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USA’s Characters Unite Aims to Battle Prejudice

Jan 15, 2009  •  Post A Comment

USA Network is launching Characters Unite, a campaign aimed at combating prejudice.
The initiative will be launched on Martin Luther King Day. An on-air and online campaign will urge individuals to sign an online pledge for unity and mutual respect. Those who pledge will be able to see their names featured on future Characters Unite promos during USA programming and on a rolling ticker online.
USA plans to conduct an annual poll to take the nation’s pulse on issues and attitudes related to intolerance and prejudice. USA Network will partner with a leading research company to create a national omnibus survey to probe current attitudes surrounding racial, religious and cultural differences in the nation.
USA has assembled a coalition of nonprofit organizations to serve as an advisory board for Characters Unite, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Amnesty International USA, the Asian American Justice Center, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), the National Council of La Raza, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“When we began developing Characters Unite over a year ago, none of us could have foreseen a more perfect climate in which to launch this initiative,” said Bonnie Hammer, president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. “Though Barack Obama’s election represents a giant leap forward in overcoming ‘isms’ that surround us, we can’t be complacent—research shows that hate groups are alive and well. With the help of our expert advisory board, we hope that Characters Unite can play a role in bridging the gaps that continue to divide us.”

71 Comments

  1. I teach HS acting, fine arts, and contest speech (National Forensic League) in a small OKlahoma town and have tried to be a positive example for acceptance, non judgement, and love for 25 years. I believe I have made a difference in the hearts and minds of hundreds of people. Coexist and Katallasso are my code words and have help brought about an understanding of acceptance.

  2. i hope to see things change for the better good, i have two children that i want to grow up and love everyine no matter the person color, disability, age or reglion. see the person heart not just the outside. I reach my hand out to find a new friend daily; i smile daliy to touch a person heart, and last but not least i was born to make a big difference.
    Reah your hand out and pass along a smile so you too can make a Big Difference I did 🙂
    chaleska 1-19-2009

  3. I would like to join…please send information to me. Thank you Edgar A. Smith

  4. i want to join! please send me info on how to join and how i can help by getting others to join as well!

  5. I am a retired police officer and lawyer. More importantly I am both a Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. I spent my teens and college years in the 60’s watching the sadness, pain, and moral outrage of racial divide during that time. I don’t want those times revisited upon my Grandchildren. It is time that we all realize that we are one people regardless of race, color, or creed. While perhaps calling him by different names, we ‘ALL’ pray before the same God.

  6. I would very much like to sign up. Please send me information.

  7. i definitely would like to sign up. please tell me how.

  8. I am thrilled that someone has come up with an an idea to get people together in this manner. I am honored to add my name to this list.
    Katie Gross

  9. I would love to pledge…please send me some info.

  10. I pleadge to help Hospice& Palliative care program
    It is an great way to help others in need no
    matter what color
    i would love to sign up please send me some information

  11. I would love to sign up, send information please!

  12. To USA:
    DON’T THINK YOU CAN PASS OFF YOUR
    COMMERCIAL AS A INTOLERANCE PIECE WHEN IT’S
    OBVIOUSLY A GAY AGENDA ONLY. HOMOSEXUALITY
    IS A ABNORMAL RELATIONSHIP & A SIN TO OUR LORD
    JESUS CHRIST. IN RESPONSE TO THE TWO HOMO-
    SEXUALS IN YOUR COMMERCIAL THAT ARE UPSET BE-
    CAUSE THEY DON’T GET WEDDING GIFTS=
    SORRY, BUT THAT ISN’T GOING TO PULL ON
    MY HEART STRINGS AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS THAT FELL
    THE SAME WAY. OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE TRUTH USA &
    READ THE HOLY BIBLE.

  13. I want to say how great it is to see your station support an anti-predujice and anti-hate campaign. I’m all for that and would love to sign up. If we all unite we will overcome!!!!

  14. I beleive that this is awesome and it time that people unite and stop looking at everyone differences!as for Darlene hay May God bless you and I hope that you relize that everyone has to answer to God on their own.I pray that God bless’s everyone and not just certain classes of people we are sin and fall short of God grace but you are never to far from God unchanging hand.
    With that said people unit
    Denice Jarrett

  15. ITHINK THIS A WONDERFUL THIN THAT YOU HAVECREATED COME UP WITH COUNTMEIN

  16. I want to join. I have a huge heart that loves everyone just as jesus loves everyone. I don’t agree with being gay but I don’t judge. Only jesus can do that.I asked him to forgive me of my sins and each person has to do the same. Yes usa needs the bible. But we still should shpw love and pray for the unbeliever. People don’t be so hateful.stop the hatred whether you are white black mexican again gay tattoo d or bald…..we r all human beings.

  17. Again, Hollywood trying to push the harmful Gay lifestyle down on the uninformed masses. They are attacking using intimidation and slick marketing to achieve their goals which is ultimately “acceptance” of their sinful behavior.

  18. I welcome the opportunity to be involved in this important initiative. In order for an attainable and peaceful co-existence, all people need to come together and abolish passing judgements on others. God never did this – He created all people equal. The two greatest commandments, love God and your neighbor. Sounds simple, although mankind insists or making it quite difficult. We are annoited by Jesus and can certainly overcome passing judgements on our fellowman. That’s God’s job!

  19. Sendinfoasaph sadler

  20. This is just more liberal crap!! We have removed the USA ntwork from the 6 tvs from work and all of our homes.Thanks!

