2008 Woodie Awards
Group to bring about non-discrimination ordinance
By: Nick Persons
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A new non-discrimination ordinance may be in effect in Mount Pleasant as early as January.
Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group member John Dinse said Thursday night that he plans to propose an outline to city commissioners soon.
"Essentially our goal is to get an ordinance that will protect a variety of groups in Mount Pleasant," he said. "We're on task, we're on track."
Dinse said talks still are in the beginning stages, and may take more time, but that the plan is progressing well. Flint and Grand Rapids already have similar guidelines in place, he said.
The plan would need to be passed by city officials.
"It would create a body called a human rights commission," Dinse said.
He said it would give people a place to complain about racial discrimination. It would be a different feel than going to the police, he said.
The group also discussed a community foundation grant that would sponsor diversity-related movies at Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St.
The Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group would partner with the Broadway Theatre and the Central Michigan University's Multicultural Education Center to show films for students. The idea of the showings is to foster discussion about diversity.
"We're going to apply for a movie series about diversity," said Ulana Klymyshyn, director of the multicultural education center.
The group also is in the process of changing their official logo and are giving art students the opportunity to submit their ideas, which one will be chosen.
"It will be something that expresses our goals and our purpose," said Laura Gonzales, Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group chair.
In addition, the group discussed more plans for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in-part because of the recent rash discrimination around campus.
"It may have turned into a three-day weekend," said Laura Frey, group member. "We really want to make it a teach-in kind of day."
Emphasizing Martin Luther King Jr.'s message throughout the day would be beneficial to students, she said.
"I think it would be in response to the times of our society," Frey said. "We have a pattern of issues here. (The question is) how can we respond?"
news@cm-life.com
Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group member John Dinse said Thursday night that he plans to propose an outline to city commissioners soon.
"Essentially our goal is to get an ordinance that will protect a variety of groups in Mount Pleasant," he said. "We're on task, we're on track."
Dinse said talks still are in the beginning stages, and may take more time, but that the plan is progressing well. Flint and Grand Rapids already have similar guidelines in place, he said.
The plan would need to be passed by city officials.
"It would create a body called a human rights commission," Dinse said.
He said it would give people a place to complain about racial discrimination. It would be a different feel than going to the police, he said.
The group also discussed a community foundation grant that would sponsor diversity-related movies at Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St.
The Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group would partner with the Broadway Theatre and the Central Michigan University's Multicultural Education Center to show films for students. The idea of the showings is to foster discussion about diversity.
"We're going to apply for a movie series about diversity," said Ulana Klymyshyn, director of the multicultural education center.
The group also is in the process of changing their official logo and are giving art students the opportunity to submit their ideas, which one will be chosen.
"It will be something that expresses our goals and our purpose," said Laura Gonzales, Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group chair.
In addition, the group discussed more plans for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in-part because of the recent rash discrimination around campus.
"It may have turned into a three-day weekend," said Laura Frey, group member. "We really want to make it a teach-in kind of day."
Emphasizing Martin Luther King Jr.'s message throughout the day would be beneficial to students, she said.
"I think it would be in response to the times of our society," Frey said. "We have a pattern of issues here. (The question is) how can we respond?"
news@cm-life.com
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