By Elliott Donald, Captain (Retired), US Navy; Acton Boxborough Regional High School ‘89
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Acton School Committee,
It has been over 30 years since I made my permanent dwelling with my mother, Dr. Mary Donald, on Taylor Road in Acton Center where she has now lived for 62 years. Though my address is now in California, I hope that the Committee will consider my input in its deliberations regarding the school mascot as Acton will always be home to me.
I learned last week that a student group, the Acton-Boxborough Students for Equity and Justice (ABSEJ), had petitioned the School Committee to change the AB Mascot with the justification that the “white-male colonist” does not reflect the community of Acton-Boxborough. I further learned of ABSEJ’s connection of the word colonial with the British colonialism that led to the genocide of the indigenous peoples of Massachusetts.
Reading the letter inviting public comment, I noted that whiteness and maleness seemed to be the only characteristics of the AB Colonial mascot explicitly identified as not reflective of the community. I found myself wondering if skin color and gender were to be the defining qualities to be used in our current era in determining whether something might be considered reflective or representative of a community. I would ask that the Committee, in considering my letter and other input to its decision, look beyond the color of the Colonial’s skin to what he represents and to the content of his character. I wanted to share with the Committee what the Colonial’s character has meant to me having grown up in the town whose Revolutionary Era citizens it was intended to honor.
In the late spring of 2019, I contacted James MacRae, the Acton Veteran Services Officer. I asked if the town would permit the flying of a US flag over the Acton Monument, the final resting place of Isaac Davis, James Hayward, and Abner Hosmer, Acton’s heroes of April 19, 1775. That flag was raised atop the monument on July 1st, my mother’s birthday. Thirty days later, I was privileged to have it presented to Mom, who in turn presented it to me at a ceremony marking my retirement from the Navy after 26 years of service.
At this ceremony, I told a story of a tradition whose context helped to frame my time in the Navy. That story was of the annual Patriots’ Day March to Concord and of the original Acton Colonials in April of 1775. It was my hope that those who came would leave the ceremony with some knowledge of the events of that historic spring morning; of the Acton Minutemen; and of the risks each Revolutionary Era Colonial took in that time for themselves and their families in choosing to march against the British on the first Patriots’ Day. All these things had been made so well known to me having been fortunate enough to have been raised in a region and. more specifically, a town that seemed to breathe the history of the Nation’s birth.
I told how the alarm spread by Paul Revere and others reached Acton early in the morning of April 19th and how Captain Joseph Robbins fired three shots in the air to raise the alarm; how those shots echoed through the town as others in Acton fired off their muskets and Minutemen headed to muster at Davis’ home; and how, like the 37 Acton men who would eventually muster with Davis, I would “muster” and join our community and our contemporary company of Minutemen at Davis’ home every third Monday in April at 0530 and follow their seven mile line of march to the Old North Bridge in Concord.
I told of Davis’ last words to his wife, Hannah: “Take care of the children.”
I remembered to those gathered Davis’ well known reply to Colonel Barret’s request that the Acton Company of Minutemen take the lead in moving down the hill to confront members of the best trained army on the planet… “I haven’t a man who is afraid to go.”
I pointed out to any that remembered the poem that our Acton Colonials were among Longfellow’s “first to fall, pierced through the heart with a musket ball.”
While my story spoke of Davis’, Hosmer’s, and Hayward’s sacrifice, I did not provide some of the specifics regarding the risks the Minutemen faced for both themselves and their families that I had learned of growing up in the Acton Boxborough school system. Though I could not exactly recall Mr. Smith’s sophomore history class regarding these, through an internet search this website (http://umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/bonifield/treason2.html) brought my old teacher back to life and he stood before me as he did many years ago teaching of the Declaration of Independence and the punishment for treason against the Crown:
1. That the offender be drawn to the gallows, and not be carried or walk: though usually (by connivance length ripened by humanity into law) a sledge or hurdle is allowed, to preserve the offender from the extreme torment of being dragged on the ground or pavement
2. That he be hanged by the neck and then cut down alive
3. That his entrails be taken out and burned, while he is yet alive
4. That his head be cut off
5. That his body be divided in four parts
6. That his head and quarters be at the king’s disposal
The punishment did not end with the personal suffering of the offender; the punishment extended to his or her family. The law states that a person who is found guilty of treason must also undergo “forfeiture” and “corruption of blood.” In forfeiture, the person is forced to give all their lands and property to the state. Corruption of blood prevents the person’s immediate family and hereditary heirs from owning property or conducting business– in effect ruining the offender’s family forever.
Each of these Revolutionary Era Colonials was taking an incredible risk in the purpose of their march to Concord.
