Over the past few months, we have watched the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, David McAtee and many other Black Americans by the hands of law enforcement. As we look back on the 400 years of oppression that Black people have faced in this country and throughout the world, we know that these are not isolated events.

Now, we are seeing protests and demonstrations across the nation and the world condemning the murder of innocent Black lives and the use of violent police force. As we watch and reflect, we believe that The Stony Brook School must do more to stand up for students, faculty, staff and alumni of color. Racism and discrimination have run rampant on our campus, from microaggressions to discriminatory disciplinary action to cultural appropriation and beyond.

As an educational institution built and sustained on Christian values, The Stony Brook School must lead by example. SBS has a duty to its students, alumni and faculty members to commit to working toward achieving racial justice in our community, our country and elsewhere.

As a diverse, international community, we demand that you stand in solidarity with Black lives and against police brutality. We ask that The Stony Brook School:
-Donate one year’s tuition for an international boarding student ($63,200) to Black Lives Matter (25%), NAACP (25%), ERASE Racism Long Island (25%) and Sojourners (25%).
-Add a required course for all students to take before 11th grade, that focuses on anti-racism, diversity, bias, discrimination and privilege, taught only by faculty who identify as People of Color and are educated in critical race theory
-Require that by the 2021-2022 academic year, at least 10% of faculty and 10% of staff be People of Color at all times.
-Require that all existing faculty members affirm their personal commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and anti-racism through a written affirmation in their hiring contract, to be implemented before the 2020-2021 academic year
-Provide training for all faculty members on the subject of diversity, inclusion, equity and anti-racism.
-Standardize the process of disciplinary action for offenses related to discrimination. We recommend that The Stony Brook School adheres to the Anti-Defamation League’s guidelines for defining “discrimination.”
-Create a new prefect position and council to act as a liaison between students, administration and the Frank E. Gaebelein Office of Equity and Inclusion. Prefects should be committed to supporting the creation and sustenance of cultural affinity groups on campus.
-Address these demands and concerns in a virtual town hall for students, alumni, and the SBS community before June 20.

“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor, the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3)