Critics at School Board Meetings Demonstrate Need For Diverse Education
After the preschool moves to Bryden, Hardis and Walsh see the Fairmount building as a space to be shared with the community.
In March of 2021, Beachwood administrators planned a mandatory assembly through Google Meet, and a group of activists came to a school board meeting to object.
Many adults spoke against the school district incorporating discussions of equity and inclusion within its curriculum. As a result, the Beachcomber Staff wishes to provide our own opinions regarding the school’s role in teaching students about diversity.
We believe the school needs to educate students on contemporary news events as well as historical events, present all relevant facts and provide multiple perspectives so that students may form their own opinions.
It is within critics’ rights to speak up at school board meetings; however, it is also important that they have adequate fact-based reasoning and refer to credible sources when making their claims. Insulting remarks should not be made in meetings. Unfortunately, the board meetings included unsupported claims and ad hominem attacks.
Finally, we acknowledge that the school is doing a great deal in the ways of recognizing diversity— such as the banners commemorating various heritage months as well as clubs, such as MAC Scholars, that are dedicated to providing students safe spaces to talk.
But the school could also offer more diversified classes to educate students about different cultures and encourage discussions. Not only diverse classes, but diverse curriculum within those classes, such as a non-Eurocentric narrative in social studies classes and more inclusive English books.
Ignorance of other countries and cultures can propagate stereotypes and biases, and education on these subjects would combat that ignorance and encourage students to think for themselves with facts and not prejudice.
A curriculum that is truly as diverse as the Beachwood student body would also help students of color feel more comfortable and accepted. Classes should continue to emphasize the importance of referencing credible resources when making a claim as to prevent students from acting in accordance with biased sources that have no supporting factual basis.
In the future, we hope to see critics take a more educated approach so that our students and our community alike can work towards understanding.
