NIAGARA FALLS —
Students at Niagara Street School received a special lesson on Friday.
They learned, through poetry readings, literacy exercises and group activities, the importance of appreciating one another’s differences and standing up and speaking out when someone is being criticized, taunted or bullied because of them.
“We like to call it a celebration of diversity,” said Paulette Pierce, principal at Niagara Street School. “To us, it’s a celebration that all people are different and they should be celebrated for their differences.”
Friday’s celebration was part of a districtwide recognition of the Stand Against Racism, an annual YWCA event that seeks to bring people of all walks together for a few moments to recognize the dangers of discrimination in any form. Held each year in April, the movement is coordinated locally by the YWCA of Niagara and the YWCA of the Tonawandas. This year’s event involved more than 65 YWCA agencies nationwide. Organizers were expecting more than 200,000 adults and children across the country to stand in schools, municipal halls and private businesses to commit themselves to stamping out discrimination of any kind.
At Niagara Street and at all school buildings in the Falls district, students not only took the pledge, but took part in poetry readings, poster contests, cheers and literacy activities geared toward helping students understand concepts like diversity, acceptance and tolerance. Pierce said the annual Stand Against Racism is an opportunity for the district to highlight aspects of its overall character education
program.
“All of our schools are working very hard to teach character education,” Pierce said. “It’s ongoing. It flows through everything we do. I don’t look at the Stand Against Racism as a one-time thing whatsoever. That’s our goal all year long. Knowledge is the key to tolerance.”
The country’s first Stand Against Racism took place in 2007 when YWCA leaders in New Jersey called on area students, teachers, business and community officials to join them in making a pledge to confront discrimination in their community. Today the event features YWCA organizations and community groups in 32 different states, including New York. The YWCA of Niagara and the YWCA of the Tonawandas have been responsible for the coordination of local Stand Against Racism events in recent years. This year featured day-long activities at schools in Niagara Falls, Barker and other parts of the county as well as Niagara University.
Mary Brennan-Taylor, vice president of programs for the YWCA of Niagara, said it has grown into more than just a one-day affair in the schools where students are now being taught lessons on discrimination and tolerance in the weeks leading up to the official Stand Against Racism date.
“Racism clearly harms everyone,” Brennan-Taylor said. “It’s like an insidious disease when racism is present so it’s very important to understand the impact it can have and how each one of us can play an active role in standing up against it.”
“I think it starts dialogue,” she added. “I think it really gives people an opportunity to truly talk about an important topic. There’s still a long way to go, but this is a step.”
Contact Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.
Local News
Related Photos
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James Neiss/staff photographer UNITED: Students at Niagara Street School attend an assembly Friday as part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism event. Through a variety of daylong activities, the students learned the importance of combating discrimination and bullying.
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James Neiss/staff photographer STRONG WORDS: Posters on the walls of Niagara Street Elementary School send a message that there is no place for racism and bullying. The school held an assembly Friday as part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism event.
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James Neiss/staff photographer WINNER: Niagara Street School teacher Anthony Kuits congratulates Emily Murphy for winning a poster contest with her entry titled “My Heritage Flags” during an assembly Friday to promote the fight against racism and bullying as part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism event.
Falls students take a stand against racism
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