Student group breaks stereotypes

A group of students from Corona del Mar High School laid their racial and cultural stereotypes out on the table in an open discussion among peers Saturday.

The gathering was the inaugural meeting of Crossing Colors, a student-led organization open to all Newport-Mesa students to encourage the breakdown of stereotypes and barriers of discrimination.

Corona del Mar juniors Debbie Lee, 17, and Madeleine Myers, 16, were inspired to start the club after reading a memorable book in English class. In her book, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” a compilation of student journal entries on experiences with discrimination, author Erin Gruwell urged students to take it one step further and make change in their community.

“I’m thrilled and in awe of their dedication,” said English teacher Debbie Sidler.

The girls hope the meetings will become regular; they plan on holding open discussions about a variety of issues and featuring guest speakers. They’ve invited students from all Newport-Mesa schools, circulating the information through fliers and word-of-mouth.

The book touched both students, as they’ve each had their own experiences with discrimination.

Madeleine, who’s of French and Jewish heritage, said that she’s always dealt with anti-Semitic remarks and that she struggles with people stereotyping her because of her religion.

Debbie, as a Korean American who grew up in a predominantly white area, said she found herself the “butt of many racist jokes.” When she was younger, the jokes seemed minuscule and bounced off, but now she sees how they may have affected her.

“It changed how I felt about myself,” Debbie said.

At the first club meeting Saturday, the girls invited guest speaker Kevin O’Grady, a social director for the Costa Mesa chapter of the Anti-Defamation League.

“I think it’s amazing,” O’Grady said of Debbie and Madeleine’s idea.

“It really speaks volumes not just to their character but to how important this work really is,” he said.

O’Grady asked the students to come clean about stereotyping ? saying out loud which stereotypes they rely on. At first the students were reluctant, but then they began to share.

“People rely on stereotypes a lot; we all do it,” O’Grady said.

O’Grady broke the ice Saturday with a different take on introductions: He had everyone go around the table and say something about their name ? what is means or where it came from.

“It’s a way to move beyond stereotypes,” O’Grady said.

With just sharing details about their name, the room full of students had learned that they were all a mix of cultures and races, O’Grady said.dpt.26-culture-BPhotoInfoE71PB27720060326iwppthknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Corona del Mar High School juniors Madeleine Myers, 16, left, and Debbie Lee, 17, smile during the first meeting of Crossing Colors, a club the girls created to combat stereotypes.