Learn about our school’s initiatives to address issues of racism.
Teachable moments in the lives of our students and the larger school community are ever-present in our society. Recent events speak to DC’s responsibility in partnership with school parents to educate and inform students about the issues of racism and social justice.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." At Delaware County Christian School, we believe that racism is sinful and offensive to God. As a community, we believe that we are called to speak on behalf of those who have not yet been heard. Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) tells us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all ..." Further, we believe that God the Father sent Jesus Christ His only Son to die for our sins. This great act of love has no room for discrimination. This great gift of salvation for the benefit of humanity demonstrates the value that God places upon people of every color. We follow Christ's example, who bestowed the highest level of dignity and respect for everyone, so we also believe that dignity is truly, without reservation, for everyone. We stand with the Black community, mourning and grieving, seeking to understand, listening, and learning. We will not simply empathize, but also advocate for our brothers and sisters until equality is realized for all ethnicities.
In our June 1 and June 9 Prayer and Conversation events, we were moved by the openness and vulnerability of those who shared their personal stories, and the follow-up request for support from the broader school community. It is evident we have much work to do as we aspire to live out our core value of community and to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
It is clear from listening to our community that three immediate responses resonated: One was the call to research social issues and the ongoing prejudices that permeate our society towards people of all ethnicities, including and especially our Black brothers and sisters. A second takeaway was a call to prayer lamenting the injustices that exist in America as a society. A third takeaway was the call to educate and inform our young people. They are our future citizens and the hope for real change in these areas. Our students are not too young to learn that all people are made in the image of God and that all people are worthy of dignity and respect. The Diversity Page on DC's website now features a list of book titles for parents to read to their children and for older students to read on their own.
Our efforts will be ongoing; we re-commit ourselves to promote diversity and inclusion and to keep it at the forefront of our thinking, planning, and decision-making as an educational institution and in our community life conversation. Additionally, we are further developing our recently announced strategic plan which calls for developing community across racial lines and becoming a more inclusive community. Areas for consideration include: curriculum review, diversity training for staff and faculty, expanding diversity in employee and student populations, and promoting ongoing dialog to educate and listen to diverse opinions. We will commit additional time and resources to achieve these strategic goals in the coming school year.
Rising Senior Class President Jordan Mitchell shared this letter with the DC Community. It is our prayer you will find encouragement and inspiration as you hear from the heart of this student leader.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
For more information, contact Head of School, Dan Steinfield at dsteinfield@dccs.org.
LAST EDITED 8.9.2020