I was surprised that the Gazette printed a letter on July 26 about the writer’s perception of the Northampton School Committee’s “lack of support for our city and school leaders.” She “perceives” hostility and distrust, and “believes this contributed.
Rabbi Justin David and Rabbi Riqi Kosovske: Seeking triumph over hatred and injustice
JFK Middle School Principal Desmond Caldwell addresses a crowd that gathered to denounce racism on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Gazette file photo
Published: 3/2/2021 3:30:53 PM
As rabbis who represent the two synagogues in Northampton and Florence, we unequivocally support JFK Middle School Principal Desmond Caldwell and his strong and wise responses both to the appearance of the Confederate flag at school and the appearance of a Facebook page bearing that symbol.
We agree wholeheartedly that the flag is seen and deployed as a symbol of racist hatred and has no place in schools, or anywhere in our community. And while we write these words as the leaders of our respective synagogues, we know that we echo the convictions of other houses of worship, community organizations and concerned individuals throughout the Pioneer Valley.
Racist social media post spurs rally to support JFK Middle School principal
Mareatha Wallace, an education support professional at JFK Middle school, leads a group in “Lift Every Voice,” when a crowd gathered in support of Principal Desmond Caldwell and to denounce racism. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Desmond Caldwell, principal of JFK Middle School in front of the school on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Desmond Caldwell, principal of JFK Middle School in front of the school on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Desmond Caldwell, principal of JFK Middle School, addresses a crowd that gathered to denounce racism on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Northampton students denounce racism after Facebook page targets principal’s Confederate flag lesson
Updated Feb 24, 2021;
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Students, staff and faculty stood in solidarity Wednesday with John F. Kennedy Middle School Principal Desmond Caldwell after a Facebook page targeted him and his efforts to educate the school community about the history of racism associated with the Confederate flag.
Nearly 200 people assembled outside the Northampton school to denounce white supremacy in a demonstration organized by students Cecelia Ripley, Julia Albro-Fisher and Julian Clark.
Caldwell, who became principal last fall, said he heard from students who felt unsafe when Confederate flags and other symbols started appearing in other students’ backgrounds during remote learning. To address those concerns, Caldwell created a video asking that the Confederate flag not be present during virtual or in-person learning.