ESCC: What Brings Us Together? by Laura Rubin https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn Responses from Interest Form: "This project is about creating a student-designed Ethnic Studies class to offer at Beacon (Please see the Project Description for more information about Ethnic Studies as a discipline). Please explain why you believe this is important - for the school? for you? for your community? for the world?" en-us 2021-09-21 23:03:50 UTC 2025-10-15 04:52:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f30d.png lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758542033 "I believe that Ethnic Studies is crucial to Beacon Students given the unprecedented circumstances the world is experiencing today. Over the past year, we have experienced a rise of racism, antisemitism, Asian hate crimes but most importantly we have witnessed those who are supposed to be legislators, spread hatred and division within America. Ethnic Studies, will open a new opportunities for students, especially BIPOC, to learn about the history that it left out of our Eurocentric curriculum. It is crucial for students to be educated about the foundations of political systems in order to better understand how such systems came to be in effort to deconstruct them to build a better future for the historically marginalized community. In addition, it is important to learn about these political systems because I believe that in order for there to be change in America, there must be political policies put in place in order to build a better future. For me personally, as a young woman of color, I have gone to predominantly white schools all of my life and I feel like there is so much left out in our curriculum, as well as so much that is simply inaccurate. With the development of a class that is student-designed, we can work to mitigate false information as well as provide information that is crucial to the development of building a better nation as a whole."]]> 2021-09-21 23:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758542033 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758544862 "The NYC School system is deeply rooted in systemic racism and I feel like it's in the hands of the students to advocate for change instead of waiting for the teachers to advocate for us. I believe some of our education is highly whitewashed and educators don't put in enough effort to highlight black voices in categories like history and literature. So starting an ethnic studies class at Beacon to teach our peers more about history through the lenses of a black man and the different cultures of people of color is very crucial to creating a productive school environment."]]> 2021-09-21 23:11:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758544862 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758545483 "This is very important because often times the history curriculum is based on the same things such as the world wars, slavery, columbus etc. It will be interesting to see a history class that goes in a different direction and that is appealing to my (the black) community."]]> 2021-09-21 23:11:58 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758545483 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758545879 "As a BIPOC student, I always find myself drawn to researching and learning about issues that pertain and relate to my experience and the experiences of others within the community. There has generally been a lack of education on the history of marginalized groups within the school system as a whole and while beacon has attempted to address the fact that a lot of the history that we learn is learnt from a very Eurocentric point of view, this, It is still something that is present within the beacon community! An Ethnic studies class is a great way of opening up more conversation on the history of these marginalized groups and has the potential of doing a lot of good for the beacon community. On a larger scale, I'd hope that perhaps offering a class such as this to beacon students would allow them to start conversations within their communities based on what they learn in the Ethnic studies class."]]> 2021-09-21 23:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758545879 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758546309 "I really want an ethics studies class because I think it's really important for us as students to have conversations about race, gender identity etc. As a multiracial person I've never felt represented in our Eurocentric history classes, and I think an ethics studies class would be very beneficial to us as students and the school as a whole. In fact, last summer in order to educate myself on BIPOC history especially after George Floyd's death that year, I realized how little I actually knew about BIPOC and even my own ancestors' history. I think it's important for our community's because I think learning about our history and race etc. will help us as students form educated opinions and speak out more against racial injustice in the world."]]> 2021-09-21 23:12:51 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758546309 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758547379 "From my own experience as a student at Beacon, many of our classes focused on topics through the lens of Western culture. This narrative that we learn offers a very one sided, and thus false concept of what history is. It feeds into the idea that other cultures and civilizations are insignificant. At the beginning of the year, Ms. Rubin shared with us the following quote: “Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.” Therefore, we have an obligation to teach history that doesn’t perpetuate a dominant culture, and instead highlights resistance and culture. It is essential to create this change through an education system that has oftentimes perpetuates the aforementioned beliefs."]]