Photo by Avinash Kumar from Unsplash
For staff reporter Shreya Agrawal, with a lot of food allergies, it can be hard to find foods she can eat at parties. However, thanks to the kindness of orchestra directors Julie Blackstock and Madison Waggerman, Agrawal was able to feel more included via a box of mangoes.
Fostering inclusivity on campus
As surprising as it may seem, a box of mangoes can brighten up a person’s whole week.
It all started with our monthly orchestra officer meeting. At our meeting, orchestra directors Julie Blackstock and Madison Waggerman wanted to recognize all the historians (photographers) by bringing treats for them. As someone with lots of food allergies, it’s really difficult to cater to my dietary restrictions and I often bring my own food to parties. Over the years, I have gotten used to it and don’t mind it. But the orchestra directors’ thoughtfulness warmed my heart. After Blackstock passed out all the other historians’ treats, she pulled out one more item from the bag… a box of mangoes.
“Shreya, we hope you enjoy the mangoes!” Blackstock and Waggerman said.
This action, as small as it seems, made me feel special and noticed. Seeing someone go out of their way to get something for me and include me in the celebration made me realize how important it is to foster inclusivity on campus. In fact, 8% of American children have food allergies. However, a majority of school events have limited or no alternative options to include kids with allergies.
The school’s orchestra may be one of the first organizations to include people with food allergies, but it certainly doesn’t have to be the last. The orchestra directors’ dedication to asking about food allergies in Google forms before socials and making sure to include options for students with special restrictions, such as ordering a gluten-free pizza for an orchestra member allergic to gluten or bringing those mangoes for me have brightened up many people’s days.
Even though it can take a little bit more effort to provide such options, I believe it is worth it. In order to truly foster inclusivity at events, organizations must take charge to enact change.