NAFC Blog

On Saturday, March 30, eleven students from grades 5-8th gathered in the Maker’s Space at C. H. Booth Library for the first meeting of Newtown Allies For Change Youth Group. These young students are local Newtown residents who are interested in making the community a more inclusive and welcoming space for all people. Local resident, Christine… Continue reading NAFC’s Youth Group Kicks off With Acts of Kindness.

In May of 2020, George Floyd was brutally murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, MN while bystanders looked on in horror. The aftermath of that terrible incident and the subsequent rallies and protests around the country did not skip the community of Newtown, CT. In the wake of this terrible crime (along with the… Continue reading Newtown Allies for Change: Four Years Later

Our nation once again celebrated the embodiment of all things “America” on Sunday with Superbowl LXIII. Throughout the country, ungodly amounts of chicken wings, nachos, chile, and beer were devoured by football fans accompanied by fans of Usher, flashy TV ads, and Taylor Swift. According to Nielson, there were 123.7 million of us watching it,… Continue reading Lift Every Voice And Sing

On October 25, 2023 around 100 local residents filled a conference room in the Newtown Community Center. Some of the women wore head coverings while many of the men wore Kippahs. Black, white and Latinx neighbors; clergy of various religions; elected officials (along with current candidates) and law enforcement officers all gathered together with one… Continue reading United Against Hate Event

by: Alenda Calderbank     As a kid, Columbus Day was a welcome day off from school a month into the school year. As the leaves shined bright orange against the crisp blue sky and we heard the familiar sound of rustling leaves, we recited the familiar children’s poem that helped us remember the year Columbus… Continue reading Columbus: Tall Tales, and Dark Realities

Two recent NAFC Blog articles highlighted the importance of remembering our past. In July, Carrie Grummons wrote about her family’s trip to Germany. She reflected upon how the United States deals with the ugly parts of our history in a vastly different way from how the Germans have dealt with theirs (Why Remembering Is Important… Continue reading To Move Forward, Reflect then Vote

I am an empty nester who loves seeing first day of school pictures each year on social media. I love everything about it: The fresh new haircuts, cute new outfits, and the range of faces reflecting excitement, nervousness, annoyance, and everything in between. The emotions are often mixed, but the first day of school, perhaps… Continue reading Remembering Indigenous Families on the First Day of School

Our family took a vacation to Europe early this summer. Part of our travels brought us to Germany, where we spent time visiting with old friends and seeing the beautiful countryside. However, in spite of all of the beauty and history, we were constantly reminded of the history of antisemitism and the programs put in… Continue reading Why Remembering Is Important

NAFC is pleased to award four local educators with the 2nd annual Allies in Education Award.  This award is given to local educators who are nominated by members of the NAFC Education Committee. These educators are recognized for the ways in which they have gone above and beyond to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the… Continue reading Announcing the 2023 NAFC Allies in Education Award

This is the third in a series of posts that will break down the vocabulary for techniques and fallacies that racists use when confronted with their racist actions and ideals. If you have attempted to have conversations with people about systemic racism in America at any point since 2016, there is a good chance you… Continue reading The Strawman Fallacy

On February 19th, 1942, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the country of Japan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted Executive Order 9066. This order was put into place to protect the United States from possible espionage by those of Japanese heritage. However, what really took place was that over 120,000 Japanese people in California,… Continue reading We Are Not Free

Well, here we are again. Another late-night Board of Education meeting in Newtown with more parents in attendance and more passionate speeches about the protection of First Amendment rights, the importance of representation in literature, and the ability to handle more mature material by high school aged students. I went into this meeting incredibly jaded,… Continue reading Watching the Playbook Play Out

The history of racism against people of Asian American and Pacific Island descent (AAPI) runs deep in America. For as long as people have immigrated to this country, the government has fought hard to keep them from being an equal member of society.  Various laws were passed to keep them from gaining citizenship as well… Continue reading Why Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is Important

By: Lee Shull The past few weeks in America have been unsettling. Mass shootings, related protests, the silencing of voices, racist expulsions (during Holy Week), and reinstatements into the Tennessee State House. Followed by two more mass shootings in Louisville, a shooting within miles and at the same time as a bank mass shooting, a… Continue reading Fear and White Supremacy

    The term ‘woke’ has been used a lot in political discourse lately. What is your reaction when you hear ‘woke’? Is it something you aspire to, or do you dismiss the idea as something not worth consideration? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘woke’ as “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues… Continue reading What is “Woke”?

All last month NAFC group focused on what it means to be an ally. We hosted a book discussion about being anti-racist, we defined terms, and we interviewed our young allies and their BIPOC peers at Newtown High School to better understand what it means to be an ally. We challenged our followers on Facebook… Continue reading Wrapping Up a Month of Allyship

My brain has been getting a workout lately! Just when I think I’m getting things figured out, professor Ibram X. Kendi makes me think again. Below you will find Dr. Kendi’s definitions of concepts he presents in chapters 7-12 of his bestselling book, How To Be An Antiracist. Some are straightforward, others not so much.… Continue reading A Workout for the Brain

In May of 2020 the country was rocked when the death of George Floyd streamed all over Facebook. Even though Black men have died at rates disproportionate to their White peers throughout the history of the police force, this incident was in our faces and undeniable. The response of the country, mixed in with the… Continue reading Growing in Allyship: Keep Doing the Work

A Letter written by Linda O’Sullivan There’s a phenomenon that I feel doesn’t get enough attention. Since Black History Month wrapped up a few weeks ago, I’d like to share some thoughts on this. Why is it that the response to Black movements such as BLM takes the form of calls for supporting the police?… Continue reading Why Is There a Push for Blue Lives Matter?

Talking about racism is hard.  Even among scholars there can be disagreement about how the words and phrases used when discussing race should be defined.  Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of  How To Be An Antiracist, considers accurate definitions to be so critical that the book’s first chapter is entitled, “Definitions”. Additionally, all but the… Continue reading Ibram X. Kendi and Talking About Racism

Happy Black History Month. Thank you, Justice Southbury, for having me. My name is Nerlande Foote. Like some of you, I wear many hats and juggle many identities. I’m a mother, wife, social justice advocate, a nurse, member of the grassroots group Newtown Allies for Change and, when time allows, ALLEGED neighborhood rabble rouser…IF I’m… Continue reading Celebration, Reflection, and The Path Forward

A new barrier was broken on Sunday, February 12th. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles faced each other as the starting quarterbacks of their respective teams. This was the first time ever in the history of the Super Bowl where both men were Black. Along with the… Continue reading “Why Is It Always About Race?” Why It’s Important to Note Black Americans and Their Contributions in History.

Each Black History Month brings the inevitable telling of the story of Ruby Bridges who, at the young age of six, became the first Black child to be integrated into the New Orleans school system. We’ve all seen the pictures of little Ruby, accompanied by US Marshalls, on her first day of school at William… Continue reading In Her Own Words: Ruby Bridges

This past weekend was like one giant “ah-ha” moment for me. The big revelation was that just like Black history is American history, Black music IS American music. There is no segregating the two. I know that this is not news to Black Americans. And that, like me, most white Americans understand that Black artists… Continue reading Black Music Is American Music

If representation matters, and research suggests that it does, then it is worth taking a look back at 2022 and noting the addition of more Americans of color in majority white spaces. Every time that Black, Latino, AAPI or Native people are represented in a place or position that had previously been occupied only by… Continue reading The Broken Barriers of 2022

In honor and recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Newtown brothers Karl and Kenneth Miller are sharing the following essays, which they authored some years ago. Kenneth was in 4th grade when he wrote his, Karl in 10th.  Both young men, who are Black, make clear that Dr. King is a daily inspiration to… Continue reading In Their Own Words: Newtown Brothers Honor MLK Jr

Happy 2023 Fellow Allies! It’s a fresh new year and the perfect occasion for reflection and resolutions.  As I reflect upon my own participation in NAFC this past year, I am grateful for all that I have learned and for new friendships that continue to grow. I am grateful for an opportunity to help bring… Continue reading Resolve to Be a Better Ally

