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If you'd like to join the conversation about the removal or preservation of statues and monuments in Boston...
One perspective from the Boston Preservation Alliance about monuments and memorials in Boston.
Another, from Kevin Levin: "Black Bostonians Fought For Freedom From Slavery. Where Are The Statues That Tell Their Stories?"
The direct link to the video testimonial by activist and educator Tory Bullock calling for the removal of the Emancipation Statue. (Update: it's been removed!)
Words from former State Representative Byron Rushing, urging for the preservation of historical artifacts in order to ignite important conversations.
More of the monument's history by Raul Fernandez (from 2017, when the statue might have been less publicly contested). And some history, as outlined in this week's Bay State Banner.
Though, lest you think this conversation is totally new, you can read Frederick Douglass's remarks on the Emancipation Statue.
If you'd like to examine about how we teach and learn Black history...
"Let's Rethink How We Teach Black History" from Daniel Osborn and Mass Humanities.
Check out the YouTube conversation "5 Black Historical Films: What They Got RIGHT and WRONG" between historical interpreter Cheney McKnight (the force behind Not Your Momma's History) with historian Abby Cox.
If you'd like to be part of history coming alive and in community...
Did you miss the (virtual) public reading of Frederick Douglass on July 2? Watch it here.
Get involved: Join the speak-out against gentrification following the destruction of Roxbury's beloved Mandela mural. Learn more about the action here.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of policing in Black and Brown communities...
Friends at Theodore Parker Church have compiled an extensive list of resources (with summaries!) about police reform; you can access that here.
Read the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute's opposition to the Massachusetts Police Reform Bill here, as well as remarks from the Boston chapter of Black and Pink rescinding their support of the bill. Get involved: While the Senate bill has passed, you may read more about it and the version before the House here, and there is still time to contact your representatives before Thursday, July 30, when they hope to have the final bill on the Governor's desk. (You can search for your legislators and their info here.)
Because our history impacts our future -- and because we can't say it enough...
Read more about actions to ensure equity in access to mail-in voting in Massachusetts -- and add your name -- here.
Photo of Congressman John Lewis addressing the crowd outside the First Church in Roxbury Meetinghouse used with permission from the photographer, Anthony W. Lanier.