"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

- Unknown

With the help of an audience representing colors and nationalities from around the world, the Bismarck Human Relations Committee began climbing a mountain to address discrimination and advance diversity at its second town hall meeting, Wednesday night.

Bismarck Mayor John Warford said the committee has laid the groundwork for the challenge, which he likened to climbing a mountain, through its work over the last year and a half. But the audience provided tools for the climb by identifying issues and solutions for the purpose of "Building a Better Bismarck," the meeting's title. Warford urged patience from the community and warned that "false summits" would come up, but the committee would forge on.

Panelists, including Sia Ranjbar, Phil Baird, Paul Lyles and Grady Martin, spoke about their experiences in Bismarck as minorities - good and bad. They said understanding other cultures and encouraging education are necessary to accomplish the HRC's goals.

"Let's understand each other - where we are and what we can do," Ranjbar said. "Let's talk, use communication as a tool, not a force."

Martin talked about the help she received from strangers when she arrived in Bismarck from Canada nine years ago. A native of Taiwan, she's now a U.S. citizen. Still, she acknowledged that negativity from one or two people can "break your heart."

Committee members fielded questions from the audience, addressing the group's progress and communicating its plans. Discussion also focused on racial profiling, lack of affordable housing and what generates prejudice.

In addition to the panelists and open mike session, breakout groups discussed ways to improve diversity and end discrimination. At the end of the night, the committee members presented the group's ideas. They will use the input to form an action plan to offer to the city commission.

The town hall meeting was a first for Linda Brandt, the chair of Century High School's foreign language department. She said the meeting made her aware that there are more problems in the city than she was aware of, but hopes the HRC's presence will help diminish them.

After living in Chicago for eight years, Dan Wanek recently returned to Bismarck. He said the amount of diversity has increased since he left, and was glad to see people eager to learn about other cultures and groups.

"This is a way to begin an open dialogue about issues that so many people think is a non-issue," he said.

As career counselor at United Tribes Technical College, Vince Schanandore wanted to voice his concerns at the meeting. He said even if only one thing was to change regarding community awareness to discrimination and diversity, the group will have achieved its goal.

Lyles told the audience he's encouraged by the HRC's actions, and believes it will help the community grow. Although there's a large mountain to climb, he said, they "can make it a molehill."

(Reach reporter Angie Buckley at 250-8255 or angiebuckley@ndonline.com.)