In May 2020, many people focused on the murder of the African-American man George Floyd. Not being able to leave the house during the COVID-19 pandemic made many pay closer attention to the news than usual. But now that things feel closer to normal, police brutality is often overlooked. It is still an issue in America’s culture—specifically towards people of color.
The murder of Tyre Nichols reminds community members that police brutality is an ongoing crisis, and many community members feel it should be talked about in school. Despite this high-profile murder, the administration did not organize voluntary discussions or assembly programming.
“When I first heard about it, I was surprised that these things are still happening. And that people still abuse their powers,” Fifth Former and Black Student Union Leader Anthony Carter said. “When I saw it, I was really surprised that our own people were brutalizing us. Those officers were going to be made an example because they are Black also.”
These brutal killings will always be unexpected, but to see the faces of all five black people on the news as murderers confused many people in terms of how the murder was supported by the other officers on the scene.
“The most exposed individuals are men and women of color and exposed in terms of lack of protection from an over-caffeinated and trigger-happy police department,” history teacher Mr. Bhelly Bagbonon said. “I am interested in how five African-American police officers were supported in their brutal attack on Tyre, and how all five of them were dismissed from their post.”
Students and faculty feel it is the school’s place to address these concerns.
“Formally, we don’t do it well, but informally certain classes do it in a way where the teachers are open to talking about it organically rather than structured,” Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Ms. Rhonda Brown said. “Last year a verdict came out, and we had a lunch talk and wondered if it was something we should continue. I felt it was important, so should we do more of these? I don’t want to tell you what’s important; I want you all to tell me what you feel is important. Make a decision about how you feel because it does not depend on my opinion.”
“Conversations should’ve happened during the George Floyd era to show people that they cared, and Haverford is not going to have a response because it is a controversial topic, and they don’t like responding to it.”
Anthony carter ’24
Students have formed opinions on how the school responds to reoccurring traumas.
“Conversations should’ve happened during the George Floyd era to show people that they cared, and Haverford is not going to have a response because it is a controversial topic, and they don’t like responding to it,” Carter said.
On February 2, 2023, Yale University professor and this year’s Parker Lecturer Dr. Elizabeth Hinton’s topic was “Riot or Rebellion: The Meaning of Violent Protest from the 1960s to George Floyd.”
Students and faculty were surprised by the muted reaction to her speech because in past lectures the school took time from classes to make students get to the lecture early, as well as posting it on the school’s social media platforms. However, many students felt there should’ve been more recognition on the school’s end of Dr. Hinton’s lecture.
“She talked about the history of policing. That’s ridiculous they didn’t post her, and Haverford shouldn’t continue to please parents,” Sixth Former Thaddeus Busser said. “A lot of [the school’s] funding comes from alumni, but the point of education is to challenge beliefs that we have, so we shouldn’t please others, but we should support the needs of the community.”
After the conversation, many people were struck by the white-on-black crime. However, Black teachers wanted to speak on Black-on-Black policing.
“Black people policing other Black people is a meta-narrative of white supremacy that lifts the stories of white supremacy. It holds a culture of minority policing,” Mr. Bagbonon said.
Part of Mr. Bagbonon’s point is that no matter what color you are, policing still holds a racial bias against minorities. Specifically, Black people are targeted and the policing culture still tends to brutalize minorities because of racist societal foundations.
“More needs to be done because it’s a disservice to top students to not teach about [police violence]. Without that clear understanding, you’re exposing them to be involved to their benefit or detriment.”
Mr. Bhelly Bagbonon
It is unlikely that this issue will eradicate police violence, but with the proper steps, teachers and students will hear the truth and then know what to act upon.
“More needs to be done because it’s a disservice to top students to not teach about it,” Mr. Bagbonon said. “Without that clear understanding, you’re exposing them to be involved to their benefit or detriment.”
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