Knowing Race Matters
Last weekend, I decided to go for a run to clear my mind. I put on my headphones and left my house.
I didn’t tell anyone where I was planning to run. I just went where I felt like going. When I passed by a woman walking her dog, I didn’t think twice and ran right past without incident. When a car pulled into a driveway in front of me, I kept going on my run.
I know that may not be the case for the members of our community who are not white.
Over the past few months, we have seen the ways in which people have been attacked based on their racial identity. In February and March, members of our own community who are Asian or Asian-American were accused of bringing COVID-19 to the US. Over the last few months, the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd have reminded us of the systemic racism and violence that the Black community continues to face in our country.
As many of you know, I tend to be a person that does not jump to conclusions. However, when I try to reconcile how white protesters carrying guns while standing on the steps of the Michigan statehouse allowed to occupy the space while threatening to shoot the governor are allowed to remain untouched with the way that riot gear is rolled out at the start of a Black Lives Matter protest, the only conclusion I can come to is that race matters. When I watch the news and see a white man who is known to have murdered two people taken into custody peacefully after evading arrest for days, and then I see George Floyd subdued and killed for suspicion of forgery, the only conclusion I can come to is that race matters.
During last Friday's Commencement, our senior class president said, “[Member of the Class of 2020] make up a complex, beautiful tapestry, hailing from multiple countries and multiple backgrounds.” We strive to make Brimmer a safe space for everyone who makes up that complex, beautiful tapestry, and because of this, we cannot ignore the fact that, in our society, people are treated differently based on their racial identity, their religious believes, or their country of origin. As a community we must continue to take an active role in calling out racism when we see it. We need to listen to the stories of others, be empathic to those experiences, and use our voices against injustice and inequity.
There is evidence that we are doing this Brimmer, but we also know that we can continue to learn and grow in this work. In response to this week’s events, we called a Middle and Upper School Meeting, where Head of Middle School Carl Vallely, Director of Equity & Inclusion Jessica Christian, Head of School Judy Guild, and I spoke to students about what had occured over the weekend. Later in the week, Jessica Christian joined with Upper School Counselor Emily Luckett to host an open conversation for students, where students were given a chance to ask questions, express concerns, and share thoughts and feelings with each other. My hope is that this is only the beginning of the healing conversations and actions that will arise from our community as a result of this painful time.
To the members of Black community who are feeling uncertain, scared, anxious, angry, enraged, or any of the myriad emotions that may come up:
On behalf of the Upper School faculty, I want to tell you that we see you, we hear you, and we are here for you. We will work to make it better.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.