The Split Identity: Navigating Cultures in School

🌍Growing up in a predominantly white state, I often felt othered in school due to my Congolese and Rwandan heritage.

💔The lack of representation and cultural education in the curriculum made me feel unseen and unheard.

📚Attending a program where girls of color shared their experiences highlighted the need for cultural awareness in schools.

🤝Our bill for a cultural awareness course in schools was denied, reflecting the systemic problem of reluctance to address cultural competence.

🌟We need to engage with new perspectives, become our own teachers, and actively work towards creating a more inclusive education system.

Why did you feel split between your culture and school life?

—Being one of the few students of color in a predominantly white classroom, I often felt othered and misunderstood. The lack of representation and cultural education in the curriculum added to this feeling of disconnect.

What was the program you attended for girls of color?

—I attended Girls Nation, a nationally recognized program where girls simulate a congressional process. It was an opportunity to share experiences and advocate for cultural awareness in schools.

Why was the bill for cultural awareness denied?

—Despite the compelling arguments and personal experiences shared by girls of color, the bill for cultural awareness in schools was denied. This reflects a systemic problem and reluctance to address the issue of cultural competence.

What can individuals do to promote cultural competence?

—Engaging with people from different backgrounds, listening to different perspectives, and educating ourselves outside of the traditional curriculum are important steps towards promoting cultural competence. We should be our own teachers and continually strive for inclusivity.

How can we create a more inclusive education system?

—Creating a more inclusive education system requires systemic change. It involves advocating for diverse representation in curriculum, providing cultural education, and actively addressing microaggressions and biases within schools and communities.

00:00As a child, I felt split between my Congolese and Rwandan culture and my school life.

06:59Attending a program called Girls Nation allowed me to share experiences with other girls of color.

09:39Our bill for cultural awareness in schools was denied, reflecting a systemic problem.

11:25Cultural competence is something we all need to invite into our lives.