Concerned Parents of Birmingham Michigan Public Schools 0

​Petition for Proactive Education on Racism, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, and Diversity at Birmingham Michigan Public Schools

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Petition for Proactive Education on Racism, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, and Diversity at Birmingham Public Schools

As concerned parents of students at Birmingham Public Schools (BPS), we are committed to supporting our district’s values of character, inclusivity, and respect for diversity. We believe that in light of recent events at both Groves and Seaholm High Schools, there is a need for the district to take further action in educating our children on the importance of cultural sensitivity, anti-racism, anti-Semitism, and inclusion of other marginalized groups.

While disciplinary actions have been taken in response to the inappropriate and harmful behavior of individual students, we urge BPS to adopt a more comprehensive and proactive approach to addressing the root causes of such behavior. We are asking the district to implement a mandatory, ongoing education program that teaches students, staff, and the broader community about the historical context and personal impact of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination.

Specifically, we call for:

  1. Diversity and Sensitivity Training: Implement school-wide workshops and educational programming that teach students, staff, administrators, and members of the Board of Education about the significance of respecting racial, religious, cultural, gender, and sexual identity differences. This should be a regular part of the curriculum for all grade levels and include ongoing training for board members and administrators to ensure leadership is aligned with these values.
  2. Partnership with Community Organizations: Collaborate with local organizations that focus on anti-racism, Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+, Muslim, Arab, and other minority advocacy groups to create a comprehensive, inclusive curriculum that helps students understand the impact of their words and actions.
  3. Experiential Learning through Local Resources: Organize field trips and collaborations with local institutions such as the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. These experiences will provide students with direct connections to the history and personal stories that underpin the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion.
  4. Safe Spaces for Dialogue: Create safe, moderated spaces where students can openly discuss their experiences, thoughts, and concerns regarding race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and cultural identity. These conversations should be guided by trained facilitators and teachers.
  5. Social Media Education: Implement educational sessions that address the role of social media in spreading hate and misinformation. Teach students the impact of online behavior and provide them with tools to recognize and respond to hate speech and discrimination in digital spaces.
  6. Ongoing Parent and Teacher Involvement: Include parents, teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members in diversity training to ensure that these values are reinforced at home, within the classroom, and throughout the school’s leadership. Encourage school-community partnerships to foster greater cultural understanding.
  7. Clear and Consistent Policies on Hate Speech: Ensure that there is a transparent and equitable policy across all schools in the district regarding hate speech and discriminatory behavior against all marginalized groups, including racial, religious, gender, and sexual identities. Discipline should be consistent, but so should education and rehabilitation efforts for those involved.
  8. Project-Based Learning: Engage students in projects that involve research on historical movements, influential figures in the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination, as well as exploring local civil rights history in Michigan.
  9. Diversity Days or Cultural Festivals: Organize school-wide events where students can explore different cultures and identities through food, music, dance, and historical presentations. These events can be an engaging way to encourage cultural appreciation and inclusion.
  10. Peer Mentorship Programs: Train older students to mentor younger ones in cultural awareness, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, creating role models within the student body for anti-discrimination and diversity initiatives.
  11. Guest Speakers: Invite individuals who have experienced discrimination, including Holocaust survivors, civil rights activists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and members of minority faith groups such as Muslims, to speak to students and share their stories, creating an emotional connection to the subject matter.

We believe that addressing these issues through education will help prevent future incidents and foster a more inclusive, empathetic, and respectful school environment for all students, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual identity.

Please join us in signing this petition to urge Birmingham Public Schools to take these necessary steps toward building a stronger, more inclusive community for our children.

Sincerely,


Concerned Parents of Birmingham Michigan Public Schools

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