OPERATION UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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Mission Statement
Operation Understanding DC's mission is to build a generation of African American and Jewish community leaders who promote respect, understanding and cooperation while working to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. Our students are dedicated to stamping out racism and anti-Semitism wherever they encounter it. They build bridges between the Black and Jewish communities. But, they do not stop there. They use their skills, vision and passion to bring together people of all different ethnicities, races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds and sexual orientations. Our young leaders are changing the world, one person at a time.
About This Cause
Why is the program only for African American and Jewish students? OUDC uses a two-community model to give students the opportunity to explore African American and Jewish cultures, religions and histories in-depth. By focusing on these two groups, who have had such similar universal histories of being subjugated, feared and maligned, our students graduate with a true understanding and appreciation of both communities. In the United States, the history of Black-Jewish relations in the last century began as one of mutual cooperation toward common goals. For example, African Americans and Jews worked together to establish the NAACP in 1909 and the Urban League in 1910, and struggled and suffered in the fight for voting and civil rights through the 1960s. On Capitol Hill, African American and Jewish Members of Congress have historically shared common voting behavior and co-sponsored legislation ranging from support of Israel, divestment from apartheid-era South Africa and equal housing opportunities. However, the successful accomplishments of the formal Civil Right movement, such as the 1964 Civil Rights and 1965 Voting Acts, brought the end of the common goals that united Blacks and Jews. Since the 1970s, there have been several challenges that have divided these two communities: separatist groups, neighborhood tensions and international issues. Because programs for youth can help to reduce this discord as they develop into tomorrow’s leaders, OUDC brings together high school students from both communities to engage each other in a sustained, year-long dialogue. We believe the comprehensive education we provide enables our students to be effective ambassadors for all forms of diversity. We encourage our students to regard their participation in OUDC as a springboard for exploring other cultures. Many alumni go on to study other languages in college, spend significant time living in other countries and make a concerted effort to have a diverse group of friends and colleagues.