Bend parents talk inclusion, standing against hate

Cascades Academy hosted an educational series Wednesday evening to give parents ways to teach their children how to recognize bullying, hateful comments, and implicit and explicit biases.

Head of School Julie Amberg said the event, called “Teaching Kids to Stand Up Against Hate, was part of a year-long initiative on inclusion. Nearly 200 students attend Cascades Academy, and Amberg said she believes students have some of the most powerful voices, if they have the tools to use them for good. Parents are a large part of that.

“Our parents are integral teachers, just like our teachers, (and) we know they are their children’s first teachers, and we know the learning doesn’t stop when they leave here,” Amberg said. “For us to be able to share a common language, a common set of values and a common set of expectations with our parents, and have them be able to reflect them at home – that’s immensely important.”

The presenters were Central Oregon Community College Director of Diversity and Inclusion Karen Roth and the college’s Program Director of Early Childhood Education Amy Howell.

When parents were asked why they came to the meeting, one said she wants her kids to truly understand the meaning of the word “hate.”

Others said it’s about trying to find the balance between helping their kids feel safe, while also having truthful and meaningful conversations with them.

Andrea Adams, the mother of three children, said the presentation helped her understand different ways where she can start the dialogue about race, differences and biases with her children.

“I think it sparked with my own family, and then my close friends who also have kids of different races and loving them and wanting them to grow up in a community here in Central Oregon where they feel loved and embraced,” Adams said.

Roth said children notice things at a very young age. She said some of the discussions about hate and societal biases can begin as early as preschool.

Ultimately, change won’t happen until it’s faced by everyone, and it can be as simple as saying “that’s not nice.”

“Oftentimes they’re just repeating what they’ve heard (and) they don’t even realize that they are perhaps a stereotype and making sure we address those and have conversations,” Roth said. “(It’s) not just, quell it and say, Ddon’t say that here in our house,’ but explain to children why. Why is that comment not respectful or not kind to say?”