Our Statement on Inauguration Day

On January 6, 2021, we witnessed a violent mob attempt an insurrection at the US Capitol, the seat of our democracy, in our hometown, Washington, DC.

That day — in an effort to overturn the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States — thousands of American citizens committed chilling acts of violence fueled by white supremacy, anti-Semitism, racism, toxic masculinity, and anti-Asian, anti-immigrant, anti-indigenous, and anti-Muslim sentiments. These acts were on full display for the world to see, and made us fear for the future of our beloved country. That day, many of us feared for our physical safety and psychological and emotional well-being. That day, many of us waited for a demonstration of our nation's strength and accountability, for a commitment to upholding democracy and the law within the halls of our Capitol.

 

Instead, it took far too long for the insurrection to be put down, leaving us with images of mobs desecrating one of our country’s most sacred institutions, and contributing to five lives lost. This moment was an affront to the humanity of all Americans, especially black, brown, Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ Americans, and their allies, who seek to ensure that voices of all those who have been historically marginalized are heard, respected, and counted.

 

On this day, January 20, 2021, the inauguration of the duly elected President of the United States and our country’s first Black and Asian female Vice President, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence that we witnessed at the Capitol, and the lies that gave that day its form and the hatred that gave it life.

 

We will not stand in silence. We re-commit ourselves to the democratic ideals of equity and inclusion. All voices must be heard for democracy to survive. With the transfer of power to the Biden-Harris administration, it is our hope that we move closer to the democratic ideals our founders envisioned. We stand in support of the rule of law, the peaceful transition of power, and a fair democracy that embraces all Americans. 

As members of a diverse school community – where we deliberately bring together students who are different from one another – we are committed to standing up for truth and human dignity and challenging malignant misrepresentations of these values in all the spaces we inhabit. At Burke, we vow to educate, organize, protest, and lead the way towards a more equitable, inclusive, and truly democratic country.   

 

 

Head of School

 

 

Asian Students Association

Black Girls Meet

Black Student Union

Boys Leading Boys

Examining White Privilege & Allyship

Feminist Cooperative

Immigrant Family Affinity Group

Jewish Affinity Group

Middle Eastern American Students

Mixed Race Affinity Group

Muslim Student Association

Middle School Students of Color

Students Supporting All Sexualities & Identities

Young Black Men