COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ceylon and Ashley Wise moved to the Olentangy Local School District four years ago. Their two sons, Ceylon and Caleb, attend Johnnycake Corners Elementary School.
“It did not take very long for us to realize that there was a lot of work to be done within the district,” Ashley Wise said.
So the two parents started a parent-led diversity group at their sons’ elementary school.
“A lot of people are addressing the symptoms of the problem but not really dealing with the underground issue, which is systemic racism,” Ceylon Wise said. “That’s a tough word, but we have to realize that racism is rooted in all American structures, and to think that also wouldn’t trickle down into the school district is naïve.”
Given the work at their own school, the two certainly noticed when word about the recent Instagram account @DearOLSD started to spread. The platform gives students and alumni of the district a safe space to share their stories of discrimination.
“It has been terribly disheartening to hear these stories from children and from alumni,” Ashley Wise said. “I’m glad that they have found the opportunity to speak up and say something. Many of them have already said something but unfortunately, they weren’t taken seriously, or staff or administration or their teachers did not take action as they should have at that point.”
Now a new Instagram account has joined forces with @DearOLSD. This one is called @OLSD4Equality and is run by three recent alumni. They say they want to stay anonymous for their own safety, along with the safety of their siblings, some of whom still attend school in the district. And they also want to keep the focus on the issues.
“I almost feel like I have a responsibility as alumni to stand up for the students and even the teachers that are too afraid to say anything,” one member said. “They’re scared, too. They’re scared to speak up, too. So, it’s not just students, but it’s our educators, too. And if our educators are scared to speak up on behalf of the students, then we have a broken system, and we’ve really just, we’ve had enough.”
The members of @OLSD4Equailty have come up with a list of ten demands for the district. And they say they sent a letter outlining them to several leaders in the district this past Monday morning.
The demands are:
- Code of conduct revision
- Public apology to minority students
- More involved diversity liaisons
- Curriculum revision at all levels
- Erasure of Native American appropriation
- Official recognition and celebration of Black History Month
- Required course covering minority struggles
- More diverse hiring practices
- Mandatory annual faculty training
- Scholarship for students promoting equality
The members say they have not yet heard a response to the letters they sent this week.
10TV also reached out to the district by phone and by email but has not yet received a response.
But the district is at least aware of the recent stories being shared by students and alumni on social media. The topic came up during a virtual town hall meeting on racial injustice last Wednesday.
“Although it is painful to read their words, I speak on behalf of the Equity and Inclusion team to say that we are extremely proud of their courage to speak out with a conviction that is stronger than ever,” said Heather Cole, district diversity coordinator. “There are no words really to capture the array of emotions we’ve experienced while reading these, but we know our students deserve better. Their vulnerability, their honesty and their empowerment to speak up is an inspiration and brings to the forefront a collective urgency to making the necessary change.”
Several members of the community, along with students and employees of the district also spoke during the town hall. And Cole laid out some of the district’s future plans to become more inclusive, including establishing a position for a full-time district diversity coordinator, putting the focus of the upcoming year’s professional development program on anti-racism and sense of belonging, ensuring Black History Month is highlighted and celebrated in all of the district schools, and continuing the high school student equity steering committee while establishing one at the middle school level.
The current discussion in the district is encouraging for Ceylon and Ashley Wise. But they are still encouraging their fellow parents to start at home, establishing diversity committees at their own schools. And they’re willing to help, asking anyone interested to email them at OlentangyDiversity@gmail.com.
“This is not a black issue,” Ceylon Wise said. “This is not a white issue. It’s not a partisan issue. It’s a human issue. So whatever side you find yourself on the political aisle or the racial category or categories, just know that you can join in and raise your voice and help bring this change.”