By Sheldon C. Good
Mennonite Weekly Review
(Reposted by permission from Mennonite Weekly Review.)
LANSDALE, Pa. — Officials at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School discovered graffiti on two buildings and a sidewalk early on April 4.
The spray painting included three swastikas on the side of Rosenberger Center, Dock’s newest building; “satan” and three upside-down crosses on Dielman Hall; and various hate words on the sidewalk connecting the two buildings.
The Towamencin Township Police Department is investigating the vandalism.
Principal Conrad Swartzentruber addressed students, faculty and staff during chapel.
“We may feel attacked or even threatened when these things happen,” he said. “Our primary concern is how our community feels after something like this.”
He noted that after talking with police, school officials decided the graffiti did not compromise the safety of the school.
“The graffiti will soon disappear, but we will continue to deal with the feelings that remain,” Swartzentruber said during chapel. “We want this to be a place of respect for all students. That’s one of the highest callings God has given us — to respect and accept one another as people created in God’s image.”
During the second half of lunch, about 100 students and faculty prayed with and for the school community, as well as for those who vandalized the property.
Five students who felt threatened by the graffiti and its effects went home during the day.
Swartzentruber said creating a community where every person is respected and feels equally valued has been a focus for the school all year.
“Here is another opportunity for us to focus on that,” he said. “In creating community, we are not perfect, but we do have respect, and we build safe spaces. When one grieves, we all grieve.”