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Like any parent, I want my child not only to receive a great academic education, but to build his confidence, leadership skills and empathy for those around him. And like any parent of a child falling outside the dominant white/Christian culture, I want my child to see himself as part of a whole, not as an "other" living outside the norm.
When my eldest son was entering kindergarten, I was grateful to have the privilege of choosing where he would attend school. As a practicing Muslim, I knew I might have to look beyond my nearest public school to find a place where my son — and later, his two siblings — wouldn't be the only Muslim students.
I know what it feels like to feel othered, and I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to grow and flourish without the constant reminder that they don't fit the majority.
As I considered my options, I heard about Northeast College Prep in Minneapolis. A charter school where 87% of students identify as people of color, NECP offered us the opportunity to be part of a welcoming community. My kids got to be who they are, and to learn in the company of kids with similar beliefs and lived experiences.
Rather than feeling like a minority, my son felt safe, appreciated and celebrated for who he was. When he transitioned to middle school with a much less diverse student body, he carried with him the sense of self and pride instilled at NECP.
I've seen firsthand what it looks like to have a child attend a culturally affirming school where one feels like a valuable — and valued — member of a community. My son didn't have to assimilate or blend in to make friends and get by. He got to be himself and was celebrated for it.