> 2021-09-21 23:13:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758547379 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758547717 "The lack of a class in which students can see people of ethnic background represented in a positive light can take a toll on many students' sense of identity and perceptions of themselves. While Beacon history classes have made a progress towards shifting the Eurocentric narrative that is often presented in a history class, many history classes still create the false narrative that the history of certain groups of people of people begins with a horrific event, such as the history of indigenous people in North America being taught as if it began with European invasion. I believe that it is important to develop a curriculum that teaches about and celebrates a variety of cultures, rather than teaching a single story. I also feel that it is time to have more classes in Beacon and in schools in general that are culturally relevant. Through the examination of the interactions of race, class, gender, and sexuality that deeply affect us in the globalized world we live in today, students of all races and ethnic backgrounds can receive an education that is relevant to them and that allows them to study how power structures have been constructed by people and how they are at play in their own lives, so that we can begin to dismantle them."]]> 2021-09-21 23:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758547717 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758549214 "It's important to understand the history of the people around you in order to truly respect each other. I want to learn more about not only the suffering of ethnic groups but also the celebration, and success."]]> 2021-09-21 23:15:47 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758549214 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758549744 "It is extremely important for students to have exposure to the histories of other racial and ethnic groups because it encourages diversity, acceptance, and inclusivity. Speaking from personal experience, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a place with lots of different cultures which I was exposed to. My elementary school was mostly hispanic/latinx and black students whereas my middle school ( which was only female) was made up mostly of asian and Middle Eastern girls. By growing up amongst all of these cultures it made it incredibly easy for me to adapt to being around people who had different beliefs, traditions, and looked different than me. By implementing an ethnic studies course into our curriculum it gives students the chance to learn in depth about other cultures and groups who have been historically oppressed and still are along with being able to truly understand their cultures but also why it is important to listen to the voices of minorities."]]> 2021-09-21 23:16:21 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758549744 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758550323 "It would invaluable for me to begin expanding my awareness of the history of the multitude of ethnicities around me. I have pledged in the past that I want to hold myself accountable to obtaining the limitless knowledge I have grown up ignorant to, and this is one of the first active steps I can take to do so. I have grown up extremely sheltered, in a white, wealthy home, and unfortunately only been taught and exposed to the one-sided white narrative of American history. I want to continue to be aware of my privilege, and commit to work towards educating myself and be the most effective ally toward the diverse people around me that I can be. I want to use the power of my whiteness and privilege to do good and help teach other bias, ignorant perspectives in my life about the true culture and history surrounding us. I am sure you have received many similarly cheesy messages, but i genuinely would love to be apart of this learning experience in order to help myself and then use my newfound knowledge to better the many communities I am a part of. While i might not be more qualified or deserving of this opportunity, I would feel extremely lucky and eternally grateful to be apart of such a unique study like this."]]> 2021-09-21 23:17:00 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758550323 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758550824 "I think this course would be important for the school because we would be learning about topics that often aren’t covered in our classes. I think it would be a great way to expand our knowledge because there are so many things that are so important to know that we don’t have the opportunity to learn about."]]> 2021-09-21 23:17:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758550824 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758551630 "I think ethnic studies is important because it recognized the contributions of ethnic communities to the world. If we don’t learn about ethnic studies that means we are complacent with ethnic erasure and I am not okay with that. In order to make sure that things like racism, xenophobia, colorism etc... is confronted people need to be educated on the topic."]]> 2021-09-21 23:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758551630 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758552427 "To me, Ethnic Studies Class at Beacon would be a critical analysis of our ancestors, and us currently as a populace. This class would be extremely important for not only the school community but for the world around us because it will help us focus on getting to the root of issues in our society, and not simply nitpicking at the branches of the problem, that will not completely end the issue as a whole. Additionally, it'll help us recognize implicit bias within ourselves, and other ignorant mannerism we have and need to change."]]> 2021-09-21 23:18:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758552427 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758553055 "I believe this class is important because we need to inform people of history that has been stripped away from the curriculum. We never get to hear about people of color’s history unless it’s being told through a white person’s perspective and that ultimately means that we aren’t learning their true history. Having this course will allow people to understand the truth and not only hear about the oppression POC have faced."]]> 2021-09-21 23:19:33 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758553055 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758553964 "This isn't only important for the Beacon community/ students, but everyone to learn at some point in their life. With having the Ethnic Studies class in Beacon, it will make us all a where of how important this idea of Ethnic is and help us all come together as a school. This is important to me because after 2020-2021 it has opened my eyes that we all have come as one and not look at others by the way they look, identify, or the way they dress. Everyday i see more of the community in NYC drift away and start to categorize people, which i think is really horrible."]]