"In all things that are purely social we (black and white) can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress."
- Booker T. Washington, Speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition, Atlanta (September 18, 1895)
More than a hundred years ago, Booker T. Washington spoke to the fact that while all men are individuals, we must all work together for the benefit of mankind. In the same sense today, while we may all celebrate our individual nationalities, we must all come together to make international progress.
In the spirit of these goals, less than two years ago, the students of Kokomo High School proposed a minority activity organization that has blossomed into the Diversity Group. Sponsor Colleen Grady is quick to point out that Diversity Group is not a club - it is an all-inclusive group to anyone interested in learning about diversity issues and helping to promote tolerance.

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The Diversity Group is itself as diverse as the issues it explores. More than 150 students of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian descent join students from the Middle East and other areas of the world who have moved to Kokomo, and the 5-7 foreign exchange students who attend KHS each year, to make up the Diversity Group. Several other students who do not attend regular meetings of the group also attend individual group activities.
The group's philosophy, from Margaret Mead, is to "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world." And this group of students is very committed to that purpose. The group's council of 20 seniors and 30 underclassmen help to decide which service projects and experiences the group will participate in for the year.

One of the group's highlights is its monthly speaker series. All interested students throughout the school are invited to hear a speaker each month, during the school's student resource period. Several speakers have been members of the International Women of Kokomo, women whose husbands have come to the US to work for DelphiDelco. The speakers from Taiwan, Germany, Swaziland, and several other countries talk with students about life in other nations, their experiences in transition to life in Kokomo, and a variety of other diversity issues. Local university professors from diverse backgrounds and nationalities have discussed the importance of multiculturalism and acceptance in education, the workplace, and society. A local former attorney also addressed the group after being quoted in a local newspaper article, discussing the legal issues involved in a Ku Klux Klan protest.

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Students affiliated with the Diversity Group also travel to learn more about international and multicultural issues. Each year, students attend International Day at IU-Kokomo, the International Festival in Indianapolis, a celebration of Martin Luther King Day at Ivy Tech, and a career day which can help students learn more about potential careers. In these programs, students have enjoyed discussions about life and school in other countries, and have viewed exhibits of backpack items typical of students in a variety of nations, to see similarities and differences in cultures. Several students in the Diversity Group join approximately 80-100 KHS World Geography students at the annual IU-K Teen Forum. Led by Catherine Barnes, Coordinator of Campus Climate, the forum highlights African-American inventors, Indiana artists whose work was inspired by travel in several African nations, African immigrants who discuss their lives in their homelands, and discussion of current issues, such as HIV in Swaziland. Cheryl Dowden, KHS Social Studies Curriculum Supervisor, says that the activities are student-centered and engaging, teaching students about Africa's past and present. Each year the forum features a different theme.
The Diversity Group also works within the school to share information and promote tolerance within the school setting. The group specifically reaches out to international exchange students and to students whose families have recently moved to the US, to help them feel more included in the school. These students, in turn, will often share their experiences about their home countries with the American students. The group also has an information table in the foyer outside of the cafeteria each Wednesday during lunch, to give all interested students information about the group's activities and how they can become involved. The group also puts announcements in the daily bulletin and creates wall displays to promote discussion of multicultural issues. As a fund-raiser, the group sold suckers printed with the theme "One world - many flavors".
Students in the Diversity Group continue to share as much as they receive. As they learn about other nations, cultures, races, and ways of living, they share that information with their peers and others in the community. Diversity Group is committed to several service projects in the community, including helping the United Way, participating in Martin Luther King Day celebrations, reading to Sycamore Elementary School students at the library through Teach America, and teaching elementary school students about diversity and tolerance. The group was also involved with IU-K and Ivy Tech in celebrating Black History Month in February. In March, they will cooperate with Bona Vista Rehabilitation Services, a local sheltered workshop for physically and mentally challenged children and adults, to celebrate Disability Awareness Month. The Civil Rights Commission recently recognized the Diversity Group for its service to the community.
Mrs. Grady says that if other teachers are interested in developing similar programs for their schools, administrative support is essential. She noted that KHS administrators have been very supportive of her efforts and helpful in allowing use of school facilities for speakers, activities, field trips, and meetings. She also recommends that sponsors look for speakers through local universities, newspaper articles, and local corporations with international connections. The local Chamber of Commerce may also have good ideas for speakers and ways to highlight Indiana's international connections.

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In an atmosphere of increasing school accountability, organizations like the Diversity Group can also meet many of the Indiana Standards for high school students. The diversity issues explored in this group and in programs they attend can meet Indiana Economics Standard 8, Government Standard 4, History Standard 8, Psychology Standard 5, Sociology Standard 2, World Geography Standard 4, and World History Standard 10. These experiences have also been adapted for middle school and elementary school students and can be expanded across the curriculum. If administrators are made aware of the potential to meet so many educational standards, at the same time students are offered rewarding experiences and the opportunity to make important differences in their own lives and communities, they are likely to be even more supportive of such a program.
As individual fingers come together to work with the hand, individuals of all races, nationalities, and abilities come together for the progress of all people. In the same way, as Indiana's economy becomes increasingly globally connected, our students need to understand humanitarian and cultural connections, as well. The Kokomo High School Diversity Group is helping to meet that goal, as noted in its charter: "The purpose of the Diversity Group is to enlighten some, encourage all and promote wholeheartedly the concept of tolerance and acceptance of those different than ourselves. It is also the desire of the group to inform all students of the many opportunities there are for them to become `diverse' in their daily lives here at KHS and the community."

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