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SALT LAKE CITY -- The NAACP says it has had another issue at a Utah school regarding intolerance or insensitivity. Now it is bringing in a special guest to help parents and schools know how to handle these situations.
NAACP Salt Lake Chapter President Jeanetta Williams would not name the school, mainly because of how heated and hurtful the situation became at Alta High School last year.
"They had some situations, some problems that just occurred the first week of school, and I had to talk to them about that situation. They handled it very well," Williams said. She says the issue at Alta High School became almost overblown because of media involvement and is glad this time that she and school leaders were able to work together.
- Sept. 23-25
- Little America Hotel
- There is a fee for conference registration and meals. To receive a form, call (801) 250-5088 or email jdwnaacp@att.net.
- Registration deadline Sept. 12
Williams says later this month, Maureen Costello of the Southern Poverty Law Center will be in Utah to talk about this very subject. The center helped with sensitivity training at Alta High School.
Costello is just one of many workshop presenters on several different subjects for the NAACP Tri-State Conference being held in Salt Lake City from September 23 - 25.
Williams says the conference is open to anyone, and the workshop topic is a good one for parents or educators. She says now is a great time to talk with children about tolerance and respect for people of all backgrounds, religions and races.
Williams says listen to what your child is saying when they come home from school.
"Then they can tell when the child is coming home and saying (things), or coming up with different words, and you are wondering, 'Where did he or she get those words from, because we don't use that type of language in our home?'"
Williams says don't be afraid to take action.
"You can maybe go talk to the teacher or principal and say, 'My child is coming home and saying these things and I don't like it. Is this being taught in the classes?' And then you can break it down," she said.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
