Reflections after Diversity Day

In and of itself, spending a day without “normal” classes in mostly student-run programming may seem at best curious—and at worst questionable. But CSW is not like other schools. Taking time away from our usual curriculum means that we are taking the time we need and want—to delve into current issues, and to share what others might not know about our cultures. Diversity Day is student leadership in action, and I want to thank the members of our Diversity Committee and their adult advisors for making this day happen.

I led two workshops on the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. In between, I sat at lunch with a group of colleagues talking intensely about workshops focused on the Arab-Israeli conflict, feminism, Judaism, and learning about culture through food and games. All our talk last Thursday seemed to be about our students’ ideas, and about how our students partnered with faculty and staff members to explore those ideas. The talk was real conversation, focused and broad, yet keenly emblematic of our engaged, intense community.

(On a side note, the opening activity—a giant game of rock-paper-scissors—was a kind of emotional, physical and mental warm up for the day! What a great idea.)

Most of my reflections relate to the groups in the workshops I facilitated. I was moved by the depth of focus and the obvious desire to legitimize these social movements through debate and discussion at school. How early should education about sexual harassment and the inherent power imbalance be a required part of school programs? (Perhaps as early as grade 5, with a really deep focus in middle school). Do CSW’s health classes address these issues appropriately? (Yes, but we need more: students of all genders want to be able to navigate the relationship questions that come up). What can parents do? (Find more ways to talk about sex and sexuality—it is stigmatized in many families).

In between workshop sessions we heard an inspirational talk by Lisa A. Wong, former mayor of Fitchburg. Wong was the city's first minority mayor, as well as the first Asian American female mayor in the state of Massachusetts. She spoke about leadership in general, then specifically about her journey as the daughter of Chinese immigrants who came to the United States in 1970. Her down-to-earth, practical advice resonated with her audience. Commenting on the many paths we can take to leadership, she urged our students to be very self-aware and choose areas in which to work that would make a difference. She described the ways in which a day like Diversity Day gave them access to thinking about next steps in their lives as they engage in social and political change.

CSW students are smart, thoughtful, articulate, caring young people; the more we place in their hands, the more we will all learn. I want to express my deep appreciation for everyone who made this day possible.