> 2021-09-21 23:20:26 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1758553964 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760703988 "I have been to multiple BLM rallies and AAPI rallies. With these rallies I learned more about the perspective of POC in America, and the many tragic events that have happened to POC. I am going to start off by talking about why an Ethnic Studies class is important to me! I am an Asian American living in a country that considers me "white", yet I still see people like me getting killed by cops, people like me afraid to get on the Subway. Last Week when the mask mandate was lifted, I was told by my parents and family to wear a mask, not to protect myself from the virus, but to not standout and "look asian". Even in the 21st Century, there is so much we need to do, there is still so many things that need to be address, and education would be a great start! The American Education system is far from perfect, there is no doubt about it, the education taught in different parts of this country are drastically different, but there is nothing we can do about that. What we can do is allow the Students at Beacon, the students in an already pretty diverse city learn about the history and politics from different lens. This reminds me of the show Falcon and the Winter Soldier, for those who haven't watched, you should! Anyways, I am reminded of this show because History is told in drastically different ways, and historically the lens from a POC is rarely talked about. This ethnic studies course would definitely benefit The students at Beacon, which might give them a different perspective of the world, and their community. This Ethnic Studies course will also allow us to explore current events, just in the past year so many things have happened, yet so little change has occurred. Overall I believe this class would be important, and I would love to be a part of it."]]> 2021-09-22 17:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760703988 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760704842 "I think this is important because at this moment so much is going on and many don't know where to start their research. I think making an Ethnic studies course will allow students to learn about underrepresented minorities and how they continue to be oppressed by the system. In Beacon we have Global but in our first year we learned more about the Crusades, the Silk Road and the first civilizations. In our second year the main focus is on the Enlightenment and the World Wars. Finally in our junior year we talk about US history but we don't really touch the Civil Rights movement. Creating an Ethnic Studies class will bring awareness to the students. Most of the information students get about protests is through social media. An Ethnic Studies class will allow students understand the systemic racism present in the United States."]]> 2021-09-22 17:14:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760704842 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760705464 "It’s important to me because I’ve been learning white man history my whole life. It’s the same every time. I need some colored history no kizzy."]]> 2021-09-22 17:14:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760705464 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760706333 "I believe this is important for Beacon community as a whole to learn together as well as gain perspective on what it’s like to be black in this country. Hopefully this can help eliminate microaggressions and racist incidents at Beacon I also think courses like this should be done for other minorities that are oppressed."]]> 2021-09-22 17:15:15 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760706333 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760706983 "Establishing a firm understanding of intersectionality and liberations, I think, is the only way for Beacon students to fully. receive the education that has been promised to them. There is no way to have a "complete" or "top-notch" (whatever those who may mean) history curriculum without learning about all identities and cultures without a proximity to Whiteness. Learning about BIPOC and other marginalized narratives, revolutions, and joy is essential, not only to be included in any curriculum, but in a way when it is not in comparison or juxtaposition to White oppression and violence. I have spent the past year trying to gain a critical and intersectional lens of the world and how I interact with it, and I feel like it is my duty to use my privilege and knowledge to repackage what I have already learned and what I have yet to learn for other people. I acknowledge that many people, especially White ("White") people, everywhere, but also at Beacon specifically, experience a lot of defensiveness and White fragility which prevents a lot of people from opening their mind to what the world has looked like for so many cultures and what it COULD look like in the future. I can use my privilege as a White person to hopefully make this kind of critical and crucial curriculum more approachable and steadily have Beacon gain a mutual understanding of why this curriculum is so important. I have only recently come into consciousness about what my own identity means in the context of greater society, and going on that journey with people from infinite intersectional identities is something that I think could be incredibly mutually beneficial and extraordinary. I have spent so much of my time trying to de-center Whiteness and Eurocentric ideals in all aspects of my life, and because that is a life-long journey, I think it is so important that we help others to begin that journey so we can all contribute to dismantling these systems and move towards equity and liberation together."]]> 2021-09-22 17:15:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760706983 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760709663 "I think that this is an important class to bring ot this school because many Beacon students already speak about these topics on social media, but there's only so much you can learn through that. Making it into a class where people can learn the extensive history about race, gender and sexuality is something that I think would greatly benefit the school and that a lot of people would be interested in. Even though some people might deny it but these topics are some of the relevant ones in today's world and what school is all about is teaching people knowledge that will stick with them throughout their lives. In my opinion there isn't a more relevant topic that we can be learning about because race, gender and sexuality greatly effect our everyday lives."]]