By. Ms. Devane, Head of School
Good morning, College Prep—we are greeted this morning by election news that is still
incomplete but yet decisive, bringing results that express the will of many Americans, but will be upsetting and frightening to many others. As we wait for the final votes to be tallied, I know that some of us may be feeling surprised or satisfied, some may be grieving, and others might be feeling numb or stuck. Our politics have left us with fractures that have been amplified and trust that has been eroded.
I don’t have any political analysis for you today. I’m thinking instead about civics and
citizenship, about what it means to be a good citizen. Does it mean to follow the laws and to
remember to vote? Yes, and…it also means to question why things are the way they are, to stay curious about the systems and mechanisms that shape power and agency, to protect not only our rights but each other…and then to be ready to lean into the responsibilities that come with being a part of our imperfect and unfinished experiment in democracy.
Of course, civics—like politics—is a personal thing, and there is no one way to be a good citizen. It’s also important for you to take time for self-care and to work through whatever thoughts or feeling may be front and center for you at this moment. That said, whatever your personal politics, my hope is that you also hear a call to action, and that you will continue to grow in ways that support your readiness to be the future citizens we need.
This includes that you develop the intellectual muscle to pursue truth and understanding. Do
not accept shallow thinking. Intellectual discipline and integrity of thought still matter, and the ability to consider conflicting facts and differing perspectives with nuance and precision is a core skill of citizenship.
The second is that you remember that we are each other’s keepers, and how deeply our
collective fates are intertwined. We have seen some abhorrent attacks and rhetoric this fall,
justified as ‘just part of politics.’ But I tell you that dishonorable behavior coarsens and
diminishes us all and good character transcends partisanship. Being able to find common
ground and even solidarity with people who seem profoundly different from you is foundational to believing that we are all truly equal – a basic premise of our democracy.
And finally, please stay hopeful. I know that this can sound naïve. But I’m not talking about the “I’m sure everything will be just fine” sort of hope. I’m talking about a mindset that is brave and principled and insistent, the kind that the great civil rights leader John Lewis meant when he said, “We must be headlights and not taillights. Be hopeful.” Make room for the possible, always rooted in care – care for yourself and for each other. Maybe today that looks like taking some quiet time, or drinking extra water, or unplugging from your social feed for a couple of days. Pay attention to those around you who might need some space or a hug. Maybe consider an extra nap. Let the adults in your life know how you’re feeling and what you need.
To close, I want to appreciate those seniors who were eligible to vote and who used their
opportunity to exercise their voice in this way. I also want to thank Mira and Lucas, our AIB
reps, and the others who are hosting gatherings and spaces for those who want to be together
to share thoughts and perspectives. And most of all, I want to thank all of you, for working to be good community members here, in a place where we have agency and say over the quality of our relations and school culture. Whatever awaits, we can trust that from a place of reason and integrity, through our relationships, and with abiding hope, we will build and sustain a just community, a community of care.
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