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Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Melrose is now visibly a microcosm of some of the worst that is erupting around the country. It could be using these "teaching moments" to address its problems, and it must ultimately do so unless it wants to be known long-term for its bigotry and hypocrisy instead of how it confronted and overcame these things as a community.

Here are excerpts from an article that is very important now (thank you, Aaron Leibowitz!), where the schools are mired in issues around racist conduct. These were brought to the surface when it was revealed that on April 1, 2014 a long-time 8th-grade MVMMS history teacher (and leader of the teacher's union) told a METCO student to "go back to the plantation," a result of which the city has been found guilty by the United States Office of Civil Rights of a "racially hostile environment," among other very serious indictments of school administration. Since then the community adults are erupting in commentary around bigoted statements in their online media (like the unofficial "Community" page on Facebook) sites. Many adults are calling for an honest look in the mirror and for ways to make things better, while school administration continues to deflect blame onto students alone, with damaging letters to parents and students that are only adding further fuel to an increasingly ugly environment. Recently there were some students who retaliated against abuse that is incontrovertible by doing some very stupid and damaging online posting of their own and then going a step further and vandalizing some homes. The administration continues to demonstrate zero humility or acknowledgment of its role in fueling this, while the community has failed to take much of this very seriously either. The front-page headliners about OCR and the resignation of School Committee member Ms. Kourkoumelis really are (and should be) a call to action. Kudos to those who have already stepped up to begin sincere efforts.

Though Melrose shares its awful history of racism with many other communities, it would have been hoped that the community had evolved in deep and sustaining ways to have a more genuinely open and welcoming community. "Open to All" is not real in the current Melrose. Sadly it's clear that racism, sexism, and general bigotry remain a much bigger problem here than most would likely want to face, just as they are in many other places, also. This is evident in the way the community has been unable (unwilling?) to confront the problems that are easily observable with the school administration (again, thanks to Mr. Leibowitz for his excellent and informative coverage). It is also alarmingly evident in reading the many ugly postings online around the issue of changing the Red Raiders branding, something that many feel should have been removed decades ago, but which has evoked disturbing commentary even from a noted Herald radio host who lives here and has been posting inflammatory remarks mocking the validity of civil rights issues.

Even within this MLK Day of celebrations, with all its sincere and noble intent, it's obvious to many where there is sincerity versus political gamesmanship.

It is hoped by many (and hopefully most) of us that the deep-seated problems in Melrose will be confronted in an honest way before they get any worse, which is truly a real danger. Melrose should and could be an example of a community where the best of humanity and civilization can prevail rather than the worst. That won't happen with just a day of MLK celebration or a workshop with a handful of dedicated citizens, noble though these things are. Nothing sustaining will evolve unless the hard questions are asked and the community demands real answers. That means getting beyond the reluctance around the euphemistic "negativity" and demonstrating some sustained courage, which is much easier in groups (so is bullying as the cowards know all too well).

The issues of bigotry have become entwined here (and also elsewhere) with a general discontent around government accountability, fiscal mismanagement and/or dishonesty, and with generalized lack of trust in public officials. In Melrose this is over-compensated with groups who cannot seem to have a balanced way of viewing things. It's all or nothing, black or white, effusive praise or vicious attack. There are individuals who have tried to counter this with factual representation and honest advocacy, but they are consistently put down if they dare to bring forth something perceived as "negative." There has been no sustained support in the community for those who've stepped up courageously to take on the most challenging issues.

Melrosians are generally very generous in spirit and want to volunteer, not just for political or social-climbing but for the sincere commitment to a better community. This spirit of generosity surfaces in abundance, especially when there is a tragedy. But it also disappears quickly whenever there is possible "negativity" or shame, as it did around the YMCA rapist horror, when more were concerned about the damage to the city's reputation than were actively looking to help the children who were brutalized or force accountability for those who shielded the top brass of the organization. Instead of generosity there is pervasive shunning (or worse). It's no wonder that Melrose has such difficulty with public engagement or inspiring the best kinds of people to run for public office. Instead of tackling the tough things, too many tend to go for what feels like the "positive" places to contribute, where they can write checks, or join volunteer groups, task forces, working groups and commissions where it's fun and feels good tackling what typically are the low-hanging easy topics, and where the tough issues remain unacknowledged or confronted only in surface ways.

