Wheeling Human Rights Commissioner Diana Bell traveled to Beckley Tuesday evening to host a diversity workshop at Mountain State University.

The event, titled Dimensions of Diversity, took place at the John W. Eye Conference Center on MSU’s Beckley campus. A diverse group of about 100 local residents, social workers, teachers and students were in attendance.

“The thing I’d like people to take away would be respect and acceptance for people of different cultures and ethnicities,” Bell said.

Bell hit on issues such as racism and its impact, the connections between stereotypes and behavior, and the benefits of cross-cultural communication, as well as the impact of valuing diversity.

“We’re all basically the same. We’re all human beings. We’re all people,” she asserted.

“After 9/11 it was, ‘I hate Muslims,’ because of what had happened. But then they colored everybody with the same brush,” she said.

“If we could get past that part that makes us lash out against other people who are different, I think that would make us a stronger country.”

Bell referenced the dismal economy and other negatives going on around the world as reasons the country should unite.

“We have so many negative things going on around us and we’re fragmented with all these little fights when we should be fighting the big fights together,” she said.

The executive director of the Beckley Human Rights Commission, Elmer Day, said, “I think we have to adhere to what she has to say. It’s going to make our businesses, our communities, our schools and homes a better place.”

In a handout, attendees learned what they could do to help combat racism in the 21st century.

Simple things can make a difference, such as attempting to put yourself into the other person’s life space and understanding how he or she feels; being aware of how different holidays, or even the same ones, might be celebrated differently; transmitting positive regard, encouragement and sincere interest — all people like to know that others respect them; speaking up when you hear someone making a racist remark; and taking an active role in refuting the denial of racism.

Bell is a multiaward-winning social worker from Wheeling who has served as a community activist and advocate for social justice for more than 20 years.

Her background includes service on more than 30 education and community boards or panels. Among her current responsibilities, Bell serves as the racial justice director for the Young Women’s Christian Association in Wheeling and a human rights commissioner for the City of Wheeling.

The event was made possible through a partnership of MSU and the Beckley Human Rights Commission.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com