Multiculturalism in education matters to me.

As a woman of color and a first-generation student, I never experienced the opportunity to learn about my culture and history in school the way other people did. I often felt misrepresented and outcasted for having a different culture and background. I am a Guyanese American. My parents are from Guyana, South America.

Where is that? Do you mean Ghana?

Many students that I grew up with from kindergarten to senior year never knew or learned what my ethnicity was. They assumed I was Indian or African-American because, apparently, brown girls must be either Indian or African-American. 

I felt saddened that my beautiful culture is rarely talked about in public schools. Many college students don’t even know where Guyana is on the world map. My culture and many other cultures are rarely taught, experienced, and passed on by people.

School is meant to be the place where we learn. Except, we learn about countries and cultures that we are told to, and the rest are forgotten.

Because of this, I never want any child who views school as a safe place to cause them to feel excluded from their education. It is important that we have these hard and uncomfortable conversations because the fact of the matter is that this feeling of alienation harms children and it absolutely can be prevented.

That is why we chose to research multiculturalism in public schools and deliberate on it. 

Hearing the perspectives of different individuals is valuable because it shows how many people are affected, bothered, and desperate for change. If we start having more conversations and working on finding solutions, the next generation will have a better learning experience and environment.

Focusing on what everyone cares about and wants is more important than arguing. We could discuss the pros and cons of this topic for days. However, prioritizing the importance of acceptance, inclusivity, and love is our focus.

While we are only focusing on public schools, private schools, and secondary education
(colleges and universities) are in need of multiculturalism on different levels.