(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By William C. Shelton

Fourteen years ago, we published the following column by Bill Shelton in which he argued that we should not celebrate Christopher Columbus because his deeds were inimical to what is best in American history, law, and culture. This week the City of Somerville has chosen to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead.

There is so much in our past of which Americans can be justly proud, but that we never learn in school – stories of great courage, innovation, endurance, and self-sacrifice. At the same time, we celebrate stories that just aren’t true.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The 16th annual HONK! Festival returned to the streets of Somerville last Saturday with its signature spirit of joy and justice in a new, hyperlocal format. The festival featured multiple neighborhood events cosponsored by grassroots community organizations across Greater Boston. HONK! performers joined activist groups in their own neighborhoods, playing music and raising awareness for arts and social justice causes. More than 15 local brass and percussion bands took to parks, squares, and street corners across Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and Chelsea. The day kicked off at Somerville’s Seven Hills Park with a performance by the Second Line Brass Band and tributes to Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Olympian Phil Reavis, Sr. The Uncivil Servants, a new band featuring Mayor Curtatone and City of Somerville staffers played later in the evening.

“(Re)Sisters: Speaking Up, Speaking Out” exhibit.

By Michelle Tian

An unexpected attraction awaits at the Brickbottom Gallery, the (Re)Sisters: Speaking Up, Speaking Out exhibit. The gallery’s white walls are decorated with artistic pictures of uteruses, interpretations of the word “resistance” and an array of feminine accessories and clothing like purses and multi-colored dresses.

With the passage of time, more and more cities and states in America are officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of the traditional observance of Columbus Day.

Somerville has been onboard for a couple of years now, and more of our neighboring communities across the Commonwealth, including the City of Boston, are joining in each year.

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I received this letter from Somerville Poet Laureate Lloyd Schwartz.   It is a fine opportunity for young Somerville poets to be published.  Please check it out:

As a poet myself, who has lived in Somerville for many years, I was honored to be named Somerville’s Poet Laureate, the person who’s in charge of spreading the word about the importance of poetry in all our lives. I’ve been discovering that some really good poems are being written by our younger citizens—high school students and even students younger than that.

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“My name is Casey Allen and I’m a student at Endicott College. Here’s a little bit about me. I am nineteen years old and I’m from Burlington Vermont. Being away from home is complicated but I’m settling in nicely in Beverly. Another thing to know about me is that winter is my favorite season. There’s nothing like the first snowfall complete with a warm hot chocolate. There’s a wholeness to the little things in winter that fall together that make it my favorite season.”

Arrests:

Justin Castor, of Arlington, October 8, 10:38 p.m., arrested at Davis Sq. on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, and failure to stop or yield.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, Ward 3 City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, and the Union Square Community Design Team invite you to a virtual public meeting to share updates on the Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Redesign project. 

This transformative public space and infrastructure project will reimagine the Union Square plaza and adjoining streetscapes to better serve the community. Over the summer, the Community Design Team launched a research and engagement campaign and collected feedback from more than 800 people.

— Photo by Stefanie Belnavis/@TheDiahannProject

Armory Performance Hall October 22-23
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