vice President Nicole Alberti said.

“The challenge now is to make the difference in ourselves. It is then that we can change our little corner of the world.”

Due to scheduling and space accommodations at CdS,  a number of students and teachers were disappointed that they did not have the chance to attend Terrell’s optional assembly.

After hearing many positive remarks from students and faculty, Corona del Sol Principal James Denton wants to change that for next year.

“We are looking forward to the possibility of having him back in the spring for the entire student body and staff,” Denton said.

Terrell’s ripple effect in south Tempe is already making an impressive impact. This the second year he will help O’Malley direct Corona’s Aztectown, scheduled March 20-23.

Corona is a different place today because of Terrell. Besides planning for next year’s assembly, CdS Unity Club’s student leaders are taking his message out to middle schools in Tempe, Chandler and Phoenix.

With his work at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee and at Corona, Terrell is becoming a major force in the East Valley.

Terrell sums it up best:

“Seeds of prejudice that have been planted can be unsown.”

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