Cardigan Mountain School A boarding and day school for boys in grades 6 through 9

Cardigan Community Explores the History of Racism

Cardigan Community Explores the History of Racism
 

“To know the past is to know the present. To know the present is to know yourself.” And so begins Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a book students and faculty read together during Homecoming at the start of Cardigan’s academic year.

Last January, Cardigan identified diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as the focus for faculty professional development in 2020-21; the need for this work has only been validated by the national events of the past six months. While the start of the school year for faculty began with a multi-day DEI workshop with Melissa Crum, students began their school year with Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, a book that studies the history of racism and helps students explore their own roles in eliminating it.

“We decided to read the book at the beginning of the year because we wanted to mark our commitment to thinking about racism,” says Art Department Chair Nina Silitch P’19,’21. “This isn’t a box we can check off and be done with. Understanding racism takes continual work. If we’re not doing this work, then we’re doing everyone a disservice.” She referenced the School’s mission—preparing middle school boys for responsible and meaningful lives in a global society—when she stressed the importance of the boys reflecting on their own stories and experiences, both conscious and subconscious, and how racist ideas and policies have impacted their lives.

Reimagined book covers of "Stamped" created by Cardigan students.

The students’ discussions and reading culminated in the creation of reimagined book covers for Stamped.
 

During Homecoming, a two-week, technology-free period this year that allowed students to have a staggered start due to COVID precautions, students were given time to play games and explore campus, but they also read Stamped. Within their dorm groups, students explored the terms racist, segregationist, assimilationist, and antiracist and learned about historical figures including Gomes Eanes de Zurara, Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and W.E.B. Du Bois. They learned about the complicated history of racism in America—entwined with economics, laws, and popular culture—and how that history impacts the country in which we live today. 

“I had the opportunity to read and to facilitate conversations with the boys, and I was so impressed with their enthusiasm and courage,” says Director of Student Life Nick Nowak. “I wish all of our families could have heard the boys asking to read more of the book. We are both fortunate and privileged at CMS, and accomplishing our mission as a school is dependent on whether or not we use that privilege to prepare for responsible and meaningful lives in a global society. Listening to our students discuss Stamped, I feel encouraged.”

The community reading and discussions culminated in the creation of a reimagined book cover for Stamped. “Let’s put your visual storytelling skills to the test and see if you can capture the essence of our community read,” challenged Ms. Silitch. Students rose to the challenge, choosing powerful colors, words, and images to illustrate their ideas. 

“The work that we started with Stamped is only the beginning,” says Assistant Head of School Josh LeRoy P’23. “The reading and discussions we had within our dorm families opened a door for our boys and the community moving forward. Listening, being empathetic, and having the courage to speak up was evident and exciting to witness.”

Mr. Mallory's dorm reading "Stamped" outdoors.

Mr. Mallory's dorm reading Stamped outdoors.
 

Our school-wide theme this year is ‘Carry On,’ and this important work will be carrying on throughout this year and will be a point of focus when the School begins work on its next long-term strategic plan. Ms. Silitch said she also plans to use the theme “Other Voices” in her art classes to introduce her students to diverse artists and ideas, and the School is hoping to start a faculty committee that will continue the work as well. 

Students are also engaging in the conversation. Reaghan Moore ’21 picked up the important topic in a chapel talk just this week and shared his own personal experiences and talked about being an ally against racism. He closed with the following thought: “We as a community have the choice to be strong advocates or allies who step in when it is needed. I cannot tell you what to choose; that choice must come from you and only you. But if there is one thing I know about this community, it is that we will all make the right choice.” 

Stay tuned for more updates!

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