Human Rights Panel Is the Wrong Target

Re “Human Rights Panel May Be Cut,” Jan. 28:

The Orange County Human Relations Commission in conjunction with its nonprofit arm, the Human Relations Council, has instituted school programs to help build understanding and appreciation for the diversity in our communities. More than 47,000 students, teachers, staff and parents participated in these programs last year.

The commission mediates disputes between individuals and groups -- more than 1,500 last year. The living-room dialogues instituted after Sept. 11 are bringing together people of all faiths. The county, through its partial funding of the Human Relations Commission, is leveraging public dollars. By so doing, it fulfills a role of government to ensure the safety and well being of all its residents.

I have supported the work of the commission and council for almost 15 years. The Board of Supervisors will be taking a step backward if it eliminates its share of the funding for these programs. Without the commission, the vehemence and hate expressed by some who oppose the mission of the Orange County human relations organizations might become the norm rather than the exception.

Keith Swayne

Laguna Beach

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With a 32-year history of bridging the gaps between cultural groups, reducing conflicts and potential violence and combating hate crimes, the Human Relations Commission has been targeted for extinction. It’s not a costly item in the budget; it’s hugely successful and still needed. It seems that the council is being targeted because some old-line Orange County political forces are out to kill what they consider to be a frill since in their view, government has nothing to do with human relations.

Demographic changes have us all living with people from other cultures. Many differences and potential stresses between the various groups of people may make some of us forget the humanity we have in common. We need the Human Relations Commission in Orange County more than ever.

Felix A. Schwarz,

Commissioner

Orange County Human

Relations Commission