A Word about Diversity

Welcome to the second Deaf People of Color Conference! I hope you will have a wonderful time here in the beautiful Oregonian city of Portland, with Mt. Hood as the backdrop and the shimmering waters of the Pacific to the west, and the Columbia River running through the city.

I would like to take a moment to explore diversity. How many of you are blessed to live on the Pacific Coast? The United States is a vast country, with people of color living across the nation, but no single region in the nation could compete with the Pacific Coast for the honor of having the highest percentage of ethnic Americans living there.

What is diversity? It's being exposed to more than one or two cultures, lifestyles, even traditions. It means that we see people of color in everyday situations. We also are faced with the choice of staying in one culture or going out and embrace other cultures and the people who practice these cultures.

Life is a challenge, and it could even be more rewarding if we open our minds and arms to everyone, regardless of their skin color, and make them feel welcome.

In order to do that, we must stand up proudly, and claim ourselves as the people we are. We must not allow others to define who we are as deaf people of color. We have had enough with stereotypings, misconceptions, and rumors. We need to take on our roles as educators, activists, role models, neighbors, friends, family members, etc., and turn the tides of racism and send it back to where it rightfully belong — in the past.

The planning committee for this conference has selected Portland as the host city not only because of its proximity to both the Washington State and the Oregon Schools for the Deaf, its historical and cultural standing, and its beauty. Portland is also selected for its reputation as one of the most diverse and most tolerant cities in the United States. The pioneer spirit still lives on in Portland. Let's follow the example of those hardy settlers who moved from the East to seek a better life out here, and spread the word of diversity and the beauty of a multicultural nation around the United States. Let's stand together and rejoice in living in a true melting pot.

In closing, I ask everyone who attends this conference to make it a learning experience, and come away having become a better person. I also challenge you to reach out and educate those who aren't able to come so they, too, can become better people.

Have a wonderful time in Portland, and enjoy the wonderful samplings the city have to offer!

Thuan Thi Nguyen
Council Liaison/Program Coordinator
Deaf People of Color Conference II - 2010