| Wicked Local
Leaders in Watertown Public Schools are marking Black History Month with the announcement of a new role focused on ensuring diversity and fairness in the community. A search is underway for a director of equity and inclusion, a district-level administrator who will develop and implement the diversity and equity objective that’s mapped to the district’s mission and long-range planning.
According to a letter from Superintendent Dr. Dede Galdston, “This person will serve as a catalyst to leverage best practices and resources to promote a culture of inclusion and belonging in the Watertown Public Schools where individuals from all racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religious, political and ideological perspectives, and physical and mental abilities are able to thrive.”
For the 2020-2021 school year, the district reports enrollment of 2,526 students. Of those students, 63.6% are white, 19.1% are Hispanic, 4.3% are African American, 7.2% are Asian, 5.3% are multi‐race, non‐Hispanic, and 0.4 % are Native American. More than 39% of students are reported to come from homes where English is not the first language.
Galdston and her team promise transparency throughout the search and hiring process, which will include the appointment of a screening committee to help review, interview, and recommend potential candidates, as well as a focus group of students, staff, parents, and community members later this month. Per Galdston, “Selecting a director of equity and inclusion is important for the entire community.” Additional school community initiatives include the development of a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging website, and cultural proficiency training with well-known equity coach Dr. Kalise Wornum of the firm KW Diversity, Inc.
The district’s work comes as the region and nation focus on curbing attitudes and incidents around racism. Last month in neighboring Belmont, Henry Tapia, a black and Latino father of three, was killed following a dispute with Dean Kapsalis of Hudson. Kapsalis was heard yelling a racial slur before hitting and dragging Tapia with his truck. Henry Tapia died a short time later. Kapsalis is charged with a civil rights violation causing injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury. Town leaders in Hudson have since announced an anti-racism declaration. The killing is considered a hate crime.
Organizations fighting bigotry and injustice
Many organizations in town, including Watertown Citizens for Black Lives, are working to fight bigotry and injustice. Watertown Citizens for Black Lives was founded approximately four years ago as a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment. Members regularly campaign against violence and systemic racism in the local community. According to the founders: “We have about 300-400 people with whom we communicate regularly and about 30-40 active members who regularly attend meetings and work on ad-hoc groups. The groups advocate for police policy reform, racial equity in Watertown Public Schools, and antiracist policies and practices in our community. We also collaborate with other local groups working for racial justice.”
The group adds, “We envision a community free of anti-Black racism and other racial inequities so that every member of our community, regardless of race, can enjoy the same opportunities for safety, comfort, achievement, and joy that white people enjoy.” With regards to Black History Month, Watertown Citizens for Black Lives advocates for integration of the Black American story all year long:
“Throughout the year, we share information among our members to elevate and celebrate the contributions of Black people to our culture, history, and every aspect of American life, as well as stories that illustrate current harms caused by racism. Because of the special focus in February, there’s an extra concentration of educational and cultural opportunities, when everyone is suddenly expressing interest in these contributions and wants to hear these stories. We think Black history should not be artificially confined to one month of attention in schools and the media. In reality, Black history IS central to and inseparable from American settler colonial history and is embedded in every aspect of the development of this country.” To learn more, visit watertowncitizensforblacklives.org.
Black History Month began in 1976, when President Gerald Ford officially recognized the observance in a speech to mark the country’s bicentennial:
“In the Bicentennial years of our independence, we can review with admiration the impressive contributions of Black Americans to our national life and culture…In celebrating Black History Month…we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.”
