![]() Still, Stevenon’s overwhelmingly white faculty - with 91.6 percent of staff being white compared to 0.7 percent Black, per the 2019 Illinois Report Card - cannot be ignored. In the recent wake of the resignation of a Stevenson dean following accusations of racially profiling a student, Statesman believes that such training and re-evaluation of any implicit biases that faculty members may hold is all the more imperative. By sharing works from writers with an array of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, Stevenson’s English curriculum is actively evolving and working to dismantle the Euro-centric perspective, which views the world based on Western values and lenses, that had historically been conditioned and normalized.įurthermore, the implementation of an extensive Equity Race Diversity program for teachers aims to better equip faculty in fostering an inclusive learning setting as well as promote discussion of said social issues. On the other hand, given that such aspects are so integral in a learning environment, Statesman acknowledges Stevenson for being attentive to some of its own weaknesses and taking initiatives in response to such needs.įor one, the recent “51 percent rule” in the English department - which requires at least 51 percent of books read in class to be by authors of color - is a step in the right direction. Avoiding traditionally “taboo” topics such as racism doesn’t absolve the issue doing so simply makes us complicit in enabling others’ ignorance. It is essential that Stevenson’s faculty and curricula evolve in learning to recognize and highlight diverse narratives, no matter what uncomfortable truths they may expose about the faults in our society. Statesman believes that such a misunderstanding should have better been used as an anchor for growth and a learning curve to become a better ally to their Black students. Had Stevenson mended their mistake and re-posted the student’s poem in its entirety, they could have used their platform to go past simple performative activism and truly amplify a minority student’s voice. ![]() It was only when Stevenson faced enormous pushback from the student body that such a change was made, but fundamentally, pressure from the community should never have needed to be a catalyst for this to occur.įurthermore, when a Black student reached out to the Stevenson Instagram page and asked them to share a poem she wrote detailing her experiences and struggles of being Black in America, her message became skewed in the process and later deleted after more student backlash. However, Stevenson’s initial Instagram statement and email response to the death of George Floyd both failed to explicitly say Black lives matter. Social media has played an especially critical role in encouraging advocacy by allowing a platform for Americans to share resources and to echo their own personal narratives. Statesman believes that, as a learning institution, Stevenson has a responsibility to proactively educate students about America’s complex history with race and oppression, and how these issues remain deeply entrenched in our nation.Īt Stevenson, where Black students are already the minority by an immense margin - according to the 2019 Illinois Report Card, only 2 percent of Stevenson students are Black, compared to 54.9 percent and 31.9 percent white and Asian students it’s all the more important to amplify such voices and ensure that they aren’t drowned out in critical conversations. In truth, the injustices that the Black Lives Matter movement highlights are institutionalized race issues that have existed since the very founding of our country and, to this day, affect essentially every aspect of our society. However, the real question as to why so many of us have allowed ourselves to remain sheltered from such a grim reality still stands. Floyd’s story acted as an awakening, forcing the world to finally listen to the voices that have long been silenced. The recent murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer, on top of the numerous lives unjustly lost due to police brutality and systemic racism, has propelled the Black Lives Matter movement into mainstream media and public discussion.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |