Out in Rochester, New York, the students at one catholic girl’s school protested outside of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women earlier this month in the wake of discovering graffiti on a bathroom wall that included the N-word.
Just a scant few days later, one student came forward to confess to writing the message, “This school is filled with a bunch of [N-word]. Get out or else!” The student who confessed to the graphiti, whose identity is being withheld due to the fact that she is a minor, is reportedly black.
“Four sources, including two in government, have confirmed that the n-word graffiti found in a Mercy High School bathroom wall, and which led to upset and a protest, was written by an African-American student,” stated Bob Lonsberry, one journalist and local radio host, stated in a report on Thursday.
Four sources, including two in government, have confirmed that the n-word graffiti found in a Mercy High School bathroom wall, and which led to upset and a protest, was written by an African-American student.
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) March 11, 2022
“Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women has concluded our thorough investigation into the racist graffiti incident that was brought to our attention early Monday morning,” stated the school in a release late last week, reported Rochester First. “The investigation was led by the Brighton Police Department with full cooperation of Mercy administration and faculty. During the investigative process, one of our students confessed to writing the graffiti in the girls bathroom.”
“For legal reasons, and in accordance with Mercy’s confidentiality practices, the student will not be identified,” read the statement. “Mercy has zero tolerance for this kind of behavior; appropriate and maximum disciplinary action has been taken.”
“Even though closure has come to this single incident, there is so much more work to do to understand what people are feeling and fearing,” stated school officials. “Our students and our community are distressed and hurt; Mercy will work to help heal the wounds caused by this incident, as well as help heal deep-rooted, related feelings this incident has brought to the surface.”
“Consistent with the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, we are planning events and initiatives in the coming weeks to recognize and acknowledge the powerful emotions that are present within our community,” added the statement. “We are a compassionate institution, built on a foundation of faith, hope, and love and made strong by the resilience of our students, families, faculty, staff, and everyone within the Circle of Mercy. The road ahead will not be easy, but our love for each other and our school will light the way.”
Just before the student came forward with their confession, students instantly took to protesting the graffiti with many sporting “Black Lives Matter” signs. “Happening this morning girls from our Lady of Mercy are outside supporting one another after the racist message was discovered yesterday,” WROC reported Eric Schedlbauer stated in a caption on photos of the protest.
Happening this morning girls from our Lady of Mercy are outside supporting one another after the racist message was discovered yesterday @News_8 #roc https://t.co/C4dsRcS0lC pic.twitter.com/T8xdo5GIbH
— eric schedlbauer (@NG_NewGuy) March 8, 2022
During school late last week, students were interrupted by an announcement concerning the graffiti.
“Please pardon this interruption for this important announcement. This morning, we found graffiti in a high school bathroom that wrote out the n-word and said, ‘Get out or else.’ We are investigating this and will hold those responsible, whether they are Mercy people or not,” stated the announcement from school staff, as read from a letter sent home to parents.
“Let us be clear, anyone who uses this language and is disparaging to our Mercy girls and Mercy community is not welcome at Mercy,” continued the letter to parents. “We are unequivocally a school that embraces diversity and inclusion. We are a Catholic school, committed to gospel values of faith, hope, and love. The world is full of hate and violence. We want all of you to reflect on how Mercy can be a place of love and peace. What role do you play in creating such an environment?”
“Counselors, administrators, and Mrs. Dickey will be available in the Wellness and Counseling Center during Advisement and throughout the day to support anyone who feels unsafe,” continued the school. “We will convene assemblies on this topic this week and will be notifying your parents of this. Thank you; that is all.”