Black History Month, which begins this week, is a time to acknowledge the accomplishments of Black leaders who have advanced the causes of racial justice and equality in the United States and contributed to our country’s cultural, scientific, and technological accomplishments over the past 250 years. But it’s also a time for reflection as we continue to grapple with the legacy of enslavement, exploitation, and discrimination that has haunted not just our fellow Black citizens, but other racial and ethnic minorities who have contributed to our wonderfully diverse country.
This week we’ve published the second article in our series “Confronting Racism,” an examination of racism in our schools, how it manifests itself, and how we can all work to make every student feel equally accepted and valued at Bromfield and Hildreth Elementary School.
We have chosen to take a closer look at microaggression, a form of discrimination that can appear harmless to those inflicting it but is harmful to its targets. In our previous report, we relied largely on a recent school survey, conversations with Bromfield administrators, and interviews with nearly a dozen students and alumni who wished to remain anonymous.
For our latest report, a number of current and former students have stepped forward to share their personal experiences. We are deeply grateful to them. First-person accounts have a way of engendering empathy, and empathy can change attitudes and behavior.
In future articles we’ll explore the steps Harvard’s schools and student groups are taking to create the more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment to which they aspire. What’s being done? What’s the goal? How can progress be measured?
We’d like to hear from readers. Tell us what you think about this series and our reporting. What have we got right? What are we missing? Write to editor@harvardpress.net.
