Hundreds of students fight prejudice

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Hundreds of area eighth graders are participating in a prejudice awareness forum Tuesday and Wednesday. The goal is to broaden students' resources to help express tolerance for others.

Sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Women International , the No Place for Hate summit brings together about 400 students from 50 area schools, both public and private.

Organizers said they hope to give children the tools they need to help their classmates show tolerance to those of all races, creeds, ethnicities and sexual preferences.

"The idea is to empower them," said Megan Flowers, a project coordinator for the Anti-Defamation League. "They can bring these ideas and these concepts of safety for all, welcoming for all, back to their campuses to build inclusive campuses."

Student participants, such as Leander Middle School student Christina Royer, said they want to combat prejudice in their classrooms.

"Everybody will judge somebody against if they're gay, or if they're racist or something," said Royer. "We're here figuring out ways to stop prejudice."

Flowers stressed that much is expected of the student participants.

"These kids are not just here to get a day out of school," said Flowers. "They're here to do work here, learn about prejudice awareness and to bring that work back to their campus."

The Anti-Defamation League implemented the No Place for Hate program in 2001. It has been used by hundreds of schools, including many in the Central Texas area.