A realtor's "best 02176" sounds good and sells property, even when it's based on the most superficial values. Melrose can do much better and it must if it wants a community that is deeply worthy and embodies more mature, sustaining values.

from January:
Melrose celebrates MLK Day By Aaron Leibowitz

All around Melrose on Monday, residents honored the legacy of the late civil rights activist Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by participating in volunteer activities, contributing to a community art project and attending the 21st annual potluck dinner and family program....
...

The entire slate of activities was sponsored by Mayor Rob Dolan and the Melrose Human Rights Commission.

Calls for conversation, education

While Melrose acknowledged King’s work fighting racism, some residents continued the call for a more robust conversation about race in the schools and in the community at large.

Recent events in the Melrose Public Schools have highlighted the need, some believe, to address racial issues that exist and see where the city can improve.

Conversations are already beginning to play out in the schools and on social media – but some, such as residents Jessica Buster and Alexa Majors, would like to go even further.

Buster and Majors, along with several others, hope to create a working group that, according to Buster, would be aimed at parents concerned about the state of “racism education” in the Melrose schools.

“Most of us talking at the moment have children who are quite small,” said Buster, whose children are 1 and 4 years old. “We’d really like to change the attitude, or at least the approach, in the Melrose schools by the time our kids [are in the schools].”

Buster pointed to a recent assembly in the high school at which, according to people present, some white students were taken aback by talk of “white privilege,” and at least one student suggested METCO students should be “thankful” they get to attend school in Melrose.

That, Buster feels, is indicative of a need for heightened focus on the history and present state of racial inequality in the United States.

“I don’t think anything about it is especially unusual, because all of America has a racism problem, every community in America has a racism problem,” Buster said. “But I guess I didn’t expect to find Melrose was inclined to disregard the problem of racism or pretend it didn’t exist.”

The working group, once formed, could focus on a range of approaches in addition to targeted racism education.

That could mean calling for an overarching “social/emotional curriculum” to make students more aware of injustice from an earlier age, Buster said. And it could mean pushing for the adoption of a “restorative justice” style of settling school disputes — an approach utilized in Malden — with a heavier focus on the needs of victims and offenders rather than on simply punishing offenders.

In the short term, other residents would simply like to see the community come together to talk about the events at the middle school and discuss where to go from here.

“My New Year’s wish is for a town hall-style conversation with the Superintendent, and [to] have the Melrose Human Rights Commission present to facilitate and moderate, record minutes and facilitate any follow-up actions,” parent Lori Ashline told the Free Press in an email. “This community needs to make up with the school district.”
...
“In a predominantly white community, there’s so much sort of insulation in everyday life from the direct results of racism in our society,” said Stewart Lanier, one of the course’s facilitators. “It really is challenging — but important — for conversations to be raised.”
...
Historical context
According to 2010 Census data, 91.1 percent of Melrosians identify as “white alone,” while 2.4 percent identify as “black or African-American alone.”

To understand the state of race in the city today, one must also understand the history – as Jim Bennett, Chair of the Melrose Historical Commission, can attest.
...
“It is important to mention, in part because I do not think that the public is largely aware of this, that Melrose did have slaves in the 18th century,” Bennett said.

While the numbers are difficult to track because there was no census data and no public registry for slaves, the Commonwealth did impose a poll tax in 1771 that provides a fairly accurate census.

“According to this data, 4.1 percent of the property owners in Malden (including today’s Melrose) owned slaves, which was higher than the average for Middlesex County, which was 3 percent,” Bennett said. “All of the Melrose taxpayers that I have been able to identify owned just one slave. They included members of the Green, Sprague, and Lynde families.”

Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1783. Around that time, Bennett said, Melrose probably lost its entire African-American population because farmers did not want to pay for this labor.

As far as Bennett can tell, Melrose was then an entirely white community for more than a century.

“I have never seen any African-Americans in 19th century census records, nor in early photographs,” he said.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, minstrel shows became a “popular and frequent” form of entertainment in Melrose, Bennett said, a reality verified by advertisements in early versions of the Free Press.

The same racist ideology behind minstrel shows, Bennett said, presumably prevented black people from moving to Melrose in those years.

“You won’t see any explicit references to it,” said Bennett. “It was simply understood that white people were the proper residents of Melrose, and that black people should stay out.”

