March 11, 2025 By Hingham Public Schools
Statement read by School Committee Chair Nes Correnti last night, March 10, at beginning of meeting:
Before we begin tonight, I would like to take the time to speak about a deeply troubling issue that has surfaced in our school community—an issue that we cannot ignore, minimize, or dismiss.
Last week, a swastika was discovered in a boys’ bathroom at the High School. Today, we learned that the N-word was found in another bathroom. These are not random acts of graffiti. These are symbols of hate. . .symbols that send a message of exclusion, fear, and intimidation to members of our community. Let me be clear: Hate has no place in our school. Not last week, not today, not ever.
A swastika is not just a drawing. It is a symbol of genocide, used to justify the murder of millions, including six million Jewish people during the Holocaust. The N-word is not just a word. It is a violent slur, one that has been used for centuries to dehumanize, oppress, and terrorize Black people. These acts are not pranks. They are not just “kids being kids.” They are deeply harmful, and they demand our full attention and action.
I want to thank the students who reported these incidents and the administrators who responded quickly. But removing these hateful messages from the walls does not erase the deeper problem. We must ask ourselves: Why is this happening? Why now? And what are we doing to ensure that every student in our schools feels safe, valued, and respected?
These incidents are not isolated. They are part of a larger pattern of rising antisemitism, racism, and intolerance in our state and across the country. The responsibility falls on all of us—students, educators, parents, and community members—to confront this reality, to educate, and to take meaningful action.
That means teaching the history behind these hateful symbols and slurs. It means having difficult conversations about prejudice and discrimination. It means making it clear that our community does not just condemn hate—we actively work against it.
To our Jewish, Black, and all students who have EVER felt targeted or unsafe: We see you. We stand with you. And we will not tolerate any act that threatens your dignity or belonging in this school.
This is our moment to decide what kind of school, what kind of town, and what kind of future we are building. Let’s choose one of respect, inclusion, and accountability.