Interfaith Dialogue with Austin Peace Academy
St. Andrew’s student-led Cultural Competency Council (C3) hosted an interfaith panel discussion during chapel on April 4 with juniors and seniors from Austin Peace Academy (APA). Upper School Religious Studies teacher Grace Ortman explains, “The panel is part of an ongoing relationship we are building with APA. Our friendship is based on working together to dispel stereotypes and promote understanding of the diversity and complexity of the human experience.”
The panel discussion included four students from APA and four from SAS. Sophomore Jonathan Lim introduced the panel; seniors Cydnie Golson and Kady Salinas moderated; and senior Ethan Rogers, junior Esme Jaimes, junior Madison Leyens, and senior Lily Kincannon shared their personal experiences on the panel.
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Jonathan Lim explains, “Throughout the discussion, the panelists each reflected on the role religion played in their lives. For all of the students, having something to believe in provided optimism and hope. Furthermore, each student offered different accounts experiencing alienation and inclusion. One APA student remarked how in order to better fit in, he had denied being Muslim to his friends who were joking over Islamic terrorism. Another APA student remarked how because her grandmother was speaking Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, onlookers proceeded to stare at her."
"Despite our different beliefs, we are all still human. We are physical beings in search of love, happiness, and meaning. We all turn to something in hopes of an identity and foundation in the midst of life’s trials. We all have experiences of being included and excluded in a community."
"In order to become better allies, APA students suggested holding more discussions. Additionally, they described the ways in which they are cultivating a 'new Islam.' As one APA student said, 'There is no mystery as to why Americans are not receptive to Islam – it’s foreign, alien. The fix is to stop importing Arab Islam and to start constructing an uniquely American Islam.'"
The C3 and APA students joined together for lunch to continue their dialogue. Grace Ortman notes, “We hope to have another panel on religious diversity at St. Andrew's next year. That panel would represent the many types of Christians at our school along with Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, etc., individuals.”
