January 29, 2023 - Our school community is horrified by the brutal killing of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers. By any standard of decency, this was outrageous behavior and a clear abuse of police power. The race of the officers who viciously assaulted Mr. Nichols should not deter us in condemning the fact that another Black man has died at the hands of police during what should have been, at most, a routine street arrest.
January has been both exhausting and tragic. In the first 24 days of the month, there were 39 mass shootings, two of them involving the multiple deaths of Asian-American citizens in California. Our students are acutely aware of these all-too-frequent incidences of violence and hate. They have questions, opinions and ideas about what our nation should do to address these challenges. We should and are listening to them.
Through engaging in these difficult conversations, our students gain critical-thinking skills, a sense of civic responsibility and, most importantly, empathy and tolerance. Given an opportunity, they can show us the path toward a more perfect union.
We recognize that our students and staff may also be dealing with trauma related to all of these events. The National Association of School Psychologists provides tips for talking to your child about violence. Our website includes an extensive list of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion resources for teachers, families and students. Counselors are always available for students and staff who need them.