This post expresses the views and opinions of the author(s) and not necessarily that of Westwood Minute management or staff.
We asked some current and former Westwood Students what they think about One Westwood's recently published article, which is linked here. One Westwood is a group in our town, looking to suppress diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in our school system as they are currently being implemented. While this is one view point, endorsed by One Westwood and article contributors -- Ken Mackin, Nicole Moses, Jacquie Garcia, Adrian Webb-Johnson, Chris Hancock and Carl D'Angio -- it is evident that Westwood students are not all in agreement and have a lot to say about the injustice, cruelty, and blatant racism and transphobia embedded within their beliefs. We will not stand by and let ideas like this lead to negative change in our community. We will not be silenced, and we will keep fighting. We implore Westwood residents to vote in the town election on April 26th after having done research on the candidates.
We asked students to describe their reaction to the article in three words. Located at the end of this article is a visual representation of the words that Westwood students use to describe their reaction to the article. The larger words are words that have been repeated multiple times.
Below, we have also included quotations from students, not only those who disagree but also some that agree. We believe it is important to represent everyone who wants to have their voice be heard, so that is why we have included every submission we have received (unless it did not follow the guidelines given in the survey).
EDIT: We do not speak for the entirety of the Westwood student and graduate population.
"I think it’s an embarrassment to Westwood as a whole and paints the town as a place where hatred and bigotry are allowed to flourish. Not only that, but the gross misunderstanding of concepts such as equity. racism, and 'sexual preference' emphasize exactly why we need these concepts taught in schools." - Devin Bellevue
"For years I didn’t have the words to explain who I was. I was mocked, teased and bullied and when I did find the words on my own I was terrified. Erasing us from education won't erase us, but it will hurt us. I am insanely worried" - anonymous
"I feel that the underlying nature of this article is communicating that there is something inherently wrong about topics such as gender dysphoria and non-heterosexuality. Suggesting that these topics should be avoided until the child is 'of a more appropriate age' inherently suggests that this topic is inappropriate. In order to foster a culture of understanding, empathy, and compassion, we must give children the opportunity to understand these topics from a young age." - Maddie Rothstein
"How do you hear the term 'anti-racist' and see something wrong with that? Who are you to govern your children’s identities and exploration of that in a safe space? This article is violent and dangerous and shows how your political views interrupt your care for your children and the community’s well being." - Madi Brady
"This is a disgrace to the school system. The examples the article gave that they deem inappropriate (elementary school student having a conversation about gay pride, etc) are so out of touch with the modern political and social climate. Of course children need to learn about these important issues that permeate modern society. Advocating for a curriculum that doesn’t address racism, sexism, homophobia, and overall bigotry is an attack on students of color, women, and students who identify as lgbtq+. Times are changing and these unfortunate parents are stuck in the 1950s. This was extremely disheartening to learn about, and I hope the Westwood school system completely disregards 'OneWestwood’s' requests. Teach Westwood kids about race, gender, sexuality, etc, and maybe they will be better than the generation before them. A non-racist Westwood has no place for this hateful, bigoted, and pathetic group." - anonymous
"It does seem weird that the article has to clarify that the intent is not for a return to a 1950s characterization of race. If the author's of this article want the kids in the community to learn about the history of any subject then they should be fine with them learning about all of the historical context. I don't really understand the issue of learning about the historical biases of a certain industry towards a certain group. The Harlem Renaissance was a response to segregation in the arts, including the music industry, that was itself a product of general discrimination in the Jim Crow era. This history is important, because regardless of the important milestones in Civil Rights achieved during the 20th century, the biases still remain because the position that someone's grandma was in the 20s does have an effect on where their grandchild is today, that's just how time works, one thing leads to another. I wonder if the authors of this article had parents or grandparents that were vets from WWII or Vietnam and I would ask them if they think that affected how their life turned out, I know that my grandfather's time in the WWII changed the course of my family history dramatically and the same goes for everyone who experiences a world altering event. As for the concerns about using preferred pronouns I'm curious, why should you care that someone wants to be called something different to what they were assigned at birth, especially when it is an extensive, but scientifically sound and ethical process to transition both socially and/or medically? That's their prerogative and a polite society would make that individual welcome in their community. It seems inconsistent to simultaneously want the schools to not support American ideals of individual freedom, and also want to force kids that may or may not be your own into the closet. I appreciate the time anyone takes to read these words and I do not intend offense to any of the authors of the article, however misguided and projected I believe their sentiments to be. I have my own list of criticisms of the school system, same as anyone else, but the concept of teaching all sides of history and a modicum of respect are not on that list." - Tiernan Goss