I acknowledge that the native people were driven from their historical lands in what is now called Massachusetts. To be certain, the British were thorough in Massachusetts in their dealings with the indigenous people as evidenced by my lack of knowledge, beyond names of some landmarks, of the people who lived for thousands of years in the place I still refer to as home. I am not sure that there is an instance in the history of the world where an encounter with Europeans turned out well for indigenous people. However, while acknowledging injustices against the Nipmuc and other Massachusetts tribes, in the context of this topic it is notable that, considering that the age of the typical Minuteman was less than 25, the bulk of British efforts against Massachusetts’ native peoples appear to have occurred generations before those for whom the AB Colonial was named would march to Concord. Would the Committee adopt the imperial British practice of the “corruption of blood” when considering Davis’ company? Those 37 were not about colonialism or racism. They do not represent the genocide of the Nipmuc tribe or any other indigenous people and to affiliate those men with this is an injustice to them.
I suppose that when someone chose to honor those 37 from Acton and Boxborough who fought against the British by affiliating Acton-Boxborough with the Colonial, they did so hoping that it might inspire the student body with ideas like bravery; fighting for revolutionary ideals like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and emerging victorious against a seemingly invincible foe. In my mind’s eye, I can see an early twentieth century School Committee working on the best name for our school’s team and discussing points like these. To be sure, those Committee members were not wrong. Considering the actions of Davis at the bridge, the AB Colonial can be seen to symbolize these worthy ideas and my belief in these ideas helped steer me toward a life in the service of the Nation.
The Colonial and what he stood for had been so influential for me and such a part of my home town, it seemed unthinkable that he should be replaced. From my perspective, the Colonial, in representing these great revolutionary ideas remained worthy of retention. How could anyone not understand how these timeless ideas were as reflective of the modern community of Actonians as they had been of mine? I began to write this letter in the hope that I could convince people that in representing these timeless ideas which are interwoven through the fabric of our Nation, the Colonial was reflective of the Acton community even as it changes. I hoped that in reading my words, people would come to see in the Colonial what I had seen growing up in Acton. Acton has changed in 30 years, though, and today perhaps a more convincing reason to keep the Colonial as a mascot can be found in what I came to see on an evening I spent at a trailer park in Arkansas in September of 2010.
During my career in the Navy, my family has moved all around the world. When we moved from Boston to San Diego we traveled by recreational vehicle, carrying, as everyone does, our stereotypes, preconceptions and prejudices. Early in the evening on the fourth day of our journey, we stopped at a military RV park in Western Arkansas on the mostly shutdown Army base, Fort Chaffee. An overweight caretaker in a sleeveless t-shirt came out on his porch as we drove into the park. He slapped his belly and shouted to me through a toothless grin: “Are you the ones who called?” I thought to myself: “It’s a trailer park in Arkansas, Elliott. What did you expect?” We drove down an unpaved road, observing a number of “trailers” in various states of repair where people had made long term homes with their families. This wasn’t Acton; it was a far cry from Acton; the people there certainly didn’t reflect me or the community from which I came. But then I took a walk around the RV park. On an area of grass near the bath house, I saw a young woman playing with a little girl perhaps two years younger than my own daughter. I looked around at the rows of trailers. I thought of my wife and three children back at our RV. I felt convicted by the thoughts I had had driving through the park. These people were not so different from me. They were people who loved their families and were trying to make a better life for them as best they knew how as I’m sure the people living in the community of Acton Boxborough do as well.
In all likelihood, the ideas that were discussed at a twentieth century AB School Committee meeting surrounding the naming of the mascot were not in actuality what motivated Captain Davis and his company to march to Concord or take action at the North Bridge. It is more likely that the Colonials of Acton and Boxborough were motivated by something similar to what I came to see in Arkansas and have come to see in interacting with people from different cultures across the country and around the world. Namely, that the action they took was the best way they knew how to improve their own condition and make a better life for themselves, their families, and their community.
As I began to write this letter, I thought of the Monument that marked the final resting place of Davis, Hosmer, and Hayward and the flag that had flown above that place on my mother’s birthday last year. I thought of how the Colonial represented those three men who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for liberty and the high ideals upon which the Nation was founded. I was only partially correct. The Acton-Boxboro Colonial represents those fallen three and those ideals, but it also represents the other 34 who marched. These 37 men revealed to us the content of both their character and the character that the Colonial exemplifies when they marched not as 37 individuals, but as 37 members of the Acton-Boxborough community. The Colonial represents a quality that binds communities of all diverse backgrounds together: that quality of working together, even at great risk, to achieve a greater goal for that community. Though the community is ever-changing, that quality lives on in the community of Acton-Boxborough just as it did almost 250 years ago. Rather than repudiate the Colonial as the school mascot the Committee should validate it.
