Summer is here! Before you head to the beach, or camp, or the backyard, please make a donation to the 2014 Newton North Campaign for Educational Excellence.
With your help we’ll raise $20,000 for a multi-year fund to support social-emotional health and cultural awareness programs at Newton North for the next 4-5 years.
No donation is too small (or too big).
Please go here to donate.
Best wishes for a wonderful summer,
Marcia Tabenken and Andrea Steenstrup
Ed Ex 2014 Co-chairs
As the school year concluded and it’s now July 4th, I thought I would take a moment to look back on Thoroughly Modern Millie on this most American of holidays.
The posts on Thoroughly Modern Millie continue to get views daily. To date, the stats from this blog are:
| Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS is Thoroughly Racist |  |
4,583 |
| My Take on Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
1,128 |
| NNHS Responds to Concerns About Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
1,120 |
| Today I am on the Front Page of The Boston Globe | |
1,293 |
| Talk Back: Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS | |
1,018 |
| Throwdown NNHS: Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk? Regarding Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
503 |
| MTI Advises How to Squelch Dissent for Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
445 |
| White Privilege and Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS | |
394 |
| The Boston Globe Weighs in on Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
238 |
| Rebuttal to ‘MILLIE in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons’ | |
199 |
| Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ flap highlights how old plays are rife with stereotypes | |
155 |
| NECN Broadside: Historical musical sparks controversy at Mass. HS | |
128 |
| The Boston Globe: Musical is little more than staged racism | |
123 |
| 20 Years Ago, Identical Racism Reaction in Boston Suburb | |
111 |
| More Than Half of Asian American Teens Are Bullied in School | |
81 |
| Millie Flap Makes it Abroad: in The Telegraph | |
66 |
| Thoroughly Racist ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ | |
62 |
| ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ play draws controversy in Mass. over racial stereotyping | |
44 |
Total Page Views: 11,691
During the Talk Back, Principal Jennifer Price told the audience that she and her administrators were going to come up with a plan on how to handle the multitude of points raised from Thoroughly Modern Millie and present this on paper. Just to close that loop, there has been no word from the administration of Newton North High School yet.
Next year, the musical selection is Kiss Me Kate.
My Posts:
Thoroughly Modern Millie is Thoroughly Racist
My Take on Thoroughly Modern Millie
Talk Back: Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS
NNHS Responds to Concerns About Thoroughly Modern Millie
MTI Advises How to Squelch Dissent on Thoroughly Modern Millie
Throwndown NNHS: Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk? Regarding Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie
Rebuttal to ’Millie in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons
More Than 50% of Asian American Teens are Bullied in School
White Privilege and Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie End of School Year Takeaway
Thoroughly Modern Millie Talk Back Videos
Other Links:
The Boston Globe: School Play’s Stereotypes Bring Outcry and Apology. “Millie” touches nerve in Newton by Ellen Ishkanian
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ Flag Highlights How Old Plays are Rife with Stereotypes by Don Aucoin
The Telegraph: US high school show triggers race row by David Millward
NECN TV Segment: NECN Broadside with Jim Braude, Historical Musical Sparks Controvery at Massachusetts High School
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ Fight Creates a Chilling Effect by Joan Vennochi
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons
The Boston Globe: Musical is Little More Than Staged Racism by Jeffrey Melnick (Letter to Editor in response to Joan Vennochi’s article above).
Monitoring, Exposing & Fighting Against Anti-Semitism and Racism: Thoroughly Modern Millie’ play draws controversy in Mass. over racial stereotyping
Company One: In the Intersection, Thoroughly Modern Millie Controvery at Local High School
A case study published by UMass Peter Kiang almost 20 years ago (see pages 9-13), parallels almost exactly what happened at Newton North High School. ScholarWorks at UMass Boston, We Could Shape It: Organizing for Asian American Student Empowerment by Peter Nien-Chu Kiang.
The Notebook: Racism isn’t entertainment: Why “Thoroughly Modern Millie” didn’t belong on CAPA’s stage
Resist Racism: Thoroughly Racist ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’
Genki Speak: Racism in Our Backyard
Angry Asian Man
Village 14: Decision to Stage ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at North Challenged
AsAm News: Play Filled With Offensive Images Sparks Town Hall Meeting
AsAm News: I Love Newton: High School Production Fails To Address Heavy Dose Of Asian American Stereotypes
Greer Tan Swiston: Kudos to Newton North for a thoroughly modern update of ‘Millie’
The Boston Globe: Oh, by the way, how about a round of applause for the kids? (Letter to the Editor from a grandparent)
The Boston Globe: Choice, execution of musical informed by thoughful education process (Letter to the Editor from the writers who comprise the Theatre Arts Opportunity Committee at Newton North High School.)
