On Wednesday, January 30, 2008, an opening celebration was held at the Boston Public Library for a multimedia exhibition called Choosing to Participate. My colleagues and I have been recognized for our work on the "Redmen" nickname change in Natick, Massachusetts, in a multimedia presentation called Upstanders: Portraits of Courage. This exhibition will be open to the public through May 20, 2008.
"Twenty-five Greater Boston-area individuals and groups are being recognized as Upstanders for the ways they created change in their communities, and in the lives of others. A photographic tribute to these Upstanders is on display at the Boston Public Library as part of Facing History and Ourselves' Choosing to Participate exhibit."
(Complete text of nomination letter)
ERIN MILLER
Initiator of Change
Nominated by: Ed Grogan
Teacher, Quincy, MA
This past year I had the privilege of working on a mascot change request in the town of Natick, Mass. The person who requested the change was Erin Miller, a former student at Natick High School. The mascot was called the "Redmen."
Erin Miller was the initiator of the change. Peter Sanfaçon has developed a website about Native Americans as school mascots and attended each meeting of the School Committee and spoke out for change. Marie Caradonna is a teacher at Natick High and also attended each meeting about the mascot change and spoke out at these meetings to change the mascot. She also worked quietly in the school to educate students about a change.
The four School Committee members who voted to change were politically courageous, as many townspeople wanted tradition to continue and couldn't see anything wrong with the "Redmen" mascot. The School Committee discussed and listened to all the speakers, especially the Native persons who spoke and requested a change.
We have learned that Native mascots harm the self-esteem of all our students. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the NCAA, and many, many other organizations have asked schools to change their Native mascots. We can learn from this vote that schools can change their traditional mascots and still have tradition and still win sporting events. I truly believe all these persons deserve the Upstanders Award due to their participation in this change.
Upstanders:
Erin Miller
Marie Caradonna
Peter Sanfaçon
Henry Haugland
Ted Wynne
Rick Wynn
Stephen Meyler
Ed Grogan
OPENING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Boston Public Library
Boston, Massachusetts
Upstanders exhibit photo (l to r) Pete Sanfaçon, Henry Haugland, Erin Miller, and Marie Caradonna |
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 Erin Miller, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and Pete Sanfaçon |
Choosing to Participate: Facing History and Ourselves is an engaging interactive multimedia exhibition that has won national praise for encouraging people of all ages to consider the consequences of their everyday choices and for inspiring them to make a difference in their schools and communities.
Choosing to Participate will be on display at the Boston Public Library from January through May 2008, welcoming visitors from all over New England including an anticipated 10,000 middle and high school students.
The exhibition focuses on four individuals and communities whose stories illustrate the courage, initiative, and compassion that are needed to protect democracy and human rights. Visitors will learn about "Upstanders" in New England - people who are making a difference locally and around the globe - and explore a remarkable display of student artwork. Choosing to Participate will also offer a calendar of exciting events including internationally renowned speakers, award winning films, theatre, and dance.
With our partners, the City of Boston, the Boston Public Library, leading corporations and civic organizations, we invite you to explore the exhibition and be inspired!
About Facing History and Ourselves
Since 1976, Facing History and Ourselves has offered in-depth professional development services; curricular resources; and ongoing support to educators and students in the areas of history, social studies, and language arts. We are dedicated to helping teachers around the world lead their students in a critical examination of history, with particular focus on genocide and mass violence. Our work is based on the premise that we need to—and can—teach civic responsibility, tolerance, and social action to young people, as a way of fostering moral adulthood.
