March 21 - Everyone is Welcome Here

Day 80 of a year of Kindness

Something has been haunting me and I didn’t know what to do about it - until today. My heart hurt after I read the story about Sarah Inama, a 6th grade teacher in Boise, Idaho. She had a poster hanging in her history class that read: Everyone is Welcome Here. The school district asked her to take the poster down because it displayed an array of hands with different skin tones. They claimed it violated the district’s policy on “content-neutral” displays. Sarah has refused to take the poster down.

The local screen printing shop is selling, “Everyone Is Welcome Here,” T-shirts that look just like the poster. Thousands are flying out the door and community advocates have declared Monday, March 24 as “Everyone is Welcome Here Day.” They are asking teachers, students, and everyone who supports them to wear their T-shirts on Monday. I bought one today. It won’t get to me in time but I am with Sarah and her supporters in spirit!

Science of kindness: Research underscores the facts that diversity and inclusion promote cultural understanding and empathy towards different customs and traditions. Embracing diversity drives innovative thinking, breaks down barriers, and leads to groundbreaking solutions to societal challenges. An inclusive environment promotes equality, respect for human rights, and freedom, creating a harmonious society where everyone feels valued and free to contribute positively.

Non-discrimination is also rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upon which international human rights principles are founded. Article 1 articulates the inalienable and inherent rights that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Article 2 provides that “no one shall be discriminated against in the enjoyment of the rights laid down in the Declaration on the grounds of “race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or another status.”#kindness #kindnessiscontagious @10kindnessclub #kindnessisfree #DEI #Inclusion #Meridian #westadaschooldistrict #sarahinama #humanrights