The format of the evening was designed for people of differing races to discuss attitudes that they have about crime and violence in our community and what they see as possible solutions or improvements. Fourteen people participated in the evening.  They formed three groups; each met in a separate room and at the end of the evening shared their results compiled below. Each group had a mix of males and females, blacks and whites, and also different religions.

1. The group agreed that isolationism contributes to a sense of separation and makes problems in our community.  There were many factors cited as contributing to this. Some were:1. architecture that eliminated front porches, or places for people to congregate.2. air conditioning and t.v. which tends to make people more insular 3. arrogance…In particular there was a good bit of response that gated communities send out signals of exclusion, or “You are NOT welcome here.” A good bit of the isolation was discussed as socio-economic, rather than racial.

         2.  Each group reported discussions regarding racial stereotyping and profiling going both

         ways.  As people discussed neighborhoods that they avoided, many issues came up.  For

         example, one woman reported drug sales happening in her neighborhood.  Here she

         feels comfortable in reporting this to the police.  In contrast, there are neighborhoods

         where she used to feel comfortable, but will not walk as a black woman alone—because 

         she no longer knows people in that area…..There were issues brought up about not 

         wanting to look VULNERABLE.  The difference between caution and fear was brought out.

         There was an effort to separate the fear of violence from race.

There was discussion around how fears often get PROJECTED out onto the

OTHER…and how this contributes to avoiding certain groups and creates racial stereotyping.

3.Every group came back to education repeatedly.  Some wanted more exposure to diversity and stated how they had learned from being around folks from another culture.  Most wanted greater parental involvement in

children’s lives. There were suggestions for parenting classes and for more emphasis on childhood education prior to age three.  There was value given to having both parents involved in the child’s life, and resentment expressed about programs that encouraged the father NOT to be in the home.

4.There was a good bit of discussion around security and a good bit of opinion was that security comes more from a sense of connection to community rather than structures. Beautiful buildings are not what creates a sense of security, nor do chain link fences.  We felt that it is important for schools to be welcoming facilities conducive to learning and not look like prisons ready for lock down. It is a matter of HOW and WHAT we are communicating to the next generation. Yes, we want to protect the children, but not at the risk of destroying the learning environment. 

5. There was discussion of the plan for SC Counter Narco-Terrrorism Pilot Program.  One of the prevalent themes of the evening was how fear divides us and the very title of this program seems to promote fear by linking drugs and terrorism together.  We questioned this approach. 

There were incidences cited throughout the evening of people attempting to overcome fears of the OTHER and attempting to live with better interaction.

Over-all this could be the most important theme of the evening.

Of the 14 people present on 3/24/09, 13 indicated that they would discuss the issues brought up at the meeting with other people.  12 indicated that they would take some kind of ACTION related to the meeting, and 2 said that maybe they would take action.  The Charleston Bridges to Peace group extends an invitation for others to join us.  Four new members joined  on 3/24/09.

It is an each one-teach one approach to peace.