About three dozen people from several local groups gathered last week to discuss how Harvard could become “a more inclusive and welcoming community,” in the words of School Superintendent Linda Dwight, who moderated the meeting. Members from the Harvard League of Women Voters, school administrators and teachers, people from the Unitarian Universalist Church, Bromfield students and alums, and representatives from town government were among those who took part in the Jan. 4 meeting at Town Hall.
In her opening remarks, LWV Vice President Sharon McCarthy said, “The rock incident over Thanksgiving weekend [when swastikas and slurs were painted on the rock in front of the Bromfield School] was a stark reminder of how close to the surface these issues are.” While the league is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates, McCarthy said, it can take action to support issues on which members have reached a consensus after study and discussion, as the Harvard group has done in calling for civility in public conduct.
Eric Broadbent, a member of the Unitarian social justice committee, said the town needs to find out “where we are failing and who feels excluded or hurt.” He emphasized the need to reach beyond groups that are already active in promoting inclusivity and diversity. “For some people, the words ‘diversity’ and ‘civility’ are trigger words,” he said, meaning terms that arouse alarm or anger, “and we need to hear from them, too.”
Selectwoman Lucy Wallace pointed out that Harvard has less economic diversity today than it did in the past. Longtime residents are more economically diverse than newcomers, she said, adding, “We are becoming exclusionary as a community, based on income.”
Maintaining momentum
Many speakers urged the town to keep up the momentum of efforts already begun by the schools and churches to create a community that feels safer and more welcoming. The Rev. Mark Worth said the Unitarian Church is beginning a new education program. Dwight reported that the schools are beefing up their anti-harassment policies, using civil rights guidelines as a basis. LWV member Patti Anklam said the league is eager to support programs such as public speakers, a townwide book discussion, neighborhood gatherings, or curriculum materials for the schools.
At least a baker’s dozen proposals for specific actions emerged during the meeting. Recent Bromfield grad Lily Moore-Eissenberg urged the revival of the student newspaper at the school. Davida Bagatelle, of West Bare Hill Road, said the Farmers Market organizers plan to work with a group of refugee farmers next year. Libby Levison, of Old Shirley Road, suggested that groups other than the schools should also focus on welcoming Devens residents in town. And several people fondly recalled how they had made their first friends in town through the Welcome Wagon and said the town needs new ways to reach out to neighbors.
In closing the meeting, Dwight said that the attending groups plan to form a steering committee to coordinate future activities, while also reaching out to other organizations in town.
