THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190047
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE MIZAL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 66 lines
EVERYONE KNOWS ONE.
More than 40 students shared their ``nerd expertise'' at the third annual Hampton Roads Metrotown Institute that began Wednesday morning.
The four-day seminar at Christopher Newport University in Newport News encourages high school students to examine their own prejudices and to work towards equality, but at the same time not to lose their own identities.
The ``What is A Nerd'' session was one of many exercises at the conference - which was started 12 years ago by the National Conference of Christians and Jews in Jacksonville, Fla., to help students realize the power of prejudice.
``Just what is a nerd?'' Metrotown co-director Jeff Spence asked the diverse group of Hampton Roads students sitting in a semi-circle of grey office chairs. Beside Spence stands a flip chart with the word ``nerd'' printed in black marker.
``Someone who has thick glasses with tape down the middle and sometimes his underwear is sticking out,'' said Monica Lewis, 17, from her seat in the rear of the room. She is a rising senior at Hampton High School in Hampton.
``Someone with pocket protectors,'' said a girl in the front row.
``An Urkel,'' said a tall guy sitting in the middle row.
The students further described nerds as brainiacs, teacher's pets and TI-85 users.
``Now, after you've described a nerd, would you call yourself one?'' Spence asked.
Three girls in the front row raised their hands. ``We get straight A's,'' one said. Others confessed to using calculators and having good rapport with teachers.
The point was this: People are really not so different from each other.
``The only race is the human race,'' Spence said.
But discussing the n-word was easy compared to what came next - words like ``nigger,'' ``broad'' and ``faggot.''
Jen Bakht, 14, a rising sophomore at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, said she would never use those words because she is scared to offend someone - the attitude most students shared after Spence's presentation. Jen's outlook is exactly what workshop leaders wanted to enforce through the four days of activities.
Metrotown attempts to create a ``unique miniature society'' where Utopia is achieved because barriers like prejudice and mistrust are torn down. Sandra Porter Leon, a Norfolk resident and conference resource person, said that the workshop strengthens student trust in each other - allowing them to express themselves freely.
Later Wednesday morning, students voiced their own opinions and experiences of what prejudice is.
Monte Ricks, 16, a rising junior at Menchville High School, said that he lives in the east end of Newport News and because he's black people say he smokes weed.
Jasmoune Cook, 16, a rising senior at Bethel High in Hampton, said that schools have sent security guards with bus drivers who pick up students from low-income housing.
Others listened with interest.
Heather Hoffman, 17, a rising senior at Menchville, said she got a better understanding of other races and religions after the 45-minute session where students described personal experiences with discrimination.
``It's amazing how every minority group had to fight their way through history to be accepted,'' said Stephanie Stratman, 16, a rising senior at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Jeff Spence, co-director of Metrotown, a leadership seminar where
high school students learn to break down the barriers of prejudice. by CNB