BLOOMINGTON - To understand how racism operates in today's institutions requires an understanding of how discrimination moves from the streets into schools and other organizations.

Racism can flourish in institutions if certain people and attitudes are present, said Paku Her of Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training. "People who behave with prejudice on behalf of an institution can be a real problem," said Her.

Her and James Addington led racial justice workshops sponsored by the YWCA of McLean County in October and November. Participants learned the history of racism before tackling an assessment of where their institutions stand in efforts to combat racism. The 35 people attending a Nov. 13-15 workshop included representatives from Unit 5, Thomas Metcalf School and Illinois Wesleyan University.

Thirteen people attended an October training session that included staff from Country Insurance & Financial Services, the YWCA of McLean County and Heartland Community College.

Crossroads conducted a forum in Bloomington in April on race issues related to institutions, such as schools and businesses.

The turnout for the 2½ days of training was encouraging, said Norene Ball, director of hallmark programs for the YWCA. "I feel we have a community of people ready to move forward with the racial justice summit," said Ball.

Camille Taylor, a counselor at Normal Community High School, said a group that includes Unit 5 staff and school board members has been working since the April summit to address race related issues in the district.

Training for adults who come in contact with students, including bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers, is critical for the success of an anti-racism program, said Taylor.

"This problem is systemic and it's going to take years to address," said Taylor.

The student population changes each year as students graduate but adults who work with children can make a difference, she said.

No specific incident sparked the district's interest in an anti-racism campaign, said Taylor, adding racial justice is an issue school staff deal with every day.

Unit 5 spokeswoman Dayna Brown said the district is reviewing its plan on how to move forward with racial justice training. Brown was among 16 district representatives who attended the November training.

A growth in diversity in the Twin Cities has produced issues that should be confronted and not ignored, said Becky Hines, executive director of the YWCA.