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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Multicultural night has rolled around again. To summarize you’re supposed to represent the country your ancestors are from. Food, dance, costume. Dd is upset at us that she doesn’t have a country to represent. We had asked with our older son if we could choose a random country or a State and were told no. We’re from Texas- Dh and I actually can dance country western and we have cowboy boots plus our families have specific foods we’ve eaten for generations.

Dh and I were debating a country and just making one up for dd. We don’t have any that would add up to more than 1/16 in dd, definitely none in the 20th century +.

I frankly don’t care, but dd does. I told her we’d attend. We’ve had the conversation a few times and she won’t drop it. I wish there was something I could do. [/quote]

This is how I remember multicultural night from 20 years ago, when I was still a teacher.  I thought it had changed.  I remember when ours did - we specifically added in the ability to do a state or really anything the kid wanted to do, and actively discouraged some of the (white) teachers who had been doing things like dressing up in sombreros and selling tacos at the Mexico station.  But really, if you think about it, [b]the night is a horrible idea and just a breeding ground for all kind of potential offenses and exclusions and general stupidity. [/b] I actively got involved in our school's to change this, because I'm Jewish and remember how when I was kid, a million years ago, I dreaded my schools annual "international night" because we didn't tell people in our town that we were Jewish and so I had to make something up every year.  So sad to hear that schools are still doing it that way.  [/quote]

Can you explain the bolded? I really do not understand how a volunteer event where families are welcomed into the school and can choose what to do/show/present is exclusionist.[/quote]

NP: Because it’s not as welcoming as it might sound if you’re Native American, or African American, or a descendant of Holocaust survivors, or a refugee, or adopted.  Even when the school activity seemingly offers options, it’s not an activity that’s uniformly positive or even neutral for many students and their families.  It’s easier to just have a festival— and encourage kids to bring things that they enjoy— that they think others might enjoy, and give family recipes, something they encountered during travels, etc. as possible suggestions.

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But our school also has a celebration of Hispanic heritage, Asian pacific month, black culture nights. We don't worry about those days not being welcoming. Seems like people are looking for ways to get offended. Ours is also held after school, so no one has to come or tell their kids about it if they don't want to participate. [/quote]

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