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Franciscans in Action
October-November 2008 e-newsletter
St. Francis University Takes a Stand Against Prejudice
The truth is that all of us have prejudices of one sort or another. Often these prejudices are unconscious and held by seemingly tolerant people; discovering that one is actually prejudiced against other individuals can be an unsettling experience.
What is important is how one handles one’s prejudices, which is where St. Francis University’s Multicultural Awareness Living and Learning Center (MALLC) comes in. St. Francis University is in Loretto, Pennsylvania, about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. Under the guidance of Lynne Banks (associate dean of students), the university created the MALLC to deal specifically with any problems of prejudice that might arise on campus.
The Multicultural Awareness of Living and Learning Center (MALLC) runs many activities
The next question that beckons is how does one deal with issues of prejudice? A willingness to change and to admit a faulty frame of mind is necessary. If one does not admit to the prejudice then change will be impossible. Next one must enter into discourse with individuals willing to listen and correct the prejudice.
The MALLC works with eight student associates who help to spread tolerance across the St. Francis University campus. The students assist in setting up international festivals and other cultural celebrations. Workshops on racism, cultural identity, and community building fall into the MALLC students’ purview as well.
The Multicultural Awareness of Living and Learning Center
encourages discourse on prejudice
Naturally, no one expects the Multicultural Awareness Living and Learning Center to completely cleanse the St. Francis University campus of prejudice. Yet its very existence suggests that the university is facing the problem of hate head on instead of sweeping it under the rug.
We encourage you our readers to send in stories where you see the spirit of St. Francis at work in the world. Email your stories to Peter Rajchert at peter@franciscans.org.
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