That remained the case through the first half of the 20th century.

“Some might argue that is still the case today,” Bennett said.

Melrose, of course, is miles ahead of where it was. But some still see traces of attitudes and practices — even if not explicitly biased — that have contributed to the city’s relative continued racial isolation since legal integration.

Buster noted, for example, that the city opposed an extension of the Orange Line beyond Malden and into Melrose in the 1970s.

And Lanier pointed out that, while Melrose does have affordable housing options — and while real estate agents don’t necessarily discriminate — there are economic factors, linked to a history of racial discrimination, that limit the possibility of diversity.

“On the one hand, people could say, ‘Our real estate people don’t discriminate against people of color. If you’ve got the money, you’re welcome here,’” Lanier said. “But if you want a diverse community, you actually have to do things that create economic diversity.”

These issues are not unique to Melrose.

“But I think that, if we want to be a better community, we have some work to do,” Buster said.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Interesting that Jessica Buster was just named to the new Melrose Commission on Women. What will her agenda be? Surprised that Doaln appointed her since she is calling for a discussion on racism in Melrose and equality in education. During her presentation at Monday's BOA meeting she stated that she had "strong opinions"........her house on Derby Road has a "Black Life Matters" sign in the window.......

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Jessica Buster showed up. She described her background and interests. Good for her. Whether you agree with her political ideology [I DO NOT], she came and interacted with the BOA. What about KP? Maybe there was a good reason that she didn't show up at the BOA meeting but her absence doesn't send a great message of commitment. How can she be on the Human Rights Commission and The Commission on Women at the same time? If there were so many interested people to serve on the new COW, why was KP chosen? Maybe her connections with "Yes for Melrose" and being a "MEF" Committee Member helped with the appointment? Reading her statement to the BOA as compared with the other nominees in the meeting packet was embarrassing. Gramatical errors and the brief 2 jargon sentences were insulting to the BOA and her fellow nominees.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Not sure if it came up at the BOA but Buster's public (not private) social media page advocates for welcoming Syrian refugees into the US. Are we looking to establish Melrose as a destination for the 10,000+ refugees Obama plans to bring into the US?

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Syrian Refugees
Not sure if it came up at the BOA but Buster's public (not private) social media page advocates for welcoming Syrian refugees into the US. Are we looking to establish Melrose as a destination for the 10,000+ refugees Obama plans to bring into the US?


So what if it did? Are you trying to suggest that those of us (there are a lot of us) that would gladly welcome all refugees are somehow a threat to Melrose? That old red-baiting and George Wallace-type (Trump) rhetoric rearing its ugly head overtly now?

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

You race baiters are disgusting! Don't you all know by now that that our own government admits that we do not have the ability to properly vet these refugees! Read the darn papers once in awhile and learn something. Home security and the FBI can't properly vet these people - we also know that the terrorist have sent hundreds as refugees to Europe to rage terrorism. Haven't we learned anything from the Paris and Brussel incidents?

It is much more humane to allocate safe zones throughout the Muslim world to temporarily transport these people so that they can stay together until they can return to their homeland. To bring them here to the US is too much of a culture shock for them and does nothing to help them return to their homeland.

I guess "common sense" is no longer common!

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Showing Up
Jessica Buster showed up. She described her background and interests. Good for her. Whether you agree with her political ideology [I DO NOT], she came and interacted with the BOA. What about KP? Maybe there was a good reason that she didn't show up at the BOA meeting but her absence doesn't send a great message of commitment. How can she be on the Human Rights Commission and The Commission on Women at the same time? If there were so many interested people to serve on the new COW, why was KP chosen? Maybe her connections with "Yes for Melrose" and being a "MEF" Committee Member helped with the appointment? Reading her statement to the BOA as compared with the other nominees in the meeting packet was embarrassing. Gramatical errors and the brief 2 jargon sentences were insulting to the BOA and her fellow nominees.

Agree with you on all points.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Welcome All
Syrian Refugees
Not sure if it came up at the BOA but Buster's public (not private) social media page advocates for welcoming Syrian refugees into the US. Are we looking to establish Melrose as a destination for the 10,000+ refugees Obama plans to bring into the US?


