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From the Desk of Bill Cirone...
March 19, 1999
Living Voices to perform "the right to Dream"
There is no doubt that our current society has a critical need to nurture the values of tolerance. Sadly, we see signs all around us that the need exists, as evidenced nationwide in tragic events ranging from Texas to Wyoming to right here in Santa Barbara. We know that the values that exist in our communities are mirrored in our classrooms, where students reflect whatever preconceived notions they bring to the classroom door.
The Beyond Tolerance Center was created after the well-received Anne Frank in the World exhibit came to Santa Barbara last year. Creation of the center reflected the community's wish to expand on the spirit of tolerance that was engendered during that visit, and make sure that the teaching of tolerance abounds in our classrooms.
As part of that effort, the Living Voices educational theater group is performing "The Right to Dream" for 8,500 students in 26 schools throughout the county in March and April.
The public has been invited to a free performance on April 12 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Santa Barbara County Education Office, 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road.
"The Right to Dream" is a unique combination of theater, video, and discussion that creates a high impact experience allowing audience members to discover history's relevance to their lives. The performance recreates a young man's coming of age as an African -American in Mississippi during the '50s and '60s. A question-and-answer session follows each performance.
Students in schools throughout the county are reacting with strong emotion and enthusiastic praise.
I am truly impressed with the progress that has been made in pulling together the Beyond Tolerance Center, especially in terms of the hard work and tangible results created by co-directors Adele Rosen and Carol Spears. Programs offered on immigration and multicultural classroom presentations are booked solid and are reaching literally thousands of students countywide.
In addition to these programs and resources for students, 20 teachers will take part in a Summer Teachers Institute to receive training in the teaching of tolerance.
The Beyond Tolerance Center is a major example of a broad-based community partnership, especially in terms of the fiscal support that has made the program possible. The programs have met with an excellent reception in the schools, and center-sponsored visits to the Museum of Tolerance have made a real difference in the lives of our young people.
The goal of all these efforts is to provide programs that promote the teaching of tolerance throughout the county, reaching as many K-12 students as possible, and to develop a group of committed teachers who will then act as the ambassadors and disciples of the tolerance efforts.
Information about the free public performance on April 12 is available by calling Lynn Porter at 569-3873. Community members wishing to support the Beyond Tolerance Center have been asked to contact codirectors Adele Rosen or Carol Spears at 569-3873.
In joining hands and forming a circle of responsibility around our young people we can truly make a difference.
© Santa Barbara County Education Office
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