Every few months the Positively North program creates videos reminding students how to be respectful, responsible and engaged. The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) lessons this year have been about school expectations, academic dishonesty and equity. 

Last month’s video, titled “Faces of DGN,” attempted to shatter stereotypes and tell stories of students throughout the school. 

In the video, students were brave enough to get in front of a camera, speak about something that they may not be very comfortable with and have it be shown in front of the whole school. 

The point of the video was to teach people to accept others for who they are and break stereotypes, but some did not show the respect that they should have. Yes, sometimes the videos may be exaggerated or repetitive, but even still, the message remains the same. 

Hearing students say they only like PBIS lessons to ‘get out of school’ is upsetting. Being half white and half Asian comes with its own set of stereotypes so hearing people make fun of a video that is supposed to promote equity is disrespectful. 

The main problem is ignorance. Students make tone-deaf comments about the lessons because they think it is funny, not knowing someone near them may appreciate the videos. 

One PBIS lesson in particular that has stuck with me throughout all of high school was a lesson taught my freshman year. It was about microaggressions being unintentionally discriminatory against a certain group of people. 

I had never heard of ‘microaggressions’ before this lesson, and since then, I have listened more closely to what other people say. Students are taught to be more aware of their surroundings, but sometimes students are blind to the message.   

I’m not saying that everyone overlooks the videos, I just think that students need to be more aware of their surroundings in conversation. 

The school takes time to make these videos for a reason, so if you are not appreciating or listening to them, you are an addition to the problem.