| One for all, all for one: KP’s Diversity Club |
| Amanda LaVallee |
Most high school students just want to blend in with the crowd. They want to wear the same clothes and act the same way as everyone else just because they do not want to be labeled as “different.” The members of the King Philip Diversity Club do not feel that way. Individuality is what they possess; equality is what they seek.
The club advisor, Ms. Rumsey, is a student counselor who has been with King Philip High School for seven years. In her first year as the Diversity advisor, Ms. Rumsey has many goals for the club but refuses to take all of the credit for the hard work and dedication put in by student participants. “Diversity club members and [myself] work together to establish goals and objectives,” she says.
Every Monday they meet and discuss issues related to diversity. One common misconception that has been addressed by the club is that many students see it as “the gay club.” This is not the case. It is open to any individual who wishes to become a part of an organization where they will not be judged for any reason. Ms. Rumsey and her group of avid members hope to do away with this misunderstanding. “One of our main goals is to promote a safe, caring school environment in which all students, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation, are treated with equality, dignity, and respect.”
Not only do they discuss diversity topics, but they participate in a number of activities dealing with diversity issues. Their most recent task was the “World of Difference Pledge Day,” which took place in December of 2005. On page 7 of the King Philip Student Handbook, there is a pledge called a “World of Difference” in which all members of the King Philip community are asked to recognize the differences in each other and stand up for those who are victims of any kind of hate. The pledge enables everyone to recognize that “one person can make a world of difference and that no person can be an ‘innocent bystander’ when it comes to opposing hate.” The Diversity Club gave all students, school faculty members, and personnel a chance to sign up to take the pledge. This opportunity gave the Diversity Club members a chance to show off some of their artwork, which they prepared as part of their pledge presentation.
This project was crucial to one of the main objectives of the club: making sure no one feels alone. If one person can stand up for any and all who feel targeted and ashamed, other people will in turn gain the courage to take a stand for themselves. The existence of the Diversity Club raises an interesting question: Is it really better to conform to the ideals of the majority rather than embrace your own uniqueness? The Diversity Club insists the answer is no, and the members hope to share this understanding with the school, and eventually the world. “Sharing world views, perceptions, and perspectives, makes you think more,” says Ms. Rumsey. “I hope that the club members will feel that they can be change agents and make a difference for the better in this world of ours.”
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