On September 20, a staff member found racist graffiti inside a girls’ bathroom, clearly targeted a member of our community, stating, “Clean [N-word].”

Right afterward, Head of School Judith Guild called an all-school meeting to address the matter.

While the incident itself is cause for outrage, the manner in which the administration has handled it deserves commendation.

Transparency in times of crisis is a quality that many organizations lack. We should feel proud of how leaders chose not to sweep this incident under the rug but to confront it head-on, revealing a commitment to integrity and the well-being of the community.

We firmly oppose all forms of discrimination. To state that this appalling event starkly contradicts our core values of respect, kindness, honesty, responsibility, and equity would be a massive understatement.

There is no room for any hate in this community.

“At the end of the day, regardless of whether we like each other or see eye-to-eye with people, we would never attack someone’s identity or take somebody’s dignity away,” Guild said. “That, to me, is the worst thing you could do to a human being in so many ways.”

We strongly agree. Our School’s mission is to inspire students to think and act as responsible and ethical citizens.

“We must work hard to create an equitable environment for all and actively teach and practice anti-bias and anti-racism at every level,” the School’s website says.

Let us remember that this work is never done.

We welcome community members to share their voices in The Gator.

We also implore the perpetrator to relieve the burden of their behavior, allowing the community to heal.