ADL's Southeast Director Bill Nigut interviews Atlanta Braves' representatives during "No Place For Hate" rally at Mtn. Brook Junior High. From left, are Nigut (with microphone), Frank Wren, Braves general manager; Carlos Tosca, bench coach; Ben Ingram, radio announcer; Randall Delgado and Jair Jurrjens, pitchers; and Don Sutton, Hall of Fame pitcher and radio announcer.

Representatives of the Atlanta Braves baseball team were in Birmingham this past week to help the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) kick off its "No Place for Hate" anti-bullying program with a student rally at Mountain Brook Junior High School. The rally was the first Birmingham-area event highlighting the partnership that ADL and the Braves have formed to alert students at all grade levels to the dangers of bullying and bigotry in schools and on line.

The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Director of Community Relations Joyce Spielberger worked closely with ADL's Southeast Director Bill Nigut and Education Director Holli Levinson and Mountain Brook Junior High principal Ben Hudson and Director of Student Services Dale Wisely to bring the rally and program to Birmingham.

MBJH will be the first Birmingham-area school to adopt the program currently being run in over 100 schools in Georgia. Mountain Brook was thrilled for the opportunity.

"Anytime we can talk to our students about respecting one another, it is an awesome gift," said Hudson. "We thank The BJF for its assistance and the ADL and Atlanta Braves for sharing their anti-bullying program with our students. It is a great message for all of us."

BULLYING TARGET

Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton, broadcaster for the Braves, "led off" the rally. Sutton immediately connected with the students letting them know that he was raised in Alabama. Sutton talked about his humble roots, growing up in the tiny rural town of Clio. He only had one pair of shoes and did not know about indoor plumbing until he was nine. His poor upbringing also at times made him a target for bullying.

Sutton talked about the importance, especially in the world of baseball, of accepting those from other cultures and backgrounds. "We now have players from all over the world," said Sutton. "In order to create a family environment we have to develop an understanding of people from all countries and cultures; together we all speak one language and that is baseball."

Atlanta Braves all-star pitcher Jair Jurrjens told the seventh and eighth graders that it's easy to focus on differences between people. A native of Curacao, Jurrjens said language barriers and cultural differences sometimes make it hard for him to relate to teammates. He talked about the shame of being made fun of. "Sometimes people try to be funny," he said, "but they don't realize they hurt your feelings."

"EVEN A LOOK"

ADL's Nigut gave the students the opportunity to ask the celebrity panel questions about bullying, how to identify it and what to do if they experience or witness it. Nigut defined bullying as the persistent demeaning of another person, reminding students that it is not always physical. He said it is anytime a person "through words, actions, or even by a look make you feel less worthy."

Braves General Manager Frank Wren talked about the importance of being an ally; to not be a bystander when students hear a racist joke or prejudiced remark. He encouraged students to "speak up" and if the situation is not one in which they can comfortably intervene, then to tell someone they trust.

Also representing the Braves at the Mountain Brook rally were bench coach Carlos Tosca, pitcher Randall Delgado, radio announcer Ben Ingram and, of course, the Braves' mascot Homer.

In closing, Sutton reminded the students that learning to respect differences is what "makes us strong." He encouraged them to "always surround yourself with people who treat you with respect."

This BJF-ADL-Atlanta Braves partnership led to some wonderful publicity. We thank the Birmingham News for its story (see below link) and also thank the News for its continued coverage of activities and issues important to our Jewish community.

Funds raised by The BJF help support the important work of the ADL. The ADL was founded in 1913 "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all." Today the ADL is the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency working to fight all forms of bigotry, defend democratic ideals and protect civil rights for all.