Different people are passionate about different causes. Some immerse themselves in religion, others in politics, and there are those that find their niche in teaching or animal rights. Then there are those that champion racial equality. The Human Relations Council of Valparaiso is a group of individuals that are diligently working to see that the city is aware and in understanding of issues concerning equal treatment among the citizens.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was only a few days ago, and the town of Valparaiso had a few events that were held in commemoration of Dr. King and his work in the Civil Rights Movement. In Valparaiso’s City Hall the Council met to discuss the outcomes of the events as well as other issues within the community. The Council’s Chair is Ivan Bodensteiner; an attorney and professor of Law at Valparaiso University.
“We have a few items on the agenda. One is to assess the [Martin Luther King] event that the city held yesterday,” Bodensteiner said. “This is an advisory committee to the mayor that was established by ordinance in 2011. It had existed for a few years before that but now there is an actual ordinance establishing the group. We work with the mayor and the citizens to try and make the city more open to everyone.”
The meeting began like any other council meeting with a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Then they discussed the upcoming Urban League of NWI’s First Annual Diversity Awards and Luncheon. Afterward they dove into the topic of the MLK event. The attitude of the group toward the event was positive, and they discussed ways to make it more impactful on the community in the future.
“From my perspective it was a good turnout,” Bill Oeding, the City Administrator for Valparaiso and Human Relations Council member said during the discussion. “The presentation was very well put together and I was impressed. Frankly, I thought it was nice to revisit and remember what a great man [Martin Luther King, Jr.] was. He was a pretty remarkable individual.”
Ideas were voiced on the ways to spread awareness and reach more people. Rick Soria, Vice Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City suggested that the schools get involved with various class projects and Yamen Atassi, a VHS student and Human Relations Council member, suggested that incentives be given to students so that they would participate in events and not look at MLK Day as just another day off from school. Zahra Nwabara, Director of Admissions at Valparaiso University had the idea that other city departments get involved with MLK Day events.
Each idea has potential and in the future those ideas could become reality therefore bringing the community that much further in inclusion and equality. Each member of this group feels strongly about what happens to the city, the county and the region. It is their home, and they want to make sure that it is a safe and welcoming place to live for everyone, regardless of their background or skin color.
The next Human Relations Council meeting is February 26, 2013 at 5:30pm in the Valparaiso City Hall. It is open to the public so please feel free to attend and participate. For more information call 219-462-1161.