BKHS Task Force on Diversity

• Examine curricula to determine where and how the topic of racism is addressed.
• Review school policies and procedures meant to safeguard against racism.
• Enhance the school's capacity for candid and challenging, yet respectful, dialogue addressing racial equality and justice within our community and the larger society.
• Explore ways to recruit staff that build more diversity among faculty, coaches, and staff.
• Develop skill sets through professional development and diversity training for entire staff.

As a faith-based school in the Catholic tradition, we will draw upon gospel values and church documents specific to racism as the framework for our discussion and direction. We invite our Bishop Kenny community to read these documents as we all engage in conversations surrounding racism.

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Letter Against Racism
• Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
• Bishop Kenny's Stance Against Racism

Bishop Kenny is already a Catholic school; why do we need this?

Bishop Kenny is and will continue to be first and foremost a Catholic school. The values of our church will unapologetically continue to be the foundation of everything that we do and this task force exists not despite the fact that we are Catholic, but precisely because we are Catholic. We recognize the wonderful experience many of you had at BK, but for some of our Crusaders that was not the case. Bishop Kenny has a responsibility to hear these voices and to ensure that our Catholic values will continue to be upheld both in policy and practice.

Black Lives Matters is a political movement.  Does the school agree with BLM?

We do not agree with the Black Lives Matter political organization, as many of their positions are antithetical to our Catholic teachings.  Bishop Kenny strongly agrees with the sentiment that black lives matter, as reflective of our Catholic position on the sanctity of every human life.  As stated on June 5 in “BKHS’ Stance Against Racism”, “telling our black students that their lives matter is not a political statement. It is a statement of love and kindness that speaks to the core of what we are – a Catholic institution that welcomes students of all colors, races, and nationalities. When Jesus went in search of the lost sheep and left the 99, it was not because the 99 stopped mattering, it was because the one was in danger.”

Why has Bishop Kenny not responded to the open letters that have been published by alumni?

Bishop Kenny administration replied directly to the author of an open letter from alumni received on June 5, as well as to a later invitation to attend an alumni-organized town hall.  We applauded the alumnus for exercising his voice as a member of the BK community and we invited him to campus to speak with us directly regarding the matter, an invitation that was also extended to an author of a second open letter dated July 11.  We hope they will one day take us up on the invitations.

In the spirit of the transparency we not only value, but also feel is necessary to these complex conversations, we declined to attend the town hall because the organizers of the event required “passive attendance using pseudonyms and refraining from communicating in any form” from BK administration and faculty in order to attend.  We felt it was neither right nor fair to the other attendees who wanted to speak to not know Bishop Kenny was present.  We requested copies of any recaps of the meeting so we could share them with our task force.

Unfortunately, these important exchanges between the authors of these letters and the school have not been communicated to followers of their groups; a narrative that Bishop Kenny has been unresponsive and uncaring is being communicated.  This is untruthful and divisive,  and only detracts from the important work before us.  We sincerely hope these groups will evaluate their role and responsibility in this moment and consider the weight of their actions, and we encourage alumni to demand accountability and transparency from those who are offering to represent them.

Why is Bishop Kenny surveying stakeholders?

Diverse thought and the ability to consider all sides of an issue are the cornerstones of any effective review.  While we worked to make sure our task force was ethnically diverse, it is also diverse in age, relationship to BK, professional background, and thought.  In that same vein, we want to hear the voices of all of our diverse BK community as we maintain our commitment to always grow and learn.  

What is my role if I did not experience racism at Bishop Kenny?

We recognize the wonderful experience many of you had at BK and that this type of hate feels so contrary to your time on campus; however, for some of our Crusaders that was not the case.  The administration at BK has personally met with students, parents, and alumni who have shared stories of racism at BK and we have been very moved by their pain.  Our church through the USCCB is telling us, “to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice.”  This moment, this task force, and even online spaces are invitations to talk to each other respectfully and constructively and to live our faith in words and practice. We invite you to be countercultural and listen to the “other side” - really listen to each other, try to learn from one another, and respond with open hearts, open minds, and kind words.

What is my role as a parent of a Bishop Kenny student?

Bishop Kenny maintains the vision that guided by the Gospel, Bishop Kenny graduates will be persons of integrity, capable of making life-decisions and positive contributions to their faith, family, and global community.  We cannot do it alone.  Parents, in the same way we ask you to walk with us in your child’s academic journey, we need your help in this endeavor as well:

• Talk to your children about diversity and our Catholic views on the sin of racism.
• Encourage them to become educated on the social and political movements they may be seeing online before aligning with those organizations.
• Emphasize the importance of and model civil discussion, both in person and on social media.

What is next?

After surveying the BK community, the task force will take time to properly analyze the data collected and make informed recommendations to school administration.  Principal Orlando will be issuing updates throughout the school year regarding any action(s) the school might take based on the task force recommendations.