Atoui Writes Op-Ed Arguing for Diverse & Inclusive K-12 Curriculum
Diana Atoui (Pardee ’19, BA International Affairs; Pardee ’21, MA International Affairs) published an op-ed in the MetroWest Daily News on the need for a more diverse and inclusive curriculum at U.S. schools. The op-ed, written as part of her IR501 class taught by Professor Manjari Chatterjee Miller, was published on July 11, 2020.
In the op-ed, Atoui discusses her experience as the only Lebanese student throughout her K-12 education and how she felt Middle Eastern history was absent from the U.S. curriculum. In fact, she mentioned that the only facts her class learned about the Middle East were:
- Arabs were responsible for the 9/11 attacks,
- ISIS s a Muslin terrorist organization, and,
- Saudi Arabia is oil-rich
Atoui argues that the American education system has a very narrow perspective and it needs to offer a more inclusive curriculum that reflects the diversity of its inhabitants. Lack of a global K-12 education can lead to ignorance and division in a country that is often touted as a melting pot of cultures. In closing, Atoui says that, “classes that address politics, culture, language, and economics of more countries create room for children to become more culturally aware and open minded towards others who are different.”
An excerpt:
In high school, if you are lucky enough, you can broaden your horizons by taking an elective in European history. However, it is not until college that one can select a wide array of historical subjects ranging from cultures, races, languages, and ethnic minorities. The K-12 education system needs to change its curriculum to include readings on Middle Eastern history and culture and books written by people of color. This change will allow for different perspectives on other countries, allow students to question what they learn, and create a safe learning environment for students who find themselves ethnically or culturally isolated.
The full op-ed can be read here.