Op-Ed: Fight against hate starts in schools. Teachings must be be inclusive to all

Upkar Singh

On April 15, Indianapolis will mark one year since a gunman walked into his former place of employment at a local FedEx facility and killed eight individuals: Matthew R. Alexander, Samaria Blackwell, Amarjeet Kaur Johal, Jasvinder Kaur, Jaswinder Singh, Amarjit Sekhon, Karli Smith, and John “Steve” Weisert.

Many others were injured and traumatized in the shooting, and they continue working to recover from the trauma of that harrowing night.  

On this important anniversary, a lingering question remains to which we may never know the answer: Could something have prevented the shooting?

The gunman was 19 years old at the time it took place. He was a Indianapolis resident and, as a former employee of the facility, knew it would be packed with people at the shift change.

While the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI concluded that bias did not play a role in the shooting — that it was an act of “suicidal murder”— that does not mean the fear of being targeted did not cross the minds of the Sikh population employed at the facility.

What we do know to be certain is that hate is a threat to all.

Read more: How FedEx workers are coping months after the mass shooting that left 8 dead

In an increasingly diverse community, are we doing enough to ensure that future generations understand that our differences make us stronger? If we fear the answer is no, there is one action that will have a domino effect throughout the education system: asking our schools to teach content that is inclusive of all the communities that define Indianapolis today. 

More:Indiana Senate kills CRT-inspired legislation that created outrage among educators, Black Hoosiers

The school district in nearby Whiteland is a clear example of the impact that such instruction can have on a community. After a Sikh high school student was attacked by a group of students, school officials made an immediate effort to address the broader issues of bias-based bullying among several different demographic groups taking place within the district.

In addition to committing to a safety plan for the Sikh student, officials also facilitated a training to help teachers and staff better recognize and respond to incidents of religious-based bullying.

This is just one example of how the fight against hate starts in schools. We must prepare our children to live together with those around them. That starts with not just education to counter ignorance, but also understanding and appreciation to counter the fear and bias that can become hate and prejudice.

Read more: Sikh Coalition: Whiteland Community High School addresses attack on student, bias bullying

When a community steps up and asks for accountability to better protect children within the school district, more often than not, there will be positive change. But we don’t have to wait for any student to be bullied to make an impact. Each of us has a responsibility to stand up and speak up — to ensure that our schools are doing the best they possibly can to teach our children how strong we can be when we all stand together. 

Upkar Singh is the Co-President of Lok-E, an Indianapolis-based youth organization that strives to bring the Indiana South Asian population together to build a stronger community.