Excellent! This year’s “Unity Through Diversity” essay contest put forward to students at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City has the theme of Environmental Racism! Below is the article excerpted from Kansas City.com.

Pigs would have flown the day my high school approved this theme, so I’m making sure to get this out there in hopes other school will some day take note. Granted, St. Pius X is not your average high school like most of us attended. Still it’s an excellent example being set. I’d love to know more about what high schools are doing to educated students about the problem of environmental injustice.

Students can voice their opinions on current events in the “Unity Through Diversity” essay contest. Prizes range from $50 for third- to fifth-graders to $150 for college students. This year’s theme is “environmental racism.” The deadline for submission is Feb. 14.

Environmental racism is the intentional or unintentional discrimination of a minority in the enforcement of environmental rules, placement of polluting industries and lack of minority representation in boards, committees and regulatory bodies. Students are asked to assess how environmental racism is manifested in their communities and, depending on the age group, discuss means of diminishing its effects.

The essay contest is an initiative by the Northland Diversity Council, a nonprofit organization with the goal of improving cross-cultural relationships in the Northland.

Results for the contest will be announced at the “Unity Through Diversity” celebration, which includes presentation of dances from different cultures as well as readings by the essay winners. The event is scheduled to take place in March 8 at Park University.

For more information about the contest, send e-mail to mbeck@nkcsd.k12.mo.us

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