Posted February 16, 2022 in Articles
Lawrence School is actively committed to both teaching and pursuing the creation of a more compassionate, just, and understanding world. After all, one of the original guiding principles of our institution is respect and acceptance for self and others. We aspire for all members of our community to value and celebrate the many aspects of individual identity and human diversity.
As part of this ongoing effort, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ReGinae Reynolds, invited five thoughtful Upper Schoolers to attend the National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference.
The annual four-day event, which was held virtually this year, is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from across the U.S. and abroad. Participants focus on developing cross-cultural communication skills, designing effective strategies for social justice, and learning the foundations of allyship.
Kylie Nolan '23 is a member of the varsity volleyball team, Black Student Union, and drama club.
Junior Kylie Nolan told us all about her experience at the conference:
I was honored to represent Lawrence at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) this past December. I’m new to the school, so I was very flattered to hear that my teachers thought of me as a positive changemaker and recommended I attend. At first, I didn’t know much about the event, but the more I learned, the more excited I began to feel at the prospect of connecting with other students who also wanted to make an impact in their communities.
The conference was primarily held over Zoom, but we were able to gather in-person with attendees from other area independent schools. Students from Lawrence, Laurel, Hawken, Hathaway Brown, and University School came together to discuss progress and what still needs to change in the world, our region, and on our campuses. Everyone who attended was very passionate.
We also participated in informative virtual sessions led by trained facilitators. One of the most meaningful things I learned was that there are eight socially-constructed identifiers that can affect a person’s experience of privilege or oppression:
- Ability (mental and/or physical)
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Race
- Religion/Spirituality
- Sexual Orientation
- Socio-Economic Status/Class
Prior to attending SDLC, I thought diversity was only visual—something you could see—but now I know it's so much more. These social identities include affinities we have with other people, values and norms we accept, and the way we’ve learned to behave in social settings. Hearing more about their effect on a person’s lived experience has allowed me to see how they impact every aspect of life. We all fit together a bit like a puzzle and understanding not only where others fit into society, but where you fit can help facilitate change.
I also learned that diversity isn’t always obvious. Even if you think you know someone well, there can be huge parts of their life they haven’t shared. However, when you recognize your own identifiers and are open about them, you empower everyone around you to do the same.
As a new student, sometimes it’s difficult for me to talk about myself with my classmates, but my experience at SDLC showed me that sharing my identifiers shows others that differences surround us all. At the conference I spoke about my background a lot; and not only did it feel very natural, it helped me form friendships with the other attendees. When you are accepted and validated by people who don’t know you well, it also helps you be more open with the people you’re closest to.
Sharing my personal story made me so much more comfortable in my own skin. And shortly after I talked, another attendee reached out and said she was experiencing many of the same things. We talked for hours, and she told me she was so thankful to hear she wasn’t alone. This interaction made me realize how much I can help others by being open and being me!
SDLC was an awesome experience and one that I will never forget. The conference may have been mostly virtual, and the attendees from all over the globe, but I felt extremely close to the people I met. I’m not ashamed to admit I cried when it ended!
I firmly believe that making the effort to understand where we all come from, what we have experienced, and what we want to achieve is the key to creating a better future.