Latinos Unidos Decries Recent Racism

On Wednesday, November 16, students, faculty, and administrators spoke at the Upper School Morning Meeting to address the behavior at a Men’s Varsity soccer game between the School and Summit Tamalpais on Saturday, November 4. 

According to a statement Upper School Head Ricky Lapidus emailed on Friday, November 18, “Two unidentified Head-Royce parents were overheard using explicitly racist language targeting Summit Tamalpais’s players’ and parents’ Latinx identities.” 

Following the event, administrators at the School met with the soccer team, parents, and administrators from Summit Tamalpais. Given the inconclusive information, the administration decided to not take disciplinary action. 

The Morning Meeting fell nearly three years after the December 2019 assembly, in which students revealed their personal experiences with racism at the School. 

Lapidus stated that the School’s goal is “not to hide the struggle but to redouble our efforts to do better.”

Latinos Unidos, an affinity group for Latinx-identifying students, made their own statement regarding the events, urging the members of the community to reflect upon the School’s culture surrounding minority identities. 

Statement from Latinos Unidos

This is Latinos Unidos. Take a moment and look. These are people around you, people you share classes with and talk with. We may not be the loudest or the largest affinity group, but we still have feelings and those feelings matter. Recently, we as a community have been hurt.

Two weeks ago, Head-Royce parents behaved in a way unfitting of our school’s motto of ‘diversity, citizenship, and scholarship.’ Coded language was used, and much of the aggressive and offensive behavior exhibited was racially motivated against Latinos. This is not meant to be accusatory. The last thing we want is for Head-Royce to get defensive and resist our movement for change. If you are feeling defensive, that is a catalyst for us as a community to change our behavior and attitude. As a community, we must do better. Even when emotions run high, check yourself and be respectful of those around you. Actions and words can have a deeply hurtful impact on the students around you, even if they choose to remain silent. It is not our job to correct you or change your behavior — and we can’t keep putting the burden of action on the affected communities. 

This past week, Latinos Unidos has been left shocked and angered by what happened, and is still in the process of collective healing. 

However, we are also tired. Tired of repeated jokes and language poking fun at our identity. Tired of feeling sidelined again and again. Honestly, a bit angry that we have to have this conversation again. The prejudice in this community that we face should not be so prevalent.

Do better Head-Royce.

End of Statement