A Message to Our Community
MKA’s Mission challenges students to personally engage with the world, understand human complexity, and demonstrate responsibility as citizens and leaders. At a time when the country is confronted with the ongoing problem of racism, police brutality, and unequal justice, MKA can rely on the power and passion of its students to call the school community to action.
-Carlaina Bell Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Middle School Assistant Head
Excerpt from a letter written to MKA faculty by Kelsey Freeman, Student Body Vice President, class of 2021:
I hope you and your families are well. I know you have heard over the past few weeks about the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd that have sparked a social outcry from, not only the world, but members of this community. As I read of black deaths in the media over the last few weeks, I knew that each death would not be the last. Given that loss of life is the most brutal and inhumane form of violence, we should not treat these actions as habitual occurrences, and we are calling on you to speak out.
We stood outside alongside you on Van Brunt field to remember the victims of the Parkland school shooting. We sat united in silence to honor the memory of those killed in an act of antisemitism at the Tree of Life synagogue. We’ve heard you share your experiences with violence and injustice, and felt inspired. We are deeply grateful for these actions, and are hopeful that you will continue to speak out in our community.
We would not ask this of you if we didn’t have an immense appreciation for who you are and what you do. It is a love for our faculty and our school which has compelled us to write to you. We are in a new age. We can’t call an assembly. We can’t stop and chat in the hallways. What happens next is going to take effort. It is going to take energy. It is going to take compassion. We only have a few days of school left. In those few days: reach out to your students, have difficult conversations, and shed your silence.