Should we be teaching students to focus on physical differences?
Elementary and middle school students in Stanley, N.D.’s school district will be taught to focus on differences amongst themselves — including skin color — through diversity and race lessons, according to email communication from a school counselor to parents.
The lessons on diversity and race will be taught to K-6th graders, “with each grade/age being important for how we talk about differences and race,” the email stated.
The lesson plans’ objectives include students learning “the definitions of differences and diversity,” sharing “what makes them different,” and learning “how to respect differences and include others.”
According to the email:
In the kindergarten-2nd grade classes, we will talk about our differences and diversity — so they will know those two words. We talk about eye color, hair color, height, skin color, different family structure, abilities (blindness, hard of hearing, people who need wheelchairs), our likes and dislikes, sports teams, movies and books we like, things like that.
…
K-3 classes focus more on differences and how we interact socially, using respect and kindness no matter someone’s differences. For grades 4-6, we will define diversity, race, racism, and stereotypes in words meant for younger students, focusing on how students may be made fun of or excluded because of their differences. We do not dive deep into race, more focusing on skin color and other differences.
Students should absolutely learn about respect and kindness, and the importance of demonstrating these virtues among their peers no matter someone’s differences.
But should students be taught to fixate on and identify themselves and each other based on immutable characteristics? Is it appropriate to prompt immature and impressionable children to classify themselves and others by skin color? Such a focus risks pitting us against one another and us losing sight of our shared humanity.
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K-5 educators interested in incorporating lessons and unit plans that teach students we are all unique individuals united by our common humanity are encouraged to check out these resources from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR).