On Accountability…

An open letter to past (specifically) and present board/staff at Emmanuel Christian School,

I attended Emmanuel Christian School from 6th grade until I graduated high school in 2008. When I started Sec 1, I remember my brother and his best friend (both Emmanuel Alum) taking me out of school for lunch one day. I was wearing a new white dress shirt that had semi-stylish cuffs. My brother’s friend said “you can wear that at Emmanuel?” And I responded “ya, why not?” He said “because that shirt is stylish. And style starts with S. Like Satan”. We laughed and talked about the conservative nature of the school that they had both already experienced and I was about to as well. During my time there, I remember getting reprimand after reprimand because my buttons were too low. Or my skirt was too high. Or I hugged a boy longer than what was deemed appropriate. I wanted to be a teenager, but I also desperately wanted to be a “good Christian”; specifically, a good Christian GIRL. 

Good Christian girls wore long skirts. They covered up cleavage if they had any because cleavage was “for our husbands”. They never swore. They got good grades. They didn’t draw too much attention to themselves. They were pretty (but not too pretty). They didn’t pay much attention to boys or “distract” them with their bodies. They didn’t dance because it was a “vertical expression of a horizontal desire” and most importantly, they didn’t dare talk or THINK about sex. 

I know what you’re thinking: that was more than a decade ago and things are different now! Now the girls can dance in low-tops and booty shorts on any given free dress day! I do not know what the culture there is like at present so I will not make any assumptions. What I do know is what the culture there was and the effects it has had on generations of students to this day. Students that were shaped by that culture. Students that just this week, learned of yet another scandal involving a teacher from the school. That school that has already had (at least) two scandals of this nature that I know of. Two scandals that were taking place behind the scenes while we were publicly being policed about our modesty. Two scandals that, to my knowledge, were swept under the rug as little to no information was given to the students (nor to our parents) when they occurred. Out of what little respect I have left for Emmanuel, I will not detail those experiences here; but those who know, know. However, this week, a third scandal broke and so did all of our hearts.

At this point, you are probably fielding several calls/emails. I hope that you are having discussions with the current students about how to navigate the situation Emmanuel has found itself in. I pray that you are working closely with the authorities to help them in any way that you can. I assume that you are devising a plan of action for an open call to past/present students to check in on them, and see if they have experienced anything unusual at school and/or with any staff at any point in time. I imagine that you are speaking with past board members/staff/students to do some reflecting on the culture at Emmanuel throughout the years and how you got here. I expect that you are supporting your current staff in every way imaginable. Or perhaps not. I say perhaps not because if I have learned one thing at Emmanuel, it is that anything that can be avoided, will be – regardless of the impact it may have. I understand that for legal reasons, you may be worried about making any statements about Mr.Charpentier’s ongoing investigation. Then don’t. Make a statement about something else. 

Make a statement about the importance of building a healthy environment. Make a statement that shows you care about past and present students. Make a statement about directly or indirectly teaching girls that we were responsible for the thoughts/behaviours and sins of our male counterparts. Make a statement about slut shaming and purity culture and how they tie into rape culture. Make a statement about actively creating spaces where victims of assault will be supported. Make a statement about the sexual ethic (or lack thereof) that was taught. Make a statement about the lack of education around consent and power dynamics. Make a statement about how an inadequate approach to gender roles, consent, purity, power and sex can all create a culture that might have made the school a perfect breeding ground for some of the appalling events that took place there. Make a statement and explain the reasons why the other 2 scandals were handled the way that they were. Make a statement and recognize the impact that those events had and continues to have on the students. Make a statement about transparency. Make a statement about abuse of power. Make a statement about justice. Make a statement about faith. Make a statement about the things that you regret. Make a statement and apologize. Make a statement about what you plan to do moving forward. Make a statement and make it fast because your silence has made enough of a statement for us already.

Although it may not sound like it, I still believe that this establishment can be a force for good. This moment in time is a reckoning for Emmanuel Christian School. Where you could be leaving a legacy of hope, leadership and integrity; you may instead be leaving a legacy of trauma, hypocrisy and corruption. Our parents sacrificed everything to send us there and are owed answers. You have a moral obligation to survivors to take their claims seriously. You have a responsibility as a Christian institution to be a light in the community. You have a duty to your fellow board members, staff and students to do and be better. 

Please, be better.