Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at New Trier ... and racist prayers?
New Trier celebrated its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at the last week’s school board meeting, with school administrators and board members stressing their goal of eliminating hate of all kinds, including antisemitism, and creating an environment where “students are experiencing parts of our curriculum related to our culture, climate equity, and belonging.”
So why would New Trier hire a consultant suggesting teachers seek atonement for “allowing White Supremacy habits to shape/determine our practice of Judaism” and “turning Black bodies into objects of lust and sexual gratification”? How does this create a culture of “belonging” for our teachers and students?
The above phrases and far more were recommended to New Trier faculty and administrators by DEI consultant Corrie Wallace, who runs a DEI consulting business and is the main author of Evanston’s District 65 Equity Audit, which blamed minority underperformance on white supremacy. Ms. Wallace suggested this prayer, a racialized adaptation of a traditional Jewish “Al Chet” prayer often recited at Yom Kippur, in August of 2020 as part of this resource to New Trier faculty and administrators.
Here are some highlights from the prayer, aimed at Jews but open to all, where atonement is called for the sins of:
- “conscious and unconscious racial bias,”
- “racial micro-aggression,”
- “colluding with racism,”
- “urgency and perfectionism as a measure of human value,”
- “the denial of the tzelem elokim (the divine spark) within Black bodies,”
- “segregating Black bodies from participation and leadership within our institutions,”
- “commoditizing Black people and Black bodies in our business dealings,”
- “not caring for the ways that race and class intersect in our efforts to deepen community with Black people in Jewish spaces,’
- “For the sins we have committed through turning Black bodies into objects of lust and sexual gratification,”
- “allowing White Supremacy habits to shape/determine our practice of Judaism,”
If New Trier faculty had been actively “turning Black bodies into objects of lust” we would be disgusted. But they aren’t, and this prayer is another example of the divisive, antisemitic rhetoric that pervades DEI programs in the school.
In 2020 this suggested prayer was not “inclusive” – and in light of today’s toxic levels of anti-semitism across the country in the wake of the October 7th attacks, it is horrifying.
Last week, Superintendent Paul Sally claimed that "We want to be very explicit about the ways in which we're teaching and our students are experiencing parts of our curriculum related to our culture, climate equity, and belonging …[including] …our focus on making sure we're addressing all forms of hate, anti-Muslim hate, anti-Arab hate, antisemitism, homophobia and others. It's very important that our students are able to be exposed, see and think about those issues as well."
How do prayers like this create a healthy school climate for our children? Is this creating a welcoming environment for teachers and students?
When you hear about “equity” being a source of “welcoming and belonging,” (and which per Paul Sally is “K-12 work” “just like English and math”), remember that prayers like the one offered are part of the deal because DEI thrives on an oppressed/oppressor binary.
We remain steadfast in opposition to DEI because of these overtly racist and divisive strains that are part of its DNA. Our schools, local government and any organization in our peaceful, pluralistic society should reject DEI.
For the last several weeks, college campuses have exploded with anti-Israel/pro-Palestine/Hamas protestors. Neighboring Northwestern University boasted its own encampment. It is not a surprise when you look at the divisive seeds that DEI plants in the minds of students.
