SJM Responds

Social Justice Matters, Inc. notes the recent incident of a student posing in blackface in front of a Confederate battle flag as one of many instances of deplorable racism rearing its ugly head in Scotch Plains and Fanwood. 

We are encouraged that the police chiefs of both towns take this seriously. We are heartened, as founding partners of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Committee with Mayors Al Smith and Colleen Mahr, that Schools Superintendent Joan Mast, a committee member, seeks to work with community partners in confronting the issue of racism head on. We feel solidarity with the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Ministerium, also a TRHT co- sponsor in its statement in support of this work. 

 We ask all members of our Scotch Plains and Fanwood community to join us, and these community partners, in conversations and action to create the community we strive for. Specifically, we commend the work of the Anti-Racism Community Collaborative (ARCC) and recommend signing up for one of its Dialogue Circles on Race.

And we look forward to working with our brave students who have asked the Board of Education to help them create an open dialogue in our schools. Please look for publicity on this website or in local community outlets for opportunities to share in this work.