A broad swath of Needham residents will gather at the Needham Free Public Library on Thursday, May 22, for conversations on race. Organizers range from high school students to town officials (including incoming Town Manager Katie King) to committees and coalitions of Needham residents focused on human rights, social resilience, religion, public health and more.
The public workshop on race has become an annual event. Last year, Needham High School students facilitated the discussions. This year, professor Gary Bailey from the Simmons University School of Social Work will guide the session.
“The goal is to have neighbors talking with neighbors,” said Assistant Town Manager King. “We’ll talk in small groups about how race has shaped our lives, and we’ll zoom out from the individual level to look at how racism impacted our history collectively and shaped our institutions. How can we make sure that we are identifying barriers that don’t provide equal opportunity to all individuals?”
Another organizer, psychologist Beth Pinals, who helped initiate the Needham Resiliency Network and works with METCO director Joanne Allen-Willoughby to offer a series of Courageous Conversations on Race at Needham High, is hoping to see a significant number of new attendees. “Our wish is to have not only those people who continue to have constructive conversations about race and our community in particular, but also any new faces that want to present themselves. It’s really wonderful when you can grow the number of people in the community even one at a time. We want as many people as possible learning each other’s stories, intentions, background, and being able to respect one another.”
“We’re hoping to create an environment where differences are celebrated, not divided or divisive,” said Pinals.
Pinals points to cross-cultural events such as the Indian Community of Needham’s public holiday (most recently Holi) celebrations as ways to appreciate and celebrate differences.
But she recognizes this is a moment when federal actions on race, institutions and even history make local conversations like Needham’s especially important. “We’re seeing more divide and polarization,” she said. “People are feeling an amplified version of what’s always there anyway, which is that their community is going to be changed and diminished in some way. And it causes people to be afraid of people who are different than themselves. And that’s really sad because it detracts from the richness that the diversity in our community has to offer.”
For residents ages 16 or older, the Community Conversations on Race organizers suggest, this is no time to keep your thoughts to yourself.
“Community Conversations on Race” workshop, “Becoming an Inclusive Community,” will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 6:30-8:45 p.m. in the Community Room at the Needham Free Public Library.
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