Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UHS
Dr. Brandon Caffey, director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, held equity focus groups this week to interview students about the safety and comfort of everyone at Urbana High School.
It came as a surprise to many students when there were announcements saying only certain people from certain racial groups were allowed to go. In fact, anyone of any background could participate in the focus groups, said Caffey.
The focus groups were small groups of students that were separated based on racial identity and sexual identity. Dividing students was not meant to be divisive, but was a purposeful decision. Caffey believes individuals from different groups have issues specific to their community, so by dividing them, “we wanted to create a safe space for everyone.”
With these focus groups, Caffey wanted to capture these voices so he knows the district is giving everyone what they need to succeed.
Junior Sakari Wright participated in the equity focus groups, saying, “we talked about rules at school students don’t agree with, how teachers treat us, and the connection we do or don’t have with teachers and staff.”
Whether the focus groups had any effect on our school’s culture is yet to be seen.
“If they aren’t gonna change anything it’s irrelevant,” said Wright.
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They didn’t have a focus group for students (and their families) with disabilities. It seems strange that an equity audit would exclude an already marginalized group of students. Is the director of inclusion really concerned about making the school more equitable for everyone or only for certain groups?