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EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSIVITY

Modeling empathy, compassion, tolerance and acceptance

It is inevitable that there will be disturbing events that unfold in the world around us, and students will have questions and concerns. I want my library to be a safe space where students feel comfortable asking difficult questions. On Twitter, an educator posted a poll asking, "Who is more “qualified” to teach or speak on anti-racist curriculum?" The options were: black educators, white educators, anybody, and I don't know. I chose anybody and added:

     

     We need teachers of all races to teach this. What should matter is: How informed are you? 

     Are you willing to listen and learn? Are you able to create a safe space where students feel

     comfortable asking those questions? Do you model acceptance, compassion and respect for

     others?

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In a world where so many people face discrimination, come from broken homes or who have had to relocate to the US for various reasons, all of us need to be patient and supportive. We need to be prepared to have difficult conversations. Realizing how much I still have to learn, I have been reading, researching, and asking questions of my own.

 

I really do want world peace… I realize that is a lofty endeavor, so I will start by doing what I can and hope that it spreads. 

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