July, 2004
Dedicated to Preserving Family Values
P.O. Box 105, Binbrook, ON CANADA L0R 1C0
| HWDSB Equity Policy Update | The HWFAC (accompanied by four pastors), had a productive meeting with Superintendent Chuck Reid and Equity Consultant Bill Torrens of the HWDSB (School Board) on Wednesday, June 9, regarding the many concerns that HWFAC has with the HWDSB Supporting Guidelines of the Equity Policy regarding Antiracism and Ethnocultural Equity. Discussed were: the difference between selective invitation (used by HWDSB in gathering input) versus open consultation, the dangers of embracing all behaviours as equal versus recognizing that only humans are equal and it is the behaviours which separate them, Equity Committee's imbalance and poor community cross-section, and the Equity Committee's many re-definitions of key words. One key re-definition was Race, which in the Guidelines was re-defined to be "something which is not biological but rather is social and psychological." HWFAC expressed concerns that this definition applied to this policy would mean that one must treat all behaviours and mindsets equally or risk being declared racist. HWFAC noted that the Anti-Racism framework prepared by the Strengthening Hamilton's Community Initiative (SCHI) Committee defined race as "a social category used to classify humankind according to common ancestry or descent and reliant upon differentiation by general physical characteristics such as colour of skin and eyes, hair type, stature and facial features". Based on the need to have consistency across Hamilton's committees addressing antiracism, Superintendent Reid agreed to recommend to the Equity Committee that it adopt the SCHI definition. This is a positive beginning and HWFAC is thankful for this. Superintendent Reid has now been sent a letter and a list of other re-definitions that are concerning and require correction. We would ask that you continue to pray over this situation. Pray also for the HWFAC. We are thankful that Mr. Christopher Nunn of the Christian Legal Fellowship is making himself available to assist us with legal counsel on this issue. While it would be our preference to resolve issues at the committee level, it may become necessary to have HWDSB defend their actions in the courts. Let us pray that it does not come to that. We will be giving the Equity Committee 30 days to respond with positive action to our concerns, and go from there. (HWFAC has been since advised that the Equity Committee is on summer hiatus.) |
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