Racism and race relations forums to be held

Racism and race relations in Carbondale are the focus of a series of upcoming discussions starting next month.

Carbondale Conversations for Community Action is inviting community members to participate in one of six small group study circle discussions. The study circles will meet six times between March 4 and April 21.

Led by trained facilitators, study circle participants will talk about racism and building positive race relationships in Carbondale. Ideas and recommendations from each of these six groups will be collected and discussed further at an Action Forum.

Conversations for Community Action was initiated by the Carbondale Human Relations Commission after city council approval in November 2003 — with goals of addressing relevant issues to improving human relations in the city. Previous discussion topics have included "Building Strong Neighborhoods," and "Community and Police Working Together."

The kickoff is from 2 and 4 p.m., Feb. 25, at the University Mall Food Court and is open to the public. The registration deadline to participate in the study circles is Feb. 23.

For more information, email Carbondale Conversations for Community Action or call, 549-5302, ext. 386.