So what if it did? Are you trying to suggest that those of us (there are a lot of us) that would gladly welcome all refugees are somehow a threat to Melrose? That old red-baiting and George Wallace-type (Trump) rhetoric rearing its ugly head overtly now?


I hope that the "lot" of you get your wish. Let's see how the school system fares when it has to accept all the refugee kids, and provide all of them with adequate ELL services. That shouldn't impact the school budget at all.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

If Islam is such a peaceful religion why is the entire Middle East a battle zone?

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Islam can be a peaceful religion like it is for many - or it can be violent religion as it is for many others. Right now - Islam is in a war for its soul and so far - even non-Muslims are impacted. This happens to be the only major religion in the world where a minority of its members believe it is their right, based on some corrupt reading of the Koran, to kill non-believers, or other Muslims who may disagree with them. The world has seen much evil in the 1930's and 1940's - but never has this kind of evil been so sinister, lethal, and disseminated world-wide - and our President considers it "background noise".

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

All the more reason to pause on the immigration until/unless things get sorted. The situation unfolding in Europe clearly demonstrates the downside.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

If we are making a list of "Soul Battles", we need to add to the list. Equally as dangerous is the battle for the soul of the Republican Party which is being divided by Trump. BUT, the battle which should concern us most is the battle for the soul of Melrose. It is the one which been splintered to pieces by the SC antics, MPS "Leadership" and the go along, do nothing, and rubber stamping BOA. The call by the two women (who were written about in the Free Press around the MLK day) should be considered seriously and acted upon immediately.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

"BUT, the battle which should concern us most is the battle for the soul of Melrose. It is the one which been splintered to pieces by the SC antics, MPS "Leadership" and the go along, do nothing, and rubber stamping BOA. The call by the two women (who were written about in the Free Press around the MLK day) should be considered seriously and acted upon immediately."


Could not agree more emphatically. This community is in crisis, and it simply must step up, even at this late stage. Ms. Colleen Murphy's eloquent piece in this week's Free Press beautifully complements the original posting here. The conclusions are profound and point the way. It's incumbent on the rest of us (who care) to heed these remarkable articles and compelling individuals of integrity. Melrose has real leaders. Will Melrose choose to follow them or will it choose to continue on its failed and ethically compromised path?

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Zzzzzz...

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Internationalist
You race baiters are disgusting! Don't you all know by now that that our own government admits that we do not have the ability to properly vet these refugees! Read the darn papers once in awhile and learn something. Home security and the FBI can't properly vet these people - we also know that the terrorist have sent hundreds as refugees to Europe to rage terrorism. Haven't we learned anything from the Paris and Brussel incidents?

It is much more humane to allocate safe zones throughout the Muslim world to temporarily transport these people so that they can stay together until they can return to their homeland. To bring them here to the US is too much of a culture shock for them and does nothing to help them return to their homeland.

I guess "common sense" is no longer common!


Basically, you are talking about refugee camps which are horrible. How about you go live there?

Further more, FAUX news is NOT research. If you look at the independent research and not that of the fear mongers Trump and Cruz gang, you will find that the vetting process is incredibly difficult to get through as it is now. In fact (something you pay very little attention to), the vetting of Syrian refugees is the most intensive of any group that arrives in the US. Or maybe anything not FAUX and independently verifiable and factual is too different from your "common sense." http://time.com/4116619/syrian-refugees-screening-process/

And here is how you your anti-immigrant rant appears to the rest of us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2utsjsWOWUA

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

I recent article may explain some of what we are seeing in Paris and Brussels and what we may be seeing here in the US if we move forward with the importation of thousands of Syrians into our country without first adopting a fool-proof vetting process: .

It is worth reading: http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-attacks-terrorism-europe-muslims-brussels-attacks-airport-metro/

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

not so international
Internationalist
You race baiters are disgusting! Don't you all know by now that that our own government admits that we do not have the ability to properly vet these refugees! Read the darn papers once in awhile and learn something. Home security and the FBI can't properly vet these people - we also know that the terrorist have sent hundreds as refugees to Europe to rage terrorism. Haven't we learned anything from the Paris and Brussel incidents?

It is much more humane to allocate safe zones throughout the Muslim world to temporarily transport these people so that they can stay together until they can return to their homeland. To bring them here to the US is too much of a culture shock for them and does nothing to help them return to their homeland.

I guess "common sense" is no longer common!


