Pursuing our Goals for 2022 by Dr Aminata Cairo

2022, the year when The British School in The Netherlands community is going to be dedicated to making some changes regarding diversity and inclusion.

Dr Aminata Cairo was appointed by the BSN at the end of the last academic year to provide specialist support in our ongoing work on Diversity and Equality.

What does that mean? To me, it is about us, about who we want to be as a community. I start with that statement, because ultimately that’s what this commitment to diversity and inclusion is all about. It is not about them or those, or about what’s wrong, difficult, or impossible.

It is about us. It is also about digging deep into the strength of who we are, of being honest and vulnerable, being able to admit where we fall short, and celebratory about when we do well. In the short time I have gotten to know the British School in The Netherlands community I have seen firsthand an attitude of honest self-reflection and a commitment to move forward. That’s where it all starts.

I am reminded of an African American folk tale, the story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby. You see, Brer Fox was sick and tired of Brer Rabbit’s arrogance and cunningness. So, he decided to trick Brer Rabbit, to teach him a lesson. He made a doll out of tar and set it at the edge of the briar patch where Brer Rabbit was sure to pass. He then hid to see what would happen. As expected, Brer Rabbit walked by, saw the little person, and greeted the person as one is supposed to do. The person (who was not a real person) did not answer, so Brer Rabbit got upset and the story takes on from there. You see, in the traditional African American (and hence African) culture, one of the worst offences is to not acknowledge the spirit of another, to “diss” somebody (so to speak.)

“I am because we are,” goes the Ubuntu philosophy of South Africa. Which brings me back to my opening statement. The Covid pandemic and recent social and environmental justice movements have given us the opportunity to take a closer look at who we are, and how interconnected and interdependent we are. That confrontation has not always been pleasant, to say the least, but I use the word “opportunity” here on purpose. Diversity and inclusion work is about taking a hard look at how we interact and relate to each other, to recognise that certain patterns have developed, and to be brave enough to address them. As hard as that work can be, there must always be a spirit of optimism and hope.

Diversity and inclusion work is not easy, but it is not impossible. In addition to wishing you all the best for 2022, I also wish for you to get excited and think about “opportunity” when thinking about this upcoming communal journey. I am honoured to be part of this journey and look forward to supporting you.

Dr Aminata Cairo, PH.D. Speaker, Scholar, Storywriter