Swarthmore HRC Speaks Out Against Racism and Hate

The Swarthmore train station was the site of a vigil in support of Black Lives Matter on Friday, June 5. Photo: Rachel Pastan

A Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday, June 10 in Swarthmore’s Central Park, organized by recent Strath Haven High School alums. Photo: Rachel Pastan

Sarah Graden

At the Swarthmore Borough Council meeting on June 1, council member Sarah Graden read aloud the following statement from the Swarthmore Human Relations Commission:

We rise to acknowledge what is happening in our community. From protests in our cities and neighboring towns, to a violently racist video being circulated by our own children, people are hurting right now, and we see you. 

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

The Swarthmore Human Relations Commission continues to organize and work to address these issues. Even after this current wave of unrest passes, we know that racism and hate will continue unseen. We are committed to standing up for what is right and for fighting against hate. Although we know that the problem is centuries old, we will not sit idle and watch hate engulf our community. We are better than that. We know that teaching starts in the home, and we hope to work towards a home community in Swarthmore that is inclusive, respectful of all people and identities, and actively working to end racism and hate.

Swarthmore HRC meetings are open to the public. Meetings are not on any regular schedule, but advance notice of future meetings will be posted on swarthmorepa.org.