Conversations on Race Program Begins

At a special assembly on Wednesday, September 16th, Hopkins kicked off a year-long program, Conversations on Race, with the screening of the documentary film, I'm Not Racist, Am I? Students, staff and faculty gathered in the Walter Camp Athletic Center to view the 90-minute film which follows twelve students from New York City as they candidly confront their own racism and racial identity.

Prior to dimming the lights, Amanda Friedman, Director of Diversity set the stage with a quote from James Baldwin, writing in 1962, “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Joining Ms. Friedman for introductions were Sophie Cappello ‘16, Justin Nitirouth ’16 and Maya Zanger-Nadis ’16, members of S.U.R.E. (Students United for Racial Equity) which helped organize the event.

Following the screening, producers from the film facilitated a conversation with 11th and 12th graders in the Gym and 9th and 10th graders in Upper Heath. Students in the junior school re-gathered in the Gym after lunch for their own facilitated conversation. Later that evening, more than 140 parents convened in Heath Commons for a screening and conversation.

In a follow up letter to parents and students, Mrs. Riley shared her perspective on the conversations. “One-word reactions ranged, at one end of the spectrum, from 'complicated,' 'more self-aware,' 'understanding,' 'enlightening,' 'interesting' (in the sense of "where will we go with this?), 'excited' and proud' to 'disappointing,' 'frustrating,' 'confusing,' 'anger provoking,' 'simplistic' and 'inconclusive.' I loved our students’ brave candor and appreciated the subtle reminder that 708 young people were starting the conversation from 708 different places and perspectives— a recognition that, as we start this important effort, we will need to acknowledge and respect all of those disparate starting points . . . and destinations. Overall, I found our students’ willingness and eagerness to engage, combined with the courage it takes to voice highly personal opinions, a beautifully encouraging and hopeful start to this important undertaking."


The next program in the series will be a school-wide performance, on Friday, November 13th at 1:30pm, of the play Defamation, an old fashioned courtroom drama where the audience will deliberate and decide the verdict.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
Photos taken by Judy Sirota Rosenthal.
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Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.