Combat racism in Swarthmore and the nation

To the Editor,

The year 2020 has been tumultuous like no year in recent memory, and staying informed can itself be taxing on one’s mental health. Among the critical events was the killing of George Floyd last May that awakened a nationwide call for racial justice including changes in social policy and within policing. More recently, and closer to home, we saw the killing by Philadelphia police of Walter Wallace Jr., who his family says was suffering a mental health crisis when he was shot. Calls for racial justice continue nationwide, and hopefully Swarthmore residents will keep discussing the issue within the community, and with our leaders, as we struggle toward more recognition and real change. 

I’m appreciative of the efforts of Swarthmore’s Human Relations Commission and the commitment of many Swarthmore residents working towards this cause. But each of us, surely, can do more. We shouldn’t assume that racism doesn’t significantly affect our small idyllic town, especially in light of a pattern of racist incidents within our schools. I hope that our community fully recognizes the role it can play in fostering substantial change.

Margaret Betz
Swarthmore