UPDATES: Boston Globe story here.
Students, alumni, teachers, parents, clergy, city councilors and many others testified in opposition to citizen’s petition promoted by Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a group that has long-complained of an anti-Israeli bias in the Newton Public Schools, at a packed public hearing at Newton South High School last night. I left the hearing after nearly two hours and there were still a number of people who were waiting to speak. But during those two hours, the overwhelming majority of speakers testified in support of the schools, teachers and superintendent David Fleishman.
Please share your views and comments here, as well as any updates. The Globe’s coverage is here. There were a number of TV cameras there too so share those links if you find them before I do.
It was an amazing evening. The students and the teachers, in particular, exemplified Newton at its very best.
The Globe article captured the most dramatic moment of the evening here.
My understanding is that the vast majority of those who walked out at that moment were teachers but there were many others from the community who rose too.
@Greg – I don’t feel like the Globe article fully captured how overwhelming community support was for our teachers and Newton schools.
True Bryan. But the shots of attendees (rearing the big red Newton Values stickers) on NBC10’s report does.
One clarification – David asked all supporters to stand, then said the the teachers had to leave to prepare for their students and that was why they left. Many supporters stayed and spoke against the petition or just stayed in support of the teachers.
I sent this letter yesterday.
To the Newton School Committee:
Some of you may remember me as the Student Representative from Newton North from 2007-2010. Serving alongside those of you whom I have met was an early education in civics. I write in strong defense of the history educators and curriculum in Newton and against those who would wrap themselves in the flag and rob students of a critical education.
History was always my subject. I’m in the middle of graduate training in the field now. I’ve received grants and studied at premier universities in the US and abroad. I don’t list those qualifications to brag about myself; rather, it is the brilliance of my colleagues and friends I wish to emphasize. Every day I am struck by their keen analysis and intelligence. Every day, hearing about the histories they learned and researched in their home countries and schools, I am reminded that Newton’s high-school history curriculum has more to do with academic history than with the rote recitations of fact that many of my colleagues and friends learned and have later needed to unlearn. My high school teachers (the late, great Ty Vignone, Betsy Scharlack, Gregory Drake, and Dr. Isongesit Ibokette) taught me the criticality I am still using. That was a gift I do not take lightly. It is a rare thing and must be preserved.
I am particularly disturbed by the coordinated attempt to use the history of anti-Jewish oppression — history that is, due to my background, in some sense my history too — to justify attempts at censorship and slander. The Jewish tradition in which I was raised emphasized argument, debate, discourse, and respect; not hate, fear, and the censoring of ‘difficult’ ideas. I understand that there will be pressure to accommodate some of this small group’s wishes, I urge you to resist this pressure and stand strong. Remember that this group has been condemned for its anti-Islamic tactics by many mainstream Jewish organizations and that it shares nothing in terms of values and priorities with most Jewish people in Newton or anywhere else.
Stand with the brilliant teachers you hired to teach challenging, critical, vital history in dark times; not with the fascists who would shut them down.
Respectfully,
Ben Miller
NNHS ’10
NYU ’14 magna cum laude, History
Currently: MA Global History, Freie Universität Berlin; Board, Schwules* (Gay History) Museum Berlin; Instructor (History), Humboldt Universität Berlin.
What hit me the most is that at least some of them tried to get two teachers fired for writing items critical of President Trump. More evidence of tactics led by intimidation. I’m sure Trump would approve, but I trust that most would find this intolerable. They seem to feel nothing about the 1st Amendment or the give and take of life.
I was there and stayed till the end. I have to applaud our Mayor and our School Committee for how well this evening went. The people on stage were very thoughtful, respectful, and kept their composure. They also stood their ground and were true to the values and goals of our schools. There were also some very inspiring comments from the public, including several graduates of Newton public schools, Susan Albright and Marc Laredo (thank you to these two Councilors for showing how much they value our schools by showing up and speaking), and plenty of parents and community members. Even though I didn’t speak, I was so proud to of my community for showing up in support of some of our city’s greatest assets – our schools and our teachers!
I regret that I could not attend the meeting, but I am heartened to hear that there was a strong showing of support by, and for Newton’s teachers. I’ve told all 3 of my kids that “if you have one truly extraordinary teacher, then you have been blessed.” Each of my kids has been blessed with many extraordinary teachers, and I would specifically point to some of the names mentioned by Ben Miller and a few more, including David Bedar, Jonathan Basset, Lyn Montague and Peter Capodilupo.
These noxious claims have been investigated by DESE (Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education) and found to be meritless and still they persist. Hundreds of students who have gone through Newton’s curriculum have denounced this specious claims, and still they persist. They have haunted, harassed and attempted to intimidate Newton’s teachers, Administrators and the School Committee to no avail because their allegations do not survive the scrutiny of sunshine.