Dearborn — Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer paid a visit to Edsel Ford High School students March 26 during a student leadership conference that Principal Hassane Jaafar said was put together in part to address issues of diversity and division at the school.

He said the event was the first of a series of interactive efforts to openly engage the students about their problems.

Archer spoke frankly to the students about responsibility, working together, respecting each other and staying out of trouble.

“I don’t want you to be a statistic,” he told the group of about 100 students. “That’s why I came here today. What I want you to be is a winner. The only person who controls that is you.

“The majority of the people living in the United States by the year 2056 will be people of color. What I’m concerned about is what are we doing, rather, what are you doing to be ready to take on the responsibility that’s going to be entrusted to you… You almost have to be squeaky clean to advance… The fun and games are over.”

At a recent school board meeting, several Arab American Edsel Ford parents and alumni complained of a divisive atmosphere at the school, in which students frequently fight and divide themselves along ethnic lines.

Part of the leadership conference was intended to give the students a chance to voice their concerns, but few spoke out about diversity issues.

“People are fearful of the unknown,” said Jaafar about their reluctance to speak up.

But they’ll have more opportunities, he said.

One student at the conference suggested having a larger event on diversity to encourage dialogue that would include students from all three Dearborn high schools. Jaafar embraced the idea and said it’s likely to be implemented. Mayor Jack O’Reilly said he would arrange for the use of the Community and Performing Arts Center for the meeting.

“We need to break down walls of misunderstanding and mistrust,” Jaafar said.

He said that the focus at Edsel Ford will always be high academic achievement, but that improving school spirit and engagement has to come first, and that students, parents and the community all have to be involved.

“The school forum provides opportunities to bring people from all walks of life and focus on one goal—to bring the community together and invest in the future of the students.

“To be divided at a school is very detrimental… We do have some challenges — like any other school.”

Jaafar said the 100 students who attended were chosen by counselors as those most likely to be able to take messages and an improved spirit back to the other students.

William Ali, community liaison for the school, also spoke to the students about embracing their differences.

He said that growing up in Dearborn’s diverse atmosphere made him a better person.

“You guys have such a wonderful thing around you. Such diversity. You need to take advantage of that.”