Students of Cristo Rey New York, our fierce Lions, what is our message for you?

 

• You are loved, for who you are, as you are.  All people, with the abundant diversity of humanity, are created in the image and likeness of God.  With your feelings of anger, disgust, dismay, exhaustion, fear - whatever you may be feeling - you are loved.

• Your safety is a preeminent concern.  George Floyd died in the custody of police in Minnesota, Ahmaud Arbery died at the hands of white residents of the Georgia neighborhood where he was jogging.  In some cases, protests over these violent deaths have turned violent themselves and people have been injured and killed.  Not to mention, being in a large crowd during a pandemic increases the chances of catching COVID-19.  Please stay safe, so the loss of innocent lives is not compounded by the loss of more innocent lives.

• Most people treat others with dignity and respect.  While it is sometimes hard to see when the extreme behaviors of the few get a lot of attention, most people are good-hearted.  Among thousands of protesters, most assemble peacefully while only a few act violently or destructively.  We support the insistent, yet peaceful, call for justice.  Among thousands of police officers, most do hard jobs very well while only a few abuse their power and threaten the public.  Cristo Rey New York has an excellent relationship with the officers of the 23rd Precinct and they have supported us time and time again.

• We denounce violence and destruction.  We are called to love one another, not hate.  Violence and destruction diminish us all.  Violence against Black Americans, often Black men like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, is an intolerable consequence of immoral individual actions and systemic racial injustice against which we must continue to fight.  Throwing bottles, breaking glass, looting stores, and lighting fires work against the achievement of true justice.  Some people who wish to promote mayhem not justice take advantage of legitimate protests as cover for their destructive agenda.  We need to promote justice while remaining true to our values.  Those of us who cannot fully know the realities that our sisters and brothers of color face cannot settle for being sympathetic bystanders, at best, when we need to be allies in the fight against racism.

 

What to do?

 

In 1979 the U.S. Catholic Bishops called racism a “radical evil."  As an educational community we are committed to radical freedom.  We must find the courage to stand up to the radical evil that continues to afflict our communities of color and draw upon our resources to renew our efforts to support each other, to stand up for each other, and to uphold human dignity everywhere.  

 

For guidance, we look to Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. Rep. Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community” in America.   His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress.  He has led the fight for civil rights since the early 1960s.  You can learn more about him at: https://johnlewis.house.gov/john-lewis.

 

On Saturday, May 30, Rep. Lewis said, "I know your pain, your rage, your sense of despair and hopelessness. Justice has, indeed, been denied for far too long. Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive."

 

If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed by the issues at hand, consider disconnecting from the news and social media for a bit.  Take a walk, say a prayer, talk to a friend, parent, or counselor.  This is a long struggle and we will not solve it in one day.  You need to sustain yourself in order to fight for others.

 

We continue to pray for your health and safety.  Have courage and confidence, Lions.  We can do this!

 

Mr. Dougherty and Dr. Clemente