FORJ Updates

HISPANIC HERITAGE AWARENESS MONTH

This national observance started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

To learn more about how Latino History is American History, see the virtual exhibit “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States” by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino.

There are many events happening around Boston.  The Boston Red Sox are hosting a Hispanic Heritage Day on September 28th and the Museum of Science is hosting a celebration day on October 1st from 10a.m. –  4p.m.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

October 10, 2022 will be the second Indigenous Peoples’ Day observance for Newton Public Schools and Massachusetts.  The Indigenous Peoples Day Committee in Newton is looking for volunteers to assist with all aspect of this fun, family-friendly outdoor event.  Click here to volunteer!  There will be music and dancing, cultural discussion with elders from the Indigenous community, educational exhibits, markets and food in Albemarle Park from 11a-6p.

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton is fiscally sponsored by NOPI – Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information: https://newtoncommunitypride.org/newton-indigenous-peoples-day/ 

FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (FORJ)

FORJ is a group of diverse Newton families helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice.  We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.

Another parent signed up to join L-E FORJ at the Back-to-School Picnic last week.  We’ll meet in October.  Contact Lanni Isenberg, lanni_harris@yahoo.com, if you’d like to join us to learn together.  How about an L-E FORJ Kids’ Book Club?  Or, chat about an article or ideas?