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June 4, 2020
Office of the Principal
Dear Cheverus Family,
The events of the past couple of weeks have shaken our country. Of course, I am referring to the horrific image of a police man with his knee on the neck of George Floyd while that man pleaded, “I can’t breathe.” Subsequent to Mr. Floyd’s murder, we have witnessed protests and demonstrations across our country. I am old enough to remember clearly the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960’s, the speeches, the legislation, the riots, and the assassinations. As awful as it was, it seemed that it led to some degree of progress. Legislatively, at least, de jure segregation and Jim Crows were outlawed.
Here we are nearly 60 years later, and there remains de facto segregation in most large cities and efforts to restrict voting right across the country. People of color are still not given equal treatment in so many areas of our society. Obviously, as a white man, I cannot identify with being stopped for “driving while black,” or being shot while jogging. I have not experienced being shadowed in a store because of the color of my skin, or having someone cross the street because I’m walking towards them. Unfortunately, I, as many of you, regardless of your ethnicity or racial background have witnessed these situations. Despite advances, the events of recent days remind us all that racism still remains.
If only the adults of the world could remain as little children. I am always encouraged and awed by the way our little ones interact with one another. Their innocence allows them to see no color. They don’t always treat one another perfectly, but even when they may be at their worst, it has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. Yet, we are no longer children. We have been subject to the prejudices of teachers, parents, friends, and even government and religious leaders.
How can we overcome and change the current climate of fear and hatred? I don’t pretend to know the answer. As a teacher, I tend to see all situations as an opportunity to teach. Certainly, the history of rights and justice denied to sisters and brothers of color requires concrete, observable, palatable action. It is not enough for me to say, “I’m not a racist.” I must demonstrate that I am anti-racist. It is our moral responsibility to serve and protect our “neighbors.”
We began this school year with the theme, “And who is my neighbor?” That is a reference to scripture and the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” We know the story and its lesson, where Jesus instructs us to care for and protect all human beings. How appropriate that seems at this moment. At Cheverus, we strive to teach the responsibility we have to love one another. I have encouraged our teachers to take advantage of this teaching moment in their final lessons with our children. No politics.
I will leave you with a poem by the pre-eminent metaphysical poet, John Donne which reminds us of a basic human truth:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.Remember, we depend on one another.
Respectfully,
Thomas P. Arria, Jr.
Principal