Elliott Donald
I am writing this comment regarding the elimination of the Acton Colonial mascot. I have been a resident of Acton for almost fifty years and I have never been so ashamed to be a resident of Acton. My children attended Acton schools and they also could not believe Acton removed the mascot. This issue has been bothering me now for two weeks because it is one additional step in destroying our history. What are we going to do now? Remove the monuments, homes, artifacts of the brave men/women that were willing to risk their lives for freedom. Should we demand disbanding the Acton Minutemen and cancel all activities relating to our heritage.
We have already started destroying the history of America by;
• burning the flag,
• kneeling for the National Anthem
• schools refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance
• boycotting business that have different political viewpoints
• media bias
• being a racist is as simple as being white
• spreading the assumption that our founding father were immoral
• children are being taught that America is immoral and was established on racism
What next:
Elliott,
thank you for writing this letter and stating what I feel are very important points to be considered in this discussion. As someone who has a long history in Acton and had ancestors who fought in the Battle of Lexington, fought in Concord by the men of Acton, I was very saddened to hear that the name Colonials could be retired. Instead we need to celebrate what those brave men did and honor them by continuing the name Colonials for the mascot of Acton, Boxboro schools
AB’s Colonial mascot has been undone by people who prescribe to Critical Race Theory. (CRT is a simplistic view of the world that purports life to be a war between oppressor and victim groups.) Its advocates are intensely focused on projecting this world view, onto others. In Western democracy, however, listening to a diversity of opinions is valued. With this in mind, I recommend that citizens of Acton (especially the school board members) read the following book: Cynical Theories, How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender and Identity – and why this harms everybody -by Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay. This text may help to start a more interesting conversation, in Acton and allow the majority of the public, to be heard.
I did submit the letter and received a confirmation of its receipt on Monday from Beth Petr and John Petersen.
There are four related items in the packet including:
1) A presentation from the petitioner (Acton Boxborough Students for Equity and Justice(ABSEJ))
2) The petitioner’s original letter to the committee
3) An endorsement from a supporting teacher group(Educators Committed to Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Justice (ECARES)
4) A letter to the superintendent from the athletic director, Steven Martin, indicating the costs associate with uniform replacement (about $200k) and that there would be additional costs (not detailed) associated with changing the name in other areas of the school.
As all the material included, perhaps excepting Mr. Martin’s letter is in favor of the Colonial’s retirement, which could reflect a bias against dissenting voices. As my letter was submitted four days prior to the packet’s publication, I am concerned that it is not included. The front matter notes that a summary of comments will be included in the addendum packet. I recognize that public comment will be accepted until 14 October. I’m hopeful that this letter and other dissenting arguments will not be reduced to “a summary” while the unabridged versions those in favor are shown here and that they will be made available in sufficient time to read them.
Per the Open Meeting Law your actual letter, not a summary, is to be included in the “packet” which is part of the permanent record of the meeting. I suggest that you give Beth Petr a call to confirm it.
Charlie
Apparently with over 300 letters and emails, there is too much public comment to include it all. The Chair will summarize, include some excerpts, and the number for and against.
For those of you who do not follow the Acton Board of Selectmen meetings, last Monday the selectmen voted 3-2 to retain the Colonial Mascot (Dean Charter, Jon Benson and Joan Gardner voting to retain, David Martin and Jim Snyder-Grant voting not to retain). Here is Jon Benson’s summary :
Although a matter before the A-B School Committee, the Board discussed the pending student petition to retire the Colonial Mascot. Dean Charter, a member of the A-B Class of 1968, stressed the leadership role of the Acton Minuteman and town settlors in fighting British oppression. Jon Benson suggested a pause in the debate to allow for a “teach-in” on local history led by the A-B Social Studies Department where the differing aspects and the positives and negatives can be presented. David Martin and Jim Snyder-Grant urged that current A-B students should choose their mascot. The Board voted 3 to 2 for retaining the Colonial Mascot.
Will the school committee not consider the question until the “teach in,” then?
The selectmen vote is important but it is just their opinion, the decision is up to the School Committee, it has it on the agenda for their October 15 meeting see :
https://www.abschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=216111&pageId=10657995
click on the “Agenda” for October 15, that has the links to participate in the meeting if you want to. The “Packet” has all the documents related to that meeting including the Colonial Mascot issue. The School Committee could decide to postpone the decision or it could vote on the proposal to replace the Mascot at that meeting.
I note this letter is not included. I assume it should make it into the addendum?
Elliott — If you have not done it already sent your letter directly to the School Committee (abrsc@abschools.org). It should then be included in the “packet” of documents for the October 15 School Committee meeting.
Charlie
The only faults with this letter is that it is too long for the attention span of our local liberal Know-it-ALLs.
AND, – it cites actual F-A-C-T-S….which are abhorrent to 2020 ‘Woke’ Liberals.
When Isaac Davis told his wife “Take care of the Children” – he was telling her that should his Company fail, – should he be captured alive, – she would have to immediately flee westward, – beyond the likely marching distance of the British Army – and their Tory sympathizers.
