Courageous Conversations

In nonprofit work, we face individual and communal experiences of pain, trauma, and challenging times, and we know the importance of validating our shared stories. As the country moved through the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020, like many institutions, we were having conversations about racism and anti-racism. During those conversations, the experience of busing (court-ordered desegregation) was a recurring topic. Our group understood the importance of acknowledging and sharing these stories, which led us toward sponsoring this series. Hosted by Burns Stanfield, Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church - Boston, each conversation reveals unique stories, feelings, and reactions from people who experienced these events first-hand, and explores the lasting impact of busing through a modern lens.

Sessions 2, 3 & 4 are available to view below.

Boston Before Busing

This session was not recorded.

The Impacts of Busing

Join Burns Stanfield and local panelists as they reflect on their unique experiences with busing during the mid- to late 1970s. (51 minutes)

The Impacts of Busing

Ambassador Ray Flynn and Professor Theodore (Ted) Landsmark share their perspectives about integrating Boston Public Schools during the height of the busing crisis. (1 hour 22 minutes)

The Legacy of Busing

The final conversation in this mini-series features Rev. Liz Walker, Peter Gelzinis, and Jen Callahan as they reflect on the lasting impact of busing and inequities among socioeconomic classes. (39 minutes)

What's next?

We want to enable giving voice to concerns about the Boston Public Schools now. We want to connect people to community organizations bringing policy issues and voice of parents and students to strengthen the Boston Public Schools. Our Boston Desegregation and Busing Initiative is proposing three initiatives for Boston Public Schools to Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper. Check out the ongoing initiatives below and our event calendar for updates.

Forums and Events

September 11, 2023
7:00 PM

"Watch Party” for "The Busing Battleground", a 2-hour documentary by WGBH American Experience. Includes a short program, addressed by the filmmaker Sharon Grimberg.

Held at the Community Academy for Science and Health, a Boston Public School, at 11 Charles Street in Dorchester, parking in lot on side of the school, across from Fields Corner MBTA Red Line Station.

September 26, 2023
6:00 PM

Forum on the Organizing for better schools and desegregation 1960-1973, largely led by the Black community. This laid the ground work for the 1974 federal court decision finding Boston's schools were segregated and ordering busing to desegregate them.

Held at Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Building, 1234 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA.

Exhibits

Partnerships

1. Working with the Archives at Northeastern, UMass Boston, and the City of Boston, we will exhibit at the forums 50 enlarged photographs of boycotts, students desegregating schools, opposition to busing, and more.

2. Working with the Archives, we have applied to have an exhibit of these materials at the J Gallery at Boston Public Library.

Partnerships include Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Libraries, Embrace Boston, Facing History and Ourselves, UMass Memory Road Shows, and Massachusetts Historical Society to exhibit and publicize the archives of documents and photos on these events that are housed in the archives of Northeastern, UMass Boston, Suffolk University, Boston College, City of Boston.