Senior and sophomores attended a mandatory assembly that focused on the Sept. 11 attacks and the ramifications of hate speech following the terrorist attacks. Upper school Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Reb Limerick began the assembly by providing details of the Al- Qaeda attack. Limerick explained how Americans’ dismay about the attack led to bias against Muslims and hate speech. This prompted a fear among Muslims and Sikhs of the implications of wearing their hijabs in public.
Afterward, Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging Janine Jones addressed the pervasiveness of hate speech and bullying. The assembly concluded with Prefect Council presenting the function and purpose of the Community Concern Report (CCR) reports.
Senior Prefect Victor Suh ’25, said CCR reports help identify people who are not following the mission statement’s objectives of inclusivity and community.
“Harvard-Westlake strives to be a place where students’ culture, beliefs, race and identity are respected and welcomed by everyone,” Suh said. “When a violation occurs, and a student commits an act of hate speech, the school will take appropriate action after an investigation. The school’s CCR reports initiate the process for the inquiry. The reports are accessible on the student portal where a student files a public, detailed complaint. The Dean of Students will subsequently respond within 48 hours, after deciding on the appropriate response.”
Suh said that the CCR reports are not preventative, rather a resource for students.
“One of the many [resources], like the counselors all students are assigned to at the beginning of the year,” Suh said. “These kinds of things are resources that we think students should be aware of, that they have as students at Harvard Westlake.”
Ella Tulloch ’27 said the main takeaway from the assembly was that people should avoid hate speech about religion, race or gender and be mindful of their words, as they can influence others’ perceptions of their identity.
“We shouldn’t spread hate speech about people’s religions or their race or gender,” Tulloch said. “In general, we should be very cautious with how we phrase things. Our words may affect other people, [making] them feel [that] their gender or their race affects who they are as a person.”
Suh said the goal of the assembly is to let students know that hate speech can negatively impact peers.
“[Students should not] bully people, [and] use slurs,” Suh said.”If you do use slurs, or you commit acts of hate speech or racial-based violence, you are not promoting the welfare of the community. We can set people who are veering off course back on course.”
