From the Director of Diversity

5/3/2016

I attended The Dalton Diversity Conference with Mr. Koo, Mrs. Delacey, Shameka Barbosa (mom of Sasha '20 & Simone '22), Daphne Rubin-Vega '99 and Gregory Fauerbach '09 on April 30. The keynote speaker, Dr. Tricia Rose, left us with a pledge to make as we continue the work of creating an inclusive and welcoming community:

"I (state your name) am not personally responsible for racism, classism, homophobia, or any other type of ism, even though I most probably benefit from it. Guilt won't make anything better, and besides, it focuses only on my experience. I did not choose the context into which I was born, but I can choose how I behave and whether or not I want to work to create a just society. I can determine how I want to live in this world, no matter what my group identities are. What I do and who I choose to be from this day defines who I am, and for that, I am responsible."

We all benefit from some "ism" we did not create. We should never feel guilty about it, but we shouldn’t feel helpless, either. Everyday, we are presented with a new opportunity to choose a better path and become a better person. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that we were able to represent Cathedral at this conference.

As the year winds down here at Cathedral, I sat in on eighth graders describing their Voices projects. It was evident that they are willing to look at who they are in the world, how their contextual experiences shape their lenses, and how incomplete a picture any one person has. Their descriptions indicate their awareness that none of our conversations on inclusion, or the lack thereof, are "elective" discussions, but are ever present, especially when we are silent about what we see, and what we fail to see. As the Passion for Learning presentation is a public speaking exercise that allows Lower School students to share their stories, the Voices project is the capstone to a child's experience in the Upper School. It shows an understanding that a meaningful encounter with a person, place, or time, requires that we bring all of our experiences to the fore.

REMINDER! Please RSVP for the Night of Inclusion on May 18. We can't wait to see you there!

Click here for more information on the Museo del Barrio's event on story and community on Friday, June 17.

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