Cultural Resources

Juneteenth was declared a U.S. federal in 2021 by President Joe Biden due to efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Pal Lee, and others Governor Baker signed June 19th as a state holiday in 2020. June 19th commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth", it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaves African Americans in Texas. 

 

What is Juneteenth and why do we celebrate it?

 

Girl holding up flag

In June 1999, President Bill Clinton declared June in America as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in recognition to the Gay Liberation Movement. In 2011, President Barack Obama expanded the officially recognized Pride Month to include the whole of the LGBT community. In 2019, President Donald Trump recognized the celebration of LGBT Pride month in a Presidential Proclamation. After taking office in 2021, President Joe Biden recognized Pride Month and vowed to push for LGBT rights in the United States. 

 

This month's Celebrations!

 

June 1st - June 30th (Boston City Hall Plaza) - Portraits of Pride 

June 10 - Road of Rainbows 5K (Boston Common)

June 14 - Embrace Ideas Festival (Celebrate Juneteenth)

     -  Flag Day Dedham Flag Day Parade

June 16 - Roxbury Community College Block Party (Celebrate Juneteenth)

June 18 - Red Sox Celebrates Juneteenth (vs. Yankees) 

June 19 - Explore the MFA (Free) - “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina,” 

June 28 - Eid al-Adha

 

Pride Celebrations in our Area

 

Boston Pride Kick-Off - June 1st (Boston City Hall Plaza)

Norwood Pride Picnic - June 1st (Norwood Town Common)

Braintree Pride - June 4th (Watson Park, Braintree)

Quincy Pride Festival - June 4th 

Boston Pride Parade & Festival - June 10th (Boston)

Dedham - LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Raising Celebration - June 1st 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Dedham Town Hall

 

Join our equity learning community! Explore some of the books, articles, videos, and websites we have found valuable in building diversity, equity, and integration in Westwood.
 

Juneteenth

 

Video about Ms. Opal Lee on Juneteenth 

Podcast Episode: The Daily: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth

Article: Juneteenth is now a national holiday. How did it come to pass?

 

Resources, information and ways to support  LGBTQIA+ students:

Books

All Different Now by, Angela Johnson

Juneteenth for Mazie by, Floyd Cooper

Picture books: 20 picture books to help you raise kind, tolerant kids

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Educators throughout the district have participated in courses and book studies to guide our work and thinking:
 

  • Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad

  • Unconscious Bias In Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism by Tracey A. Benson and Sarah E. Fiarman

  • Education Across Borders: Immigration, Race, and Identity in the Classroom by Jalene Tamerat, Marie Lily Cerat, and Patrick Sylvain

  • White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

 

We work with IDEASInitiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students as a M.A.S.S.Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and professional development partner for DEI.
 

Westwood works with MPDEMassachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education to meet and recruit educators of color as prospective candidates for faculty and staff positions.

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