To the Editor:

Newtown is scared. Parents are scared, and so are public officials and community leaders. Change can be scary, so I empathize to a certain degree.

But what if that fear results in children being harmed or our neighbors being harmed? What if that fear leads to falsehoods being taught in our schools? It’s time for adults in Newtown to put on their big boy pants and to listen, learn, and confront their fear. There is no need to be afraid of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

In the past few weeks I’ve heard Newtowners express fear of: Their child being falsely accused of bullying or using hate speech in school; speaking up at Board of Education (BOE) meetings after people have clapped for a speaker with an opposing opinion; their daughters being sexually assaulted in school bathrooms by transgender girls; their white sons being afraid to speak in front of the BOE; their white children feeling bad about themselves or our country if taught the history of the United States; the right to use the “r word” being taken away; and transgender girls taking college athletic scholarships from their daughters.

This feels like a case of the bogeyman to me.

Learning falsehoods and leaving out ugly, but critical, parts of our history leads to a glorified vision of our country, and not historical knowledge. Great countries confront their pasts head-on, without fear. I recently heard a parent so fearful of DEI that they wanted an opportunity to “opt out.”

Is it really so scary to afford the same opportunities and protections to all Newtown students? How sad that people are afraid of a school system that promises to “Provide every student with equitable access to high quality and culturally relevant instruction, curriculum, support, facilities and other educational resources…” (excerpt from Newtown School District policy 0523)

Newtown embraces the concept of being kind and Newtowners show kindness in a myriad of ways each and every day. But being called racist, homophobic, and transphobic names is a part of life for some Newtown children.

Are we going to keep our rose-colored glasses on and pretend it’s not happening? Or will we do everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all Newtown children?

Many of us moved here because academic excellence was important to us. But there cannot be academic excellence in Newtown schools without a curriculum that is taught through a multicultural lens. Our students will simply not be prepared for their multicultural world if their education is not culturally responsive.

I ask Newtown residents and its leaders to open their ears, eyes, hearts, and minds. It’s time to listen, learn, and enact change.

Respectfully submitted,

Wendy Leon-Gambetta

Newtown