Recognising and Celebrating Diversity
This week I attended an Education Scotland workshop on 'anti-racism and allyship' in education. Leaders from schools across the country were afforded an engaging seminar that challenged mindsets and highlighted common misconceptions. I took two key messages away from the session. Firstly, the passive approach of trying to see everyone as the same, and thereby treating them the same, isn't enough. People of different religions and nationalities are likely to have different cultural norms that we must learn about and understand. This will ensure individuals aren't precluded from participating in any events or hindered in finding success in any programmes. Secondly, there is a degree of awkwardness around this subject and phenomena such as 'white fragility' hinder open conversations. Creating a safe environment for people to ask questions and share perspectives is therefore very important.
I am very pleased that this summer two High School students approached me about setting up a new club. They went through the relevant approval processes and the Intersectional Club has been meeting virtually on a weekly basis since August. Intersectionality helps us understand how a person's identity may lead to different modes of discrimination and privilege.
As a school international-mindedness and inclusion are central to our beliefs. Ahead of the CIS visit a great deal of time was given by the community to developing an understanding of what Internationalism meant to us and this summer a statement against racism was produced. The presentations at the recent Grade 10 Global Perspectives event showed how important these issues are to our young people. I encourage families at home to maintain an open dialogue on relevant stories they may see in the news. This will help us strengthen our ISA Values relating to community, respect and diversity.
https://www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk/pages/news-info/antiracism
Image - nccj.org
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