> 2021-09-22 17:16:29 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760709663 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760710662 "This is important because History classes are often told in the "winner's" point of view, particularly that of white men. By creating an Ethnic Studies class, we can ensure that more people's voices are heard and more people's stories are told than what would be in a normal history class."]]> 2021-09-22 17:16:52 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760710662 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760712742 "Creating a student-designed Ethnic Studies is important for Beacon School as it is a progressive learning and social institution. The Beacon community strives to be a just community representing and creating space for all voices and perspectives, an Ethnic Studies class will give students and teachers a platform for all perspectives to have equal space and equal importance and truth. Along with this, this is the type of work I see myself doing as in my future; I am interested in education and government. I love the idea of creating a curriculum for future students.

It is important to my community because as a New York City teenager I want to see more of my peers and neighbors have equity. I want their voices and value to the world be heard, respected and honored.

As the world seems to be divisive and fighting for power it is important that we see and respect how all cultures, races and ethnicities have contributed to our history and current affairs. It is crucial that we create a curriculum so that all Beacon students can value one another in terms of history."
]]> 2021-09-22 17:17:37 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760712742 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760713680 "The fact that beacon is even thinking of getting an Ethic studies class is very important because it shows awareness for the marginalized community that has been put aside, and this awareness would than spread to the students who are the future and with awareness we have the power to change the world for the best. The ethic studies would not only give awareness to students at beacon but also empower other schools in New York City to do the same and it would somewhat have a domino effect. With New York being the center for for economy and diversity it would show the world that if we put aside our differences learn about one another culture we would be even stronger than ever."]]> 2021-09-22 17:17:58 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760713680 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760714440 "I'm Korean American and I have never once sufficiently studied anything having to do with neither my race nor my ethnicity in any type of class. A big problem with America and the education system in general is that we preach inclusivity but really that means attending an unwanted assembly that doesn't captivate everyone's attention. I'm also big on creating change because it doesn't always appear and you can't rely on every promise people make. We can't learn about Christopher Columbus every year, we need to understand WHY we are this way and HOW we affected the demographic of the world around us. Global history is meant to be global."]]> 2021-09-22 17:18:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760714440 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760716962 "I feel that an Ethics studies class is extremely important and something that everyone should take. As a woman it has been extremely hard to create these spaces where everyone can learn and understand the experiences and inequities that come with being a person of color. This class is needed, especially in a white dominated school. I watch as friends fail in allyship and understanding, I watch as people of color are constantly silenced and frustrated by the lack of knowledge, traumas, and lack of aid or reparations we receive both in and outside of the school system. I resonate with their frustration, and I am completely disheartened to know that we still don't have a class about exactly this. I need to learn the history of these groups, how to be a better ally to other BIPOC, the effects on the present day, and more. But most importantly I need them to know the same, along with my white peers at school, for all of our sake."]]> 2021-09-22 17:19:13 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760716962 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760718946 "We live in a city with an immense amount of diversity surrounding us yet not everyone is exposed to different cultures/ethnicities. Beacon is a predominantly white institution and having a class like this would benefit everyone as it would make more room for equity and inclusion. Learning about different cultures is so important to being more culturally aware and it leaves less room for cultural appropriation and for people to make fun of other cultures which often happens because of a lack of knowledge. Having this class would be a step in the right direction for society in general because having more people in the world with a solid understanding of many cultures benefits everyone. Going beyond this, an ethnic studies class will require deep engagement and provoking thoughts about the interactions of different ethnic groups with each other whether that be through neighborhood, religion, policy, etc and how that has affected the way our society is today. Additionally, I am personally interested in the topic after spending the past three semesters taking an extracurricular course on racial equity in the medical field through the nonprofit MedSupplyDrive. The things I learned during the course have made me realize how little education there is that approaches history from a truly intersectional and non-Eurocentric lens, and I want to be a part of bringing a more diverse history education to Beacon so other students can benefit from the broader perspective they will gain."]]