The increasing diversity of the population of the eight county region of South Central Pennsylvania (including Perry, Cumberland, York, Adams, Franklin, Dauphin, Lebanon, and Lancaster) has given rise to a growing number of hate incidents. Public reaction to these demographic changes and incidents led to the idea of a workshop dealing with the causes, the problems, and some of the positive responses already occurring.

The prime sponsor, the Susquehanna Conference, has held workshops in the past on such regional issues as transportation, urban and suburban planning, water resources and distribution, as well as cultural riches. Its attention to diversity and attendant incidents seemed a logical next step.

The Susquehanna Conference was joined in sponsorship by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Institute for Cultural Partnerships (ICP) and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The Steering Committee also included the York City Human Relations Commission and the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance (SCAFEG). Each organization provided current information relevant to the eight counties.

On October 28, 1999, a day-long Region of Diversity seminar was held in the Harrisburg Area Community College’s Wildwood Center. This publication highlights some of what the workshops revealed. In addition to specific data on demographic changes, historic perspectives and an analysis of the psychology of hate, there are stories of prejudice and experience from within hate and terrorist organizations. This summary does not follow the schedule of the Region of Diversity workshop but is presented in a manner more comprehensible to readers who were not in attendance. The expert presentations have been abstracted but he essence has been maintained in accordance and with the approval of the speakers.

Morning sessions presented the historic and demographic framework for the changes taking place. Two afternoon breakout sessions were organized around citizen roles in society (clergy, business, education, law enforcement, youth, community, media and government) and geographic areas.

Approximately 150 attendees represented a range of interests, ethnicities and professions. Advocates for the disabled (and the disabled themselves), Native Americans, high school students, housing authority representatives, real estate organizations, pastors, and community organizations supporting sexual diversity as well as ethnic, religious and racial differences met in an atmosphere of inquiry and acceptance.

As a representative of the Susquehanna Conference and Project Director, I view this workshop as only the beginning of a more extensive dialogue that will be carried on within local communities. This publication outlines the work, ideas, and resources that we hope will inspire similar efforts across this region and beyond.

Charlotte Glauser
Project Director, The Susquehanna Conference