Fostering Community at Havergal Through Affinity Groups

Written by Sophie Zhang
Edited by Riley Worth
Cover Image by Elena Siye Chen

I’ve come to realize that being at Havergal is a lot more than just academic learning. It’s also a community where students form connections and discover new things about themselves and their place in the world. It’s a unique and diverse place filled with many different voices and backgrounds that are valuable to the school. However, without the opportunity to find one’s community, feelings of isolation and disconnection can emerge. This is where Havergal’s affinity groups come in. It’s common for engaging and thought-provoking conversations to arise during these meetings. They are a fundamental part of the resources offered at our school, and the difference it can make in a student’s experience highlights the massive role that these groups play.

An affinity group, which brings together those with a shared interest, have existed for a long time across the world. They are often associated with political activism, and have been relevant in many social justice movements in the past. The term first came out near the 1970s, when a situationist art group called Black Mask would meet regularly to organize riots. Since then, the idea has gained popularity and has been used for broader topics such as gender, religion, and human rights. It continues to be a well-known way of inciting change, but no longer with the violence that it was at first associated with.

By bringing together students who come from a similar background or have a shared goal of discussing important issues, we can combat alienation that is especially prevalent in marginalized groups. The existence of these groups at Havergal serves as a place for students to find their community. They give individuals a sense of purpose and acceptance and combat feelings of alienation. It is also an opportunity to help them succeed in academics and other areas of their lives. When a student lacks such an essential component in their lives, other aspects of their wellbeing can also begin to suffer.

Another reason why we’re fortunate to have these groups is that they amplify meaningful voices and create visibility. It’s important to pool together a diverse set of knowledge and resources in order to create activism. Although beginning inside our school might only be one of the first steps to build support for change, it’s undoubtedly important in today’s world. Students have a lot of power when it comes to creating change in the future and being able to discuss relevant issues during these meetings is an excellent way to remove any existing barriers. The effects of affinity groups can also be highlighted through methods of raising awareness which include Black Culture Prayers and Asian Heritage Prayers. It provides visibility for various communities and allows us to celebrate the rich heritage and celebrations that we would normally not be exposed to.

Here are two students from ASA sharing their own experiences:

Dani Law, who is in Grade 7 and in ASA, says:

I think Alliance Groups are important because you can fit into a place where everyone accepts you for who you are and everyone is just like you. I liked that everyone was comfortable to share their problems and what it’s like for them in their situation so that people can understand better about different people.

Ema Nishiwaki, who is in Grade 9 and also in ASA, says:

It has affected me positively because I get to share and listen to conversations with people of similar backgrounds as me. We also get to eat yummy snacks.

These ASA members have given me, and hopefully others as well, insight on the importance of these opportunities. We have various groups in our school, and they are all involved in celebrating different identities and cultures.

The power of community at Havergal, which in this case is shown through students’ experiences in Affinity Groups, can be impactful for everyone - especially if this kind of safety and support is sometimes hard to find elsewhere. They help amplify the voices of marginalized groups so that they can start to create change within the Havergal community, and eventually also in a broader community.