Supports school district’s proposed diversity policy despite talk it is not necessary
To the editor:
I write today to express my support for the district’s proposed diversity, equity and inclusion policy, which will be read for the third time at the board of education meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
It is painful to believe that I live in a community where there is a dialogue circling about whether or not it is necessary to have a policy that speaks to diversity, equity and inclusion. Why is this a fight? The concepts are simple and on their face, nonthreatening.
What is diversity? The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.
What is equity? The quality of being fair and impartial.
What is inclusion? The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.
These are all simple ideas of how we should exist in a community in which all members feel that they belong. But here I am putting pencil to paper to make sure that the board of education understands that there is support in the community for moving forward to affirmatively support the two-page policy on diversity, equity and inclusion that simply sets forth the idea that we should be a community that is inclusive, welcoming and provides equal opportunities to all.
In a community that is steeped in privilege, I should not be surprised that there is a fear that diversity, equity and inclusion policies might take away or diminish in some way. To be clear, this very innocuous two-page policy is not going to upend the status quo in Pelham. But to not support this policy sends a very clear message—we are not a diverse, equitable or inclusive community. It is painful to believe that this is the community where I live. I hope not.
Debra Stern
40 Third Ave.
Paul Bonfiglio • Jul 14, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Can I ask you, How Long have you lived in Pelham? Back when I was growing up and attending school in Pelham We had no problems with the People in our communities. Everyone was treated fairly. There was a time when the state came in to look at our schools and said we needed more teacher of color. The People of color back at that time told the state we are happy with the teachers we have and leave things alone. I suggest that the school district leave those subjects to the parents to teach and get on with teaching the students Reading writing & arithmetic those are the basic functions one needs to get on in the world. Then Comes History, Teach the written History and that’s how we learn not to make the same mistakes. Parents need to Parent and Teachers need to teach the curriculum and not their political views.