By Marian Wright Edelman
An Idaho middle school teacher recently made headlines for refusing to take down a classroom poster she said she was told was “controversial” and “an opinion.” The poster shows a drawing of hands in many different skin tones, each with a red heart in the center. The controversial opinion written at the top? “Everyone Is Welcome Here.”
Sarah Inama, a sixth-grade world civilization teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School in the West Ada School District, said in interviews that she first hung that poster when she began working at the school several years ago, but was asked by the principal to take it down in January because only ‘content neutral’ signs should be in the classroom. She said she was later told by the school district’s chief academic officer that because of changes in the political environment, “what might be controversial now might not have been controversial three, six, nine months ago, and we have to follow that,” and was told that her poster qualified as a personal opinion, which was not permitted for classroom signs, because “not everyone believes everyone is welcome here.” After thinking about it over a weekend, she said she came to this conclusion: “There are only two opinions on this sign: Everyone is welcome here or not everyone is welcome here.” She felt she had to stand up for the one she wanted her students to believe.
Ms. Inama said she was also asked to take down a second poster that had been hanging in her classroom featuring bars in the colors of the rainbow with these words in block letters: “In this room everyone is welcome/important/accepted/respected/encouraged/valued/equal.” She is now involved in an ongoing dispute with the district, but says she has received hundreds of messages from supporters ranging from people within her community to strangers from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. A local company is making t-shirts featuring the image and message on the “Everyone Is Welcome Here” poster for a campaign started by families and students in the district who are planning to wear them on the day they return to school from spring break. Ms. Inama told a local reporter that all of the attention has been overwhelming, but in a “good way,” and explained how her students have responded:
“My students have been talking about it a lot as well and it’s been kind of heartbreaking to see them for the first time have to wonder why that sign would be questioned, but they are very resilient and have been just continuously telling me that they support me and support our classroom poster. They truly are my inspiration and every day when I see them, I don’t have one ounce of regret. I have received emails from former students, some even mentioning that they know the poster in question and remember it making them feel welcome and safe in my classroom. Today one of my students said EVERYONE IS WELCOME might not be something that’s true everywhere, but in this classroom it’s a fact. They have told me that I am doing the right thing. Some wore homemade shirts that say what is written on my posters, and they made friendship bracelets that say everyone is welcome. Some of them want to start a website and make their own posters to give away. They understand why there is nothing wrong with welcoming all unconditionally.”
Once again, children and young people are taking action and signaling they understand something some adults do not. How many of us remember a teacher or mentor who went out of their way to let us know we were respected, valued, and welcome? How many of us know and appreciate teachers like this in our communities and schools today? How many parents try hard at home to teach their own children to respect and be kind to other people? How many would want their child in a classroom led by a teacher who did not make them feel accepted or welcome? At a moment when educators and education itself are under attack, those who encourage and welcome every student should be told thank you.