We Stand in Solidarity with our Black Community

Dear Friends:

“We live in a time that still threatens black lives…. As educators, we all must bear witness to this fact. We all must shine a light on the state of race relations with the goal of pushing us onward to our democratic ideals. We need to speak out for justice and teach for justice. To do otherwise would undermine our school missions and cheat our students. To do otherwise would be cowardice.”

Carla Young, a longtime independent school administrator based in Detroit, expressed these sentiments.

Not yesterday, and not in reference to the recent deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Not two years ago, following the deaths of Botham Jean and Stephon Clark.

Not four years ago, following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile.

Carla Young expressed those sentiments in the Spring of 2015, and in reference to the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

In her essay, Ms. Young went on to challenge us: 

“All of our independent school efforts at diversity and inclusion, all of our focus on public purpose, all of our attention to global issues, all of our commitments to teaching both the heart and the mind prod us to be agents of social change.”

American Montessori Society (AMS) Board President Amira Mogaji wrote recently:

“Now is the time for us to be intentionally anti-racist, and to denounce and call out injustices that are occurring right before our eyes—injustices that impact the students, parents, staff members, and schools within our community, and in some cases determine whether they live or die. It’s time to stand for, and with, justice.”

Our school’s Vision Statement keeps with the sentiments expressed by Carla Young and Amira Mogarji:

“We imagine a community that works in harmony to educate the whole child in an environment that embraces compassion, care and respect for every being.”

Please join me as we pause to reflect on this vision. MCS is a member of the AMS community and of our local, statewide, national, and global community of schools. Join us in strengthening our dedication as we strive in the days, weeks, months and years ahead to achieve it.

In peace,
Tim Daniel 
Head of School

Additional Resources
MCS Diversity and Equity page
Anti-Racism Project
UNC Anti-Racism Resources