In May of 2020, during an arrest gone awry, George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis Police Officer with a history of using unnecessary force. This wasn’t the first act of police violence against a Black man in my lifetime. One of my earliest memories from the nightly news is… Continue reading His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice

This is the second in a series of posts that will break down the vocabulary for techniques and fallacies that racists use when confronted with their racist actions and ideals. Since I have started educating myself about systemic racism and how it has harmed BIPOC in our country, I have engaged in many conversations about… Continue reading Pull yourself up by your bootstraps

“Whiteness is the freedom not to see race most of the time; and it’s why when white people are asked to see it, we get so uncomfortable.” Baynard Woods, Author of Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness, in an interview on the 08/31/22 episode of Code Switch, “What Does It Mean to Inherit ‘whiteness?’” Why is… Continue reading Can We Talk?

As white people start to do the work of becoming anti-racist, there are some phrases we hear that we might not be super familiar with. Part of the purpose of the NAFC blog is to help those who are on this journey understand the language of this field of study. Today we are going to… Continue reading Let’s Talk about White Fragility

On Saturday, September 24th, Newtown Allies For Change hosted a family picnic at Dickinson Park in Newtown, CT. It was a great way for families in the community to meet up with like-minded individuals in order to encourage, support, and inspire one another. More than 10 familes showed up with blankets and lunches in tow simply… Continue reading NAFC Hosts Picnic at Dickinson Park

Well that didn’t take long. Misinformed Newtowners started sounding alarms about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) along with the first school bells of the new academic year. School has been in session for two and a half short weeks and already accusations of DEI being tantamount to “indoctrination” and the “sexualization of children” have been… Continue reading Examining the Fear of DEI

Are you trying to be a better ally? Are there times you find yourself reading an anti-racist book, listening to a podcast, or even reading the NAFC blog, when you come across a phrase that you don’t completely understand? Perhaps you’ve even heard a phrase multiple times, but you do not quite have a firm grasp on what… Continue reading Let’s Talk About Microaggressions

More than two decades ago while visiting my hometown for a college football game, I was introduced to a mindset that was previously unknown to me. At the tailgate, an acquaintance was congratulating our mutual friend who had recently wed. He then stunned us both by saying, “I hope you have a big family. We… Continue reading Are White People Being “Replaced”?

I don’t know how I feel about celebrating Independence Day today. I began my nascent journey as an ally to BIPOC following the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020. I devoured books and podcasts on race and racism. I know I still have a LOT to learn, but what I’ve learned so far… Continue reading To Celebrate Or…Not

Many members of our community often speak during the public participation portion of the town Board of Education meetings. Below is the speech written by Danielle Lozer about her family’s personal experience. My main reason for speaking today is to thank Dr. Correia, in public, for his willingness to confront the racism going on at… Continue reading Board of Education Public Participation Speech

The following post was written by Konrad Miller, a member of NAFC. June 19th, 1865 (Juneteenth) is the date that the last slaves in Galveston, Texas were declared free by General Gordon Grainger. The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was not regarded as consequential in Galveston in January of 1863. Black people were kept as… Continue reading Disrupting Ignorance

June is Pride Month and rainbow flags are everywhere. That’s a good thing, right? While LGBTQ Americans still face far too much discrimination, they are more visible than ever before. Few of us give it a second thought when we learn that a neighbor, friend, or family member is gay. We attend same sex weddings,… Continue reading The Most Marginalized of the Marginalized

When Linda, a white woman from Newtown, CT, was sixteen years old she walked to the local mall and back with another teenaged girl from her neighborhood. On the way back, the young woman leaned over and said, “don’t look now, but there’s a Black man following us, and I think he wants to rape… Continue reading Examine Your Narrative

The Newtown community needs to push through silly narratives about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as being divisive. Let those irrational narratives motivate you to work harder for the Newtown children who have and continue to bear entirely too much burden in our community.