> 2021-09-22 17:19:58 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760718946 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760719651 "I strongly believe in the benefits of creating an Ethnic Studies class that can help educate and remind our peers of others backgrounds, strife, and cultures that contribute to each and everyone of our community members’ identities. Having a stronger understanding of our peers through this course is essential and can be applied to all aspects of the high school learning experience. Our school community is relatively large and draws from a diverse sector of neighborhoods. For many, joining this environment after only being surrounded by people similar to them in middle school can be overwhelming and prevent students from expanding their social circles. Having a course that will force students to step out of their comfort zone and understand others' backgrounds will contribute to making Beacon a more welcoming environment and will unite the student body."]]> 2021-09-22 17:20:14 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760719651 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760720461 "I think that a class like the one laid out in the Project Description should be a required course for all students in America. I think it is especially important for a PWI like Beacon, where most students have immense privilege and have grown up sheltered and unaware of the stories of BIPOC in America."]]> 2021-09-22 17:20:34 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760720461 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760721876 "It is imperative that within our curriculum we explore the dynamic and multifaceted facets of race, gender, sexuality, and class. Within the context of our school, we are a collective of students that are at an especially formative age with world views that would be greatly enhanced and expanded through the ethnic studies. On a personal level, in terms of my own pursuit of ethnic studies (or at least engaging with work that would certainly fall under the category of ethnic studies) I have found this to be the case. For instance, when I attended the “White Fragility” workshop during the Black History Month Day of Learning, my perspective on myself and the world around me was greatly enhanced and forced me to critically examine my own behavior-- and this was relatively surface level. Furthermore, engaging with the work of Bell Hooks, Cornel West, James Baldwin, and Audre Lorde have also impacted me profoundly (particularly Breaking Bread and Sister Outsider). Thus, for the wider community and world, it is important to move beyond our own limited worldview and grapple with the structures of society we live in and contribute to as they pertain to race, gender, sexuality, and class."]]> 2021-09-22 17:21:08 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760721876 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760722556 "I think this course is incredibly important because most American curriculum is taught from a Eurocentric point of view which can lead to the history we learn in school being very skewed or not the full story. I think it’s important to focus on other groups specifically marginalized peoples to learn more about the truths of history and the way people were treated. I think also as a predominantly white school we should be focusing on different voices and amplifying a non-Eurocentric perspective on history. I also think it’s important for me because I know I have a lot to learn, I’ve only been taught by a system that values a Eurocentric view and I know that personally I have a lot to learn and discover. I think as a community if we learn about the backgrounds of others it creates a better understanding and overall sense of community whilst fostering an inclusive curriculum and classroom space. I also think as more classes like this emerge we will gain a better understanding of how to teach history in a more equitable way."]]> 2021-09-22 17:21:24 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760722556 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760723659 "As a non-American student and someone who has only lived in this country for 2 years I do feel that it's important that people learn more about other cultures and ethnic groups because awareness builds respect. Being a third-cultured child, I have picked up on a noticeable amount of unintentional ignorance towards POC, which isn't necessarily offensive but definitely shows how the education system that they have been brought up with does not teach them about cultural diversity enough."]]> 2021-09-22 17:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760723659 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760725668 "The student-deigned Ethnic Studies class is an excellent opportunity for BIPOC students at Beacon to have their voices heard by the administration and pave the way for the narratives of our ancestors to be told authentically. As an avid history lover, I see the implementation of racism in every single unit I’ve studied during high school. It is no longer enough to say, “Racism is bad, let's move on.” Until our country, governments and schools acknowledge the long-lasting effects of racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, sexism, etc., on people of color, students from all backgrounds will see no way to advance in our world. It would also be refreshing and enlightening to learn about different cultures and experiences during this class. We are all a part of diverse communities in our life, but that does not mean we cannot learn from others. Intersectionality is vital in creating a world where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas. This Ethnic studies class is one way Beacon can make a long-lasting commitment to such ideals."]]> 2021-09-22 17:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760725668 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760728755 "As a student, I have seen the impact a more diverse curriculum has on my peers–and myself–firsthand. Having the opportunity to learn about the perspectives of non-white cultures, races, and ethnicities in classes gives us an entirely new way of looking at the world and our place in it. The opportunity to be taught other world views and histories will pave the way for discussions on race outside the classroom. In turn, this will help my peers and me to be more critical and cognizant of the power structures around us and the impacts of education. Through broadening instruction, we could change the culture of Beacon and how students will move into their communities and world as adults.

