Diversity Matters

Allee Adkins, Writer

“I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.” – Malcolm X

The Diverse Students Organization is a newer club at WWHS dedicated to promoting diversity at our school by uplifting and empowering students of color. It is an important club to attend whether you’re an ally or a student of color.

Cedra Khiami, a senior and member of DSO, describes her experience: “DSO is such a wonderful club and I am very glad I joined it. It means so much to me that there are many people at Woodrow that want to learn about different cultures, people, and are open-minded about it. I have had a great experience so far in DSO, and I am very glad that I joined this year.”

Nicole Asamoah, a junior, also describes her experience as a DSO participant. “DSO is a club where I can truly express myself without feeling judged or uncomfortable. It is a safe space, not only for me, but also for many others who are a part of the club. Each member of the club is friendly, supportive, and ready to listen. It’s extremely alleviating knowing that I have a community of people that I can connect with on a personal level.”

DSO has had a huge impact on many of the students who attend, one of them being Ambika Kulkarni. She says, “I don’t think I realized what DSO would mean to me when it first began. I thought it was really great to have something like it at the school, but I didn’t notice how happy it made me until later on. DSO has made me a lot more conscious about certain issues that POC go through.” Recently, Kulkarni has started to think more deeply about problems concerning equality and also about herself as someone who is biracial. “I have grown closer to my Indian heritage, and I believe DSO was definitely a factor in that journey. It makes me really happy that the people of color at Woodrow Wilson have a safe space that allows them to be proud of their heritage and share it and appreciate it with others.”

Diversity Club meetings are held every Thursday in either D11 (Mr. Quesenberry’s room) or the cafeteria. They discuss issues facing students of color, play games, and engage in community service and activism. For more information, visit their Instagram page @diversestudents