Framingham School Committee divided on Columbus Day

The Framingham school system is examining renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day. Gloria Pascual (District 8), chairwoman of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, not exactly known for her academic prowess, stated:
What he (Christopher Columbus) stood for is not what we stand for.
She does not state what Christopher Columbus stood for.
In my opinion, Christopher Columbus did not know exactly where he was going, and when he arrived, could not say where he was and when he got back, could not say where he had been, but he did do all of this on borrowed money. That to me is impressive manipulation of the money people
If you go to the state education site: http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/ and choose "State Profile" from the main top menu, you will see a chart titled: Student Race and Ethnicity. This shows the following breakdown by race:
Whites: 60.1%, Hispanic: 20%,African American: 9%, Asian: 6.9%, Multi-race, non-Hispanic: 3.6%, Native Americans: 0.2%, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Apparently, the people of no color, seem to have wiped out 99.8% of the Native Americans (Indigenous People). And I'm placing my money, that the small remaining population is overweight and has Type 2 diabetes, thanks to the goodness and abundance of the diet of the people without color. The people of color that we stole off the African coast have done much better.
If there is any good news, the Native Americans (Indigenous People) have been slowly winning their country back thru blackjack and bingo.
I would love to see the major accomplishments of the Indigenous People besides a lot of casino ownership.

Did any indigenous people discover Europe or Asia (where they originated)?
What was their ship building technology like?
What major or minor scientific advances did they make? (other than teepee building technology)
Provide me a list of the literary works of these indigenous people.
Come to think of it, how many indigenous people live in Framingham? (about 136 given 0.2% presence in a population of 68,000).
It's odd they haven't opened a casino in Framingham.

Yes sireee! The Framingham schools are once again rewarding the losers, never the winners. Remind me not to go a casino with the school committee. They'll come in with a large fortune and come out with a small fortune.

Petition Aims to Bring Indigenous Peoples' Day to Framingham January 5, 2019

Cesar Stewart-Morales Framingham Patch

Framingham High School's Black Student Union looks to collect enough signatures to require action on the issue by the City Council.
Petition Aims to Bring Indigenous Peoples' Day to Framingham
FHS's Black Student Union and their supporters, request your signature on their petition.

Where be the White Students Union? No representation on the issue? Damned racists.
Let's rename the Black Student Union to People of Color Student Union

The recent vote of the Framingham School Committee on January 2, 2019, resulted in the addition of Indigenous Peoples's Day to Framingham's School Calendar, which will be recognized for the first time on Monday, October 14, 2019 alongside Columbus Day. Students and teachers, along with other members of the public and members of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, had originally sought to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day altogether. The action taken by the school committee came short of their request.
The Black Student Union of Framingham High School is now seeking to bring the issue to a public, city-wide discussion at a future Framingham City Council meeting. Framingham's City Charter outlines in Article VIII, Item 1b, Group Petitions Action Required, that a petition, signed by 100 registered Framingham voters can bring an issue to the city council that would require that action be taken by the body. The petition asks the Framingham City Council for a "resolution to be created and accepted, by the Framingham City Council, for Framingham to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day and no longer recognize Columbus Day, on the second Monday of October."
The submission of a successful petition would mark a new level of formal public participation under the City's new form of government as it would be the first time that constituents bring a group petition as allowed under Section VIII, Item 1b of the City Charter, to the council.
The efforts of the student body, showing engagement in the local political process, are a source of pride for many of the City's residents and elected officials who have applauded similar efforts in the past.

