In the wake of our recent election, I spoke to our Upper School students and offered some reflections about our system and our need to continue to uphold our mission and values. As you know, this year we brought David Brooks to campus to help guide us and remind us of the importance of being curious and the value of trying to understand people with different perspectives. The following is an edited version of my talk.
I am very aware that I have a responsibility not to impose my political views, and I cannot in the limited space I have here address the myriad of things happening in our country and across the globe. As Head of School, my job is to remind us of our school values. We are all free thinkers, and I love that about our school community. I appreciate how our community handled this divisive and emotional election. At CA, we engaged in civil discourse—even with strong and reasonable disagreement. Disagreement can be a good thing…as it can be the basis of learning. After the election, people handled themselves well; our students were respectful of their peers. But I know that, given the rhetoric, some of you have concerns about what the future will bring. Others are more hopeful. But, none of us are well served by engaging in the types of cynical politics that we see by both parties. I wish I had a magic ball and could see into the future. But, as a historian, I can look at the past and make some educated guesses.
Throughout our nation’s history, we’ve weathered profound challenges—civil war, economic depressions, global conflicts, and times of deep social division. A few years ago, I wrote a blog about one of my ancestors who died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. My ancestor wrote letters about how he participated in liberating plantations and getting wounded in the battle of Vicksburg. After which, he died what was likely a miserable death in a hospital of disease. There have been so many Americans who have given their lives to “create a more perfect union”. From those who fought in the Revolutionary War, to enslaved people who rose up and challenged a terrible system, to Native Americans who fought for their freedom, to Latinos. Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Greeks, and Jewish Americans who built modern American society and industry… to more recent Muslim, African, and Southeast Asian immigrants who have contributed to the economic power and unique culture of America. All of these racial and ethnic groups have served in our military and protected us. We are truly a great nation, and as I have reflected on this time, I find peace in the fact that I know we have deep moral and ethical courage in our community.
In our past, there have been splits between more progressive-minded folks and forces of traditionalism that have been as or more intense as today. But, I do recognize, with social media and other factors, our current situation feels different and there is fatalism out there that we see play out in the cable news world. Yet, time and again, the fundamental strength of American democracy has proven itself. Our system of government, carefully designed by founders like James Madison, was intentionally created to absorb shock, promote dialogue, and ensure that change happens through deliberation, not destruction.
What makes America truly extraordinary is not our differences, but the vast common ground we share. I spent time in rural America and Mexico over Thanksgiving Break. I ran into people from all different perspectives and walks of life. I walked away remembering that we are a nation (and in the case of my time of Mexico, a globally interconnected world) of individuals who fundamentally want the same things: safety for our families, opportunities to pursue our dreams, the chance to build a better future for our children, and the freedom to express our beliefs.
These core desires transcend political parties, geographic boundaries, and demographic differences. Throughout history in the United States, we have actually seen some of our greatest shifts towards freedom come from the conflict of having those freedoms threatened. The struggle for the expansion of civil rights is rooted in our founding values.
I think it is important that we ask questions to try to understand those who might think differently than us and assume that the person with whom we disagree might now be a stereotype of how the left and right media portrays that person. Each person is unique and has a perspective that is not usually simple.
Our school’s mission to create “curious, kind, and adventurous learners and leaders” is a microcosm of the best of the American spirit. Curiosity means seeking to understand before being understood. Kindness means treating those with whom we disagree with respect and empathy. Being adventurous means having the courage to engage with different perspectives and to see complexity where others might see simple divisions. What matters most is how we choose to move forward with our school values, with understanding, compassion, and a commitment to our shared community. And, I ask that we focus on our own community and not let outside forces divide us.
Consider the remarkable nature of our democratic process:
- We have robust institutions that protect individual rights and promote civic dialogue
- Our system is designed to balance different viewpoints and prevent any single group from holding absolute power
- We have mechanisms to address grievances and promote continuous improvement
- Cable news, the media, and pundits like to play to drama, but the reality is that there are deeper systems in this nation that stand to prevent radical change overnight—and that serves all Americans.
As someone who has studied history, American foreign policy and military history, immigration policy, and leadership, I can assure you that the strength of our nation lies not in uniformity, but in our ability to embrace diversity while maintaining our fundamental commitment to shared values: liberty, opportunity, respect, and the belief that every individual has inherent dignity.
I think what can be most challenging in this moment is that character and ethics seems to be missing from politics. We can actually see this across the political spectrum. I think character and ethics are central to one’s success as a leader, but also as a human being. I want to reiterate that we as a school are going to stand by our commitment to our values and an ethical code of living and working with one another.
Our school community reflects this national ideal. We will:
- Listen to each other with genuine curiosity
- Respect diverse perspectives
- Support one another, regardless of individual political views
- Continue to learn and grow together
- Refuse to let external tensions divide us
My door is always open. Whether you want to discuss the election, share your thoughts, express concerns, or simply need a supportive ear, I am here as are our teachers and other members of the leadership team. We will navigate this moment as we always have—together, with compassion, intelligence, and hope. And, most importantly, we want everyone to feel supported in this community.