Racist Comment at Iona Prep

Tony Humphrey, an Iona Prep junior, spoke out recently about racism he experienced at the school. Humphrey, already committed to play baseball at Boston College, was asked by assistant athletic director Bernard Mahoney about why he decided to run track in the off season. Humphrey explained that it never hurts to gain more speed. In response, Mahoney said, “Oh, how did you get so fast? Running from the cops?” [according to News 12 interview with Humphrey]

 Following this incident, Humprey withdrew from Iona Prep and is now attending school in his hometown of Cortlandt Manor. 

In light of the event, students held a walkout on Tuesday, November 23. Most heard about the plan through social media and their friends. Overall, it seems as if participants felt empowered by this. 

Sophomore Asher Ables-Tierney who participated explained: “The walkout for me was powerful because it showed how as young kids we could all come together as brothers to stand up for what we believe in. I have seen/heard other racist things happen at Iona before, and I think that the school as a whole can work on being more sensitive to the comments we make and actions we take part in.” 

David Yang expressed his thoughts: “I feel like while the racial comment said to Tony crumbled our school spirit and pride, the walkout that we started ultimately brought us back together. As we all stood outside with our arms linked together, we stood in solidarity for our one Iona brother who was mistreated.”

Student Justin Hargraves, who was out of town during the walkout, was proud of his school for standing up, but acknowledges that more needs to be done. As a member of Iona ACTS, devoted to welcoming all students regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religion, he said, “I am currently working closely with teachers and administrators to make sure we are able to have more open D.E.I. discussions that will educate students and faculty on how they can be allies and up-standers, as well as deepen their understanding of marginalized student’s issues.”

Humphrey, in an interview with News 12, revealed that this was not the first racist incident he had at the school. During his freshman year, he brought this up to the school faculty, but according to him, nothing was done. 

Other students agree that this comment is not an isolated event, but instead part of a larger culture at the school. 

Justin Hargraves, sophomore, stated, “I’ve been on the receiving end of many microaggressions that I believe were the result of a lack of education among students.” 

An Iona Prep alum, who chose to remain anonymous, also experienced many microaggressions while attending the school. He specifically remembers: “Some of my minority friends were asked to cut their natural hair although they were not at ‘unprofessional’ lengths. While I understood that the school had a dress code policy, I always noticed that white students were never asked to cut their hair when it grew long.”

The school publicly condemned the assistant athletic director’s behavior. President Brother Leto stated, “We remain fully committed to being an open, welcoming, embracing and nurturing community, where every young man holds a special place in the brotherhood of Iona men.”