On October 25th, a Monday evening, Oliver Ames students received an email confirming that there is an investigation regarding a message of hate that was left on a bathroom stall. There was a swastika drawn onto a bathroom poster somewhere within the school, but where, when, and who did it are still unknown. Many students have responded to this incident via social media, and the majority of the Easton community is disheartened and shocked that this happened another time.
Oliver Ames students need to do better and realize that their actions will have consequences, and the administration needs to display to the students that they strive to make Oliver Ames an inclusive and welcoming community.
Many students were unimpressed with the message sent out by Principal Cavanaugh because it is not the first time a message of hate has been left in the school. The email itself was also very reminiscent of past emails sent out about the same topic, which lead to nothing. Jewish students are sick of being treated as if they are inferior to other students, and they want the school to do something about it this time. Everyone should feel safe at school no matter their religious standpoint.
Students demand that action be taken against the people who keep committing these hateful acts, and we stand by them. This incident was unacceptable, and it makes people feel unsafe in this school environment, but can we blame them for feeling this way? No. Their feelings are completely valid, and the school needs to take serious action in order to keep students safe. Although the school has not yet taken action against the acts of hate committed towards the Jewish community, their voice will not be silenced, and this incident will not be pushed under the rug once again.
Unfortunately, when speaking to students about the hate crime, many of their responses are just “Again?!” with a defeated sigh. This is not the first time a symbol of hate has been found drawn on the school premises, and with the way the Administration has handled it in the past and is currently handling it, it probably won’t be the last.
We will give Mrs. Cavanaugh the benefit of the doubt. It is her first year at Oliver Ames and maybe she is unaware that this has happened multiple times in the past. But we as students are sick and tired of hearing that they are looking into it and there always seems to be little to no outcome. Swift and harsh consequences need to be taken NOW!
We need to start at the root of the problem. There is a good chance that this was done, not by a hard right-winger who has racist and anti-semitic ideals, but by a naive kid who doesn’t think saying these words and using these horrifying images are that bad. They most likely don’t understand how it affects others and how its history affects its meaning. We need to educate the population against these words and images. They need to learn that these deeply affect the Jewish population of the school and are extremely disturbing. They need to learn that this isn’t just some stupid joke that we will all laugh about. This is seriously concerning and heinous.
The schools response to the last few hate crimes were forming the ADL Peer Leader club. Last year was their first year and they mainly focused on issues of race, mostly Black culture and how we can support our Black students. They obviously have to expand their focus this year and in following years. We hope that they really take this “incident” and use it to teach students about the negative affect hateful words and imagery have.