In our Modern Language Department meetings, we’ve been discussing this year’s focus on incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into our curriculum. As we talked about some ideas with Rosh Hashanah and Hispanic Heritage month coming up, I grew excited about the prospects for our students to dive deeper & have meaningful reflection as they learn about the rich diversity in cultures and languages around the world. While a part of me is already chomping at the bit to do research and brainstorm with my colleagues, I have to confess that I’m also hesitant about how this could potentially rub some parents the wrong way. I think about the parent email Kevin received relating to our Symbols & Ethics course and how curriculum that is aligned with our school’s mission has already been called into question. Just as schools all around the country are implementing DEI initiatives, there are also countless incidents of parent pushback and even calls for legislation to ban curriculum pertaining to this topic. As fate would have it, the topic of DEI has been on my mind all week and popping up everywhere. A few days ago, on my afternoon commute back home, I listened to the latest episode of NPR’s CodeSwitch podcast. *Some explicit language was used*
The episode summarized a lot of what I’ve been anxious about and presented historical context to this sense of “outrage” that has happened many times throughout our nation’s past. While the episode mostly focused on parents’ accusations of teachers pushing an agenda for Critical Race Theory, it did also touch on a similar panic happening over school’s developing DEI and anti-racism curriculum. While it was sobering to hear, it is indicative of the fact that we have a LONG way to go with reframing conversations around these topics. As we close this week out, I have a lot on my mind and heart about how I will teach Spanish this year with a focus on DEI. To my core, I believe this is a natural direction to lead with; as our students acquire a second language, they become aware of the wider world and what it means to be a global citizen.
Thanks for the podcast recommendation. I just downloaded it.
Yes, I think you are right in that we do have a long way to go to reframe these conversations. But I firmly believe we must persist through the challenges because it is the right thing to do. Would love to chat about this issue in our crew next meeting!
We cannot be intimidated by wondering about what parents might say. Students really appreciate being told the truth about past and present problems in the United States and beyond. Sometimes it is an awakening. More often it just confirms what they already know.
I don't teach much about CRT or DEI except to tell what they mean. The foundation of my teaching is social justice. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of social justice. The Sisters of Carondelet have been actively engaged in social justice issues since their founding in Le Puy, France.
Who, in this setting of Carondelet, is going to question social justice teachings? Everything in CRT and DEI is covered in social justice. It all comes down to serving the dear neighbor, without distinction. Step on that and you step on the foundation of Carondelet High School. We have the whole kit and caboodle prepackaged and ready to go. Take it and run with it.
Thank you for this reflection, Sandra… I totally understand where you are coming from. I am teaching Criminal Justice this year and next week we start the hefty topic of policing… my class ranges from a kid with a Trump sticker on his laptop to one of the DEI council's reps. When we started to build the class (Jen teaches a section too), we decided we would spend the first week or so just establishing norms and behaviors to lay the groundwork… I think my overall objective is not to convert any one given person, but have the eyes, ears, and hearts, open and receptive to information. They need to understand that there are many stories out there, not just one narrative.
Modern Language is an amazing opportunity to celebrate other cultures and create this greater understanding… I am so glad you are taking this on… we have your back!
I also really appreciate your reflection, Sandra. I've been reading and reflecting on this topic a lot too. I'm incorporating a storytelling lens into my choir classes this year that I'm hoping will provide opportunities to have conversations around DEI, SEL, and music. More to come!
I love hearing how my colleagues incorporate these important ideas into the classroom. The more we share with each other, the more ideas and confidence we build.
Thanks for this thoughtful reflection on how we can provide our students many lenses on their world while studying a language through culture. The truth is that we have been showing them the world for years, now it's a matter of showing them how beautifully they fit in it!
Estoy orgullosa de tu trabajo:)
At its core, we are talking about reaching out and sharing our humanity with each other. Our CSJ's have a ton of language on a number of "hot-topic" social issues that I have shared and am happy to re-share anytime, but focusing on Unifying Love is never a bad thing.
Code Switch is an excellent, thought provoking podcast. This episode gave me a lot to think about. I'm beginning to see the pushback as a good thing, actually. Growth happens when we are uncomfortable. Having these conversations is uncomfortable and even painful, but so important for all.
Thank you for your reflection Sandra. I loved the podcast Code Switch on NPR. I also agree that it is disturbing that there are parents who do not want us to impart a curriculum that reflects the diverse student population that we teach and that explores and values different perspectives. My hope is that it is only a small minority of parents that object to DEI initiatives. I personally believe that it should be the educators, and professionals who establish standards and objectives in our curriculum and not parents who may not be educated or may lack the expertise to make these decisions.