School should focus on diversity

As an alumnus of Central Catholic, I am happy to see JD Younger wants to create change in one of the more outmoded aspects of the school’s policy, especially in respect to cultural sensitivity (Jan. 17, “Petition Aims to End ‘Radically Biased’ Policy”).

The school’s response to diversity is not a bright spot in its history. Famed Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson himself left the school in 1959 after feeling the brunt of discrimination. One of my fellow students did his graduation project on the lack of voice that many non-Caucasian students felt they had at the school as recently as 10 years ago.

Clearly not much has changed in the last decade. As stated in the article about the petition, the hairstyle policy states that “Hair must be its natural color, clean, neatly combed, not totally covering the ears or eyes, or falling below the shirt collar.” I myself did not follow this part of the hairstyle policy 100% — ever. However, being a white male and thus a part of the school’s majority demographic, I was never asked to conform to it in the same way that black males have been made to do so.

I and fellow alumni are aware there is a double standard at work here. Brother Tony Baginski’s response to the petition and the issue of cultural expression in this regard is decidedly lacking in empathy for the student, and is indicative of the fact Central Catholic is most likely not up to speed on restorative justice work being done in the educational field. If Brother Tony wants to show the city that Central Catholic is truly committed to inclusivity and student relationships, then he should have a constructive discussion with a student who is brave enough to challenge the status quo.

MATTHEW KIZIOR

Wilkins The writer graduated Central Catholic High School in 2011. with protections for children, then the state law is clearly a failure.

The Pennsylvania Legislature must find a way to compel compliance, perhaps by expanding the definition from intentionally, to “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly such that an actor, knowing that they are refusing to submit to the background check law, or that an actor, consciously disregarding the risk of violating the background check requirements,” could be enough for prosecutors to proceed with charges.

Certainly, the state of Pennsylvania has seen enough harm to children already and should act swiftly to tighten the reins on groups that refuse to meet community standards regarding the protection of children. ALEXANDER DICKINSON

Shadyside