By Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
This week our Middle School held our annual Diversity Assembly. It is among my favorite events in the school year, as students speak about the community they want and the values they hold dear – that all people are of value, that diversity is a strength that makes life richer, and that discrimination has no place among us.
This year, the theme of the assembly was “We are all human.”
“Human” backdrop created by our Arts Council students.
Students from various school organizations spoke, sharing the kind of community that we value and want to be. Opening speaker, Vincent shared with us, why diversity matters:
The greatest gift that diversity provides us is a sharper mind. With so many choices, our mind has to think critically.
Diversity gives us the greys between black and white. We see different perspectives. We see multiple viewpoints. We can inquire and make our own decision.
He added and ended with,
A diverse society is a place where different people meet to mix, discuss, engaged because of their differences and through this interaction change happens. We are changed through discussing ideas and meeting different peoples. We become more complex people.
A diverse society creates connections through the exchange of ideas. A diverse society make life colorful, flavorful, and more interesting. Diversity is a requirement for the forward movement of the human race. Life is richer, more vibrant, and more complex through diversity.
This is why diversity matters.
Throughout the assembly student speakers shared data on discrimination on what percentages of our own students had been discriminated against (for gender, appearance, nationality, or accent) or even been discriminatory themselves. They offered up our community as a safe place – one that they hoped could be without discrimination.
The choir sang songs from the musical Wicked, sharing how the themes from that musical, about believing in yourself and staying strong, despite looking different, can help you “Defy Gravity.” And our dancers performed a medley of dance styles to symbolize that cultures can mix and get along.
We are so proud of our middle school students for the Courage they show to share their voice for a better community and world.