Petition Aims to Bring Indigenous Peoples' Day to Framingham	January 5, 2019
Cesar Stewart-Morales	Framingham Patch
Framingham High School's Black Student Union looks to collect enough signatures to require action on the issue by the City Council. Petition Aims to Bring Indigenous Peoples' Day to Framingham FHS's Black Student Union and their supporters, request your signature on their petition. Where be the White Students Union? No representation on the issue? Damned racists. Let's rename the Black Student Union to People of Color Student Union The recent vote of the Framingham School Committee on January 2, 2019, resulted in the addition of Indigenous Peoples's Day to Framingham's School Calendar, which will be recognized for the first time on Monday, October 14, 2019 alongside Columbus Day. Students and teachers, along with other members of the public and members of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, had originally sought to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day altogether. The action taken by the school committee came short of their request. The Black Student Union of Framingham High School is now seeking to bring the issue to a public, city-wide discussion at a future Framingham City Council meeting. Framingham's City Charter outlines in Article VIII, Item 1b, Group Petitions Action Required, that a petition, signed by 100 registered Framingham voters can bring an issue to the city council that would require that action be taken by the body. The petition asks the Framingham City Council for a "resolution to be created and accepted, by the Framingham City Council, for Framingham to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day and no longer recognize Columbus Day, on the second Monday of October." The submission of a successful petition would mark a new level of formal public participation under the City's new form of government as it would be the first time that constituents bring a group petition as allowed under Section VIII, Item 1b of the City Charter, to the council. The efforts of the student body, showing engagement in the local political process, are a source of pride for many of the City's residents and elected officials who have applauded similar efforts in the past.

Framingham school board vetoes Columbus Day name switch January 2, 2019

Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919 Metrowest Daily News

Instead of removing Columbus Day from the school calendar, Framingham School Committee voted to observe both in a combined holiday.
FRAMINGHAM - The school board rejected a proposal to change Christopher Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day at a Wednesday night meeting, instead choosing to observe both days in a combined holiday.
A motion to remove the traditional October holiday from the calendar for the 2019-2020 school year died with a 2-7 vote, with all members but Gloria Pascual and Tracey Bryant rejecting the move. The nine-member School Committee then voted 5-4 to observe both holidays on the same day. Members Noval Alexander, Adam Freudberg, Tiffanie Maskell, Beverly Hugo and Geoff Epstein voted in favor of the combined day, while Gloria Pascual, Tracey Bryant, Rick Finlay and Scott Wadland rejected it.
"We should view Columbus Day as both something to be celebrated and scrutinized," said Alexander, District 5, adding, "Erasing certain figures from history or attempting to rewrite history is not only a dangerous approach but we'd be doing our students a disservice."
Vice Chairwoman Pascual, of District 8, called on the board to make the switch in the school calendar, after members of the public brought up the idea during Racial Equity Subcommittee meetings. Pascual said a day in honor of Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. But Indigenous Peoples' Day, said Pascual, would honor the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history.

Framingham school board vetoes Columbus Day name switch	January 2, 2019
Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919	Metrowest Daily News
Instead of removing Columbus Day from the school calendar, Framingham School Committee voted to observe both in a combined holiday. FRAMINGHAM - The school board rejected a proposal to change Christopher Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day at a Wednesday night meeting, instead choosing to observe both days in a combined holiday. A motion to remove the traditional October holiday from the calendar for the 2019-2020 school year died with a 2-7 vote, with all members but Gloria Pascual and Tracey Bryant rejecting the move. The nine-member School Committee then voted 5-4 to observe both holidays on the same day. Members Noval Alexander, Adam Freudberg, Tiffanie Maskell, Beverly Hugo and Geoff Epstein voted in favor of the combined day, while Gloria Pascual, Tracey Bryant, Rick Finlay and Scott Wadland rejected it. "We should view Columbus Day as both something to be celebrated and scrutinized," said Alexander, District 5, adding, "Erasing certain figures from history or attempting to rewrite history is not only a dangerous approach but we'd be doing our students a disservice." Vice Chairwoman Pascual, of District 8, called on the board to make the switch in the school calendar, after members of the public brought up the idea during Racial Equity Subcommittee meetings. Pascual said a day in honor of Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. But Indigenous Peoples' Day, said Pascual, would honor the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history.

