Here is what Vancouver parents are afraid to talk about.
As you know from my blog the Lord Byng Secondary School parents (including me) had a big fight last week about the PAC executive election “irregularities.” A new slate got elected and some have suggested that the Executive consists primarily of those parents who “opposed the new VSB transgender policy.” The VSB policy has now been passed so you might think it is all behind us, but I suspect not.
So here are my thoughts about a PAC healing from a big fight moving forward and about the things we are not talking about as Vancouver parents.
In my personal opinion it is important in moving forward that we realize that the focus should be on abuse of process, and not our personal ideological differences. Although this “election dispute” has its roots in the recent VSB transgender debates and the forming of two opposing “camps,” this should not prevent us from forming a PAC that is democratic and fully representative of all parents.
Given this history, there is a high risk of parents engaging in the so called “us and them syndrome” where we use our differences to divide and pit people against each other. This is not productive for the PAC or our children.
In my opinion, there is also a real danger of disguising “abuse of process” in the rhetoric of religion (e.g. Christians), race (e.g. Chinese) or value differences (e.g. transgender). As one parent said at the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting:
“This blind loyalty [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][of a group of parents] that was observed tonight is concerning as it stifles diversity and change. I worry about how we can build bridges and find common ground when cultural and personal beliefs are being brought in to a PAC that is intended to work together for the benefit of the Byng.”
I am acutely aware that every single person holds different values than mine, and that is fine. Abuse of process, however, is not fine.
I sure hope we can heal from this quickly because we have lots of work to do in support of the education of our children![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]