"I think these Parents and Grandparents have a right to be concerned. The fact that it took remote learning for parents to figure out that they were not impressed with what their students are being taught says a lot about the public school system. If parents, grandparents, families, etc spend a fortune of their tax dollars to fund the public school system, they should be aware or have a say of what their children should learn. They also make a good point about age restrictions. They are not necessarily against their students learning about racism, transgenderism, equity, etc. but they are against it being taught when their students are not mature enough to understand it. The reason for this is the same reason why we don’t tell children at 5 years old how they were born. I think parents have a right to be disappointed and it’s long overdue for them to share their concerns whether we, young adults/children like it or not. We are not parents." - anonymous
"I am actually in disbelief that this article exists. I’m sorry if that’s rude, but I will not be respectful to people that have such blatantly disgusting values. These parents are literally complaining about their kids being exposed to books about trans kids, respecting pronouns, education around equity (i know i know…but what about the gulags) and anti-racism, etc. It’s hateful white supremacy and heteronormativity disguised as a concern for education. They’re trying to “trojan horse” hatred into the classroom. As if that’s not bad enough, they have the audacity to claim they mean no disrespect to the school teachers and administrators, which is a slap in the face. They’re complaining about “politicizing education,” but being LGBTQ or experiencing discrimination as a racial minority isn’t politics—it’s part of your identity. In fact, it’s these unicellular bozos that are making it political. They act as though our kids will be better off without the knowledge, as if the issues will disappear if we don’t acknowledge them. LGBT kids will still experience internal struggle with their sexuality and gender—that’s not going away because it’s no longer discussed in school. Non-white people will still encounter racial bias and discrimination—our (let’s face it…90% white) kids will just be clueless and ignorant on how to be actively anti-racist. Even with the DEI education, kids in my grade still took and posted pictures with a racist lawn jockey from the Underground Railroad. They had no idea what it even was. Imagine how ignorant the kids will be if education is stopped all together. What message does that send to our students of color about how we value them? The cherry on top of it all is that the One Westwood parents somehow feel 'discluded.' The white, cis, heterosexual parents feel they’re suffering for being in the majority. Get a CT scan and delete Facebook, for the love of God. I have two sisters still in the schools and will fight tooth and nail to make sure they are exposed to the DEI education that they deserve and they need as kids." - Joseph Aeschliman
"So sad that people still are capable of thinking like this. I would hope we want to progress rather than regress, especially when I can list various issues with the curriculum and staff." - anonymous
"Move if you're not happy." - anonymous
"To be brief, I feel like this town specifically, with a majority white population, has many issues with diversity and equity, that I myself have witnessed and experienced. The fact that there are people, adults in my town, working against change, and for hate, is so disheartening and disappointing." - anonymous
"The parents who brought forth these concerns are completely correct. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting your kids to be indoctrinated into hating their own race and having mental illness (transgenderism) thrust upon them." - anonymous
"School teaches values as well as facts, and it's important that the school produces good people, not just smart people. I don't want these people to have any say in what goes on at my school." - anonymous
"Instead of Westwood being progressive and accepting of the LGBT+ and POC community, this is a regression in our town's values and is totally unacceptable. It is important for younger students/any student to be aware and be properly educated about these topics. This shouldn't be a "political" thing. I'm disgusted that we have gotten to this point." - Chloe Goodman
"I hate it and that it involved my hometown. It needs to be stopped. Westwood schools is doing good work and I refuse to be a part of a community that is racist, homophobic, and supports ‘all lives matter’ movements. I am disgusted that members of my home town feel this way. They should be ashamed of themselves for trying to force people to be racist and homophobic just like them." - anonymous
"Westwood is a town the not only upholds white supremacy, but benefits from it directly. People like officer Webb-Johnson support an ideal of pseudo perfection that can only be obtained through hatred and misinformation. Westwood is tired of racist police, classist communities, and old money who want to continue these antiquated and draconian belief systems." - anonymous
"The language used in the article is very misinformed and misleading. It also feels like they are unopen to criticism even though it’s a public opinion. Many of the things that were said in the piece were completely false and the authors of the author made multiple wrong accusations like comparing equity to the gulags and saying anti racism is the same as racism. I feel it’s a little scary to know that there are parents in Westwood that are not allowing their children to learn about the world; they claim that this education will harm them in the future, but I think they would be more harmed if they stay uneducated on things that could affect them and their peers." - anonymous
"I think this article has no faith in our children. The world is progressing into a more open place where everyone should feel comfortable with their own bodies from a young age. By talking about diversity and gender in our young classes children can learn to make those decisions on their own without the help of adults who have their own preferences. Also, as high schoolers who are soon to be in college, there is nothing wrong with learning and talking about race when you sign up for a music class because that is what is going on in the real world. Anyone who wants to hide and pretend these problems don’t exist in the real world are ignorant. Finally, I think if you really want to talk about highlighting everyone as an individual you would let them learn about the differences we all have as people rather than trying to make everyone the same. Being different is what makes us unique and what makes us, us." - anonymous
