DEI means recognizing the intrinsic humanity in everyone.

Our Newsletter brings you updates of efforts to support

diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our town.



Vol. 2 No. 3 February 19, 2025

On July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the requisite 28 of 37 states; it was one of three amendments designed to guarantee equal civil and legal rights to Black citizens. It grants citizenship to “All persons born or naturalized in the United States,” thereby granting citizenship to formerly enslaved people. Further, “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” The right to due process of law and equal protection of the law now applied to both the federal and state governments.

Resistance to granting equal rights to all Americans has existed ever since that historic date, but it has seemed, in this century, that as Dr. King said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

In this Black History Month, that arc toward justice seems blocked and broken. Attacks on the teaching of Black contributions to American history, attacks on birthright citizenship, attacks on support for the hiring and encouraging of minorities and women, attacks on policies advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, have been overwhelming.

Our Committee, and this Newsletter, are dedicated to the importance of recognizing the humanity in every person, regardless of skin color, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, appearance, or any other difference. We have the right to say this, and we will continue to say it until the arc can once again bend in the direction of justice for all.

As we write this, Black History Month has progressed apace; fortunately, many wonderful events remain to be experienced as detailed below. Besides happenings in Philipstown, there are also a wide range of terrific programs in nearby Peekskill, Beacon, and the Hudson Valley.

For little-known but crucial local history, the Putnam History Museum has published and made available Black History in Putnam County:

1620s to the Civil Rights Movement. This informative illustrated booklet provides a brief introduction to several influential Black individuals who lived in Putnam County; from the arrival of enslaved Africans to the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.

Click Here to Download

On Thursday, February 20, at 3 p.m. come to the Library for the Page-to-Screen Book and Movie, featuring The Sun is Also a Star. Both book and film feature multiracial love stories and the heartbreak of being an immigrant to America. Register here.

This Friday, February 21, at 2 p.m. bring the children to see Soul.

"'Soul' is a heartwarming movie that shows life is not solely about finding a purpose, but discovering the little things that make life worth living." Register here.

Author Kyle Crawford will be discussing his new book on Saturday, February 22 at 3 p.m. "This book draws on the stories and strategies of a brilliant range of figures- Thurgood Marshall, Frida Kahlo, Harriet Tubman, Marlon Riggs, Cesar Chavez, Muhammad Ali, Billie Holiday, and many more. It explores how ambiguity can emerge as the critical factor for success." Register here.

Gather with friends and community members to discuss the award-winning novel James, by Percival Elliott. The book brilliantly retells the story of Huckleberry Finn's enslaved companion, Jim, in Mark Twain's novel. The discussion will take place Monday, February 24, at 2 p.m. Register here.

News from the Butterfield Library

The book club choice for February is The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. "In the spirit of The Known World and The Underground Railroad, a profound debut about the unlikely bond between two freedmen who are brothers and the Georgia farmer whose alliance will alter their lives, and his, forever." The discussion kicks off at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 24.

News from the Haldane Central School District

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the Haldane PTA has a great list of race-related resources on their website, many focused on talking to kids about racism.

The Conscious Kid offers a compelling list of recommended books for all ages.

News from the Garrison Union Free School District

Principal Allison Emig rhas this update from teacher Jessica Putz: : "Fourth and fifth graders kicked off Black History Month thinking about what it means to be an influential person in society. They have been reading many books and articles about famous people who have broken racial barriers in their field of expertise including Jackie Robinson, Marcenia Lyle, and Shirley Chisholm. We will continue to read about them throughout the month. 

Fourth graders will be writing persuasive essays and fifth graders will be writing comparative essays based on these impactful people! A visit to a play about the life of Harriet Tubman is also planned."

Middle school soccial studies teacher Christine Valvano has all three grades working on Civil Rights Movement projects involving research and creating a podcast. Sixth graders are focused on key Civil Rights leaders; seventh graders are documenting important events in the Movement, and eighth graders are explaining key issues such as segregation and barriers to voting. Eighth grade students have been utilizing the Learning Commons technology to research their topics; they will create podcasts in small groups to demonstrate their learning.

News from the Philipstown Depot Theater

In the new Depot play, House of Lattisville,

a female street kid breaks into the elegant Harlem brownstone of an elderly woman. Neither can imagine what will happen by morning’s light.

The play is written by Nelson-Ewing (Dirt) and directed by Shona Tucker, chair of the Drama Department at Vassar College. This mesmerizing play will open in March and tickets can be purchased now.

About the Philipstown DEI Committee

Our informal group was formed in response to a racist incident at a library event in 2021. Members representing the Garrison Union Free School District, the Haldane PTA EDI Committee, Butterfield Library, and the Desmond-Fish Public Library developed a community-wide survey, the results of which can be read here. The two school districts and the two public libraries have also been joined by the Manitou School and many other community organizations. All are welcome to be part of the effort. Please contact philipstowndei@gmail.com

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Philipstown DEI Committee is to raise awareness

and foster learning and sharing opportunities that promote

community-wide engagement.  By working together across institutions, we strive to ensure that all Philipstown community members are represented, acknowledged, and valued.

Future Plans

We invite you to join our Zoom meetings that are held the last Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 25, at 4:30 p.m. To obtain a link to the meetings, email japicello@gufs.org.

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please visit our Website

Our goal is to share future newsletters in Spanish also; thank you for your patience.

Compartiremos futuros boletines en español; gracias por su paciencia.

La diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión son objetivos muy importantes.