Since the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, executive orders have eliminated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in government and discouraged its implementation in schools and the workplace. As public opinion shifts on this topic and universities around the nation have begun to shift their language to fit the guidelines of the new presidential administration, many have wondered if Park is going to change any of their current stances on their commitment to valuing their diversity in the district. The Echo Editorial Board believes that Park should continue to be proud of and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in school.
The board believes Park is a highly diverse school and a lot of our pride comes from being a school that welcomes and fosters students from a variety of different cultural communities. To continue to make all students feel welcome here, Park should reaffirm their support for DEI and racial consciousness in our school. According to the Strategic Plan, Park names and outlines DEI as part of Phase 2 of the plan. If we are willing to recognize the importance of DEI for our school, then we should not go quiet when there is a shift in the presidency.
If Park worries about coming under fire for the language they are using surrounding DEI initiatives, the Echo Editorial Board believes there are ways to uphold a mission toward DEI without specifically using language being blacklisted by the government. The board doesn’t see an issue with omitting the term “DEI” as long as they continue to promote the same messaging as before. To the board, DEI is more than just a word or a policy—it is a belief system that Park has aligned itself with in current and past policies.
Although the board isn’t too worried about the Park administration changing any of their current initiatives, the school board should still make a statement reaffirming the commitment toward DEI that is outlined in the district’s Mission Statement, Core Values and more. Without reassurance of our values and goals, prospective students and members of the community may not feel as welcome due to the rhetoric surrounding the topic in the state and country. The board believes that we should not use other school districts’ policy changes as guidance for how we move forward because our community, with its richness in race, ethnicity and culture, has different needs and goals than nearby districts.
The Echo Editorial Board believes that it is important that DEI continues to be taught in the classroom. Although the political climate has changed and public opinion may have shifted on specific topics, students should never stop advocating for equity and what they believe in, as outlined in Park’s Core Values. The board also sees the importance of teaching racial and cultural competence to students. Even if some of that teaching aligns with the DEI strategy that is being discouraged by the White House, the board believes that Park students should always feel racially and culturally competent to reflect the diverse student body that surrounds them every day.
Typically, Echo’s Staff Editorials end with a unanimous vote in favor or not in favor of the topic discussed. As public opinion has shifted at the White House, it has at Park as well. In a 13:2 vote, the Echo Editorial Board believes that Park should continue to uphold their values surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the district. As long as we stick to the commitments we’ve outlined across district policy and goals, Park students shouldn’t feel affected by the changes made by the current presidential administration.