On a more personal level, I know how important it is to see yourself represented in your education. I am white and have been taught white-washed histories my entire life. I am more fortunate in most in that there is almost always someone who looks like me at the center of our lessons. However, seeing the country where my father is from mentioned in class still means the world to me. I know very little of the culture and history of Serbia. So, I take every opportunity afforded to me to learn more, tying nearly every open-ended history project back to Serbia in some way. I remember the one time Serbia was discussed in a class–when learning about WWI–I was beaming the rest of the day; it felt so good to have this part of my identity acknowledged. I can imagine how the education of so many students will change when they start seeing their identities represented and respected in classes. And, I would like to help realize it in our school."
]]> 2021-09-22 17:23:35 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760728755 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760729570 "Last semester I took a Gender Studies class through Hunter College Now. In the class, my professor focused a lot on the intersectionality of marginalized groups, how they interact with one another and why they're marginalized. The class completely altered the way I interact with the world. As a white girl it has been easy for me to overlook my privilege within a marginalized group. Yes I have endured a lot of sexism, but my race and class grant me privileges over other marginalized women. Without this class, I don't know what else could have prompted a complete reset in how I view my surroundings. It sounds like this Ethnic studies class has the potential to do this for the beacon community. Beacon students are interested and politically engaged but often lack the knowledge of history that would solidify or improve their ability to engage others. To be functioning adults, it is essential that Beacon students learn and are able to understand race, gender, sexuality and class dynamics and the effect they have on ourselves and people we interact with"]]> 2021-09-22 17:23:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760729570 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760730158 "I think it is really important to have these classes and be able to learn about these stories from people of color. Especially with Beacon’s history of racism at the school, it is very important to have this way to learn."]]> 2021-09-22 17:24:09 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760730158 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760731014 "We learn about the same people and the same thing every year and I don’t want to learn about it any more. Why is it that we only learn about black hero’s when it relates to slavery? I want to see the people who invented things and teachers and such. I also want to learn about the real truth. Not the biases because these views being taught create that dynamic where racism is allowed because of all the history that brings down other cultures to bring up the European one."]]> 2021-09-22 17:24:28 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760731014 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760731762 "I believe incorporating an ethnic studies class into the history department is important because the way history is taught in America is extremely biased and by default white-washed and westernized. I personally have a strong interest in learning about my culture, heritage, and ancestors, and the culture of Indigenous people and other people of color to gain a better concept on history and the world and to be more in connection with my roots. I also think it's important for everyone to learn history through a racial lens because it has been white washed and rewritten and skewed to support a white supremacist narrative, and in order to understand systems of oppression today you have to know the history behind them."]]> 2021-09-22 17:24:45 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760731762 lrubinbeacon https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760732625 "I think this is important for the school because it’s good to be aware of different histories of many different races and to know about cultural significances"]]> 2021-09-22 17:25:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lrubinbeacon/i1ufdkgjhlm1eijn/wish/1760732625