Grade 5 students from Spruce Ridge School have sent a clear and creative message against racism.
In co-operation with Southeast Newcomer Services, the students created paintings with pictures and slogans that express their support for diversity. Those paintings were exhibited at the Estevan Public Library on March 21, which was International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
People turned out to view the students’ artwork, and certificates were handed out. Dwight Fitz Bramble, the economic development officer for the City of Estevan, was among those in attendance. He is originally from the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Loni Hollingshead, who is the vice-principal at Spruce Ridge School and the art instructor for the Grade 5 class, marvelled at the efforts of the students and the finished products. The class, whose teacher is Paige Wheeler, has 27 students, including one newcomer.
“We did some research and we talked about what discrimination is, and where it comes from and what it looks like,” said Hollingshead.
The students who participated looked at anti-discrimination artwork, studied how racism makes people feel, did a rough draft of the paintings and then completed the final product.
Most of the work was completed during the students’ class time, but a few worked on their projects at home. Some students spent up to five hours on the project, she said.
“They loved it,” said Hollinshead. “Usually in school they don’t get to paint a whole lot, so they were super excited that they got to pick their own idea and then execute it.”
One student used a slightly larger easel, drew a heart in crayon, and melted the colours together to represent different races.
“She did it on her own time at home, and then brought it to school,” said Hollingshead.
Hollingshead was also pleased the students had their artwork displayed in an exhibit, and they’re excited to take it home and show it to their parents.
Stephanie Kane Davis, the information services advisor for SNS, said she approached the school about being part of the project.
“A lot of them involve stopping racism,” said Kane Davis. “One girl has a picture that says ‘Only laundry should be separated by colours.’ Another one is ‘No matter what the colour, everybody is beautiful.’ So they’re getting the concept of what anti-discrimination is, and to stop racism.”
The artwork is wonderful, and she is very proud of the students.
“It shows that they have imagination, and their colour thought process of how they made their paintings is really quite spectacular,” said Kane Davis.
She selected Grade 5 after considerable thought, because she believes they’re at the age that can benefit the most from such an assignment.
High school students already have a strong understanding about cultural diversity, she said, and young students in early grades might not be ready for such a project.
“I thought fifth grade was the right age to pick their brains to see what they knew and how they could create it, and show it in a painting,” said Kane Davis.
A lot of newcomers are in the schools in southeast Saskatchewan now, and Kane Davis said it’s important to understand that they can play together and be friends despite cultural differences.
In his speech, Bramble said diversity is a very important issue, because anywhere people go, they will likely encounter people from multiple races or nationalities.
“I think in Estevan, in my experience since I have been here, I have not really had any bad experiences personally, but I’m not going to be naïve and think the issue does not exist one way or another,” said Bramble. “It’s something that I think we need to create more sensitivity about and we need to create more awareness, and just be more open about it.”
It’s important to treat people the way they want to be treated, he said, rather than how someone thinks they should be treated.
Bramble also encouraged people to end discrimination based on other factors, including gender, religion, language and nationality.
Also during the reception, Kane Davis presented Community Advocates for Employment executive director Debbie Hagel with an award for Hagel’s efforts to end discrimination in the community.
