Student group advocates for diversity, multiculturalism in SDUHSD schools
Diversify Our Narrative student representatives from SDUHSD presented to the SDUHSD board on Jan. 14.
(Courtesy)
Print
The local chapter of Diversify Our Narrative, a national student-led organization, has ambitious goals to make meaningful changes within their schools to promote diversity, inclusion and educational equity.
The San Dieguito Union High School District students in Diversify Our Narrative (DON) hope to encourage the district to incorporate more texts by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) authors in English and literature courses and to stoke more discussion on identity bias and race in the classroom. Their long-term goals include having ethnic studies as a separate, mandatory course for high school graduation.
Eventually, organizers hope the day will be celebrated worldwide. The Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver is calling for Jan. 15 to officially be declared Black Shirt Day to raise awareness about the fight for equality by Black Canadians. (Image credit: Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver) The province responds In a statement issued Friday, B.C.’s Ministry of Education said it supports the teaching of Black history topics and understands that there is “more work to be done.” “We will continue to listen and work collaboratively to ensure we can effectively strengthen the curriculum, further support diversity and add to the global effort to end systemic racism,” the statement reads.
VANCOUVER Organizers of the first-ever Black Shirt Day at B.C. schools are calling it a success. “We are overwhelmed with the reception Black Shirt Day has had,” said Kamika Williams, of the Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver. “It has been amazing and it has spread across Canada, New Zealand and Germany.” Williams is one of the organizers who picked Jan. 15 to encourage students to wear black shirts to school to push for more Black history education in their curriculums. “It’s also a day to spread awareness of the ongoing struggle that Black and racialized Canadians have faced for hundreds of years,” Williams said.
Anti-racism group calls for Black Shirt Day in B.C. schools on Jan. 15
The Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver is trying to gather community support for Black Shirt Day on Jan. 15 and to push for more black history in the B.C. school curriculum.
Social Sharing
CBC News ·
Posted: Jan 13, 2021 10:16 PM PT | Last Updated: January 14
The Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver is calling for Jan. 15 to be declared Black Shirt Day to raise awareness about the civil rights struggle of Black Canadians.(Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver)
The Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver is trying to gather community support for Black Shirt Day on Jan. 15 and to push for more black history in the B.C. school curriculum.