BHS Diversity Council Studies Prejudice and Bias with ADL

BHS Diversity Council Studies Prejudice and Bias with ADL

On October 21 and 22, the BHS Diversity Council participated in a peer leadership, anti-bias training with the Anti-Defamation League of Michigan. This training was organized by BHS Principal, Andy Meloche and was attended by the Diversity Council students, their advisor John Cooper and two BHS counselors. 

The students spent two days learning about anti-bias and diversity education, and ways to facilitate conversations about bias with their peers. Kristin Jager, Education Director with the ADL of Michigan, said that the goal of this training is to,“become proficient in understanding what bias is...and how to stand up against it.”

The training included group discussion, role playing, and workshops. BHS Teacher John Cooper said, “The training we received from the ADL, it provided us with more resources to maintain and improve the inclusive environment at BHS.”

The students opened up about the importance of this training by saying, “Knowledge equals power. I think a lot of times we make decisions without thinking how they will affect other people, and these activities really helped me examine that.”

Diversity Council has a long history at Berkley High School. Through ADL training held 16 years ago, Diversity Council was formed. It is a valued program within the Berkley School District and is one of very few in the state of MIchigan that is an actual class. 

Learn more about the training and hear from students in the video, below.