"I have way too many things to say about this article." - Christina Yebba
"This is honestly one of the most embarrassing things to ever happen to our town. These parents claim that new initiatives are hindering learning and academics in the classroom but they are so hyper focused on their own white, straight students that they do not realize that so many other students need these new initiatives to feel safe, included and be successful in their own school. I promise that your student will still be able to learn Spanish conjugations and ready The Call of The Wild while still using preferred pronouns. I promise your student can still attend PE class or learn the quadratic formula on Indigenous peoples day instead of Columbus Day. This OneWestwood letter is so tone-deaf and belittles so many issues that NEED to be talked about in young people's lives." - Ashley Fafara
"I am ashamed to have grown up and go to public school in a town where the parents do not allow for everyone to be recognized in the curriculum. Imagine you were the kindergartner and believe that you were born in the wrong body along with having your parents say it’s wrong. Do the parents understand how traumatizing they are being?! Even if that child doesn’t identify as trans, they now have this negative connotation associated with their parents that they can’t tell them anything they need to without the parents sharing their opinion as law. The reason racism is talked about in piano lab is because the teacher wants everyone to truly know about the music industry and the systemic racism embedded into it. The fact that parents are offended by this, goes to show how behind their thinking is. I graduated in 2021 and let me tell you, I have learned so much from the few teachers that are trying to talk about race and lgbtq+ and it has helped me more than the quadratic formula. So please let your children experiment and allow them to be their own self. As a parent you are there to help them along their journey, not suppress them into beliefs that you feel are right. Because, in the end, your decisions affect your child the most. This is their life. Let them be who they want. Lastly, let them live how they want." - Tania Martin
"The way this article was written is so disgusting. To think that parents, and students have these opinions is so disappointing but I can’t say I'm surprised. I don’t think these parents should subject the entirety of Westwood public schools to their own absurd beliefs when the point of having these important discussions in the classroom is purely for education." - anonymous
"I feel as though this article is motivated by the creators' biases." - anonymous
"HOPE NONE OF YALL HAVE GAY KIDS…. 😳" - anonymous
"Westwood lacks diversity as a whole. That’s already an issue within itself. Deciding to take steps back into the past and make a conscious choice to stop educating students on diversity, equality, and inclusion is hurting EVERYONE involved. This attempt will not stop awareness of the rights of the lgbtq+ community and basic human rights. I am extremely upset for those who are apart of a minority group and have to attend Westwood Public Schools knowing people think they don’t deserve representation like everyone else. Ashamed to be from this town right now." - Ashlyn Warren
"It was scary to me to think people felt this way in Westwood. It felt so out of touch with reality to me. Have any of these people ever sat in a class at Westwood High School, Elementary School, or Middle School? The teachers work so hard to present unbiased opinions. To think that teaching the real history of things, is promoting some kind of agenda is absurd and exposing children to new concepts of gender will be normalized. This article sounds like people are afraid of the future but the future will come and inclusion will persist. A horrible representation of our community." - anonymous
"The One Westwood article seems to completely miss the point of anti-racism (which is quite literally to just not be racist) and the point of learning about gender expression and identity, which has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality and only has to do with how people wish to express themselves as people. Pronouns are something that everyone learns and has learned since the English language has been taught (it’s just how we refer to people or things) and to actively be against someone’s preferred pronouns is horrendously transphobic and just plain rude. Why do other people’s pronouns upset You so much? Furthermore, to take this education away from children is to harm children who may be confused about their gender as it will isolate them and make them feel alone/weird/different. Lastly, the comment that One Westwood would like to “return to the 2010s” is concerning in that it implies that they support the common language of the earlier part of the decade (which includes homophobia, transphobia, ableist slurs, etc), but also implies that they think LGBTQ+ and racism issues were just… nonexistent or less talked about, which is not true. Overall, this article showcases the hateful attitude and opinions of One Westwood, which worries me as a resident and someone who cares about the education, mental health, and safety of children in the Westwood school system." - anonymous
"As someone who grew up in Westwood schools, the thought of moving backwards is incredibly disturbing considering the district is barely progressive enough as is. I love Westwood and believe in its improvement, and I take comfort in knowing that there are great teachers, students, and parents who will not succumb to the logic of an article like this. My heart goes out to kids in Westwood who will wait until graduating to be themselves because of people like those who supported this article." - anonymous
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