April 5, 2004

Vernon County Broadcaster
P.O. Box 472
Viroqua, WI 54665

Dear Editors:

We were deeply disturbed by your article about the cancellation of Diversity Day, 
especially by the quote “"I'm afraid the message that we'll be sending out to 
people (of diversity) is that they're not welcome in Viroqua.” The qualifier “of 
diversity” (which we can only assume was an editorial addition by someone on your 
staff) was redundant, unnecessary, divisive, and generally reflective of the need 
for diversity education.  Americans are a diverse people.  We can all be described 
as “people of diversity” and most of us are unlikely to feel welcome in a place 
where the school board specifically votes against diversity education for fear of 
the public’s reaction.
 

Sincerely,
Barbara Lamond Purdom			
Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators