Who Are we ?
We are a grass-roots organization in Jacksonville, Florida. Some of us attended the "Study Circle" program sponsored by the Human Rights Commission, an agency of the Jacksonville City Hall. In Jan. 2005, we formed a group to address the "Race Relations" in the City of Jacksonville, based on the premise that as people come together, share thoughts and get a chance to get to know one another, racial and ethnic barriers can start to come down.
As our world has changed in the past six years, so must we. Whereas before our focus was on "Race Relations", now our revised focus will be on a higher principle : "Unity in Diversity". What does it mean ? What are the Implications and Applications of this principle, in light of our Diversity ? What structures do we need to Create, Revise or Abolish ? How does this affect our lives ?
That is what we shall explore ... or at least, make an attempt to explore .....
Our events are FREE and OPEN to the Public. We may ask for donations to pay for the Facility, or request that you patronize their business. But it will be strictly on volunteer basis.
Mission Statement :
To foster a global vision from the perspective that Our Diversity is Our Strength, not a Weakness, and it is by Design, and not a Flaw. It is to be Celebrated, not Obliterated.
Vision Statement :
With this perspective, we intend to create a space where we can explore the various facets of our Social, Cultural, Ethnic, Religious and Political Diversity, not so much to accommodate for the sake of being 'politically correct', but for a genuine opportunity to learn enough to be able to appreciate the role, function and the 'usefulness' of the Diversity in the survival and success of our society.
The Vision of the Network founders can best be described in a series of bullet items:
· To appreciate our Diversity, and recognize its importance for a sustainable and healthy society
· To move beyond "Race Relations" and explore “Human Relations”
· To provide an opportunity to Educate ourselves on different social and cultural issues
· To have a meaningful conversation about serious issues
· To have an informal environment to meet new friends
· To be part of a "healing" process where healing may be necessary
· To have time to engage in one-on-one conversations.
· To become agent of Change
We will hold monthly Discussion gatherings, and a Book Club.
JDN Discussion group :
We meet on the LAST Tuesday of each month, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. At this time, we will meet at the "River House" , 1878 King Street, Jacksonville ( next door to St. Vincent Hospital, in Riverside ).
We may also meet at Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 101 W. 1st Street, from time to time. Please note the location for each discussion night.
Our events are FREE, and generally no RSVP is required ( although it would be nice to know how many people plan to attend ! ).
JDN BOOK CLUB :
The monthly book club discussion group meets on the first Saturday of each month at Chamblin's Uptown Bookstore, 215 N. Laura St., 32202, (904) 674-0868, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Each month a different book will be discussed.
Food is available for purchase in Chamblin's Café and we encourage you to purchase your books from our host, Chamblin's Uptown.
For more information, please contact us at info@JacksonvilleDiversityNetwork.org
Last Update: August 29, 2010