Mona Lisa Wears a Headscarf: Steinmühle Celebrated Diversity Day

Like many other institutions in Germany, Steinmühle had also prepared several activities for Diversity Day on May 23. Wearing themed T-shirts and participating in activities during the second break were intended to raise awareness of the issue at the school. Teachers Dr. Sigrun Galter, Ines Vielhaben, and Antje Seel had compiled a checklist for their colleagues in advance to promote greater diversity in teaching materials, which had also been discussed at the last faculty meeting. At that meeting, the Rainbow Working Group was also introduced; it is led by Dr. Sigrun Galter and Bella-Jean Gnodtke and can be reached via email at regenbogen@steinmuehle.net. In addition, there were teaching resources for diversity-conscious education aimed at teachers of all subjects.

 

Understanding “impulse” as a “kickoff”

“It’s not just about this one day,” explained Dr. Sigrun Galter, Ines Vielhaben, and Anje Seel. “We’d rather have our ideas seen as a ‘kickoff,’ since many topics can be grouped under the umbrella term ‘diversity.'” The three-member panel cited, among other things, equal opportunity, discrimination, gender equality, racism, xenophobia, and anti-LGBTQ+ bias, as well as freedom of sexual orientation, religion, and language. They noted that an impact can already be made here through careful wording of practice sentences or text exercises and a conscious approach to stereotypes.

“Diversity can’t be defined,” was the message on May 23 during the recess event, where all students who wanted to joined in the fun at the forum, dancing to the song “Cotton-Eye Joe” while wearing themed T-shirts. The T-shirt event was attended primarily by students in grades 5, 6, and 7, as well as classes 11a and 12f. Since Diversity Day, the entrance area of the Steinmühle has been graced by an “Art Alley,” featuring various sculptures that symbolize that everyone is welcome here in their own diversity. The sculptures were created by the former Elective Course 10 (now in grade 11) and the Advanced Art Class. Principal Bernd Holly once again thanked them all for their dedication and commitment.

So if Steinmühlen students happen to stop by the entrance to our school soon and wonder why the Mona Lisa is wearing a headscarf in the artwork, we’ll simply reply—in the spirit of diversity—with: Why not?