Example email script:

 

Dear (JC Administration/recipient name), 

I am a JC (student/alumni/parent/your name). I am emailing today in regards to the petition detailed on the website, https://jcpetition2020.wixsite.com/petitionjc.

 

I strongly believe that the following actions must be implemented:

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1. Reform History/Social Studies curricula to teach a narrative of American History that is not whitewashed, but rather inclusive of BIPOC histories. The Department Chair should be trained on how to incorporate this change. Must require U.S. History educators to abide by this improved curricula.

A. In the new class “Exploration of Human Rights, Genocide and the Pursuit of Justice” include the genocide and systemic/instituionalized racism of Black people and the pursuit of justice that is the Black Lives Matter Movement. Must be taught by someone professionally trained in approaching topics from an anti-racist undersanding. 

 

2. Hire an experienced Diversity Coordinator, a person of color, to lead the following initiatives: 

A. Mandatory literature by BIPOC authors in all English curricula. Implement a Black History Month Project, similar to the time spent learning about the Holocaust. 

B. Implement a school-wide reading each year of a text that educates students on racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, xenophobia, and more in America. 

C. Facilitate workshops, events, and speakers to share experiences and teach allyship to teachers and students. This should include: 

• bringing in a Diversity Trainer to lead educational initiatives for faculty and staff

• implementing speaker events regarding racism   

• reimplementing the Black History Month Assemblies

• mandating the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a graduation requirement (similar to the Holocaust Museum trip)

• engaging Black alumni as guest speakers to share their current work and accomplishments

 

3. We urge JC not to use Advisory or Patriot Transitions as “opportunities for dialogue and education on practices of anti-racism and the intricacies of systemic inequity,” as put forth in their Committee statement. This conversation must be led in an educational setting by someone professionally trained in approaching topics from an anti-racist understanding. Those times are not practical for unlearning hundreds of years of systemic racism. 

 

4. We compel JC to show commitment to diversity, as put forth in their Committee statement, through diversifying educators. We request that JC release a timeline of when this implementation is to be expected, including the current diversity breakdown of educators and the future goal. 

 

5. Create a Diversity Fund where donors can specify that their donation goes toward specific diversity initiatives. 

 

6. Implement a pre-service trip orientation. As a Catholic School, JC prides itself on being in service of others. This is an invaluable initiative, but it must be met with effort to serve in meaningful, non-destructive ways. Including education for students and staff on: systemic racism, the white savior narrative, and the responsibility that comes with privilege. (Consider reforming the application process for service trips to ensure more funding/scholarship to allow students who may not be able to afford trips the opportunity.) 

 

(name of email recipient), without significant reform the positive steps taken by the few have run the risk of being overshadowed by the magnitude of the issue. Significant work remains. Our John Carroll community deserves comprehensive education initiatives to be implemented. 

 

Sincerely, 

Concerned (alumni/student/parent) (your name)