“Race and Faith” was the topic of Newtown’s second Community Conversation that took place on April 25th at the library. It was aptly billed as “An opportunity for Newtowners to engage with and hear from the community’s religious leaders as we consider and respond to matters of race, equality, equity, and diversity.” CH Booth Library… Continue reading Allyship and Faith

This is the first in a series of posts that will break down the vocabulary for techniques which racists often use when confronted about their actions. When I attended graduate school I was one of only three women in my program. Because I attended a Seminary with aspirations to someday work on staff in an… Continue reading Racial Gaslighting

Glitter Day Spa • (located above Robert Anthony Salon • 49 Church Hill Rd) Nothing like a brightening facial on a dreary day. I was fortunate enough to book an appointment with Danielle Williams, owner of Glitter Day Spa in Newtown. I met Danielle (Dani) at her Grand Opening on April 22nd, after receiving a ‘sister… Continue reading Small Business Spotlight : Glitter Day Spa

I have watched Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow’s floor speech to her fellow senators at least five times. Initially I thought her comments were crafted for an audience of one: The colleague who publicly accused her of trying to “groom and sexualize” young children and to make them feel responsible for slavery. Sen. McMorrow certainly… Continue reading Racism and People Like Me

The nomination (and later confirmation) of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the highly qualified judge who will soon be this country’s first Black woman to hold a seat on the Supreme Court, happened within the context of a lot of chatter. I won’t waste anyone’s time addressing the ridiculousness of “Do you think babies are racist?”… Continue reading What Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan Can Teach Newtown About Hiring Teachers

On April 23 Newtown High School’s SADE club along with the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library hosted a read aloud for kids in grades K-4. This event, overseen by Social Studies teacher Rachel Torres, was ran by local high school students who are passionate about creating safe spaces for all students in the Newtown… Continue reading Local Group Hosts Read Aloud

As I continue to do the work to actively learn how to be anti-racist, I find myself having similar conversations with various white men. While some of these men engage in actual conversation before throwing the question out, many simply use the statement as a reason why they aren’t trying to learn more about how… Continue reading Reverse Racism: Is it a real problem?

The residents of Newtown, Connecticut ought to be very concerned with the way the school district is conducting the hiring process for the new superintendent. First of all, just like the hiring of the past three superintendents, the current members of the board are the only ones who will be a part of the interviewing… Continue reading Superintendent Search in Newtown

At the recent April 5th Board of Ed meeting, a man spoke during public participation. Referring to racism in Newtown, he said, “it’s not like this is 1960’s Alabama” and that “most of Newtown is filled with very nice people, and only 10% are racist and bigoted.” I have no idea if this 10% statistic… Continue reading Continued Disparate Treatment Of BOE Attendees

This post was originally published in March of 2022. With the recent push from the local “Our Kids Deserve Better” group in Newtown, we decided that this was a good time to revisit this topic. Book banning is a slippery slope. While these parents may have good intentions of keeping what they feel is inappropriate… Continue reading Book Banning: A Political Tool to Uphold Racism in Schools?

I want to talk about the hypocrisy happening not only in our town, but nationwide. I wrote a letter recently about tone policing occurring at our BOE meetings — and, guess what? It is still happening. If you’re still unclear what’s happening, let me break it down for you with this national example first. The… Continue reading Hypocrisy Boils Down to Racism

I have been living in Sandy Hook for 17 years. I have three children of various ages, and one of the values is that I try to uphold to my utmost best to be consistent with my parental rules with my children. I think we all can agree that when someone gets treated very differently… Continue reading BOE’s Clear Disparity in Rule Application

In early April, Newtowners on social media rallied around a hawk that had been cruelly shot with an arrow. In one online post, 614 of us “liked” or “loved” that the hawk had been captured and was being treated. He was lifted in prayer by many and monetary contributions were collected for his care. Later… Continue reading Demonstrate Allyship With Words And Actions

As we enter Black History month, let us take time to acknowledge that Black history is American history. As community members, let us make the effort to reach beyond memorized Martin Luther King quotes and black Instagram squares. As community leaders, recognize that learning is never-ending and empty platitudes impede progress and connection. When we… Continue reading Promoting DEI Comes With Willingness To Learn