DIVERSITY AND BELONGING
"You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
– Pirkei Avot 2:21
We believe our strength lies in our diversity and our commitment to creating spaces of belonging for all who join us. Through belonging, our students and faculty find themselves and others, recognizing the unique contributions each person can make to healing our world. Our belief in the interconnectedness and value of all human beings compels us to work individually and collectively towards equity and social justice.
We are committed to building a society that appreciates and celebrates differences as well as a society that empathetically confronts the ways individuals, institutions, and systems have oppressed others based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and other aspects of identity. We believe that it is only by clearly understanding the past and the present of these dynamics that our community members will develop the capacity to help create a better future for all. We acknowledge that this work is ongoing and ever-evolving.
Resources for Families: Addressing Offensive Language
Articles and Online Resources
- Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) - "Speak Up at School" guide for responding to prejudice
- Common Sense Media's Guide to Addressing Hate Speech - Resources for addressing online hate speech and cyberbullying
- "How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism" - NBC News Learn - Provides practical conversation starters
- GLSEN - Resources for families to support LGBTQ+ youth and address homophobic language
Videos and Documentaries
- TED Talk: "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Explores how stereotypes limit our understanding
- "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man" series by Emmanuel Acho - Addresses common questions about race in an accessible format
- PBS's "Talking to Kids About Race" - Short videos with strategies for age-appropriate conversations
- "Race: The Power of an Illusion" - Documentary that examines the concept of race
- "Disclosure" (Netflix) - Documentary about transgender representation in media (appropriate for older teens with parental guidance)
Podcasts
- "Talking Race With Young Children" - NPR's Life Kit episode
- "Code Switch" - NPR podcast about race that has episodes appropriate for teens
- "Fare of the Free Child" - Focuses on raising free people in a society that values compliance
- "Integrated Schools" - Discusses segregation in education and conscious parenting decisions
Workshops and Community Resources
- Local Public Library Programs - Many libraries offer age-appropriate workshops on diversity and inclusion
- Facing History and Ourselves - Offers parent resources for discussing difficult historical topics
- National Museum of African American History and Culture's "Talking About Race" Portal
Strategies for Conversations regarding Offensive Language
- Create a safe space for open dialogue where teens can ask questions without fear of judgment
- Model the language and attitudes you want your teen to adopt
- Address offensive comments immediately but calmly, explaining why certain terms are harmful
- Connect language to impact rather than intent, helping teens understand why "just joking" doesn't excuse harmful words
- Share personal experiences if appropriate, including times when you've learned and grown in your understanding
- Encourage critical thinking about media messages and stereotypes
- Prepare for ongoing conversations rather than one "big talk"
- Acknowledge when you don't have all the answers and research together