‘We have to keep moving forward’ Nazareth students discuss racial equity in Archdiocesan advisory group

Feeling angry, uncomfortable, disconnected and disappointed were just a few responses that Nazareth Academy students Aliyah Alikhan and Luke Brabham had to events sparked last summer by the death of George Floyd.

Now, they’re part of a larger Archdiocesan effort to bring racial equality to Catholic schools, something they say already is impacting their lives.

Racial tensions and injustice led Cardinal Blase Cupich to reach out to Catholic high schools to “change the narrative and become champions for racial equity and justice,” according to a news release. The effort includes eight students and two advisers from each participating school coming together for virtual sessions to discuss problems and solutions with the goal of promoting equality and individualism.

Nazareth Academy Principal Therese Hawkins said her school was eager to join the effort as diversity is something Nazareth has been consciously talking about since 2015.

“Some of the hardest work I’ve ever done in my 30 years of education is the work we do around diversity because it’s never done, and we’re OK with that,” Hawkins said.

Alikhan and Brabham both opted to join the High School Student Advisory Group for Racial Equity and Justice for personal reasons, they said. For Brabham, a junior at Nazareth, racial equality and social justice is something he associates as a family effort because of stories he’s heard about his grandfather.

Brabham, who is white, said he believes developing empathy is an important part of the process toward racial equality. Education and discussion are both key as well, he said, noting that he believes equality shouldn’t be political even though it has been.

“We can’t just play the middle,” Brabham said. “It’s important to come together no matter what … because the intention should be to live your best life and help others do the same.”

Alikhan, a sophomore at Nazareth who is biracial, said she joined the group as a way to take her first step in being involved with social justice. She said she has struggled with her emotions regarding the use of racial slurs in casual occurrences, such as friends singing songs, and that beginning conversations is important.

Alikhan said it’s important for people to understand the history behind racism so they can be aware of how things such as racial slurs can hurt someone in a much more profound way than they may expect.

“It reminds people of a past they don’t want to go back to,” she said. “We have to keep moving forward into a future even if this is a hard topic that sometimes isn’t talked about as much as you might want it to be.”

The larger Archdiocesan group had its first meeting last month and will meet again for at least two more monthly sessions, Hawkins said. During the first meeting, students shared personal experiences and concerns with those from other schools, something Hawkins said was impressive to see.

Hawkins said she heard a lot of great things coming from the students, indicating that overall Catholic schools are moving in a positive direction though there is always room to grow.

“What was so amazing was that all these students were so amazingly willing to share in such a gracious and open way,” Hawkins said. “It’s great because we need to build relationships with these students so they feel comfortable telling us what we need to know.”