Wisconsin Public Television is a force for community action
A 1996 tragedy in Texas reverberated nationwide. A black man was dragged to his death behind a pickup truck, and members of a group of white supremacists were convicted of the crime.
Professor Dhavan Shah found that participants in a Wisconsin Public Television community screening and discussion were more apt to talk about race and become involved in community action. Photo by JEFF MILLER
WPT provides a forum
Reflections on this act continue today, even in Wisconsin, hundreds of miles from Texas. This is due to an initial film screening and community discussion, and subsequent similar forums, convened by Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and its partners.
On Jan. 21, 2003, nearly 300 people turned out to watch "Two Towns of Jasper," produced by one white and one black filmmaker. The film depicted two very different interpretations of the dragging death and racism.
Wisconsin Public Television provided forums for community discussion and increased understanding of racism. Photo by JIM GILL
Catalyst for change
The screening, held in Madison, demonstrated the power of public television as a convener for social discourse. The National Center for Outreach, a national clearinghouse for community outreach, sponsored research on the event and found that there is an impact when a broadcast is used as a catalyst for attitudinal and behavioral change. Dhavan Shah, professor of mass communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, conducted the research. —Moira Harrington
Participants more likely to:
People who attended the "Two Towns of Jasper" screening were:
- 16% more likely than the sample average to see racism as a problem in the community
- 25% more likely to talk about race
- 48% more likely to participate in community action
- 81% more likely to become involved in the community
The event also led to additional screenings and discussions, a 2003-04 series and another in 2004-05. To date, 10 events have taken place with more than 1,000 people participating.
Community partnership builds strong Hmong families
Hmong families struggle to preserve their cultural identity as their children are often torn between traditional life and mainstream youth culture. Hmong youth are the first generation to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Through the Hmong Family Strengthening Project in Eau Claire, families are reducing the risks their kids face through enhanced communication, support and discipline.
Multiple community partners
The project is led by the Partnership for Strong Hmong Families, which includes state and county University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living educators; representatives from Eau Claire schools, youth and family organizations; the police department; and respected Hmong community members. Initiated under UW-Extension leadership, 16 facilitators were trained and a family-strengthening curriculum was adapted to reflect Hmong beliefs and traditions. Three series of classes were held, reaching 30 families with middle school-aged children. Classes included youth, parent, and family sessions; free childcare; and dinner.
Improved family relationships
As a result of the classes, parents reported family conflict decreased significantly, while their parental expressions of affection and love increased. Youth said parents monitored them more, gave them more praise and rewards, and that family conflict decreased. Youth reported their parents now have stricter attitudes about drug use, and family rules are clearer and more likely to be enforced. Parents requested more classes, prompting a booster session in 2003.
Expanded support
The partnership has expanded to take on a range of issues affecting Hmong families. The program is a model of how to provide positive family experiences for other immigrant groups that face the special challenges of parenting between two cultures. —Mary Huser and Jo Futrell
Spanish-language training leads to better service for clients and patients
Research by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates by the year 2010 Hispanics will be the largest minority group in the United States. Anticipating the demands created by these changing demographics, many of the continuing education offices on University of Wisconsin campuses have developed workplace Spanish-language programs for English-speaking supervisors, police, and health-care and social-service workers, individuals who are increasingly interacting with Spanish-speaking individuals on a daily basis.
UW campuses provide training
Currently, at least seven of the UW Colleges (UW-Baraboo, UW-Fond du Lac, UW-Fox Valley, UW-Manitowoc, UW-Marathon County, UW-Rock County and UW-Waukesha) offer Spanish-language programs. For example, the UW-Manitowoc Office of Continuing Education developed a course for health-care professionals. The program focuses on basic Spanish instruction and communication skills, issues and terminology pertinent to the health-care system, as well as Hispanic cultures. —Amy Pikalek
Language skills improve care
According to a post-course survey, almost all of the UW-Manitowoc participants reported immediately using their new Spanish language skills, enabling them to improve the care they gave their Spanish-speaking patients. Health-care workers say the course has enabled them to:
- Ask their patients simple questions in Spanish, putting the patients more at ease
- Discuss medical histories with patients in Spanish
- Express and understand time in Spanish, which helps their patients follow clinic appointments, lab tests and report symptoms more accurately
- Know the names of foods in Spanish, which helps with diagnosis and dietary recommendations