Scott Melton has been an educator for over fifteen years teaching English, German, History, and Epistemology. He has been very involved with advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years and was an advocate for AARP for 12 years where he ended his career as the Associate State Director for AARP Florida. He has been active in the Jewish Community in Albuquerque where he has served on the boards of the Albuquerque JCC and the New Mexico Holocaust and Intolerance Museum. Scott holds a BA from UNLV in Linguistics/German Studies and an MA in German with an emphasis on critical theory and second language acquisition from the University of Arizona. 

1. What led you to want to work at ADL? Is there something in particular about ADL’s work or mission that speaks to you?

Having been in advocacy and education for many years, I have often looked to ADL for information and resources to use in my work with students and adults. I have always sought to shine light into the corners of marginalized populations, particularly the corners of my own intersectionality as someone who is gay, black and Jewish. Working with ADL offers a unique opportunity to fully engage all parts of my identity and leverage the skills I have gleaned as an advocate and educator to help students and parents stand up to antisemitism and bias of any sort. 

2. Who are some of the people that have served as role models for you, both in the area of social justice and generally?

My parents were probably the biggest influences in my life. A mixed couple, they got together in 1959 before it was legal in most states for them to even cohabitate, let alone marry. My mother, a Berkeley graduate, was always politically active and had no problem pushing the envelope on civil rights and activism. Likewise, my father, a brilliant engineer, was in a field dominated by white men, and yet he pursued his path, though much personal anguish, always kept his eye on what was most important for his family and was never satisfied to let others define him, especially by the color of his skin. He insisted he be defined by his accomplishments and contributions. Much like my parents, I have never pursued the easy path, but rather the path upon which I could walk as my authentic self. It has been a path fraught with challenges and obstacles, but also one that has brought much joy and accomplishment for myself and my community and colleagues.  

3. What is your advice for people committed to positive change?

It is very easy to devolve into a world of cynicism and be reactive within a less than favorable environment. However, it is much more productive to be proactive, find your allies, inform yourself, and make change individually and collectively. The systems that are in place are a product of the people who instituted them. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us to be the change to that causes the system to reflect and serve everyone’s needs, not just those of a select few. Throughout my years of service to community, I have been part of movements for change and have seen much progress. It is important for everyone to realize the work is never done. There will always be challenges, great and small. We can either allow them to dominate us, or we can stand up and be counted and courageous. It is part of my identity as a Jew to do exactly that. The ability to question and raise our voices is one of the greatest gifts we have. It is incumbent upon us to do so.