DEI events

[Anonymous]

First, I love that schools, especially many of the primarily white private schools in the area, have these. I have a question though. We're at a new school that has a family DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) event coming up. The communications for the event say that it is open to all school families and it's about making sure all families are in a welcoming environment. In reality, what do these events look like? As a white family should we skip as it's not our place, or are they truly about bringing the entire school together? Since we're still so new, I'm trying to attend as many events as our schedule will allow. However, I do not want to step outside of my lane and intrude on anyone's safe space.

[Anonymous]

My two cents: if they said "all families," they mean all families. You definitely should go and learn more! If the event was structured to be an affinity space, they would say so.

[Anonymous]

I’m another white liberal parent at a private school, I’ve attended a few diversity events at our school and enjoyed them. I’ve been disappointed to see that the families who otherwise attend everything at our school don’t make it to the diversity events. Our school must be 75% white but these events are mostly attended by minority families. I have felt welcome by the families of color there, I just wish they had more allies.

[Anonymous]

Please attend. I think there's often a misconception that the diversity events are for everyone minus white families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, I love that schools, especially many of the primarily white private schools in the area, have these. I have a question though. We're at a new school that has a family DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) event coming up. The communications for the event say that it is open to all school families and it's about making sure all families are in a welcoming environment. In reality, what do these events look like? As a white family should we skip as it's not our place, or are they truly about bringing the entire school together? Since we're still so new, I'm trying to attend as many events as our schedule will allow. However, I do not want to step outside of my lane and intrude on anyone's safe space.

Is it an event with a speaker? or a picnic?

Speaker: anyone should attend
Picnic: The white families are not the target, but the school will not let the organizers hold a school sponsored event where "everyone" isn't welcome.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately a lot of white people have gotten the message they aren’t welcome. The organizers sometimes make it clear that it’s supposed to be a “safe space” where people can speak freely with others who have a similar experience or look like them. They can’t do that with white people around apparently.

[Anonymous]

This is a great question and conversation. At my old school, these events were only for those who identified as a person of color. So I assumed this was the same at the new school. However, this thread makes me wonder if I should try to attend these events at the new school (I am white fwiw).

[Anonymous]

This has to be a Maret or GDS parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, I love that schools, especially many of the primarily white private schools in the area, have these. I have a question though. We're at a new school that has a family DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) event coming up. The communications for the event say that it is open to all school families and it's about making sure all families are in a welcoming environment. In reality, what do these events look like? As a white family should we skip as it's not our place, or are they truly about bringing the entire school together? Since we're still so new, I'm trying to attend as many events as our schedule will allow. However, I do not want to step outside of my lane and intrude on anyone's safe space.

Yes. And you should self-flagellate because clearly, you are a problem.

[Anonymous]

We are at a parochial school and they make no bones about it and call it "Hispanic Family Night". I appreciate the candor instead of insisting "all are welcome!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, I love that schools, especially many of the primarily white private schools in the area, have these. I have a question though. We're at a new school that has a family DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) event coming up. The communications for the event say that it is open to all school families and it's about making sure all families are in a welcoming environment. In reality, what do these events look like? As a white family should we skip as it's not our place, or are they truly about bringing the entire school together? Since we're still so new, I'm trying to attend as many events as our schedule will allow. However, I do not want to step outside of my lane and intrude on anyone's safe space.

NCS and STA events are for all families. They are all welcome. It is better that way and receives more support plus it is a good opportunity for all families to relate and understand the issues being discussed. They are informative and make us all better people in my opinion. I plan on attending more events this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, I love that schools, especially many of the primarily white private schools in the area, have these. I have a question though. We're at a new school that has a family DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) event coming up. The communications for the event say that it is open to all school families and it's about making sure all families are in a welcoming environment. In reality, what do these events look like? As a white family should we skip as it's not our place, or are they truly about bringing the entire school together? Since we're still so new, I'm trying to attend as many events as our schedule will allow. However, I do not want to step outside of my lane and intrude on anyone's safe space.

Yes. And you should self-flagellate because clearly, you are a problem.

How rude. OP is asking a sincere question. It does vary at each school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately a lot of white people have gotten the message they aren’t welcome. The organizers sometimes make it clear that it’s supposed to be a “safe space” where people can speak freely with others who have a similar experience or look like them. They can’t do that with white people around apparently.

The smaller student groups tend to be just the student that identify with the affinity group but are open to all but said most decide to not attend unless they are that affinity.

Parent group events tend to be open to all in our experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at a parochial school and they make no bones about it and call it "Hispanic Family Night". I appreciate the candor instead of insisting "all are welcome!"

Hopefully no one is turned away. That's pretty tacky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately a lot of white people have gotten the message they aren’t welcome. The organizers sometimes make it clear that it’s supposed to be a “safe space” where people can speak freely with others who have a similar experience or look like them. They can’t do that with white people around apparently.

Damned if you go, damned if you don't?