Sara Weinberger: Voices were missing in column on Northampton’s MLK Day tradition 

I am writing to thank state Sen. Jo Comerford for reminding me that, in spite of my efforts to provide a history of Northampton’s annual MLK Jr. Day community celebration in my Jan. 16 column, “New torchbearers needed for MLK Day tradition,” I had neglected to give credit to the unpaid local people of color who contributed to the events’ success. It’s often easy to hold in esteem the paid white staff of organizations, without recognizing the roles taken on by uncompensated volunteers of color. I learned that Sen. Comferford, former program director for the American Friends Service Committee, was in charge of the MLK celebrations for seven years, after Frances Crowe, and before Jeff Napolitano. In her words, “Our goal was to insure that people of color felt seen, heard, and celebrated.”

In my column, I regret mistakenly identifying Sen. Comerford as the author of the play, “Freedom in the Air,” failing to give credit for writing it to Mistinguette Smith, as well as Gina Smith, who played a seminal role in its production. Although Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors the contributions of a Black American hero, we must not forget to applaud the accomplishments of the people of color in our own community whose efforts sometimes remain unseen.

The history of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Northampton goes far beyond its paid white organizers. Although I extended gratitude in my column to the many local volunteers, it is important to remember that the leadership of people of color had a profound impact in shaping the meaning of this event for those who attended, especially white audiences.

In my interviews for this column, I failed to ask about the role of people of color with respect to this event, as well as outreach efforts to gain involvement of people of color. I regret that and apologize to those who felt their contributions were ignored. Thank you for this wake-up call, Sen. Comerford.

Sara Weinberger

Easthampton 

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