No Place for Hate!

Dr. King spent his life’s work addressing racial hatred. In the face of dogs and dumped-out-milkshakes, he preached a resistance of nonviolence. 

In 1963, Dr. King wrote, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Only by coming together can we drive out the darkness of hate with the light of love. We have to do it together. 

In the 1965 Sermon at Temple Israel of Hollywood, Dr. King stated that “We shall overcome … because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” The fight against hatred and prejudice is not new. In a 1913 letter, W.E.B. DuBoise implored President Woodrow Wilson to find “a just and righteous solution” to the “desperate hatred” of American racism. That same year, the Anti-Defamation League was formed in response to deep-seated bigotry against the Jewish people “To stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” 

Today, Robert Gray Middle School is a proud partner of the Anti-Defamation League as part of their 

No Place for Hate 

initiative in schools. We believe that the best learning takes place in communities where all students are seen, heard, safe and celebrated. 

In celebration of Dr. King and in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, we invite every member of the Robert Gray Community to sign the No Place for Hate Pledge. 

Signing the pledge is simple: click the link, submit your information, click the appropriate box for each agreement, and click submit. 

The agreements are:

• I WILL SEEK TO GAIN UNDERSTANDING of those who are different from myself.

• I WILL SPEAK OUT against prejudice and discrimination.

• I WILL REACH OUT to support those who are targets of hate.

• I WILL PROMOTE RESPECT for people and help foster a prejudice-free school.

• I BELIEVE that one person can make a difference - no person can be an "innocent" bystander when it comes to opposing hate.

• I RECOGNIZE that respecting individual dignity and promoting inter-group harmony are the responsibilities of all students.

Together, alongside one another, we can stand up for what is right, because the time is always right to do what is right. 

Be well, give grace, and take care of one another, 

Lisa and Jeff