Basically, you are talking about refugee camps which are horrible. How about you go live there?

Further more, FAUX news is NOT research. If you look at the independent research and not that of the fear mongers Trump and Cruz gang, you will find that the vetting process is incredibly difficult to get through as it is now. In fact (something you pay very little attention to), the vetting of Syrian refugees is the most intensive of any group that arrives in the US. Or maybe anything not FAUX and independently verifiable and factual is too different from your "common sense." http://time.com/4116619/syrian-refugees-screening-process/

And here is how you your anti-immigrant rant appears to the rest of us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2utsjsWOWUA


OPEN YOUR HOME TO THEM! PUT UP OR SHUT UP! OPEN YOUR HOME TO THEM!

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

HAHAHA I already sent them to your house

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Welcome All
Syrian Refugees
Not sure if it came up at the BOA but Buster's public (not private) social media page advocates for welcoming Syrian refugees into the US. Are we looking to establish Melrose as a destination for the 10,000+ refugees Obama plans to bring into the US?


So what if it did? Are you trying to suggest that those of us (there are a lot of us) that would gladly welcome all refugees are somehow a threat to Melrose? That old red-baiting and George Wallace-type (Trump) rhetoric rearing its ugly head overtly now?


Oh shut up you muppet. The majority of us DO NOT want these Isis infiltrators in our country never mind our CITY! It's people like you that make it possible for these terrorist scum to get in our country and plot their next move. As for trump, he's the only canadate speaking the truth and bypassing this bullsh1t PC culture we've developed. Independents like myself are the reason he will be President Trump come November.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Syrian Refugees
Not sure if it came up at the BOA but Buster's public (not private) social media page advocates for welcoming Syrian refugees into the US. Are we looking to establish Melrose as a destination for the 10,000+ refugees Obama plans to bring into the US?


Buster Bluster:
If Buster becomes the Chair of the Commission on Women, her intense style and delivery of self described "strong opinions" will immediately turn people off.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

The original message of this post is what needs to be remembered.

The newly minted Women's "commissioners" (too bad some wear this title with the pomposity it signifies) are each good people with excellent intentions, as surely are the HRC, and others. Hopefully they will approach their jobs with integrity and not be pulled into the game that was being played by RD in appointing them. Each and every one was selected with a politically self-serving motive for him. In the case of some, the purpose was to deactivate his critics (potential and actual) by making them part of his team. It is feared that most will not realize they are being played, and most will go the way of so many others (perfect example is the majority of those past and present on HRC), feeling glad for the self-importance and more and more reluctant to be critical, while more and more part of the self-congratulatory and in fact corrupt power structure. JL herself has been just another "yes-man" in virtually all of her votes, so it's unlikely that anything of substance will emerge. One can always hope....

There is so much important work that needs to be done if this community is going to set itself back to rights anytime soon. There were 3 racially heated school incidents at MVMMS & MHS (2 reported with "investigations," such as they are with corrupt administration, and 1 not yet public, though surely being "investigated," as it were). The environment is significantly worsening. The call to action as been made by those who have taken the time to learn the facts and demonstrated the courage to make them public. There is much more bad brewing. Time to stop w/ the stupid and pointless nonsense and step up to address the real problems.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

I have seen around the city some houses with black lives matter signs. I know they are white families that live in the houses. Do you not realize that black lives matter is a racist hate group? Look up some of the quotes that the cofounder of the group said she would like to see happen to whites. Look at all the damage they have caused in cities. How do you support this group? If the kkk changes their slogan to white lives matter would it make them less evil no. The blm group is protesting and calling for the deaths of police while ignoring the fact that 93 percent of black homicides are committed by other blacks. 95 percent of blacks killed by police are the result of their own actions. So I ask you how do you support such hate. Also if you are so concerned why are you living in lily white melrose. You could get a much better home for your money in a community with a large minority population. You could help their communities a lot more if you lived there and had an interest stake. You could help with those community gardens that interest you too.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Does white lives matter?

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Nothing new. It's called "white liberal guilt" felt by those who have spent most their lives living in a cocoon of privilege and probably voted for Obama as a "feel good" gesture.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

just wondering
Does white lives matter?


Seems like there are a lot of people who don't think so.

Re: Community Must Confront its Issues of Racism and Bigotry

Punk Lives Matter