Framingham School Committee divided on Columbus Day December 20, 2018

Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919 Metrowest Daily News

"We need to take a stand, and we need to change ... clearly, we are divided on this topic," said Gloria Pascual, who represents District 8 on the Framingham School Committee, as a vote proposing to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' day was tabled.
FRAMINGHAM -- School Committee members waded into the national debate over renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day, but delayed voting on making a change during their meeting on Wednesday.
Committee member Gloria Pascual, of District 8, called on the board to make the switch in the school calendar, after members of the public brought up the idea during the recent Racial Equity Subcommittee meetings. Pascual said a day in honor of Christopher Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. But Indigenous Peoples' Day, said Pascual, would honor the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history.
"We need to take a stand, and we need to change ... clearly, we are divided on this topic," said Pascual.
The board voted 6-2 to delay the vote until its next meeting on Jan. 2, with Pascual and Tracey Bryant, of District 9, opposing. Noval Alexander, of District 5, was absent. Related content Framingham panel to examine Columbus Day November 29, 2018
Some committee members said they felt they needed more time to research the topic, adding that they lacked proper background. Others either wanted more input from the community, questioned whether the board has the jurisdiction to make the change, or said a name switch could ignore what they called Columbus's positive role in history.
"What bothers me is it's a national holiday and I don't think it's our purview to change a national holiday," said member Rick Finlay, of District 2.
Superintendent Robert Tremblay floated the idea of observing both entities in a "Columbus Day-slash-Indigenous-Peoples' Day," saying it would allow the district to recognize both groups.
"If I had to take a position, I would include both days in an effort to be inclusive and acknowledge both Columbus Day as a long-standing, 80-year-old holiday as well as Indigenous Peoples' Day to acknowledge we're moving in a different direction," said Tremblay.
Bryant said the pushback to no longer observe Columbus Day "solidified my support for the change."
"Because honestly, we cannot restore the generations of Native American children who were wiped out but we can welcome Native Americans now and give them a seat at the table," said Bryant, adding, "I don't think we can, with any moral high ground, say no to them."
Pascual voiced frustration with the panel, questioning claims of not having enough time to consider the proposal before a vote. She first called for the vote on Nov. 13, but members then said they did not have prior notice of the vote. She also said committee members had asked her to postpone any discussion on Columbus Day until after a citywide vote where residents approved a tax hike to fund the city's share to construct a new $98.3 million Fuller Middle School.
"To say you didn't have time is a choice... you had time to do your research," said Pascual.
Geoffrey Epstein, of District 6, said he and other members had spent hours preparing for the Dec. 11 Fuller vote and truly did not have time to also research the proposed name change. He said the request to delay the Columbus Day discussion was made because "it was viewed as divisive, which it apparently is."
"I resent being characterized as someone who didn't pay attention when I devoted my life to get the millions of dollars for the School Department," said Epstein.
Beverly Hugo, of District 1, said she did not see the harm in postponing the vote, adding that the district needs to acknowledge the problems that led to the formation of a Racial Equity Subcommittee.
"This holiday is in October. I think with the frustration on both sides, it won't hurt us to wait a couple weeks," said Hugo.
Before the discussion, several members of the public, including students and teachers at Framingham High School, addressed the School Committee on the topic. Most spoke in favor of changing the day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.
"This may seem like a small matter to some, but it's a part of a big picture that's about disregarding a group of people and that's not a value of Framingham," said Framingham High student Pauline Ongiro, a representative of the Black Student Union.

