Its goals promote diversity, respect, and understanding.
By Alexi Cohan
East Longmeadow High
During the course of only two years, the Multicultural Club at East Longmeadow High School has changed the environment of culture throughout the school.
This club has paved the way for all of the students, teachers, and members of the community to have open discussions about race, ethnicity and diversity.
One of the biggest clubs at the high school, the club’s size has increased greatly from the 43 members last year to 75 members this year. The club is doing a lot of fun things, while learning at the same time. Its mission is to have cultural competency, respect, appreciation, and a spirit of diversity. Furthermore, members strive to include all cultures, to better minds, and to support the differences found in each and every student.
The advisor of the club, teacher Eddie Polk, is very pleased with all the success that his club has had.
“I see that the students become comfortable and feel safe in becoming contributing members. I hope that they learn as much as they teach others.” he said.
Polk started the club during September of 2012 with the help of his African American History class. Since then, the club has grown to include members of many different cultures.
Senior Hannah Cole, who is African American, is club secretary.
“Being a minority in the school, I enjoy the Multicultural Club because it is a way to interact with others from different backgrounds and experience working together for one cause: diversity. I have the privilege of promoting diversity school wide”
The motto of the club is, “Think independently together”, something that the members are always working toward.
The club has many events for members, but for students and teachers as well. Movie nights, barbeques, expositions, and diversity initiatives with artists like African American painters Donald Blanton and David Jackson as well as authors, teachers, and musicians are just a few activities to name.
These events promote the goal of diversity, respect, and understanding.
Polk said that diversity is, “Very important. We have limited ethnic diversity, but we have a lot of cultural diversity that goes unexpressed. To present members of the community to the rest of the world, and have a realistic perspective of diversity in our world is important. It is not always reflected in our school, nor in our community.”