SEED - Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity
We strive to enrich not only the lives of our students, but our faculty and staff as well. By supporting the efforts of MPA faculty and staff in personal and professional awareness, self-assessment, and growth, SEED is one aspect of our commitment to diversity that ultimately helps create a safe and affirming environment for all students and employees. All faculty and staff participate in SEED during their first or second year. A "perennial SEED" is offered for those who wish to continue the exploration.
Below is a list of the current literature and related activities the faculty and staff have been exposed to through their participation in SEED.
An excerpt titled "Girl" from the book, At the Bottom of the River by Jamaica Kincaid
Members had the opportunity to reflect on their own upbringing and background, and then shared how each of our lives has been influenced by family, friends, neighbors, places of worship, etc.
Moving Violations by John Hockenberry
Experiential learning at its best! After reading Hockenberry's biography, members were asked to step into the shoes, albeit for a brief moment, of a physically disabled person. The challenges of moving around in a wheelchair through the hallways of MPA revealed just one aspect of the issues disabled individuals face daily.
American Chica by Marie Arana
Lower School Spanish teacher, Martha Castellanos, treated members to an authentic Peruvian feast in conjunction with this novel about growing up in America and Peru. Not only did her delicious meal allow members to enjoy the flavors of another country, but we also were able to hear firsthand the challenges and privileges Martha had after immigrating to the US.
Losing Matt Shepard by Beth Loffreda
After a discussion about the media events surrounding the murder of Matt Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, members read the graduation speech of a MPA alumna. This student asked the community to accept that discrimination is not an issue of the past, and that stereotypes and misconceptions are still prevalent. Confronting those fears and stereotypes through dialogue in school is/was necessary.
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Reading about Ehrenreich's "experiment" living as a low-income earner allowed us to explore more about our class backgrounds, and how our class and financial background affect our lives and opportunities.
Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
A current MPA parent, who emigrated from China, shared her incredible journey of life as young girl in China to living in America. Members were also treated to a delectable Chinese feast as we listened to the challenges and triumphs she faced in leaving everything behind and moving to a new country.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Former MPA parent generously volunteered her mother-in-law to share her story, and that of her children, as they immigrated to the US from India. The delicious curries we enjoyed were only part of the experience!
Days of Rondo by Evelyn Fairbanks
Members take a field trip to the area known as Rondo--the heart of St. Paul's largest black neighborhood in the 1930's. We explored the different streets and areas Fairbanks discusses in her book, and are amazed at how modernization changed the physical and demographic landscape entirely.
