Dear De La Salle Families:
De La Salle recognizes that racist, sexist, homophobic, or other degrading comments or actions are not isolated to our school community. Yet when situations happen on our front door, it is uncomfortable to have to confront the reality that despite best efforts, more work is needed. Last week I shared the disappointing news that individuals in our community did not act in keeping with our community expectations. We have handled that situation appropriately and will not share additional details about the consequences for those students as we wouldn’t in any disciplinary matter.
This is an inflection point and opportunity to open the door to further progress and sustained growth. Guided by our Lasallian Catholic heritage, our Mission, and our existing efforts, we continue this important work. In 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops put forth their pastoral letter against racism. The Bishops wrote, “What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversion is a long road to travel for the individual. Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey. In this regard, each of us should adopt the words of Pope Francis as our own: let no one ‘think that this invitation is not meant for him or her.’”
Conversations about race, inclusion, and belonging will require dialogue and learning, a presumption of goodwill, a willingness to be self-reflective and uncomfortable, and the recognition of each person’s God-given human dignity. Making lasting change will not be easy, nor can it be done alone. Our community will need to bring our full commitment as we deepen a journey toward wholeness for all members of our community.
Below are just a few of the actions we have implemented, knowing much more will need to be done.
Dialogue of Encounter
Pope Francis has shared the importance of a culture of encounter. Last school year, we started listening circles, and we have continued that framework to make available safe spaces for students to share reactions, experiences, feedback, and solutions. We have held two listening circles this week. One was for support and dialogue for those who might have felt targeted. Another was made up of student leaders who discussed their reactions, the impact they were hearing from the student body, and meaningful ways to engage the rest of the school community. Four of our student leaders shared an impassioned statement today reminding our community about who we are and what it means to be a Spartan. This was shared at Carondelet and posted on Schoology as well. We have great hope and faith in our efforts as demonstrated by these, and other, young men. On this journey together, we will continue to meet each person where they are at and work toward making a more just school community and society by our actions.
Task Force
The school created a Social Justice Committee of staff members two years ago, which has recently been meeting every three weeks. We will broaden this group and form a Task Force to intentionally consider how to live out our Mission based on the Lasallian Core Principle of being an inclusive community. This Task Force will include members of the De La Salle alumni community, current and alumni parents, staff, and members not connected to De La Salle who are furthering these critical conversations. More details will be forthcoming, and in the meantime, I invite you to pray for the success of our efforts and share with me any suggestions you might have.
Efforts Already Underway
De La Salle has for many years used a peer-leadership model in freshman Religious Studies classes to have discussions on race, privilege, and respect through our Student Coalition on Respectful Education (SCORE). In our sophomore Religious Studies classes, we have implemented the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) approach to equip students with tools to be aware of and interrupt gender-based harassment and violence. We continue, at the department level, to bring a diversity of voices and experiences to our curriculum. De La Salle has also invested in ongoing professional development training and workshops, adult reading, and multi-year training in Nonviolent Communication Methods and Cultural Competency (with Vanessa Alfaro and Lori Cohen).
We know that struggle brings strength, or as Fredrick Douglass stated in 1857, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” While the change we need is one of the heart, which takes time, we believe it can indeed happen. As a Lasallian Catholic school, we stand with the voiceless and the marginalized, those who live in fear, and those who desire to make a positive difference in our world. Now more than ever our Lasallian Core Principles invite us to action and give us great purpose and resolve.
Thank you for your commitment to De La Salle High School, and I invite you to join us as we consider what truly building Men of Faith, Integrity, and Scholarship can and should mean. Please pray and work for an end to injustices everywhere for everyone.
Sincerely,
David J. Holquin
President