by Jess Hill

June 2020

“

Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error and was unable to complete your request. Either the server is overloaded or there is an error in the application.

.”
Langston Hughes

Words did not come. I admit to feeling speechless after all I saw over the last week. First the horrific death of George Floyd followed by the outrage in cities across the country, including our very own. The fear and anger in our streets Saturday night were made more poignant because they followed weeks and weeks of pandemic isolation, not to mention a disproportionate loss of life within our African American community.   

Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error and was unable to complete your request. Either the server is overloaded or there is an error in the application.

 

And now we find ourselves broken again, and broken all along, searching for words to inspire and comfort. The words do not come easily. It is time for more change.

The only word that finally comes to mind is “solidarity” -- it is the cry for our country, our city, and even our very own school community as we move forward toward a better, more just and humane world. Coming together and supporting and caring for each other is the first step. We do not need to have one mind, but we need to have one mission and one future that we create together. But solidarity means going further than simply coming together. It signals having the collective will to act. We cannot simply watch and remain speechless. We are called to create a better future for everyone, which means working daily to be anti-racist. 

I hope as parents you will talk to your daughters during this time of racial strife. It may be challenging to address such entrenched systemic problems in our country, but not as challenging as what our students will face if no one speaks up. To each student and family, as a school we will always pledge to help our students live honorably. As a community, we will pledge to work each day to do the next right thing. 

“Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed --

Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error and was unable to complete your request. Either the server is overloaded or there is an error in the application.

.” 

Langston Hughes