OUR VIEW: Cultural Day turnout was disappointing

» SUMMARY: Low attendance at the Cultural Day festival raises concern about relations between the area's ethnic groups.

The local NAACP chapter recently hosted its annual Cultural Day festival at Yowell Meadow Park. The event began a few years ago as a celebration of African-American culture, but was opened up to all area ethnic groups this time around.

A variety of musicians and bands provided the day's entertainment and there was plenty of food to go around.

Festival organizers hailed the day as a success -and we have no reason to doubt that those who attended had a great time.

That said, it is a bit disappointing that so few people made time to go. The NAACP chapter's decision to broaden the focus of the festival represents the kind of thinking that this community needs as it continues to grow more diverse.

And yet, if you drove by the park two Saturdays ago, you would have seen that only a handful of people accepted the invitation.

Perhaps the festival wasn't publicized enough. Or maybe it was competing with other area events. But we're concerned that something else is at work.

As we continue to hold an important debate on illegal immigration in this community, we need to be vigilant that we are not sowing the seeds of distrust between various ethnic groups.

The recent cancellation of a Latino festival in Prince William County reveals that this is a real possibility.

Those who insist the debate is not about race need to show that they're able to enjoy the company of other ethnic groups.

And those who talk about the value of cultural diversity need to demonstrate that they're not all talk and no action.

In other parts of the country, ethnic and cultural festivals play a major role in fostering community pride and facilitating greater understanding between diverse groups.

Cultural Day presented the perfect opportunity for us to go and do likewise -and it seems we missed the boat.