When I look around our school, I am pleased to see that our student population is quite diverse. 40% of our students identify with an ethnicity or people group that is other than caucasian. For a Christian school in this area, we are ahead of the pack. That's good, but we can do better. I have a dream that our student population would match our community in diversity. That means we need to advance that number to 50% diversity. In fact, my real dream is that we would one day become a minority majority campus. In other words, my dream is that one day we would have more minority group students than majority group students.
Why?
Diversity causes us to think outside of ourselves. I naturally think and act like a middle-aged white man with a wife of 25 years and 4 Asian children, because that is what I am. Diversity stretches me to attempt to see and understand and empathize with how another sees and operates within life. Diversity enhances my ability to function more globally. Since our mandate is to make disciples of all nations, I believe a global mindset is required.
How can we accomplish this?
My second dream is a practical step that will help us accomplish the primary dream. I dream of the day when our staff reflects the diversity within our student population. I believe our students need adults on campus with which they can identify and sometimes heritage is a part of that equation. Since I arrived at TBS, I have attempted to increase the diversity within our staff, but this has proven difficult. I will continue to strive for increased diversity by attempting to broaden the networks to which I am connected. Ultimately, we hire someone who applies and is qualified for a position, so as this opportunity naturally occurs, I would love to see an increase in diversity. Will you join me in praying for this to happen?
I love what this weekend represents. I love the legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left and the vision he cast that still inspires me. I love his emphasis to value the image of God in every person. I look forward to the day in which I join him and others from every tribe, tongue, and nation around the throne of God. Until then, I will continue to see what I have in common with others and strive for unity with them.
As a graduate of TBS class of '84 I can assure you that 40% is more than a significant increase. I was one of perhaps 5 non-whites at the school and felt the significance of that. I recall advocating for myself to where braids with beads (I was allowed to after pleading my case that it was not an extreme hairstyle) my thesis for Mr. Jeffery's class on "Mixed Marriages"....at that time mixed marriages were frowned upon, but I presented biblical evidence that God's definition of "mixed" was about being unequally yoked (I received an "A" for both written and oral presentation.). I remain prayerful and hopeful as you move with intentionality to diversify as a whole school family. That, is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteKimberely A. Dixon (Lewis)
*wear
Delete