March 11, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
In the second incident involving a racial slur at Hingham High School in less than a week, Principal John Buckey said that “to say I am disheartened and angry would be an understatement” in an email to the HHS community. An investigation is underway.
Following the discovery last Thursday of a swastika that had been marked on the wall of a boys’ bathroom, a racial slur was discovered and reported by a student to a teacher yesterday, March 10 — again written on the wall of a boys’ bathroom.
The graffiti was photographed, immediately removed, and reported to school administrators and the Hingham Police Department.
Buckey urged anyone who can provide additional information to contact a school administrator as soon as possible.
“We have been working with our school resource officer and Hingham Police since the incident last week,” Buckey said. “Tagging school property by marking swastikas or any other form of hate will be fully investigated by the High School administration and the Hingham Police Department, and any students who engage in such acts face consequences accordingly. As these acts of hate are a crime, we are supporting their investigations as such.”
In closing, Buckey once again affirmed that hate speech has no place in HHS. “Such expressions of prejudice and racism are completely unacceptable and totally at odds with our values as a community,” he said. “This is not who we are as a school or a community.”
As before, following the swastika incident, school counselors are available to support students and to connect families with resources.
Supt. of Schools Katie Roberts also reached out to the HHS community in an email, saying she was saddened about the latest incident, “coming on the heels” of the one reported last week.
“We again thank vigilant students who swiftly reported the incident to building administrators and for the decisive action of our administrative team who mobilized to remove the hateful language,” she said. “. . . Our administration and staff will continue to remain vigilant and, most importantly, work to reassert the values and mission of HPS to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”
Human Rights Commission speaks out
The Hingham Human Rights Commission was informed that a second incident occurred at the High School yesterday and that a racial slur was written on the wall of the boys’ restroom at Hingham High School.
The commission issued a statement, as it did following the swastika incident:
“Such hate words and symbols, such as a swastika, have no place in Hingham and are not only an attack to a specific group of our students, but also diminish us as a community. We condemn these acts of hate and stand united against prejudice and in support of all minority groups in our community.
We encourage Hingham’s community members to model tolerance and diversity, advocate for all of Hingham’s vulnerable communities, and support parents to have thoughtful discussions with their children about the destructive nature of such hateful actions in our town.
The Human Rights Commission is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels safe, supported, and welcomed. We will continue to reject discrimination throughout Hingham and encourage our leaders, students, town employees, and community members to stand up to hateful acts. We will remain united as we continue working together to build a stronger and more supportive community.”
Hingham Unity Council responds
The Hingham Unity Council board also responded to this latest incident:
“The Hingham Unity Council is deeply saddened to hear of yet another incident of hate, this time a racial slur, discovered on a bathroom wall at Hingham High School. While we commend the students who promptly reported it and the school for swiftly condemning it, we call on all members of our community, especially parents, to engage in thoughtful conversations with their children about the harmful impact of such symbols and language.
These incidents are not “pranks” – these words and symbols are not harmless. They cause real pain, fear, and distress, and they have a lasting, damaging effect on those targeted within our community.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to rejecting hate and upholding the values of respect, kindness, and inclusion. This is the community we are proud to be in Hingham.
There are many resources available online to learn more about racism and to help parents talk about race and racism with their children. We list a couple here for your convenience:
https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/
https://tryingtogether.org/community-resources/anti-racism-tools/