Oshkosh Northwestern : Diversity is a local issue

A Great Reason to be Proud of Oshkosh:

Editorial: King Day esteem here result of city's diversity emphasis

Any visitor to Oshkosh can't help but notice that the cause of diversity has been embraced more in recent years. That's good news for Oshkosh as it prepares to celebrate Monday observances of the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

There was a time when cities made their King "observation" by renaming highways or streets. Thankfully, our city wasn't content with that. Our city has chosen the more pro-active route by finding ways to make diversity an issue and working on those issues. Likewise, we have seen fit for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to become the unofficial sponsor of making this day a major city event.

What Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become in Oshkosh is that very important moment to see how our area residents have worked on issues of diversity.

We recognize that our residents have accepted a second generation of former Hmong refugees and that labor statistics show they are among our most industrious citizens.

We recognize that our area has seen Latinos discover the American Dream in a way that inspires us all.

We recognize that Sudanese who fled their nation chose Oshkosh as their place to embrace America's brand of freedom.

We recognize diversity issues are more than ones of bringing refugees or war survivors. We recognized the great work done by the Oshkosh Area School
and its District Board of Education to raise the academic performance of minority students. This includes the work of UWO to recruit people of color. The UWO work deserves special mention because it also includes an emphasis on student retention so that young adults of color earn the degree they desire to earn.

Finally, we recognize the Revs. Ralph and Carol DiBiasio-Snyder, pastors of First Congregational Church of Oshkosh, as recipients of the Celebration of Diversity Award from the Oshkosh Human Relations Council.

Again, all of these accomplishments were made possible in a community that has dared to be different by trying to find new ways to implement a sensitivity to diversity. The community's gain is that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a federal holiday.

For we who live in Oshkosh, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one to chart our future involvement in issues of diversity by reflecting on the work of the past year.

The Final Thought: Martin Luther King Jr. Day has special meaning in Oshkosh from the city's work on diversity issues