For over 500,000 years around the globe, ‘native peoples’ have been conquered or swept aside by stronger, more numerous, or more ruthless invaders. It is happening today to us – along our Southern Border. California has fallen.
Thus what happened to American’s aboriginal tribes serves as a STARK WARNING why we need a WALL, and carefully controlled merit-based immigration.
Today Acton has a rapidly growing Asian population – Indian and Chinese immigrants. Their kid’s SAT scores are the only thing keeping AB high on the list of ‘good schools’.
But HECK, if we’re now in the business of purging ‘racist’ and ‘white power’ images, – let’s go after the Italians! After all, that vile expansionist Roman Empire conquered and enslaved most of the known Western World.
So let’s EXPUNGE every Italian name in the phone book, – and ban all Italian foods of any kind. Let’s start with the Pizza Parlors, – they’re easy and visible.
/s/ Iron Mike
Old Soldier, – Still Good for Parts!
I hope that you are wrong about it being too long. I’d hoped that everyone would be able to learn from it that the Colonial is for everybody and that what he stands for transcends race, color, gender, or creed.
Why are the hard scrabble colonists being made to account for imperialism? They were here to eek out a living, away from the mother country. Like other more recent immigrants, they were simply trying to improve their lives. To condemn American colonialism, out of hand, is wrong. Our ties to England are a formative part of our identity. Other important aspects of colonialism were the English language, our Christian culture (teaching kindness / forgiveness) and our legal system (based on English common law). Should we get rid of these as well? Stories of the founding fathers and colonists are taught in classrooms, throughout the land. Acton is lucky to have played a role in that history. We are “in the books”, so to speak, for having helped to break away from the mother country. This is part of Acton’s proud history. To attack the colonists is a violation of that history and it will not be remembered well. Our colonial history has long pulled us together, as a town and a nation. That tradition should continue.
The anti-intellectual assault on our culture needs to stop. If this school committee caves to the PC crowd, they will long be remembered for attempting to nullify American history. Their their hubris will not be remembered well.
Elliott, that is an excellent letter.
Charlie Kadlec
Elliott Donald is a credit to himself, his family, his high school, his town and the Navy. Well done.
To my grandchildren
Today there is much discussion about the logo which will used to identify the Acton Boxborough athletic teams.
With that in mind I would like to relate some of the things that happen near Acton back in 1775.
Acton was at that time a very small community that was mostly devoted to farming. The whole country, now the east coast of the US was comprised of many independent Colonies of England in North American of which Massachusetts was one. Acton was made up mostly of white, mostly protestants who still considered themselves part of Great Britain. As a result of the home countries arrogance and lack of adequate consideration of their subjects, a rebellion was in progress. Local militia called the minutemen where were formed to respond in the event that British forces left Boston to attack other parts the area. The Acton minuteman were comprised of approximately 30 men led by Isaac Davis and included Abner Hosmer, two young men whose ages were a 30 and 21. They were very young, not much older than your own siblings. Upon receiving notice the British were marching on concord they formed up, kissed their wives and family goodbye and walked, yes walked, to the bridge at concord to join the militias of other communities to the meet the British. When asked, they volunteered to be at the front of the column and as a result when the shooting started these 2 men died in 2nd volley of musket fire. Their Lives given in heroic action. There is a monument to them on the town common under which they are interred along with another Acton man, James Hayward, who died later in the battle
So what does your grandfather take away from this? That logo indicates the greatest sacrifice a person can give, their lives. Their actions allowed those who followed the opportunities this great country offers us all. It should not be replaced by some other symbol to satisfy the desires of those today who wish something to indicate the changing composition of our community but should instead be used to educate them what great sacrifices these men made. Without their courage and the others there, there likely would be no united states as we know it and there would be a French & Spanish speaking countries in the mid & far west. The first & greatest democratic republic in the world and the example for the rest of the world would never exist.
Not perfect, always improving, but the greatest.
Poppa
Roman Catholic Acton resident 54 years
Descendent of a colonial New Yorker. A poor Protestant Irishman who fought for his country, Great Britain, as a member the light infantry company of the 1st battalion of Delancey’s loyalist brigade from 1775 to 1783. Formed on LI, the light infantry fought in Georgia & So Carolina with the 71 highland regiment. He was removed to the wilds of Canada in 1783.
Bravo for Elliot Donald! I was floored to hear of this outrages idea of changing the AB mascot and of the reasoning behind it. Hopefully this group or committee will read this letter from Mr Donald and understand why this is such an absurd idea. I have lived in Acton for over forty years and one of the things that drew us here was its history. Maybe this committee should spend more time learning about the history of this town instead of wasting time on changing the school mascot. I know Mary Donald very well from serving on the Acton Historical Society’s Board. I also live in the birthplace of Captain
Isaac Davis. Please support Mr Donald and leave our history alone.