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Mari El, Russia Project Objective International House of Chicago Shauna Taylor “We All Smile in the Same Language” Mari El, Russia Project Objective: To teach youth camp attendees at Lesnaya Skazka (in addition to surrounding camps in the area) the importance and value of diversity, both broadly and more specifically in relation to the recent race relation issues that are emerging in the Mari El Republic. Background: Mari El, located about 550 miles east of Moscow, is one of many smaller republics that comprise the Russian Federation. During Soviet times, the republic was closed, and even now, like many of these republics, Mari El has remained fairly closed off from outside influences. Due to the fact that the Mari people are ethnically homogenous, there has been little to no diversity teaching/training in the past for the various governmental and educational institutions. Recently, however, there has been a large influx of workers (and their families) from Tajikistan. Members of this ethnic group have physical characteristics that are typically considered Asian, making them easily recognizable and distinct from the Mari, whose characteristics are “more European”. Even though the people from Tajikistan have only been residing in Mari El for a short while, racist jokes, derogatory statements, and lower socioeconomic status have already been associated with this minority group by the dominant Mari. Given the history of problematic and unjust race relations that have and continue to take place around the world, this is a troubling pattern of events that will no doubt continue to escalate without an intervention of some kind. One key way to initiate race relation intervention and awareness is through the Mari El camp association. Children’s camps have been prominent features of Russian life since the days of the former Soviet Union and have served as places for not only learning, but the introduction of new ways of thinking. Through interactive games, skits, team exercises, and crafts, the staff at the camps are highly trained and respected individuals who are committed to imparting the message and values deemed important to pass down to the younger generation of Russian youth. Skills/Resources: In the summer of 2011, I was a camp counselor at Camp Lesnaya Skazka in Mari El, and the experience was truly life-changing. Not only was I able to fully immerse myself in the camp culture, but I truly felt a part of the Lesnaya Skazka family and formed friendships that continue to the present. I was honored to be an ambassador for both America and African- Americans. For many of the campers and counselors, I was the first person of color they had ever seen in person. While I experienced no hostility or mistreatment from any individuals I came in contact with, it was important for me personally that I represented myself in the best way possible in order to gain the trust, respect, and love of my fellow staff members and campers. By the end of my time at Lesnaya Skazka, I feel I was able to achieve these goals. As a social work student and an African-American, I believe I possess certain skills and experiences that will prove helpful in diversity training. As a member of a minority group, I have firsthand experience and knowledge about the reality of being seen and treated as a second-class citizen. By drawing on both historic and personal stories of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, specifically as relates to American history, I hope to be able to raise awareness about these issues, while at the same time fostering an appreciation and respect for diversity. Studying social work has allowed me chances to not only learn about oppression in its various forms, but also taught me ways in which to fight and advocate against such practices. I have participated in many diversity trainings, activities, and exercises over the years that could be adapted to the different age groups I would encounter at Lesnaya Skazka and surrounding camps. Because of my prior history of being a counselor, I believe campers and counselors alike will be more willing to listen to what I have to International House of Chicago Shauna Taylor “We All Smile in the Same Language” Mari El, Russia say as opposed to someone unfamiliar. By leading this program, I will be able to further extend the influence and initiatives I began as an undergraduate student at the camp. Lastly, I have the support of several camp leaders, both in the U.S. and in Russia, to create such a program. Dr. Gwynn Powell, who serves as the director for the Camp Russia Program that I attended in 2011, has offered to provide her extensive knowledge and camp experience with helping to create a diversity program that will translate well with the children at camp. She serves as the US ambassador for the International Camping Fellowship and has extensive experience with camp programs in Turkey, Nigeria, and South Africa. In addition, Tatyana Ermizina, the Executive Director of Lesnaya Skazka, and Zhanna Kuzminik, translator and university professor at Mari Polytechnic are excited about this project idea. The Russian camp association is well networked and this project would be a pilot that could be implemented in literally thousands of Russian youth camp programs. Plan of action/timeline: In Mari El, camp sessions run for approximately 21 days, with each camp being made up of about 300 campers, divided into 8 or 9 different age groups. In addition to serving as a counselor in whatever capacity I am needed, I will lead a daily, one hour diversity class for alternating age groups, much like other classes, such as crafts and wood engraving, are conducted. One particular activity I wish to conduct at camp would be an adaptation of Jane Elliot’s “brown eyed/blue eyed experiment” she introduced in 1968 to teach her third grade class about racism and discrimination in America. This activity could be both group specific and camp-wide. I will work with camp staff to incorporate the lessons the campers learn in class into the daily experience of camp life. Examples include performing skits, publicly displaying crafts made in the class around the camp grounds, and group discussions within various age groups around diversity related issues. While I plan to spend most of my time at Lesnaya Skazka, I will also work in several surrounding camps and lead similar classes for attendees at their camps. I can also rely on the support of other American students who are serving as counselors at those camps through the Camp Russia Program I attended in 2011. Regarding the sustainability of the program, it is my goal to create a diversity curriculum comprised of the activities I lead, so the program can be used year after year by Lesnaya Skazka and other camps across Mari El. By having the curriculum translated into Russian, camp staff in the future, both Russian and American, can continue the work that was started this upcoming summer. In the past, several activities and events that were initiated by American counselors have become camp traditions. Examples include camp-wide 4th of July celebrations, annual baseball games between camps, and I have no doubt that diversity programs will also become a staple of camps throughout Mari El. The materials can be shared at the annual Russian Camp Director’s conference by the Mari El camp directors, such as Tatyana Ermizina. Ultimately I hope to create an awareness, appreciation, and respect for diversity among the staff and campers alike that will translate into improved race relations, not only with the people from Tajikistan residing in Mari El, but all individuals they encounter throughout life .
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