One of the biggest challenges of addressing diversity is focusing
people on aspects of difference that don't involve race. Yet, we all have to admit, race is one of
the most visible forms of diversity.
You know what the other big challenge of diversity is? Encouraging
people to be engaged by issues that they don’t believe directly impact them.
That is why on Tuesday, April 29th at 6
p.m., I will host a diversity forum here at St. Paul's where I will show a 30-minute excerpt of the recent PBS documentary
"American Promise." The documentary follows for 13 years two
middle-class African-American boys who attended the prestigious Dalton school
in New York City. It highlights the reason the parents chose this school, the challenges the parents and students faced, and seeks to share the perspective they gained.
While this documentary deals with race, it’s a documentary that
many who care about education will find engaging, instructive and
thought-provoking.
Because it is a film about two children -
two families - the documentary does not aim to be a handbook in how the
experience is for every child of color who attends a private school where they
are the minority. Rather, it is a discussion point for how ALL differences can impact a child's
experience in getting an education.
To facilitate the discussion about the film excerpt, the following
panelists have agreed to help me guide the discussion:
Lynette Sparkman-Barnes, associate
director of the UMKC Counseling Center, with areas of emphasis on
multiculturalism and social justice
Carla Tillmon, program analyst at the
Women's Bureau of the U. S. Department of Labor and mother of St. Paul's
alumni Aaron Branch
Scott Seitter, attorney at Levy Craig and
parent of St. Paul's First Grader Jackson Seitter
This is an informal event but because we want to make sure we have the correct venue for the audience, please RSVP with Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org. Childcare is
available for $15 for the evening events.
