Released on: October 19, 2007, 7:18 pm

Press Release Author: Debra Mason

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: The Louisiana racial discrimination case known as Jena 6 has
created a lot of attention and racial tension within the past months. In the year
2007 how can such racism still exist? Or does it? Can a Jena 6 situation happen in
Pittsburgh and the surrounding area?

These questions and others will be addressed during the November 13, 2007 Jena 6
Panel Discussion sponsored by the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Office of Racial Diversity
and Inclusion.

Press Release Body: Pittsburgh, PA - The Louisiana racial discrimination case known
as Jena 6 has created a lot of attention and racial tension within the past months.
In the year 2007 how can such racism still exist? Or does it? Can a Jena 6
situation happen in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area?

These questions and others will be addressed during the November 13, 2007 Jena 6
Brown Bag Lunch and Panel Discussion sponsored by the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Office
of Racial Diversity and Inclusion. Bev Smith, host of "Our Voices," a syndicated
nightly radio show broadcasted locally on AM 860 and nationally on the American
Urban Radio Network, will serve as moderator for the event. Panelists will include
Esther L. Bush, President and CEO of the Urban League of Pittsburgh; M. Gayle Moss,
President of the Pittsburgh NAACP; and Thomas Farrell, Attorney for the ACLU
Pittsburgh.

"This case has cast a national spotlight on the racial inequalities that continue
within the criminal justice system and the existence of everyday discrimination
faced by African Americans and other people of color," says Debra Mason, Director of
the Office of Racial Diversity and Inclusion (ORDI). "We hope this panel discussion
will shine some light on solutions, to begin building bridges cross culturally and
to help us to change racial thinking and actions."

Mason points out, "It is necessary for our office to sponsor such an event and
demonstrate that we are serious about the mission to empower individuals,
organizations and communities to engage in educational and communication
opportunities that address racism, oppression, diversity, and inclusion."

In operation since 1996, the ORDI works to prepare individuals within the greater
Pittsburgh region as culturally competent members of an increasingly diverse
community and workforce. ORDI helps foster sensitivity towards and an appreciation
of diversity, develops behaviors that contribute to a non-discriminatory, respectful
workplace, and identifies ways in which promoting diversity can benefit individuals,
organizations, and businesses.Programs include "Cultural Diversity-Building
Bridges," "Community Dialogues on Racism," "White Privilege and Anti-Racism,"
"Internalized Racism," and "Youth/Teen Diversity."

The Jena 6 case focuses on six African American high school teens ages 15 to 17 who
were arrested last December after a school fight in which a white student was beaten
and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six African American males were
charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. The African American students face up
to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place amid mounting racial
tension after a black student sat under a tree in the schoolyard where only white
students sat. The next day nooses were hanging from the tree.



Web Site: http://www.ywcapgh.org/

Contact Details: YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
Office of Racial Diversity and Inclusion
305 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
dmason@ywcapgh.org
412-255-1521 Phone
412-391-5109 Fax