Lessons in Diversity

This past week, our students, faculty, staff, and parents were treated to separate, thoughtful, and instructive presentations by Derrick Gay, educational consultant (derrickgayconsultant@gmail.com). He was so good. I know we'll be seeing more and more of him in our schools.

He concluded his talk with parents by showing the profound TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie "The Danger of a Single Story."

Class Bias the Real Enemy Revisited

When my article "Class Bias the Real Enemy" first appeared in the 1999 Winter issue of Independent School magazine, I knew this was a societal problem that would be insurmountable. It is rampant in nearly all cultures. 

In today's NYTimes "Admitted, but Left Out" by Jenny Anderson let's us know that diversity numbers in our "private" schools have improved, but class distinctions for students and families linger. When you look at the main drivers of class—education, wealth, occupation, and salary—you can understand the rancor that engulfs this presidential election.

Inspiration for Students, Teachers, & Parents

So, you say you've had a bad day? When that happens, click on the video below to see and hear Rohan Murphy's story.

That's a Family!

If you ever think about family structure, you will want to view this trailer to "That's a Family!" a documentary that presents all kinds of families in a beautiful light. To learn more, check out the GROUNDSPARK website.

Black History Month

Check out this short "Who Knew?" video on Black History Month. Be sure to share it with your kids.

A Family That Teaches Together

Check out this lovely StoryCorp recording.

Rosa sat . . .

While experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of Zuccotti Park, I bumped into a vendor selling a T-shirt with a prophetic message. Here is what it said:

Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked so Obama could run.
Obama ran so our children can fly.

Here is one story behind the quote.

Not Acceptable R Word

A colleague who is raising a five-year old child with Down syndrome shared this simple, excellent, and poignant public service announcement with me.

Horizons

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has long encouraged private education with a public purpose. Horizons National fits that to a tee. Look at this 3-minute NBC Nightly News clip to see what it is all about, then Call Lorna Smith, CEO of Horizons, to learn more about this fabulous program.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Fringe and Shel Silverstein

     

     Today's 2nd Annual Fringe Festival at my school closed the afternoon session with poems being read by faculty members.  I got to read two great poems by Shel Silverstein.  "Sick" is a classic and everyone enjoyed hearing it.  And, "No Difference" is one of my favorites.  It has such a good message. 

     Check out his website; it is excellent.

What Makes You Tic?

     I attended many impressive sessions at the NAIS Annual Conference this past week.  But after listening to Marc Elliot present "What Makes You Tic?" where he talks about his Tourette Syndrome condition and live-and-let-live (aka tolerance) approach to how we should interact with one another, I made my way to the front of the room, and extended a hug to him.  I did that 19 years ago after being similarly moved by Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot's talk to a group of educators.  Beautiful, thoughtful messengers do that to me.

     You might find it interesting, to read the message Marc hands to nearby people when he is in a restaurant, airport, or other public area when his Tourette's is troublesome:

WHY DO I ACT THIS WAY?

Because I can't control it - 

I have Tourette Syndrome - a medical condition.  It causes me to make loud sounds, have twitches and say things I don't mean.  I can't help it any more than you can stop a sneeze or cough. I'm sorry if it bothers you - it bothers me more.

For more information about Tourette Syndrome: [TS website and address - link above]

     To learn more about Marc, click to his website and consider having him speak at your school.

Still Comes Down to Class Bias

     I was delighted to read "Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above?" in the Sunday NYTimes; it is an encouraging article about the amalgamation of races in the U.S.  One statistic stated "one in seven new marriages is between spouses of different races or ethnicities" and another stated "No one knows quite how the growth of the multiracial population will change the country. Optimists say the blending of the races is a step toward transcending race, to a place where America is free of bigotry, prejudice and programs like affirmative action."
     Nevertheless, in the end, I still believe that "Class Bias is The Real Enemy."

Carefully Teaching Children

     I bumped into two beautiful resources that send a distinct message of helping us understand the subtleties of how we unwittingly teach prejudice to our children.  Contained in author Ashley Bryan’s African Tales, Uh-Huh, a compilation of short fables, one beautiful story “Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together,” shows how ingrained family practices are passed on from one generation to another.

     Such is the case with the moving and graphic song from South Pacific, “You Have to Be Carefully Taught.”  Click over and read the prophetic lyrics from Rogers and Hammerstein’s brilliant play.

A Gendered Experience

     Be sure to get a copy of the fall issue of Independent School magazine.  With a theme of leadership in independent schools, there is one article in particular that you must read.  Martha Haakmat, Middle School Head at Brooklyn Friends School and Susan Feibelman, Upper School Head at Packer Collegiate School present an insightful, sobering article on the state of women in leadership roles in our schools.  Here is a sentence that, I believe, captures the essence of their well written, well researched article:

     “To truly break with the system of gender discrimination in independent schools, school leaders — current administrators and boards — need first to acknowledge the problem as a serious issue that undermines the quality of schools and their ability to fulfill their missions well.”

     If there was ever a time to have a balance of women and men in leadership roles in independent schools, it is now.