Ever thought about the origins of the names that grace the Newton Public Schools? Would it surprise you to learn that all the names belonged to white men?
Newton has always been an exceptional city, filled with exceptional people. Are we to believe that white men are the only ones who have done anything noteworthy or worth honoring? While in days gone by this may have been people’s mindset or “how things were done”; it’s high time to send a message that we, as a society, know (and can do) better.
There are four schools in Newton whose namesakes are places rather than individuals: Countryside Elementary and Oak Hill Middle School as well as the two high schools. It is time to bestow upon these schools the honor of carrying the name of an esteemed member of Newton’s history – perhaps even one overlooked by our traditional white-male-centric society.
We are at a pivotal moment in our country’s history: we can either demonstrate true leadership and commitment to changing the status quo, or confirm suspicions that engagement with social justice only lasts as long as our attention span. Please help to ensure it’s the former rather than the latter.
It’s time to bring Newton into the 21st century by renaming schools. This is just one step in the right direction as we fight racism, sexism, homophobia and ableism. It sends a message regarding Newton’s commitment to equality.
The choice to change a school’s name should come from the community (but eventually would have be officially brought before and changed by the School Board). I personally am spearheading a proposal that will be brought to the Countryside teachers, parents and students. I invite others to join me and bring similar measures to their schools. If a school cannot be renamed, could the playground be named? The auditorium? The gym? How can we honor more significant members of the area in an inclusive manner? Such actions will set an example for our children. Let us give them the city they deserve: a place where all individuals see themselves reflected and welcomed.
Christine O’Donnell grew up in Waban and is a graduate of the Newton Public Schools. She currently lives in Newton Centre with her husband and their two boys (who attend Countryside). She is the founder and owner of Beacon Gallery in Boston, and writes a blog: thoughtsonart.com. She is also a member of the Newton Cultural Council.
One person who comes to mind is the Rev. Howard Haywood.
Given the high percentage of fellow Asians in this community, I propose, the Matt Lai School. Who’s with me? ♂️
If children grow up racist, sexist, homophobic and ableisic (spelling?) then its the fault of the parents.
No amount of name changing will prevent this. Focus on the hard solutions(ie parenting)… a name change is a drop in the ocean
A very good point by Christine. I, for one, though wish that schools were named by their location and not with a person’s name. Save the people names for auditoriums, gardens, or whatever.
She went to Matt Middle then Newton South
@Meredith – I would love to see a school named after Howard. Nobody worked harder to make our community a better place for all.
I’m all for this.
Asians in Newton can wait a bit. I’m saying that as an Asian. Matt, your comment trivializes an important issue at an important moment, and is tone deaf to the fact that an accomplice to the murder of George Floyd is Asian.
Paul, many location names are named after people – like Boston. Although “New Townne” isn’t named after a person, there is nothing distinctive about the name. And these erase pre-existing indigenous names.
“The town of Boston in England means “Botolph’s town” in honor of a 7th century English saint named Botolph (or Botwulf in Old English). … So this is where Boston, Massachusetts got its name – from a small English town named after some obscure early English saint.” – https://historyofmassachusetts.org/how-did-boston-get-its-name/
This also makes me wonder the background of some of the names that the schools are named for. Do we have any Yawkey situations here in Newton? (My guess would be yes)
@Meredith, I will add Rev. Howard Haywood to the ongoing list of people who have been proposed! @Bryan, glad you agree!
@Matt Lai – alas, usually schools are named for deceased individuals. But you could always start a school yourself ;-)
@Bugek – Yes, parents will always be the primary influences in children’s lives. Yet society creates a construct in which that family functions. The goal of this initiative is to elevate our city – filled with wonderful people already – so that it matches the lofty ideals we all try to embody (at teach our children) at home.
@Paul – Thank you, and you are certainly entitled to your preference! The local community will ultimately make the choice to change/not change and what name will be chosen. I’m as curious as anyone else as to what this will bring.
@Jerry – if this comment is meant to give my background: I went to Zervas, Brown Jr High (yes, a name that’s already changed a bit!) and South (’98 grad)
@Nathan – thank you for your thoughtful comments!
@Mary – I’ve wondered the same thing. At least so far in my research, the schools are all named for upstanding individuals. Street names may be another story…
I hope that changing the name of the old Emerson School (now the Emerson Community Center) in Upper Falls is off limits. The school was named for Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson ‘s ties to Newton dated from a period when he lived here and preached Sunday sermons at the Upper Falls Methodist Church on Summer street. He also loved to hike through Hemlock Gorge. Emerson’s bona fides as a writer, philosopher, moral statesman and leader of the Transcendental movement have never been challenged. I’ve been rereading Hawthorne, Thoreau and Emerson during this down period and I see so much more in what they wrote now than I did in college. Keep Emerson in Newton
@Mary & @Christine: In this 100th anniversary year of women being given the right to vote, it might be worth noting that the Honorable John W. Weeks, for whom the former Weeks Junior High School was named, lost his 1918 bid for reelection as senator due to his opposition of women’s suffrage.
