DIVERSIty IN Statesman comments on importance of inclusivity at
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iversity. Equity. Inclusivity. As social progress accelerates, these values are becoming the cornerstone of modern society — and nowhere is this more evident than in schools. A diverse educational environment is of utmost importance, and it’s clear that Stevenson is making an effort to actively nurture such an environment. These efforts are great first steps towards a more inclusive academic world; yet, stereotypes and social stigmas which exist in Stevenson risk marginalizing minority groups—especially those already underrepresented at Stevenson. It’s also important to note that Statesman itself lacks such diverse voices, as our staff is predominantly white and Asian. Such a demographic within our own staff may limit our view of Stevenson’s diversity, but this is not to say that we don’t see the value of such diversity in academic settings. Cultural, ethnic, gender and other forms of diversity are extremely beneficial, allowing students to work with perspectives they may not even know. This can prevent students from falling into a trend of “confirmation bias”, consuming only informa-
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February 2020 - Opinions
tion of preexisting beliefs. As such, many activities that Stevenson offers are specifically aimed towards promoting inclusivity and diversity: Girls in STEAM promotes female empowerment within STEAM fields. Gay-Straight Alliance aims to create a safe space for students of all sexual orientations. FIRE’s mission is to increase meaningful discussion about race. In addition to extracurriculars, Stevenson also offers many classes aimed to improve students’ understanding of different cultures, from Chinese to World Masterpieces. However, these academic and extracurricular efforts that push towards more inclusivity don’t diminish the fact that there is a larger problem at hand: Stevenson’s social sphere tends to exclude certain minority communities such as its black and Hispanic populations. According to Illinois Report Card, Stevenson’s student body is 54.7% White, 32.1% Asian, 8.1% Hispanic and 2% Black. Stevenson’s Hispanic and black populations are significantly smaller than their White and Asian counterparts. In a perfect world, all cultures would be honored regardless of their prevalence, or lack thereof, in classrooms and hallways. But
