Recent events and ongoing reactions and activism remind us that the scourge of racism is alive and well. I am saddened that we find ourselves soberly reminded of this terrible truth.

As I have reflected on this tragedy over the past few days and spoken with students I have worked with over the years, I continue to think about former teacher, lecturer, and anti-racism activist Jane Eliott and her famed statement to white student audiences around the world: "If you as a white person would be happy to receive the same treatment that our black citizens do in this society, please stand." The audiences stare—and sit—in silence. While I can never fully understand the pain that the Black community faces in this country, Elliott's words always make me stop and wonder why we cannot do better.

As the leader of our school, I stand in solidarity with all those combating the evils of racism. I urge all members of our community to do the same, whether as educators or students or just good citizens.

In yesterday's Los Angeles Times, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar concluded his op-ed with,

"What I want to see is not a rush to judgment, but a rush to justice."

I, too, hope that as a community we can help create a better world that is safe and just for everyone.

—Dr. Randy Bertin