Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Plan in Education

Fulton County students and locals lead protests to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion plans in education practices and policies

Fulton County Students and Alumni protest for DEI at an FCS board meeting

Photo courtesy of Mira Sydow

McKenna Ryan, Staff Writer & Megan Serfontien, Copy Editor

Students, teachers, and community members continue protesting to the Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan (DEI) in education. A DEI plan aims to change the curriculum in hopes of creating a more inclusive learning environment for underrepresented groups.

 “As a minority, and as someone who is friends with a lot of minorities, I’ve heard plenty of stories that I’ve also experienced myself with discrimination, racial abuse, microaggressions, racial insensitivity by teachers, by administration, by other students,” Austin Huang, DEI protester and senior at Alpharetta High School, said. “Whether intentional or not, it's not conducive to a healthy learning environment.”

 At the Aug. 19 FCBOE meeting, protesters spoke in favor of DEI policies. The protestors advocated the teaching of diverse material in literature courses, so students have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in classroom media. They also sought Board approval for classes such as Asian American Studies and Latinx Studies and acknowledgment of the Native land that Fulton schools are located on.

 “DEI policies are really to expose people to different perspectives and give them a view outside the bubble they have always been in, and learning these different perspectives will hopefully teach them to treat everyone with kindness and respect,” Huang said.

 To create a safer and more welcoming environment for people with marginalized identities, the DEI movement is also looking to increase diversity in teachers and staff across Fulton schools through procedures that make county hiring practices more inclusive.

 Often, students were inspired to participate in DEI protests due to their own experiences facing racism, sexism, or homophobia from other students or staff members in school settings; they hope to alleviate any chance of this discrimination for future generations of students.

 “Growing up in Fulton County schools, I’ve always experienced racism and sexism which made me made me feel incredibly uncomfortable or sexualized in certain teachers’ classrooms,” Mira Sydow, DEI protestor and Northview alumna, said. “I felt like I had to talk about the experiences that I've had so that no one else has to have them.”

 Another key issue that caused the widespread DEI protests was the Georgia State Board of Education’s resolution against the teaching of Critical Race Theory or any discussion falling under the topic of race in classrooms. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised the decision of the predominately white board, 11 of whom voted in favor and two of whom voted in opposition of the resolution.

 “When the Georgia State Board of Education started taking active steps to limit the discussions of race in the classroom, that was the last straw,” Sydow said.

 Brian Downey, principal of Northview, expressed his support for the students leading the DEI protests, applauding their initiative and how they went directly to those with power to implement DEI policies. He hopes that there will be further action to make DEI an actuality at Northview and other schools.  

 “Throughout these high school years, we should be providing the skills and knowledge for students to find their voices and then use them,” Downey said. “So in this instance, we have students who have found their voices and are using it for something they believe in. How can we, the school board and local principals, not respect that?” 

 Some parents and teachers in Fulton County are hesitant about DEI plans as they feel they could single out white students and lead to a discussion of Critical Race Theory. They are calling for the discontinuation of DEI plans and arguing that such policies promote unnecessary practices. 

 “I understand that people may feel targeted by this, and the immediate reaction is to be defensive, but it is important to realize that this is not specifically for white people or any race,” Sydow said. “It is supposed to apply to all people and make everyone's lives more comfortable, even if that means having some uncomfortable conversations.”

 Downey deems those who oppose DEI policies ignorant of what the plans signify. He believes that the buzz around Critical Race Theory has led to political fearmongering over practices meant to support students.  

 “DEI is not Critical Race Theory,” he said. “Critical Race Theory is a graduate-level course of understanding about the intuitions of racism in this country. It’s not for high school students. DEI is important in high schools though. It is about supporting and loving all of our students, so I dare any members of the public to be against that. And if they are, then they can get the hell out of this school.” 

 Leaders of the DEI protests plan to continue giving speeches and protesting at FCBOE meetings, talk to the Fulton County community members and school administrators about their goals, and sit down with the FCBOE during a work session to do a deep dive on DEI issues and policies. 

 “For the future generations of Fulton students, we really hope they will have a safe and diverse environment to learn and grow in,” Huang said. “And we hope DEI can be that bedrock for them.”