The Boston Globe: We miss a vital chance for understanding when we swap out ethnic characters (Letter to the Editor from a great-grandmother, teacher and volunteer)
Arissa Oh @arissaoh 1h3 white ppl on @GreaterBoston unhelpfully discuss HS prodns of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” cc: @pragmaticmom
Pawprint: Millard West Student Newspaper: Through with Thoroughly Modern Millie
The Washington Post: Twenty-Three Skiddo: ‘Modern Millie’ Doesn’t Dance
It’s an attempt, sort of, at a parody of the old-style musicals of the ’20s and ’30s, the sort jerry-built out of cheerful songs, convoluted plots, elaborate tap demonstrations and derogatory stereotypes.
IMDb: Thoroughly Embalmed Musical
Project Muse: Thoroughly Modern Millie (review)
Not Like Crazy: An Easily Overlooked Racism?
In the Spring semester at school, the Musical Theater Department put on Thoroughly Modern Millie, which was overflowing with racism in its portrayal of Asians. I must say, I was thoroughly upset about the whole thing. First, the guys playing the Asians, I believe they were supposed to be Chinese immigrants, had white face makeup and slanty eyes. I couldn’t help but think that if they’d dressed in blackface, surely there’d be an uproar (Of course, they are putting on Ragtime this year, so we’ll see how they handle that– they’re already sending out emails about how they want the black students to try out for roles because there aren’t many black people in the musical theater department *eyeroll*). That wasn’t the only bad thing about the musical, however, the villian was a white woman pretending to be Asian who pronounced her L’s as R’s, and said she used soy sauce to clean a stain. Of course, she also treated the two Asian immigrants who worked for her as if they were stupid, and the silently and humbly submit in front of her, though behind closed doors they argue in Chinese (I guess it was real Chinese), with subtitles projected above the stage. And then one of the Asian men falls in love with one of the white women in the musical, blonde hair, blue eyes, you know the deal. At the end of the musical, they get together, as if his reward for working hard and being submissive, for being mistreated, is the gift of white womanhood, the pinnacle of creation. So yeah, I was pretty pissed about that whole thing.
Myvanwy: Review of Thoroughly Modern Millie
Someone sent me video of a local comedian’s youtube video of a character I’ve seen him portray once before. To call it infantile and racially insensitive would be a gross understatement. For the targets of his ridicule, it’s every bit as offensive as a mean-spirited performance in blackface. But because it’s against one of the few groups for whom bigotry, hostility, and ridicule is still acceptable (Chinese Americans and others of Asian and/or Pacific Island descent), it’s seen as okay by most and even encouraged by other local comedians. Kevin Marshall’s America
Zak Keith: Hollywood Asian Stereotypes
Racism against Asians is often “unawares”—a form of racism that flies under the radar due to its widespread acceptance as the norm. Its interactive dynamic resembles that of an unwritten social contract. Asians in the West are expected to accept patronizing remarks and racist taunts so demeaning that perpetrators would think twice before dishing them out with such unwavering consistency to any other minority group, such as Latinos or African Americans. Asians who object to such treatment are typically met with befuddlement and offense at their audacity to make an issue out of it.
NewTV invites you to a special screening of Gasland Part II, an HBO documentary that “takes a deeper, wider look at the dangers of hydraulic fracking, now occurring on a global level.”
***Prior to the screening, the audience is encouraged to participate in a LIVE video Q&A with Director Josh Fox.
Director Josh Fox is an American film director and environmental activist, best known for his Oscar-nominated 2010 documentary, Gasland. Josh has written/directed/produced two feature films and over twenty-five full-length works for the stage, and is one of the most prominent public critics of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.
Event Details:
Live Video Q&A with director Josh Fox: JULY 11, 6PM
Screening begins at 6:30 pm at NewTV
23 Needham Street
Newton, MA
Seating is limited. Please RSVP to rsvp@newtv.org.
For more information about the film and director, please go here.
The Shops at Prudential Center just announced the line-up for their annual free family film festival which kicks off July 5th with the movie Frozen and runs through the end of the summer with other popular kid films.