  21. u have my uncles first name and my dads last name

  22. We should treat people the way we ourselves want 2 b treated. God doesn’t see color, so why should we!!!!

  23. I pledge because if we don’t see all things hold greatness…we don’t see greatness at all. We have to stay positive claim it and it will be. I everyone should pledge because they are whom they are.

  24. i am proud to say that I respect everyone equally!!!!

  25. I’M LATINO AND MY WIFE IS WHITE. SHE WORKS AROUND BLACK PEOLPE ALL DAY. THESE PEOPLE ACT LIKE THEIR SHIT DON’T STINK! YES, THEIR IS A DIFFERANCE.

  26. I am pledging to stop the prejudices in the world which I live in

  27. Praying for the change, we have to stick together to make a change.

  28. Darlene Hay,
    If you were against this website, certainly you wouldn’t take such an approach. I am a conservative, and I believe that you are a liberal posing as a conservative religious-zealot in order to fuel something. People aren’t even talking about anything in relation to your rant. Go crawl in a hole.

  29. Darlene Hay,
    If you were against this website, certainly you wouldn’t take such an approach. I am a conservative, and I believe that you are a liberal posing as a conservative religious-zealot in order to fuel something. People aren’t even talking about anything in relation to your rant. Go crawl in a hole.

  30. I recently saw your commercial on television. I was touched and pleased…However; as the individuals where stating who they were, ie: I am a ——-, and the end of the commercial started to approach I began to cry. You see I am a female recovering from addiction and thought I might see someone representing this. Trying to live the life of a recovering addict is difficult. There is a huge amoung of adversity, mis-understanding and lack of empathy involved. There are thousands of individuals fighting addiciton today and thousands battling their way through recovery with much critsism and pain because of the strong prejudices and opinions that many have about it. I feel your campaign should include addiction because….I am a recovering addict. I am not afraid or ashamed to admit to this and I feel your campaign should advocate for those in recovery as well. Thank you for this campaign, I feel it will make a difference. Please consider including addiction recovery. I would be more than willing to participate and help.
    Sincerely,
    Lesa

  31. Hello, I am perhaps going out on a limb here, but I feel compelled to do so. I recently saw a TV commercial for Charecters Unite. It was a bunch of people stating: “I am a ______________. I was touched by the commercial, but also hurt that I was not represented. You see, I am a recovering addict and very proud to be able to state that. I am, and was in my attempts to get treatment discriminated against and judged to a point where I felt I needed to be silent…but I will not longer, and live my life trying to educate and advocate for addiction treatment and understanding. There is prejudice, discrimination and judgement against those sufferering from addiction, and those in recovery. It is very misunderstood. I feel Charecters Unite should have the face of a recovering addict. This would represent thousands and thousands of people who have worked and are working hard to overcome adversity and judgement. We are real people, we are good people fighting through something like many others. I live my life judgement free and with tolerance for other people’s differences…EMPATHY. I believe everyone is fighting something….EVERYONE.

  32. Hello, I am perhaps going out on a limb here, but I feel compelled to do so. I recently saw a TV commercial for Charecters Unite. It was a bunch of people stating: “I am a ______________. I was touched by the commercial, but also hurt that I was not represented. You see, I am a recovering addict and very proud to be able to state that. I am, and was in my attempts to get treatment discriminated against and judged to a point where I felt I needed to be silent…but I will not longer, and live my life trying to educate and advocate for addiction treatment and understanding. There is prejudice, discrimination and judgement against those sufferering from addiction, and those in recovery. It is very misunderstood. I feel Charecters Unite should have the face of a recovering addict. This would represent thousands and thousands of people who have worked and are working hard to overcome adversity and judgement. We are real people, we are good people fighting through something like many others. I live my life judgement free and with tolerance for other people’s differences…EMPATHY. I believe everyone is fighting something….EVERYONE.

  33. I apologize to everyone that my comment got posted more than once above. I am new to the site and did not think it posted….unaware that it posted at the bottom of the page, I was looking for the post at the top….I did not know how to delete the posting once it posted. I do apologize.

  34. I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?

  35. do you mind if i tweet this?

  36. Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It’s people like you that make my day 🙂

  37. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  38. Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  39. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  40. This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work 🙂

  41. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

  42. I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success 😛

  43. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

  44. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  45. Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.

  46. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

  47. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  48. The generation that my son is raising has a great deal less prejudice than their father or my generation. We must remember, Prejudice or hate is taught. It is not inate. In a couple of hundred years, there will be no absolute room for. People will be too busy…just trying to survive.

  49. I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up 🙂

  50. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon

  51. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  52. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also are notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  53. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also are notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  54. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also are notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  55. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also are notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  56. Actung! Discrimination is good.
    It should be continued against all of America’s sumbags and elsewhere. Who are some of these scumbags? Let me name a few. Let’s start with queers and why they are harrassed. A few examples. They molest children and spread disease. I know because one of these maggots tried to recruit me when I was just a kid. They also are notorious for spreading disease. Ever heard of AIDS? Next, let’s go to the muslim scum bags and their hate of America and Israel. Do you want them as neighbors with their terrorist behavior? Don’t be fooled by
    you friends in the movie industry who are useful idiots for the left and support the lowlife queers and diaper heads. You will live to regret your support of these maggots.

  57. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  58. Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here 🙂

  59. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  60. Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.

  61. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  62. Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned 🙂

  63. Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.

  64. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  65. Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.

  66. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  67. Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel 🙂

  68. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

  69. Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

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  71. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

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