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Bruce A. Jacobs

As an author and advocate, Bruce A. Jacobs takes apart racism and works for our shared interests against bigoted and authoritarian thought and action. His book RACE MANNERS was called “a must-read” by Los Angeles Times columnist Norine Dresser. On his blog, Alias Bruce, he was among those who warned early of Donald Trump’s explosive appeal to resentful white voters. He has spoken in communities nationwide, has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN and elsewhere, and has published op-eds in Truthout and other online publications. He is a widely-published poet who has been anthologized by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins and others. He is also a working jazz drummer. He is a native of Rochester, NY, and he now lives in Washington, DC.

Join us for our next Commons Speaker series event – Antiracism: Moving America Toward Democracy presented by Bruce A. Jacobs. Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 – 8 PM Register here: hrly.sl/CSSReg

This presentation is free and open to the public, but you must register here: hrly.sl/CSSReg

In his talk, “Antiracism: Moving America Toward Democracy,” Bruce A. Jacobs will discuss how the United States will never be a functioning democracy until we overcome white supremacy in our societal structure and within ourselves, and how our nation’s founding legacy of white supremacy is itself the main reason why America now trails the developed world in citizen rights such as health care, education, and basic economic security. Jacobs will talk personally and politically about both the devastation and the massive opportunity of our current moment as America faces both its lethal dysfunction and a widening demand for remedies, with African-American demands for justice leading the way.

Students may create independent studies with supervising teachers throughout their Upper School experience or, during Grade 12, they can design Capstone projects—intensive collaborations with Harley faculty and off-campus mentors—involving rigorous academic study and culminating in public presentations. They are empowered to create their own curriculum, set goals, and work on time management skills in order to accomplish their objectives.

Independent Studies run the gamut from The Psychology of Sports to Furniture Design to The Neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s Disease. Capstones, meanwhile, are as diverse as the students who pursue them: Fictional Rochester, Autobiographical Art, Biomimicry Education, Organic Fuel, and Rochester Refugees. 

Indicative of Upper School curiosity and creativity, pursuits such as these distinguish our graduates in college. Through deep dives of this sort, Harley students master more than speaking, writing, and computing: they learn to communicate, advocate, collaborate, organize, listen, and empathize. 

About

Academics

Key Programming

Enrollment

Letter from the Head of School

Letter from the Editor

Features

Central Work that Matters: DEI

Harley Black Alumni Network

Climate Crisis Curriculum

Citizen Scientists

Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

In Every Issue

Class Notes

Diane Donniger Award

By the Numbers

From the Archives

What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

Divisional Highlights

Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

Alumni Profiles: Keller

HAC Athletics

2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

1000 Words

Commencement 2022

Reunion 2022

In Memoriam

Retirements and Fond Farewells

Letter from the Head of School

Letter from the Editor

Features

Central Work that Matters

Affinity Group Forms

Climate Crisis Curriculum

Citizen Scientists

Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

In Every Issue

Class Notes

Diane Donniger Award

By the Numbers

From the Archives

What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

Divisional Highlights

Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

Alumni Profiles: Keller

HAC Athletics

2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

1000 Words

Commencement 2022

Reunion 2022

In Memoriam

Retirements and Fond Farewells