By Marty Benson
The following statement was read at the March 3, 2022 AB School Committee meeting.
Tonight, I request the committee to pause the mascot renaming process. Many in town are still confounded by the one-sided retirement of the Colonial mascot which was done in direct violation of the School Committee’s naming policy. A process which left many in our town concerned by the cancellation of sacred town history by School Committee members, some of whom admitted being ignorant of its historical significance.
This week many have watched as the Ukrainian people united together to counter a military invasion by a much stronger military force. Citizens with no military background have joined the fighting force. Ukrainian families are making supplies for the front line while many more work to safely evacuate civilians from the warzone. Their united effort to hold off the invasion has been inspiring to the international community.
Two hundred forty-seven years ago, it was the citizen farmers of Acton and Boxborough who were on the front lines of a military invasion and who exhibited similar bravery. All men of fighting age were conscripted into the militia. They were required to attend mandatory military drill under Captain Isaac Davis which took place on the lower fields adjacent to the high school.
West Acton School master, twenty-five-year-old James Hayward, was exempted from duty due to disability. A previous wood chopping accident left his foot disfigured and inhibited his mobility. Nevertheless, on the morning of April 19, 1775, Hayward was one of the first to muster at the house of Captain Davis. Despite being ordered to stay behind, Hayward slowly limped his way along the King’s Highway to Concord.
By the time Hayward had reached Old North Bridge, the battle of the Concord had already occurred. He continued on past the bodies of fellow Acton residents Captain Davis and Abner Hosmer as he made his way to Lexington. After walking 11 miles he stopped in Lexington for some water, when he came face to face with a British soldier. They fired upon each other. The British soldier was killed instantly while Hayward was fatally wounded.
Before he died Hayward’s father came to his side and asked if he James had anything to say to his mother. James response included
“Tell mother not to mourn too much for me I am not sorry I turned out. I die willingly for my country. She will now, I doubt not, by the help of God, be free”.
James Hayward is believed to be America’s first disabled soldier. His story of sacrifice and bravery are a source of town pride. By labeling anyone a racist who supported the Colonial mascot, many meaningful town stories such as this one are not being shared with the community.
The small farming communities of Acton and Boxborough didn’t just help lead to the birth of America. They were also the catalyst for oppressed colonized people around the world to stand up to the British empire. We should all be proud that the people from our towns inspired a worldwide movement that echoes today.
The decision to retire the mascot was due to temporary popularity and political pressure. Each day that goes by the decision looks more foolish. Please do the right thing and allow students to finally make a presentation to the School Committee on the reason the mascot should remain the Colonial.
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Donna, in the larger picture, this whole name change was so unnecessary and divisive. No one is offended by the name Colonials, and those who say they are, are absolutely pretending. Anyone who is convinced of the correctness of their position doesn’t shy away from debate and surreptitiously ram the issue through, and then repeatedly lie and withhold evidence.
I wonder how many of the “offended” will apply to Yale and Columbia. Notice how not one elite member of society has ever demanded a name change for these two universities. The whole thing reeks of phoniness from top to bottom.
I know the history of which you write, Marty, but look at Isaac Davis and all the Minutemen as people who no longer wanted to be colonists under English rule. Hence, I would like to honor them as the revolutionaries that they are known for rather than by who they were (colonists) before they fought the brave fight.
Donna,
I would like to respectfully draw your attention to Grievance 7 in the Declaration of Independence.
“He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.”
It is clear from this that the Colonists wanted to continue to take new land and bring in more people (colonize) in the face of opposition from the King. The desire to colonize is so strong that it was written into the founding document of the Republic.
Great article, Marty. The only way we can learn from history is if we first know the history.
It’s unfortunate students won’t read this. It’s clear most of our students have very little knowledge of our local history and, consequently, no pride in it. How many know that Isaac Davis’ home is located on the road named for Hayward, across the street from the lower fields where our local minutemen drilled under Davis’ command, hundreds of years before soccer and lacrosse games were played there?
How many of the members of the School Committee, the administration, ECARES or ABSEJ knew this when they decided to erase a symbol of our local history without considering input from the community?