Newton Upstanders

From the Blog

Our blog is a mix of official Newton Upstander statements, personal reflections from Newton Upstanders, and various thought pieces by our core team. If you have an idea for a blog or interested in writing a guest post please email us!

How Social Media Fuels the Normalization of Extremism

The recent GBH investigative report and subsequent deep-dive conversation on Boston Public Radio serve to remind us that even in liberal...

Chuck Tanowitz

Nov 8, 2023

Zoning Reform—The First Step on the Long Road to Housing Equity in Newton

Zoning. This tedious, wonky subject has become the focus of tremendous contentious debate in our city. Newton has long struggled with...

Newton Upstanders

Oct 29, 2023

Newton Upstanders Statement on the Violence in Israel and Gaza

Newton Upstanders shares in the horror and grief over the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. We grieve the loss of life and the trauma...

Newton Upstanders

Oct 15, 2023

So Today, Let’s NOT Teach Health Like it’s 1999

Your input is vital to ensure that school children in Massachusetts get the information they need to be and remain healthy. Please submit...

Newton Upstanders

Aug 23, 2023

Despite Uncontested Elections, Citizens Must Remain Engaged

Newton’s election nomination papers are all in and it looks like every single seat on Newton’s School Committee will be uncontested this...

Newton Upstanders

Aug 3, 2023

Update on our Meeting with Congressman Jake Auchincloss

On Monday, representatives from Newton Upstanders and Progressive Newton met with Congressman Jake Auchincloss to discuss our concern...

Newton Upstanders

Jul 26, 2023

Why Did Rep. Jake Auchincloss Vote to Whitewash American History?

You’ve probably heard about the “hijacked” National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) controversy that has been all over the news since...

Newton Upstanders

Jul 17, 2023

Dear White Liberals

I was 18 the first time someone called me racist. I was sitting at a table in my first year college dining hall, and she said, “You are...

Laura Towvim

Jul 12, 2023

Don't Worry. Be Happy...

... as long as you are white, cis, straight, and wealthy! Six days ago, we marked the one-year anniversary since the Supreme Court...

Kara Peterson

Jun 30, 2023

Statement on the Affirmative Action Decision

Today the far-right activist majority of the Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to the fight for racial justice and equality in the...

Newton Upstanders

Jun 29, 2023

A Cautionary Tale From Wisconsin

You know me as a Newton Upstander but what you may not know is that I grew up in Wisconsin. In fact, my hometown is none other than the...

Kara Peterson

Jun 26, 2023

The Importance of Walking the Walk

Newton Upstanders came together in the wake of two deeply troubling anti-DEI efforts here in our City. First, the attempt to undermine...

Newton Upstanders

Jun 14, 2023

Demystifying the AP Conversation

It seems like everyone in Newton is talking about AP courses and exam taking lately. While looking critically at how well our students...

Newton Upstanders

May 22, 2023

Press Release: Resisting Attacks on NPS’s Values

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 27, 2023 Parents and educators representing all schools in the Newton Public School system will be...

Newton Upstanders

Mar 27, 2023