Not In The News Friday (NITNF)

NITNF will usually be a bit of trivia that I found interesting and thought you would like. It may be IR-related and it might not -- but should always be fun...or at least fascinating.

This week we will look into New Demographic and FUSION.

New Demographic



Our names are Carmen Van Kerckhove and Jen Chau, and we co-founded New Demographic, an anti-racism training firm. Our goal is to mobilize people through a variety of media and in-person workshops to work towards an anti-racist future.

You can learn more about the workshops we offer here. You can read testimonials from past clients and watch a demo video with clips from past workshops.

We also produce a weekly podcast called Addicted to Race and edit Mixed Media Watch, a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture.

Our Beliefs

• We go beyond uncritical celebrations of diversity and multiculturalism and confront head-on the complex issues surrounding race and racism today.


• In challenging racism, we go beyond individual acts of prejudice and recognize that racist ideals are disseminated by the very structures and systems upon which this country is built.


• We go beyond the concerns of the specific community to which we belong and recognize that when one group is discriminated against, it is an affront to us all.


• When discussing racism, we go beyond simply blaming “The Man” and recognize that racism persists through an intricate web of intergroup and intragroup oppression and privilege.


• We go beyond "diversity speak" and academic jargon and recognize that using direct, down-to-earth lanaguage is the best way to engage people in anti-racism work.


• We go beyond acceptance of finite racial categories and recognize that race has no biological basis, but that the social construct of race impacts us all.

09.19.06 Update: With permission, here is a video where Jen and Carmen further explain their beliefs.



Source: New Demographic


FUSION



The FUSION Program for Mixed Heritage Youth seeks to support multiracial, multiethnic, and/or transracially adoptive youth and their families.

VISION

We envision a cohesive multicultural society based on acceptance, inclusion, and respect of human diversity.

MISSION

Our mission is to foster positive identity formation and empowerment in children of mixed heritage. To meet this aim, the Fusion Program facilitates the exploration of personal identity and community in a safe and nurturing environment and through community outreach.

GOALS

1. To empower youth of mixed heritage in the development of identity and human potential.


2. To create a language to discuss mixed heritage and to foster regard and appreciation for the diversity within the mixed heritage community.


3. To establish a safe space for exploring the complexity of the mixed heritage experience.


4. To develop awareness and consciousness of the issues facing mixed heritage individuals.


5. To encourage solidarity and empowerment in the mixed heritage community.

VALUES

• Meaningful learning: We seek to provide an interactive and creative learning experience that fosters individual self-awareness and self-discovery.


• Safe environment: We are committed to providing a nurturing environment that promotes self-esteem and confidence.


• Community: We recognize that community is a source of connectedness and inclusive relationships for families and youth.


• Respect: We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals.


• Diversity: We strive to serve the diverse population of mixed heritage families in the Bay Area. These families include children who are multiracial, biracial, ethnically-mixed minorities, and/or transracially adopted.


• Collaboration: We form partnerships with other organizations and agencies to provide a learning experience based on excellence and quality.

Source: FUSION Program for Mixed Heritage Youth