One challenge with informing the naming of buildings with identity politics is that the virtue being recognized is not durable. That Weeks was hostile to 50% of Newton’s then, since, and current population was, at one time, less important than his other deeds; until it became no longer acceptable. I suggest similar problems will eventually arise with any personality chosen. Many of us know that even the most highly regarded individuals among us are, at the end of the day, human.
Times change much quicker than do buildings. Better to avoid doing harm than indulge a current emotion. @Paul Levy’s suggestion strikes the better balance.
[see: DuBois, Ellen Carol (2020-04-20). “A pandemic nearly derailed the women’s suffrage movement”.]
@Bob – rest assured I believe there are no designs on Emerson School, given that – as you said – he’s one of the luminaries of the area with ties to newton. I actually only have credibility for action within Countryside as a parent there. It’s up to others to act (or not) within their school districts. However I believe that simply discussing this concept will prove healthy for the community, no matter the outcome.
@Mary Presumptuous – A thought-provoking concept regarding Weeks. Mandela immediately sprung to mind as another revered yet imperfect leader. Alas, humans are fallible and ideas often divisive. For the reasons you suggest, an historical figure may be an easier “sell” than someone who has recently passed.
In order to not offend or appease any one. Just give all buildings numeric numbers. Problem solved without controversy
@Bugek – I grew up in NYC, where the elementary schools were all known by number, such as P.S. 6, where I spent 6 years. I knew that my school also had a name, the Lillie Devereux Blake School.
While the name was seldom used, it was the name of a woman who tirelessly worked for women’s suffrage, the education of women (petitioning Columbia University to accept women in the days before the establishment of Barnard College), and more.
Let’s start with the Newton Cultural Council. Why not rename that after
Rev Howard Haywood? That’s a no brainer.
Satchel Paige played baseball in Newton. We could rename Zervas in Waban after him. There are so many possibilities..
This is a great idea and I whole heartedly support this endeavor.
Our grandson is in an elementary school in Manhattan. When you walk in – there is a plaque commemorating the graduates who excelled in life, from politicians, to judges, to actors. The schools should be covered with names – pictures of honored graduates – this is what the kids could aspire to. (Our son did his schooling in Newton ; from Hyde to North.
Agreed, but it still would mean something to substitute names of distinguished citizens from Newton, the Commonwealth, or the country at large for those generic place names. The name of a local fighter for justice and equality would resonate most powerfully.
Name it after Jackie Robinson. Best player ever. Does the left approve?
MP, so right: “One challenge with informing the naming of buildings with identity politics is that the virtue being recognized is not durable.” I was going to suggest that no public building should be named for someone until that person has been dead for 100 years, so we’d have a better sense of their place in history. But maybe even that doesn’t suffice. As you note, “… Problems will eventually arise with any personality chosen. Many of us know that even the most highly regarded individuals among us are, at the end of the day, human.” Look at Weeks’ pedigree: “He served as the Mayor of Newton from 1902 to 1903, a United States Representative for Massachusetts from 1905 to 1913, as a United States Senator from 1913 to 1919, and as Secretary of War from 1921 to 1925.” But now we learn that he opposed women’s suffrage.
My comment this morning was in jest to lighten the somberness of what has been a crap 2020.
@Christine, applaud your enthusiasm for the name change. Would be curious specifically what names you had in mind and why? (And yes, Rev Hayward would be a good one)
@Nathan, my comment was not meant to trivialize the George Floyd murder. That was not the intent. Perhaps I should go on a hunger strike?
For those interested in how monuments are chosen, designed, sited, and named, I recommend the book “Lies Across America” by James Loewen. It shows how much our history is shaped by the monuments and historic markers we visit, even when that history is distorted by the intent of those that raised the monument itself.
The book places a great emphasis on race relations in the US, pointing out for example that the Civil War was one of the few times in history where the losing side has been more effective in writing the history books.
Nathan, that is some serious mental gymnastics to get from Matt’s lighthearted comment all the way to accomplices in murder, and then to use that observation as a reason to not to consider Asians for school names.
Maybe you need a snickers?
To respond to Matt’s question regarding the names I have in mind. It’s important to understand that I cannot have an agenda for the name change. If I have my own preferences, then it makes this process about “me” rather than the community. I am merely attempting to be a facilitator for this question – would renaming schools currently unnamed for individuals – like Countryside and Oak Hill – make sense for Newton and our goals as a society? I think we’ve seen a whole range of opinions regarding just the binary yes/no of this question on this blog.
However, if we consider for who could we rename a school, I’ve been collecting names suggested by others (such as on this blog 6 years ago when this concept was previously proposed). Even moreso, I imagine that this fall, when (hopefully) this question is brought before the Countryside community more people will be nominated.
If anyone would like to see the presentation I’ve created with the growing list of names feel free to email me at christine (at) beacongallery (dot) com.
Any people making these comments grow up in Newton or their parents grow up in Newton?
Our California grandson just graduated from the Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley. We’ll certainly miss it. My guess is the naming was not uncontroversial.