From the Desk of Bradley Ireland - Deputy Headmaster: Extramurals
Celebrating Diversity
All the St David’s staff have either recently participated in, or will shortly be participating in workshops relating to the topic of diversity. Coincidently, the United Nations’ International Day for Tolerance was celebrated last week on 16 November. These are important topics all around the world, and it is vital that all of us engage in discussion about the issues surrounding diversity, tolerance, respect and transformation.
Not all of us are the same. In fact, we are all unique. There is variety and diversity in terms of the languages we speak, our age, our physical appearances, our life experiences, our preferences, and so on. It is a feature of societies that we often feel more at ease with people who are similar to us. It is often easier to relate to someone who speaks the same language, has similar interests and shares a common background. While it is good to have opportunities to be with people who share things in common with us, it is also dangerous to think that people who appear different in one way are not also similar to us in many other ways. All of us feel pain, fear, joy and happiness. We all have hopes and aspirations. We share a common humanity.
The International Day for Tolerance is intended to help raise awareness of the importance of tolerance for a healthy society. It means accepting difference. It means accepting that we live in a world where there is diversity, and that this is a good thing.
As South Africans, we are aware that there are people who feel challenged and threatened by difference and diversity. Perhaps they have been taught to fear difference, perhaps their circumstances have limited their opportunities to spend time with people who are different from themselves.
What can each of us do?
- Let us celebrate the ways in which we are different.
- Let us value the uniqueness of others.
- Let us be tolerant, understanding and accepting.
- Let us stand up against hatred and discrimination.
- Let us challenge the prejudices we may hold.
Good luck with the final few school days. Face them with the same enthusiasm and intent we all displayed in January. A well-deserved break is beckoning.
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