jpalfrey.andover.eduJohn Palfrey

Bio Classes Contact Disclosures Publications Post navigation ← Older posts Thirtieth Anniversary of Andover’s GSA and Trans Rights Posted on October 28, 2018 by jgpalfrey Reply This weekend, the Andover community celebrates the thirtieth annual weekend gathering of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (G.S.A.). This important milestone merits attention and reflection. The G.S.A. has played a central role in supporting students (and adults, for that matter) of all genders and sexualities on campus at Andover. This week also marks the publication by the New York Times of a memo obtained by the Trump Administration about a proposal to define out of existence” transgender persons. I stand with the editors of the Phillipian , Andover’s independent student newspaper, in their opposition to this policy. They note, correctly, that this proposed policy has cast a shadow over the celebrations” of the G.S.A.’s thirtieth anniversary. In this week’s paper, the Phillipian editorialized : Regardless of this legal statement issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, we hope that the members of the Andover community will continue to support and love each other, and accept everyone for their unique identities and backgrounds. Andover is a community thoroughly and perpetually committed to diversity, and no announcement or any administration will change that commitment. In the face of these alarming news headlines and government-issued statements, the Andover community must recommit to its values of Non Sibi, compassion, and kindness, and never succumb to the pressures of fear, difference, and hate. My friend Joi Ito, director of the MIT Media Lab, also published an article on this proposed policy that made me think — as all Joi’s writing does. I’m with Joi when he writes: And so, in the face of an appalling and nonsensical step backwards in government policy, I’d like to offer my support to all trans, gender non-conforming, and/or nonbinary members of the Media Lab and MIT community. More broadly, I’m calling on leaders of academic communities to speak out on this issue and be very clear that they see, they support, they affirm, and they will protect trans people in their communities. This proposed policy is inconsistent with our belief in not only bringing Youth from Every Quarter to Andover but also in supporting them during their growth, no matter their gender or sexuality. It is also inconsistent with Andover’s Statement of Purpose in which we affirm our commitment to a deeper awareness of the global community” and our non-discrimination policy affirming that we do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression…and sexual orientation.” We affirm the full humanity and diversity of our students and all those in our adult community. This issue of equal rights for all is not only a matter of federal law and policy. Those who live in Massachusetts have a chance to weigh in on this topic on Election Day — November 6, 2018 — as well. The topic of transgender rights is on the ballot as Question 3 . The official description of all ballot questions appears on the Secretary of State’s website . Adolescence is a complicated time no matter who you are. Those young people who are questioning their gender and sexuality deserve support, affirmation, and love, just as all students do. No federal or state policy can change that in our community. Posted in Phillips Academy | Tagged Andover , GSA , Phillips Academy , rights , trans , transphobia | Leave a reply Remarks at Richard T. Greener Quadrangle Dedication Posted on October 10, 2018 by jgpalfrey Reply Richard T. Greener Quadrangle dedication September 29, 2018 , Head of School, Phillips Academy Welcome students and parents, faculty and staff, trustees and alumni to the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle. Thank you, Linda Carter Griffith, for blazing your own trail as the first Assistant Head of School for Equity, Inclusion and Wellness—not only at Andover but among independent schools anywhere. Thank you, Ava and Thaddeus. Your words remind us why this work is so vitally important and exactly what this ceremony symbolizes. Rejji Hayes ’93: Your commitment to the ideals of equity and inclusion strengthens our resolve to act with courage and urgency on behalf of each of our 1,144 students. We felt the impact of your leadership at the 50th anniversary of AfLatAm last spring, when more than 400 alumni returned to campus to celebrate a foundational source of these efforts. Building on the work of generations and guided by the priorities of the Knowledge and Goodness campaign, we join today to mark the history of Andover’s connections with underrepresented communities and highlight our commitment to equity and inclusion. None of this would be possible without the vision of a singular donor. As much as we would like to put this person’s name in lights, we are respecting their wish for anonymity. Please join me in a round of applause for the incredibly generous donor who made today’s dedication possible. With humility and purpose, this individual asks us to reflect and act upon a founding principle of our school in the name of Richard T. Greener, Class of 1865. Our benefactor states: We honor one man to represent all those who have enriched the Academy through the diversity of their thought and backgrounds and those who, for generations to come, will help Andover live up to its ideal of youth from every quarter. With enthusiastic support of the Board of Trustees, we have the great privilege to honor the trailblazing work of Mr. Greener, a scholar and teacher, lawyer and diplomat, whose service during the post-Civil War era both inspired progress and ignited debate. All that he stood for – argued for and educated others about – embodied the ideals of equity and inclusion to which we aspire today. With Samuel Phillips Hall rising above us, the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle holds a special place in our Andover lives. Just three weeks ago, the senior class and I took part in the Vista Walk, a tradition begun by my predecessor, Barbara Chase. The early morning walk toward the steps of Sam Phil marks the first day of classes. The next time we share that walk, we will be joined by the entire faculty on June 2, 2019, Andover’s 241st Commencement. This gathering space shines with natural beauty and historic significance. Last spring, students gathered here to protest gun violence. In 1989 a student demonstration, led by Brian Gittens ’89, ultimately led to the school’s annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As we dedicate our most iconic patch of land, the trustees and I are excited to share that an additional gift will establish an endowed fund to advance equity and inclusion programs in Mr. Greener’s name. It is truly gratifying to know that our extended Andover community believes as deeply as we do in the importance of these initiatives that benefit both the adults and students on our campus. In fact, philanthropy in honor of Mr. Greener dates back to 1989 when a scholarship was established in his name. Seeking to support underrepresented students of color, the Richard T. Greener 1865 Endowed Scholarship has made a difference in the lives of more than a dozen Andover students spanning three decades. Two Andover alumni and Greener Scholars were present in spring 2016 when Harvard recognized Mr. Greener with a portrait on display in Annenberg Dining Hall. One of those alumni, Robert Rush ’14, and his mom, Arlette, are with us today. We’re also delighted to have our current Greener Scholar joining us—senior Jamille Jami” Taveras ’19 of Lawrence, Massachusetts. In a letter to the donors who established her scholarship, Jami reflects on the opportunities that have, in her words, propelled her education and redefined what it means to go for things I want in life.” Our admission team meets thousands of bright and motivated students...