Framingham School Committee divided on Columbus Day	December 20, 2018
Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919	Metrowest Daily News
"We need to take a stand, and we need to change ... clearly, we are divided on this topic," said Gloria Pascual, who represents District 8 on the Framingham School Committee, as a vote proposing to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' day was tabled. FRAMINGHAM -- School Committee members waded into the national debate over renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day, but delayed voting on making a change during their meeting on Wednesday. Committee member Gloria Pascual, of District 8, called on the board to make the switch in the school calendar, after members of the public brought up the idea during the recent Racial Equity Subcommittee meetings. Pascual said a day in honor of Christopher Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. But Indigenous Peoples' Day, said Pascual, would honor the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history. "We need to take a stand, and we need to change ... clearly, we are divided on this topic," said Pascual. The board voted 6-2 to delay the vote until its next meeting on Jan. 2, with Pascual and Tracey Bryant, of District 9, opposing. Noval Alexander, of District 5, was absent. Related content Framingham panel to examine Columbus Day November 29, 2018 Some committee members said they felt they needed more time to research the topic, adding that they lacked proper background. Others either wanted more input from the community, questioned whether the board has the jurisdiction to make the change, or said a name switch could ignore what they called Columbus's positive role in history. "What bothers me is it's a national holiday and I don't think it's our purview to change a national holiday," said member Rick Finlay, of District 2. Superintendent Robert Tremblay floated the idea of observing both entities in a "Columbus Day-slash-Indigenous-Peoples' Day," saying it would allow the district to recognize both groups. "If I had to take a position, I would include both days in an effort to be inclusive and acknowledge both Columbus Day as a long-standing, 80-year-old holiday as well as Indigenous Peoples' Day to acknowledge we're moving in a different direction," said Tremblay. Bryant said the pushback to no longer observe Columbus Day "solidified my support for the change." "Because honestly, we cannot restore the generations of Native American children who were wiped out but we can welcome Native Americans now and give them a seat at the table," said Bryant, adding, "I don't think we can, with any moral high ground, say no to them." Pascual voiced frustration with the panel, questioning claims of not having enough time to consider the proposal before a vote. She first called for the vote on Nov. 13, but members then said they did not have prior notice of the vote. She also said committee members had asked her to postpone any discussion on Columbus Day until after a citywide vote where residents approved a tax hike to fund the city's share to construct a new $98.3 million Fuller Middle School. "To say you didn't have time is a choice... you had time to do your research," said Pascual. Geoffrey Epstein, of District 6, said he and other members had spent hours preparing for the Dec. 11 Fuller vote and truly did not have time to also research the proposed name change. He said the request to delay the Columbus Day discussion was made because "it was viewed as divisive, which it apparently is." "I resent being characterized as someone who didn't pay attention when I devoted my life to get the millions of dollars for the School Department," said Epstein. Beverly Hugo, of District 1, said she did not see the harm in postponing the vote, adding that the district needs to acknowledge the problems that led to the formation of a Racial Equity Subcommittee. "This holiday is in October. I think with the frustration on both sides, it won't hurt us to wait a couple weeks," said Hugo. Before the discussion, several members of the public, including students and teachers at Framingham High School, addressed the School Committee on the topic. Most spoke in favor of changing the day to Indigenous Peoples' Day. "This may seem like a small matter to some, but it's a part of a big picture that's about disregarding a group of people and that's not a value of Framingham," said Framingham High student Pauline Ongiro, a representative of the Black Student Union.

