Month: July 2020

https://mailchi.mp/aa932d29bce1/statement-the-use-of-social-media?e=812af611e7

https://www.yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/safety/police/17520-blm-072320.html

July 26, 2020

Dear Arlington Community,

Please join us TODAY, July 26 at 6 pm on the Arlington High School Peirce Field (behind the high school). On July 23, the two banners reading “We Believe Black Lives Matter” in front of our high school were vandalised (see statements here from Arlington High School, the Arlington Human Rights Commission, and the Press Release). 

We are joining together for “Arlington Fights Back” against racism and hate. 

• Who: AHS Black Student Union, Arlington High School, Arlington Human Rights Commission, and the Arlington community
• Where: Arlington High School Peirce Field (in back), 869 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington

(Enter off of Mill Street via Mill Brook Drive)

• When: 6:00 pm, July 26, 2020
• Why: To stand in solidarity against racism and the hateful vandalism that targets our Black students and community
• What: Brief statements, music, vigil, hanging of posters, community 

Detail: Because of the need for social distancing and the construction around the high school, we are limited in our outdoor space. Please observe these preparations to help us keep safe and to help make this a successful event. The more folks bring their own supplies the better.

• We will spread out from the 50 yard line and use the hash marks to arrange ourselves two yards apart for social distancing. Let’s see how much of the field we can cover!
• Please wear a mask at all times.
• Bring signs, tape to hang them, markers and poster board to create more.
• There will be materials and sanitizer available for creating and hanging signs.
• Bring water and sunscreen (recommend own hand sanitizer)
• Limited parking is available by the high school (new lots have been created for the construction).

We invite the community to join us!

Sincerely,

Arlington Fights Back!

——————–

July 23, 2020

Dear Arlington Community,

It is with great sadness that I am sharing an incident of vandalism targeting our community. Recently, Arlington High School posted banners on our construction fence stating “We Believe Black Lives Matter.” These banners show support for our black community and the mission of racial justice. This morning, I was informed that someone has vandalized them, spray painting to cross out the words.

I can’t find words to convey my sadness and anger. As Principal and as a school, I know how many work tirelessly to create an inclusive school for all of our students. “Black Lives Matter” is a statement of principle for the school. We make that statement to stand in solidarity with our students who are fighting to feel that they are full members of our community. That is our mission. 

Currently the United States is undergoing a reckoning regarding our history of racial inequity. Arlington has been part of that reckoning. I know how hard our school staff works to create an equitable and inclusive school community. Nonetheless, we have heard from students in our Black Student Union (BSU) of the many ways we fall short in making them feel fully welcome and heard. We have recently presented on our discipline practices and outcomes which show that in spite of improvements overall we still have disparate outcomes related to race. We are reexamining our town symbols, discussing how an historic work of art may harm members of our community when seen as a “mascot.” We have formed a student and staff Anti-racism Working Group to partner with our BSU to address their demand for change.

All of these conversations are important and valuable, and they have also raised emotions. The isolation created by COVID 19 and the isolation of the school behind a construction fence does not lend itself to rich community conversation. These issues are deep and we are committed to doing the long thoughtful work of examining our biases and our systems to root out the impact of 400 years of racial injustice. This is a time for us to come together to engage together in reflection and planning to make lasting change. 

We will take down the banners and work to have them replaced quickly. Our students are already at work on a mural for posting later in the summer. We have reached out to the Arlington Police to try to find the perpetrator. I communicated today with the Black Student Union, the Arlington Human Rights Commission, the Anti-racism Working Group, and town leadership to plan a community response. We are planning a solidarity vigil with the Black Student Union and the Arlington Human Rights Commission, “Arlington Fights Back.”

We are currently scheduled to stand together on Sunday, July 26 at 6:00 pm on the Peirce Field. We hope that students, parents, staff, and community members will stand with us and hear from our students as “Arlington Fights Back” against racism. 

Stay tuned for more event details. 

Sincerely,

Matthew Janger