The Shops at Prudential Center will kick off its annual Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival on Saturday, July 5 with a viewing of Frozen. The festival runs everySaturday from July 5 to August 30 in the Center’s South Garden with entertainment, games and gift card giveaways beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by the featured movie starting at sundown. The first 20 guests to arrive each night will receive a free picnic blanket compliment of The Shops at Prudential Center. The festival is free to the public, and guests who make a $10 purchase in the Center can take advantage of on-site discounted parking.
Rain dates are scheduled for the following Wednesday, complete details can be found on The Shops at Prudential Center’s website. The schedule for the Family Film Festival is as follows:
July 5: Frozen
July 12: Monsters University
July 19: The Smurfs 2
July 26: Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
August 2: Despicable Me 2
August 9: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
August 16: The Lego Movie
August 23: Finding Nemo
August 30: The Little Mermaid
Visit their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter for updates.
Children’s Charitable Golf Tournament The Newton-Needham Chamber’s annual Children’s Charitable Golf Tournament returns to one of the region’s finest golf clubs. Registration fee includes all green fees and cart, lunch, cocktail reception, use of practice faculties, prizes for top teams and a genuinely useful gift for each player.
| Date: | August 4, 2014 | |
| Time: | 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM | |
| Website: | http://www.nnchamber.com/ | |
| Location: | Woodland Golf Club 1897 Washington Street, Newton | |
| Email: | info@nnchamber.com | |
| Date/Time Details: | Monday Aug. 4, 2014 11 am registration and lunch 12:30 shotgun | |
| Fees/Admission: | $310/golfer, $1240/foursome on or before July 10 After July 10 $330/golfer, $1320/foursome Register now. We will be happy to invoice you. |
Click Here for More Information Register Online
The survey was commissioned by Sylvan Learning.
p.s. I have some summer reading lists here:
Summer Reading Lists for Middle School
Showcase Cinemas promotes summer reading with Bookworm Wednesdays!
Every Wednesday, from July 9 to August 13, select Showcase Cinemas locations will be offering FREE admission to a select movie to kids (and their parents!) who bring in a book report (which can be downloaded on the site).
See below for the movie schedule and list of participating locations near you! For more information, and to download the book report, visit here.
Schedule:
Local theatres participating:
*Children under six who accompany a participant and adults who accompany a participant receive free admittance to the Bookworm Wednesdays movie and do not need to submit a book report. No purchase necessary.
Can you go Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club? We’re not actually traveling anywhere in this boxing drill created by co-owner Marc Gargaro to practice four blocks and four punching combinations in a continuous motion.
This boxing drill can be used by just about anyone. Check out the wide range of boxers at Nonantum Boxing Club from kids to moms to fighters.
Come Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club! No, seriously, stop by. It’s a great workout and helpful and friendly staff. It only looks like a fight club!
p.s. Who do you think goes Around the World the fastest? My forty-something mom friend Lydia who starts off this video or the fighter towards the end? Please vote by leaving a comment!
The Newton Food Pantry needs volunteers who can deliver food to homebound clients ONCE a month. Typically the volunteers pick food up at the pantry on any Wednesday throughout the month (best times 11:30-2:30), or the 3rd Saturday of each month (btw 10-12) because that is when the pantry is open and we have fresh food.
However, it is possible to pick food up on other days/times when the library is open as the library workers have a key to the pantry and you can fill up your shopping bags with food (mostly non-perishable).
The time commitment is probably only an hour a month.
If you are interested, please contact Tracie Longman, Co-President of Newton Food Pantry at NewtonFoodPantry@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Saturday, June 28, 2014
8:00 PM
First Unitarian Society in Newton
1326 Washington Street, West Newton
Works by Bach, Mozart, Fauré, Poulenc, and Ravel performed by Joel Bard, Sayuri Miyamoto, and friends.
Tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for students and children
Reserve your tickets by making a donation
Note that there are no physical tickets. There will be a list at the door of people who have made donations online.
Cash and checks payable to Pan-Mass Challenge are accepted at the door, but credit cards are not.
All proceeds go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
J.S. Bach ~ Brandenburg Concerto No. 1
W.A. Mozart ~ Piano Quartet in G minor, K. 478
J.S. Bach/Charles Gounod ~ Ave Maria
Gabriel Fauré ~ Two Songs: Mandoline and Sylvie
Francis Poulenc ~ Sextet for Winds and Piano
Maurice Ravel ~ Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Winds, and Strings
Please join us for food and drink after the performance.
For more information send an e-mail to bard.joel@gmail.com.