Community Relations Committee- Easthampton, MA

10/26/2023

We, the members of the Easthampton Community Relations Committee (CRC), strongly condemn the white supremacist message recently distributed in some of our neighborhoods on flyers.

These flyers are not only offensive and disrespectful, but also dangerously divisive. They do not represent our values or our vision for our community. All of us, with the exception of the Pocumtuck, Norwottuck (or Nonotuck) and other Algonquin Natives including the Nipmuc, came to Easthampton as newcomers. All of us deserve to have a rightful place, love and respect in this community that we love.

We stand with our neighbors who are harmed by these flyers. We condemn any form of hatred, discrimination, or violence in our community. In standing up against division and fear, the CRC will organize and/or participate in activities that showcase Easthampton’s culture, history, and values. We invite everyone to join us in these actions that demonstrate our resilience and solidarity in the face of hate. Together, we can create a more peaceful and inclusive community for all!

09/30/2023

09/30/2023

We're at Porchfest this afternoon! Come and join us, share some thoughts about your city and enjoy some cookies!

Our thanks go to:
Easthampton City Arts
River Valley Co-op
October Company
Mass Cultural Council

03/16/2023

Thanks again to all who came out for the event by the Community Relations Committee of Easthampton in partnership with the Easthampton Film Festival this past February! We are pleased to be able to share a few photographs with you from the event.

The Community Relations Committee is currently recruiting new members! If you’re interested, you can check out what we do here:
https://easthamptonma.gov/241/Community-Relations-Committee

Questions? Send us e-mail at:
[email protected].

02/28/2023

Thanks to all who came out for this event put on by the Community Relations Committee of Easthampton in partnership with the Easthampton Film Festival on Sunday! Luthier’s was packed and we all learned a lot.

The Community Relations Committee is currently recruiting new members! If you’re interested, you can check out what we do here:
https://easthamptonma.gov/241/Community-Relations-Committee

You can also find the online application form here:
https://ma-easthampton.civicplus.com/FormCenter/Applications-9/Application-to-Serve-on-Board-49

or print out and complete a paper application form here:
https://easthamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1489/Application-to-Serve-on-Board-PDF

The Community Relations Committee works to promote positive relations throughout Easthampton's diverse population. Let us know if you want to help! Questions? Send us e-mail at:
[email protected].

02/12/2023

SPECIAL EVENT
Sunday, Feb 26th, 5-7pm
at Luthier's Co-op
and in association with the Easthampton Film Festival

AMERICAN JUSTICE ON TRIAL
People v. Newton

https://www.easthamptonfilmfestival.com/special-event

03/30/2022

Statement
from the Community Relations Committee

FROM September 30, 2021 to November 8, 2021, Easthampton’s MAP Gallery in Eastworks hosted an installation entitled Save the Man. It was described as a memorial art installation and community poetry reflection on native residential schools in the US and Canada. While visually representing the deaths of some 8000 indigenous children in federally run residential schools, this installation provided an opportunity for education - Indigenous children were purposely removed from their families and communities to assimilate them into European American society. This removal of Indigenous children was mandatory beginning in 1920, with these children forbidden to attend any other schools.

Falling within the observance of Native American Heritage Month, this installation welcomed community members to memorialize the young lives lost as well as an opportunity to reflect and to grapple with the complex and violent history of North America as individuals and as a community. In aspiring to be a more ‘welcoming community’ that is respectful, thoughtful, recognizing mutual humanity and cognizant of harm, the Community Relations Committee was deeply saddened to learn of written reflections on the exhibit that promoted harm and celebrated inhumane treatment of others.

The Community Relations Committee’s mission is to promote positive relations throughout Easthampton’s diverse population. In learning of this incident, we understand there is much work to be done to reach our vision of building a sense of inclusion, community and pride, where community members feel welcome, accepted and valued.

Image: reflection from a member of the community, initially written on one of the glass panes surrounding the Save the Man exhibit.

(Photograph permissions: Attack Bear Press)

03/02/2022

Easthampton celebrates annual WinterFest

Emily Britton (left) and Myra Oyedemi (right) were handing out cookies and getting positive feedback for the Community Relations Committee for Easthampton.

Reminder Publishing photo by Matthew Bys

02/21/2022

The Community Relations Committee was pleased to participate in WinterFest 2022 on February 12, 2022. In addition to a few cookies to sweeten the day, we offered a survey asking residents to share their ideas for welcoming initiatives that you would like to see take place in Easthampton.

The survey is still open! We invite your participation here:
https://forms.gle/je9y6a2ZZSGXKfqa9