Framingham panel to examine Columbus Day November 29, 2018

Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919 Metrowest Daily News

The Framingham School Committee will discuss Indigenous Peoples' Day versus Christopher Columbus Day at its Dec. 19 meeting. Gloria Pascual, center, chairwoman of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, and member Tracey Bryant. [MetroWest Daily News Staff Photo/Zane Razzaq]
FRAMINGHAM - A School Committee member is calling for a formal discussion on whether Christopher Columbus Day should be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The school board is scheduled to discuss the topic at its Dec. 19 meeting, with no plans to vote on that night. Gloria Pascual, chairwoman of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, said during the group's meeting Thursday that renaming the traditional October holiday is the right move.
"What he (Christopher Columbus) stood for is not what we stand for," said Pascual, of District 8.
A growing movement, Indigenous Peoples' Day recognizes and celebrates the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history. Proponents argue that a day in honor of Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. Opponents say a name switch would ignore what they call his positive role in history. Columbus Day is also seen as a day of pride in the Italian community.
Several cities and towns in the state celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, including Amherst, Brookline, Cambridge, Northampton and Somerville. Some Massachusetts school committees, including Mashpee and Pittsfield, have also made the change.
The item was placed on the Dec. 19 agenda for further discussion, after Pascual asked the School Committee to take a vote on the topic at a Nov. 13 board meeting. She noted that the subcommittee took a vote to endorse a diverse history calendar that is in progress in September. The calendar calls for recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Christopher Columbus Day, among other changes.
Members said that they had not received advance notice on the vote and that they lacked background.
"We're being caught off-guard here being asked to consider something we weren't previously made aware of," said School Committee member Scott Wadland at the time.
On Thursday, Joe Corazzini, the assistant superintendent for Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement, told the group to use the time before the discussion to give the full School Committee background on the topic. He said he's reached out to groups such as Indigenous Peoples' Day Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Center of Native American Awareness to provide information to the full School Committee.
"Inevitably, everyone is going to push back on change initially because their first thought is the 'safety and security that I know.' Although it (the discussion) got pushed back, it gives the committee time for a large-scale discussion about what does this actually mean," said Corazzini.
At the Nov. 13 meeting, Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay said, as he's begun to draft the 2019-20 calendar year, he considered observing both days with a "Columbus Day-slash-Indigenous Peoples' Day."

Framingham panel to examine Columbus Day	November 29, 2018
Zane Razzaq 508-626-3919	Metrowest Daily News
The Framingham School Committee will discuss Indigenous Peoples' Day versus Christopher Columbus Day at its Dec. 19 meeting. Gloria Pascual, center, chairwoman of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, and member Tracey Bryant. [MetroWest Daily News Staff Photo/Zane Razzaq] FRAMINGHAM - A School Committee member is calling for a formal discussion on whether Christopher Columbus Day should be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day. The school board is scheduled to discuss the topic at its Dec. 19 meeting, with no plans to vote on that night. Gloria Pascual, chairwoman of the Racial Equity Subcommittee, said during the group's meeting Thursday that renaming the traditional October holiday is the right move. "What he (Christopher Columbus) stood for is not what we stand for," said Pascual, of District 8. A growing movement, Indigenous Peoples' Day recognizes and celebrates the heritage of Native Americans and their nations' history. Proponents argue that a day in honor of Columbus celebrates the genocide and oppression suffered by natives. Opponents say a name switch would ignore what they call his positive role in history. Columbus Day is also seen as a day of pride in the Italian community. Several cities and towns in the state celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, including Amherst, Brookline, Cambridge, Northampton and Somerville. Some Massachusetts school committees, including Mashpee and Pittsfield, have also made the change. The item was placed on the Dec. 19 agenda for further discussion, after Pascual asked the School Committee to take a vote on the topic at a Nov. 13 board meeting. She noted that the subcommittee took a vote to endorse a diverse history calendar that is in progress in September. The calendar calls for recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Christopher Columbus Day, among other changes. Members said that they had not received advance notice on the vote and that they lacked background. "We're being caught off-guard here being asked to consider something we weren't previously made aware of," said School Committee member Scott Wadland at the time. On Thursday, Joe Corazzini, the assistant superintendent for Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement, told the group to use the time before the discussion to give the full School Committee background on the topic. He said he's reached out to groups such as Indigenous Peoples' Day Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Center of Native American Awareness to provide information to the full School Committee. "Inevitably, everyone is going to push back on change initially because their first thought is the 'safety and security that I know.' Although it (the discussion) got pushed back, it gives the committee time for a large-scale discussion about what does this actually mean," said Corazzini. At the Nov. 13 meeting, Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay said, as he's begun to draft the 2019-20 calendar year, he considered observing both days with a "Columbus Day-slash-Indigenous Peoples' Day."

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