USSN: Speaking Up

April 16, 2003 NOVATO ADVANCE

Diversity for All

Editor:
I am writing to clarify some points brought forth in the editorial, “Discerning qualities in a schools chief.” In the article, the writer states that “The district’s woes — and the rift with parents — was aggravated by the cultural tug of war over introduction of ‘diversity’ materials into the curriculum.” My perception, along with others I have spoken with, is that this is not a cultural “tug of war” with two sides waging against one another. This is about a mainstream movement to include all of our families, a movement which came under attack by those unwilling to accept that all of our differences belong under the umbrella of diversity. Most often these attacks have been/are anti-gay.

The Advance claims that “Diversity ... came to be hijacked as almost exclusively a gay rights issue....” It is important that readers understand how and why this occurred. It is because the Diversity Advisory, after years of review and discussion, recommended comprehensive materials, among them, a video on family diversity which included children with gay parents (“That’s A Family”) and a program which contained a small section on the history of gay rights (“World of Difference”). These materials were germane in that they ensured that all protected groups were included in our diversity discussion, and deemed necessary in response to the anti-gay teasing and bullying that occurs in our schools.

The “hijacking” also occurred because two schools, in their continuing efforts to make our schools safe for all, invited a play about bullying to their schools. It was the proposal of these inclusive diversity materials, along with the play, which set off those with anti-gay views; views clearly out of step with the mainstream. United for Safe Schools Novato and others rallied to defend and advocate for the materials and for all families in Novato. The same people who “hijacked” the diversity discussion then blamed “homosexual activists” and the “gay agenda” for creating the controversy.
The Advance further states that “race played a bit part in the diversity debate and class ... didn’t get a mention.” This is not because those working on these issues did not discuss or pay attention to these very important areas of diversity. In fact, race has been an ongoing concern for the NUSD Diversity Advisory and the Multicultural Commission ... ever since an Asian-American was stabbed in a hate crime in 1995 and a racial slur was chanted at a ball game in 1998. In response, our schools have presented numerous workshops for staff and students and coaches on race and racism.

We continue to want the dialogue to be about all of our diversity needs — but any time voices organize and oppose any certain group or family, we must stand up and defend that group if we are to be about including all, for if we leave any one group behind, we are all left behind. It is time to move on and adopt the materials for the safety of our children and community.

Shelley Norris-Alvarez, United for Safe Schools Novato


	April 16, 2003 NOVATO ADVANCE Diversity for All Editor: I am writing to clarify some points brought forth in the editorial, “Discerning qualities in a schools chief.” In the article, the writer states that “The district’s woes — and the rift with parents — was aggravated by the cultural tug of war over introduction of ‘diversity’ materials into the curriculum.” My perception, along with others I have spoken with, is that this is not a cultural “tug of war” with two sides waging against one another. This is about a mainstream movement to include all of our families, a movement which came under attack by those unwilling to accept that all of our differences belong under the umbrella of diversity. Most often these attacks have been/are anti-gay. The Advance claims that “Diversity ... came to be hijacked as almost exclusively a gay rights issue....” It is important that readers understand how and why this occurred. It is because the Diversity Advisory, after years of review and discussion, recommended comprehensive materials, among them, a video on family diversity which included children with gay parents (“That’s A Family”) and a program which contained a small section on the history of gay rights (“World of Difference”). These materials were germane in that they ensured that all protected groups were included in our diversity discussion, and deemed necessary in response to the anti-gay teasing and bullying that occurs in our schools. The “hijacking” also occurred because two schools, in their continuing efforts to make our schools safe for all, invited a play about bullying to their schools. It was the proposal of these inclusive diversity materials, along with the play, which set off those with anti-gay views; views clearly out of step with the mainstream. United for Safe Schools Novato and others rallied to defend and advocate for the materials and for all families in Novato. The same people who “hijacked” the diversity discussion then blamed “homosexual activists” and the “gay agenda” for creating the controversy. The Advance further states that “race played a bit part in the diversity debate and class ... didn’t get a mention.” This is not because those working on these issues did not discuss or pay attention to these very important areas of diversity. In fact, race has been an ongoing concern for the NUSD Diversity Advisory and the Multicultural Commission ... ever since an Asian-American was stabbed in a hate crime in 1995 and a racial slur was chanted at a ball game in 1998. In response, our schools have presented numerous workshops for staff and students and coaches on race and racism. We continue to want the dialogue to be about all of our diversity needs — but any time voices organize and oppose any certain group or family, we must stand up and defend that group if we are to be about including all, for if we leave any one group behind, we are all left behind. It is time to move on and adopt the materials for the safety of our children and community. Shelley Norris-Alvarez, United for Safe Schools Novato
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