We ArE DiverSe

Diversity has increased in Bryant’s schools, overall district, and community over the last decade. This is shown in the increase of ethnic groups which have both been moving to the city and attending the schools.

Arkansas has not always been known to be a diverse state. According to Census.gov, the white population is dominant with 78.6% of the population, then, an African American population of 15.7%, and lastly, a Hispanic population of 8.3%, with other ethnicities making up only 5.6%.

Despite what appears like large gaps in these statistics, there has been significant growth if you were to compare it with a census from over a decade ago. Diversity has managed to grow in cities such as Bryant, and it will likely only continue to expand in the future.

Story By: Addison Warford & Ivana Wang

Maliha

Maliha Rahman (she/her) is a freshman Bengali student. Bengal people are from Bangladesh: a country in southeastern Asian.

Q: How diverse do you consider our school?

A: I don’t think it’s that diverse, but I do think it has become more so over the years.

Q: What’s it like being of a minority in school?

A: When I was little, I felt like I didn’t fit in but I’ve never been seriously bullied for my race.

Q: What should the school be doing?

A: The school should do more to spread awareness of cultural differences and teach more about them, especially for young kids.

Nic

Nic Edwards (they/them) is a freshman biracial (African American & White) student. They are also a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Q: How diverse do you consider our school?

A: I think that it has a good amount of diversity and a lot of different types of people.

Q: What’s it like being of a minority in school?

A: It’s crappy, kids here are mean but that’s not the school’s fault. People make hurtful jokes and struggle to be accepting of others. But because there are a lot of people here you have some people you can relate to and make friends with. People just need a reminder that everyone is important.

Mr. Lee

Bo Lee is an African American 8th grade teacher. We interviewed Mr. Lee in order to obtain the perspective of a teacher of an ethnic minority from the school.

Mr. Lee is a 2004 graduate from the school district. His class had 405 students, only 5 were black, proving that there has been a huge increase of minorities in the district these past 20 years and supporting his claim that “Bryant has become much more diverse over recent years.” He says the reason for this change is that the city is growing, meaning people with different backgrounds move in and stay which helps Bryant to become a richer and more cultured community.

While the school/community helps to make minorities feel included he feels more can always be done and that the Black History Month program started by administration has helped ensure inclusion and keep awareness on civil rights. Bryant is the place for him, it is his home, his family is here, the people he grew up with are here, this is where he belongs.

NicOle

We asked him what inspired him to become a teacher here and a large part of his answer was his mom. She herself was Bryant's first African American teacher and ended up inspiring and motivating him to become a teacher. She made him feel bigger than himself, he was not only her son but a reflection of her, and was taught to be proud of who they were. He says that she set the standard, that she was the pioneer and he followed in her footsteps.

Nicole Quiceno (she/her) is a freshman biracial (Hispanic & African American) student. She is both of the LGBTQIA+ community and an ethnic minority.

Q: How diverse do you consider our school?

A: This school is full of diversity, whether it be racial or LGBTQIA+. Most of my friends are members of the LGBTQIA+. As the years go by it’s become more diverse, they give a little more freedom.

Q: What is it like being of a minority group in a school with a majority white population?

A: I myself am treated mostly fairly, but I know there are some who don’t have the same emotional support that I get. Others in my situation are mainly treated unfairly. Personally, I feel proud of of my sexuality, many people see it as something forbidden but I think it depends on how people see it.

Q: What do you think the school could do to promote acceptance?

A: The school should allow more freedom of expression. There are lots of people who don’t get to express themselves at home so I think it’s very important that the school allows them to. When kids don’t get that chance it can be bad for their mental health.