This year, St. Patrick’s Day in the Arlington Public Schools meant more than just a time to dress in green. On Friday, March 17, members of the Arlington Education Association (AEA), the district union, came together in a stand-out against hate speech and discrimination. For 20 to 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day, AEA members stood together outside the building entrance of each school and the preschool to, in the words of their announcement, “...be a visible wall of support for our students and colleagues targeted by hate speech and acts of bias in Arlington over the past month.”
AEA President Julianna Keyes was inspired by the Belmont Education Association and the Belmont Educators of Color and Allies who hosted a similar event earlier in the month. The stand-out was a response to the recent incidents of hate speech that have taken place in the Ottoson Middle School and Arlington High School, and in other areas around the town.
This action against discrimination was open to community members as well, and had the full support of APS Superintendent Elizabeth Homan and Director of Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice Margaret Credle Thomas. The stand-out was a clear demonstration of the principles articulated in both the Vision and Mission of the Arlington Public Schools.
- From the Vision: “...to.be an equitable educational community where all learners feel a sense of belonging, experience growth and joy…”
- From the Mission: “The Arlington Public Schools focuses on the whole child to create inclusive and innovative learning opportunities for all students, values diverse identities and ways of learning,...”.
Incidents such as those that have taken place during March cause real harm and it is important to speak out against racism and prejudice whenever it is encountered. AEA members did just that as they collectively stood up on March 17 and made it clear that such hatred will not be tolerated.