TEAM Westport, Westport Library Launch Annual Teen Diversity Essay Contest

WESTPORT, CT — TEAM Westport and the Westport Public Library have launched the fourth annual Teen Diversity Essay Contest, organizers announced in a statement.

The focus of this year's essay contest is the issue of "white privilege," which surfaced as a topic during the recent presidential election.

Students are invited to address the following according to TEAM Westport, "In 1,000 words or less, describe how you understand the term ‘white privilege.’ To what extent do you think this privilege exists? What impact do you think it has had in your life—whatever your racial or ethnic identity—and in our society more broadly?"

"As the nation faces historic social shifts relating to race and identity, young people will find themselves at the crossroads of a different America," organizers wrote in a statement. "In order to increase awareness, foster understanding and promote understanding in this arena, TEAM Westport and The Westport Library are co-sponsoring the fourth annual Teen Diversity Essay Contest for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who attend Staples High School or another school in Westport, or reside in Westport and attend school elsewhere."

Applications for the contest are available on the TEAM Westport website. Essays are due Feb. 27, and winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Westport Library on April 3.

"A primary focus and concern of our organization since its inception has been the impact of the town’s relatively low levels of racial and ethnic diversity on our children," said Harold Bailey, TEAM Westport’s chair since its founding in 2003. "This year’s essay topic provides our young people an opportunity to reflect upon that impact and make their personal statements about it in very meaningful ways."

Subject to the volume and caliber of entries received, at the discretion of the judges up to three prizes will be awarded. The first prize is $1,000, the second is $750, and the third prize is $500.

Individuals or organizations who would like to participate in sponsorship of the contest are invited to contribute via the website, or by contacting TEAM Westport via email at info@teamwestport.org. All contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law.

About TEAM Westport

TEAM Westport is the official Town committee focused on making Westport an increasingly welcoming, multicultural community with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and sexual identity. TEAM is an acronym standing for “Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism.” TEAM Westport was launched as a Selectman’s Task Force in 2003 and became a standing town committee in 2005.

TEAM Westport has developed a unique role by engaging the community in and drawing attention to issues surrounding multiculturalism and diversity -- making the invisible, visible. In addition to initiatives, it implements directly, TEAM Westport partners with a wide range of municipal government and community institutions. Examples include conversations and lectures at the Westport Library; extensive co-programming with the Westport Country Playhouse; co-programming and diversity planning with Westport Schools; assistance in diversity recruiting and training with the town’s Police and Fire departments; and programming with the Interfaith Clergy, the Interfaith Council and its member organizations.

Information via TEAM Westport in a news release

Image via Shutterstock