Working Together to Build a Society that is Truly Just for All

Tandem Friends is committed to working together to build a society that is truly just for ALL people. In letters to both the entire Tandem Friends community and to our Upper School students this week, Head of School Whitney Thompson, Diversity Director Gordon Fields, and Upper School Director Peter Gaines shared powerful words of commitment and challenge to us all to help dismantle the system of racism that has our country in its grip and prevents all people from being treated as dignified human beings. They also provided many useful resources for our community to use to educate, enlighten and inspire us all to action that will let our lives speak.

Whitney shared, "We cannot undo racism without white people listening to and believing the experiences of people of color and we cannot make positive change in our country and community if white people hang back and expect people of color to do all the work." Peter shared, "I am saying loudly to my students of color and your families that I stand with you and want to be doing everything I can to help you feel supported by our School community. I am saying to my white students and your families that the injustices we are seeing are our problem as white people. We need to stand up strong to do whatever healing and fixing we can." Gordon shared that 'reflecting that this struggle for civil rights began long before the 1960s gives a look to our present moment when there is still so much work to be done.'

Read the full text of their letters and check out the many important resources they shared below. 

Letter from the Head of School 

Letter from Diversity Director

Letter from Upper School Director
Back