PERSONAL DIVERSITY STATEMENT

 

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I didn’t wake up one morning and think, ‘Today! Today’s the day I’m going to believe in diversity…’ and I don’t go to bed each night feeling accomplished because I offered my hand to an elderly wo/man of colour as s/he crossed the street. Instead, I was raised overseas living in an upper-class household in post-apartheid South Africa. To some (most Americans, actually), the immediate thought leans towards questions about “what was owning slaves like?” or “tell me about the racism you saw every day?” and each are disappointed when my story begins with…

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I lived a life learning to treat people with fairness, equity, consideration, and understanding. I spent my childhood living side-by-side with people of all races, having experienced extraordinarily little racist commentary, action, or prejudice until we moved to the United States when I was 14 years old. Since my teenage years, I have made a conscious effort to teach others that racism is a learned behaviour. That when diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic communities can live in general harmony after suffering such turmoil like those experienced throughout Africa; then can we as Americans not learn to do the same?

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In my 13 years as an educator, I have cherished my experiences: public school, non-profit organizations, volunteer board positions, and private schools. The students I teach or the youth with whom I interact bring with them a variety of experiences, desires, and histories. As a result, I believe my practices highlight the choice to believe in the individual. To celebrate my students for their success, and to learn from their mistakes. I encourage an open-door policy to develop comfort and conversation; I promote respect and consideration of differences. I have learned that whether one teaches in the public or private sector, children are similar – they search for acceptance, for love, and a place of comfort. As adults, we are quick to judge, but as children we find ease in opening ourselves to acceptance.

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I surround myself with those who present their own choice to accept others, and question inequity; to provide questions and solutions when systemic inconsistency arise; and to celebrate the success of change. As we provide an ongoing course of action, we seek to ensure excellence in conflict management, resolution, and the decision to provide avenues of systemic alterations for the betterment of our community and culture. Taking a page from our youth, we should aim for progress, not perfection. We should seek to find comfort in our love and respect for one another, daily.

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