A NEW CLUB FOR EVERYONE

PROMOTING DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AT NRHS BY PANKTI MEHTA

Anew club at NRHS, the Student Group on Diversity and Inclusion (SGDI), promotes social relations across all boundaries of difference with an open-minded, student-centered approach. The student leaders -- Pankti Mehta, Lauren O’malley, and Kadhu Ramasay -- plan activities and discussions around various topics such social polarization, race relations, stereotyping, etc. The teacher ambassador for the activity is Mr. Rhodes, teacher of Computer Science at the North Royalton High School.

The biggest step the SGDI has taken towards advancing racial equity/ promoting respect and understanding in our school and community has been through the open-minded, student-centered discussions. Despite having so many members -- people of different orientations, religions, races, and nationalities, typically underrepresented in our school’s demographics -- the high level of acceptance and respect of different viewpoints is truly remarkable, and unique to the SGDI.

In the midst of a pandemic, during the first few weeks of school, there was much heated argument about whether or not to continue fall sports. As the board issued its final decision to cancel, many strongly agreed to protesting the outcome. From their point of view, it was correct, given the frustrations of such unpredictable events. Still, as members offered different perspectives and took on the sports issue through an online discussion hosted via social media, everyone present seemed to come to a common conclusion: a protest would not be suitable, given the current pandemic.

The beauty in this anecdote is not about what’s right or what’s wrong, but it is that everyone was willing to listen to different perspectives with mutual respect and unanimously come to a common conclusion. This small step in initiating the club had the huge consequence of togetherness on a controversial issue.

Apart from this, the various efforts of SGDI continue to propagate race relations and acceptance in the North Royalton community.

Through club positions, many of which are held by underclassmen, the next generation of SGDI members are being trained to lead. Apart from this, once it is safe again to do so, the club is hoping to host a large-scale public event that promotes greater awareness of different cultures in an enjoyable atmosphere. Future plans also include inspiring others schools to conduct similar efforts and a mentorship program where SGDI members talk to middle school students about discrimination and surrounding topics in order to inculcate the values of acceptance at an early age.