November 6, 2018
By Victor Chen and Vibhuti Naik
On Oct. 4, a swastika graffito was discovered in a bathroom stall at Lexington High School. School administrators immediately contacted the police to investigate the situation. The Superintendent of schools, Dr. Julie Hackett, also consulted the Human Rights Commission.
The graffito was one of a series of anti-semitic and hateful incidents dating back to last year.
Principal Stephens addressed the incident through a newsletter sent to students and parents.
"We are about the provision of a safe, kind, supportive, and inclusive environment that conveys that every single student here matters and deserves to be here. These incidents of graffiti convey the polar opposite of those core beliefs and I hope that, instead, they further galvanize our collective ideals against such actions and help to bring us together,” he said.
Students have also voiced their concerns about such incidents.
“Our school is very diverse, filled with people of different backgrounds. It is important to build a welcoming community for all individuals. However, these hate symbols serve as deterrents from us accomplishing that goal,” Jonathan Hsu, a junior, said.
Nonetheless, Hsu remains optimistic.
“I think overall our school and most people in it are striving for a better community... I often hear my peers discussing recent political and social issues, which demonstrate their care and awareness for these problems and their wishes to solve these problems,” Hsu said.
Sophomore Jack Man shared a similar sentiment.
“Our nation is more divided than ever, but that doesn't mean we can’t make our school a safe and harmonious space for all. We should not be affected by the hate crimes around us and work toward a better future,” Man said.
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