The Dignity Initiative
Salt Lake City School District supports The Dignity Index and is committed to becoming a Dignity District by creating and maintaining learning and work environments where everyone is treated with dignity. In 2021, a group called UNITE began work on The Dignity Index. The Index is an eight-point scale for measuring how we talk to each other when we disagree. The Dignity Index is grounded in a few core beliefs:
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Contempt causes division; dignity eases division.
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If we put a spotlight on dignity and contempt, we will use more dignity and less contempt.
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If we show Americans how they can help ease our divisions, they will jump on it.
In October 2022, UNITE publicly introduced the Index in Utah during the mid-term elections, scoring political speeches on a weekly basis. The Index was seen as reliable, fair, and intuitive.
What is The Dignity Index?
Salt Lake City School District’s Dignity Initiative
With permission from UNITE, we’ve adapted The Dignity Index and have modified the language to be more easily used by students.
Our goal in launching this initiative is to elevate the discourse in our schools. To encourage each of us – students and adults alike – to reflect on how we treat each other, how we perceive each other, and to remind each of us that every person – even those who are not like us or with whom we disagree – is an individual worth treating with dignity.
This is going to require greater humanity in our interactions with each other. Our goal is to keep our conversations at “5 and up!” Please join us on this journey.
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DIGNITY: “I believe everyone is born with inherent worth. I treat everyone with dignity. I value others’ feelings and views, even if we disagree.” |
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CONNECTEDNESS: “I fully engage with others. I’m open to admitting mistakes I’ve made and can change my mind.” |
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CURIOUS: “I ask thoughtful questions and make an effort to learn about others' perspectives, even if they are different from my own.” |
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RESPECT: “I recognize others have a right to be here. Even when it’s difficult, I remember it’s their school, too.” |
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DISMISSIVE: “I’m better than them. They’re different and annoying. They’re not one of us. We shouldn’t trust them.” |
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DISDAIN: “I’m doing the best I can, but those people don’t even try. They’re responsible for so many problems here.” |
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DISGUST: “Some people here just don’t belong. Things would be better if they weren’t here.” |
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CONTEMPT: “I hate some people in this school. They are ruining things here, and they need to go. We should get them before they get us.“ |