Re: “State tells schools to stick with DEI” (Feb. 21, A1):
How can historical past or literature or any instructor, for that matter, ignore variety, fairness and inclusion?
Once I, as a historical past instructor, mentioned the accomplishments of the Nubian and Egyptian, Mayan and Mesopotamian civilizations, may I’ve been accused of “race-based decision-making”? Might finding out the artwork of Diego Rivera or studying Gilgamesh be thought of “race based mostly” as a result of Rivera was a Mexican painter and Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk?
I attempted to incorporate in my classes the accomplishments of European, Asian and Center Japanese cultures, and provides equality to their achievements. Nevertheless, due to time constraints, my essential focus was on the Center East, Europe and China. Was {that a} race-based determination? No, my private pursuits and data, and a tradition’s affect on different cultures, guided my classes.
Whether or not President Donald Trump likes it or not, 6,000 years of historical past comprise the seeds of DEI and immediately’s school rooms consists of that variety.
James U. Behrend, Bainbridge Island
