High school is meant to be a place of growth and learning; therefore, I speak for many members of the Hun School community when I say that there is no place for hate speech or intolerance of any kind. This sentiment applies to all of the community members, staff included. That being said, it has recently been brought to my attention that a faculty member by the name of Mr. Michael Westhead has contributed to creating an unsafe and non-inclusive learning environment, a direct violation of Hun’s alleged ideals.

The Hun School’s mission statement reads as follows: 

“The Hun School of Princeton empowers each student to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world, by nurturing resilient character, providing individual mentorship, and inspiring vigorous and joyful learning.” 

Additionally, within the Upper School Handbook distributed each academic school year for students and parents, it states the following as unacceptable behaviors:

• Repeated Community Respect Policy violations
  Off-campus behavior […] that impacts the welfare of any member of the School community or the reputation or functioning of the school
  Bullying, (online or in-person), intentional cruelty or unkind behavior, abuse, hazing, or harassment of any other person
  Violation of Sexual Harassment Policy
  Henceforth, if Hun has supposedly taken a clear stance on what the community will tolerate and what is deemed unacceptable, it is a source of confusion for me and to many others as to why this teacher has not been held accountable for any of his actions.

As a member of the class of 2018, I remember that the year he joined the school as a faculty member was my last, as I was a senior. I had little interaction with him during our single year together; however, current Hun students with which I have remained in contact have informed me of his actions since my departure. There have been multiple student accounts of him making people feel unsafe, insecure, and belittled. Some of these supposed offenses include:

• Looking at a fourteen year old girl and telling her that her dress really “fits her,” while making an hourglass motion with his hands
  Telling a black student in the Global Commons that when asked why he was being asked to leave, Mr. Westhead responded by saying, “I’m superior to you and yours, you can’t ask me questions.” Additionally, in response to this encounter, the student claims that Mr. Westhead has actively avoided meeting with the student and his family in an attempt to reach a common understanding, or simply apologize
  Looked at a student and her friend who were playing on the island between the Global Commons and Academic Building and said, “There are people giving tours here, they are going to think we have a great special education department.”
  When a student expressed she wanted to restart a worksheet because she had made an error in pen, he laughed at her and responded that “today is the day we’re going to “cure” your perfectionism,” in addition to making fun of her coping mechanisms; all this was in spite of the fact that he knew that this child had anxiety and other mental illnesses
  Arguably most important is his outward support for the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property, a predominantly white organization that claims to support “American tradition” and “Catholic values” while simultaneously spreading hate speech against minorities. He has been seen on video attending a protest against drag queens that was openly backed and organized by the group. Additionally, the website is filled with homophobic and transphobic sentiments. According to students, he has been known to have a sticker from the organization on display in his classroom.
  Mr. Westhead needs to be held accountable. We hold our students responsible for their words and actions; therefore, faculty should be held to the same, if not higher, standards than the students they teach. While I believe that we all support the right to freedom of speech, we all also recognize that a line must be drawn. In no world is it acceptable for students to be openly hateful of those who are not like themselves, jokingly or not, so why is the staff being held to a different standard? How can we expect to foster diversity, inclusion, and safety if we do not ask our faculty members to teach and conduct themselves by these standards?

Mr. Westhead’s actions are in direct violation of what is permissible by the Hun School and have made the Hun School community feel less safe. For his actions, we demand he be held accountable and face the necessary measures that accompany this; he must face necessary and appropriate justice. I ask that the administration remedy the situation in a way that is deemed most proportionate, effective, and fair. Additionally, these actions should not occur quietly behind closed doors. The process should be accessible to the entire community, as it is an issue that affects the entire community. 

The Hun School prides itself on being a place of diversity and inclusion. The school cannot stand for these principles and claim to support Black Lives Matter, or other organizations that work for the equality and uplifting of marginalized communities, if they do not take the necessary steps to hold their students, their staff, and their faculty responsible. To allow these actions to continue and go unaddressed would be an act of hypocrisy, and a further injustice to students and the Hun School community. Hun’s faculty and staff is a direct reflection of the school’s core beliefs, and when he brings these harmful beliefs and ideologies into the workplace, it has a detrimental effect; this teacher’s open support of hatred and negativity reflects poorly on the Hun community and weakens its ability to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students. The Hun School cannot call itself an ally while actively allowing a man with an explicit history of abusing his authority over others to remain in power.

We ask that the Hun School, and those affiliated with it, live up to their statements of accountability and responsibility. We demand greater education for students, faculty, and staff. It is through education that opportunities for growth present themselves, and everyone is entitled and encouraged to continue learning. Education makes communities, especially schools, stronger, more well-rounded, and safer. Moreso, education on topics such as race, sexuality, and beyond should not be limited to students, but encompass the faculty and staff of the Hun School as well. Through education sponsored and supported by the Hun School, we can expect greater accountability, responsibility, and advocacy in academic communities and beyond.