Dear Waldorf School Community,

We wish to acknowledge societal injustice and the resulting pain that has recently escalated throughout the nation. We grieve for the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. As we witness black, brown, multiracial, and non-white people suffering and dying disproportionately from structural inequities in our criminal justice system, as well as disparities in access to healthcare, which the pandemic has made more evident, we are called upon to face the pain of racism individually and in community. 
 
Adhering to Rudolf Steiner’s mission, the Waldorf School of Lexington holds the dignity of the human being at our core. We recognize the responsibility we have to work even harder, to look within and dismantle systemic inequalities present in our community and wider society. As our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission statement reflects, “WSL is committed to an ongoing process of learning, listening and deepening our understanding of equity and inclusion. With reverence, we strive to create, embrace and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where everyone feels respected, connected and valued.” We know that this work is vital, necessary and on-going. 

Sharing resources to support our community is essential. We are currently developing resource lists by age group, which we will add to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page. Please continue to check our website. In the meantime, we have curated helpful resources that have been shared by the following:

AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America)

• How to talk to children about racism and violence: resources for teachers, parents and guardians

• Anti-racism Resources for White People: a compilation of resources for white people and parents to deepen our work in anti-racism

• Array Now: Started by Ava DuVernay, director of Now They See Us, this is a compilation of African American independent films—an array of stories and voices.

• Teaching Tolerance: Teaching about race, racism, and police violence

• 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: Curated by Medium and updated regularly.

AISNE (Association of Independent Schools of New England)

• Real American: A Memoir by Julie Lythcott-Haims

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo (WSL’s DBC read this book in 2019)

• How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram Kendi

• The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias by Dolly Chugh

WSL Diversity Book Club (DBC)

• Monthly Book Discussion List (Years 1-3: 2016-2019).

• In addition, the DBC will be sponsoring a virtual study group for adults following Layla F. Saad’s workbook, Me and White Supremacy. If you are interested in joining, please contact Jen Minotti.

As a community, we strive for a just and equitable world. As part of the Waldorf School of Lexington’s family, we dedicate ourselves to growing our collective commitment to social justice and an equitable, inclusive education for all.

Warmly,
Wendy, Ellen, and Jen

Wendy Margo
School Director
w.margo@thewaldorfschool.org

Ellen Varney
Director of Finance & Operations
e.varney@thewaldorfschool.org

Jen Minotti
DEI Committee Chair
jenminotti@hotmail.com